GARETH Hughes has been appointed player-manager at Rhayader Town.

The former Newtown midfielder has played a key role on the pitch in helping the youthful Red Kites return to the MMP-NL Mid Wales League Two and joins a management team led by manager Stuart Kinrade, general manager Dai Davies and head coach Mattie Lewis.

Davies said: “Gareth is a Rhayader lad through and through and has a wealth of experience and successfully led the team to Mid Wales League One championship two years previously had to step down to concentrate on playing due to work commitments.

“The club is delighted to get Gareth back into the management set-up and start working with the talent that Rhayader currently has and will hopefully keep producing through its junior ranks.

“Gareth is looking forward to working with the talent we have and is looking to get Rhayader back to the MMP-NL Mid Wales League One set-up within two years.

Chairman Graham Clarke backed the Red Kites management team.

“The committee is delighted that Gareth has accepted the role and is keen to stress that we are 100 per cent behind the management team and will support them in whatever they nee.

“We have been impressed with the ambition Gareth has for the team and club as a whole.”