Taffy departs Llanelli for a second time

Last updated : 15 July 2003 By Tony Scholes

Leighton James last season at the time of his appointment at Llanelli
Taffy was brought in during last season with the club languishing at the bottom of the Welsh Premier League, he replaced Peter Nicholas who resigned to manage Newport County.

Things didn’t go well though and Llanelli ended the season relegated after finishing rock bottom with just four wins. It came as no real surprise when James, a popular choice for the job with the Llanelli fans, and is assistant Wyndham Evans were finally axed.

He has been replaced by former Carmarthen Town defender Neil O'Brien who will be assisted by an ex-Llanelli player in Lee Randall.

Llanelli Chairman Robert Jones said, "Both are local boys and highly respected in the Welsh soccer scene. I am more than pleased with the appointments, both live within a stone's throw of the club and are well versed in the local scene.

"Neil has played in the League of Wales for a number of years, as has Lee and I have been very impressed with their plans for next season.

"Last season at Llanelli was probably the worst in the club's history. We finished 11 points adrift of the next club up, which was not so much relegation as humiliation."

But Taffy didn’t go quietly and hit out at Jones in the local South Wales press.

''I just find it unacceptable that he should do it by telephone for the second time and not have the decency to come and see me,'' said James.

''If he had told me and Wyndham at the end of the season to go and see him and told us we were not needed then it would not have been so bad. 'It is amateurish and cowardly. Obviously that is the way Mr Jones feels more comfortable dealing with his business.

''It is really disappointing, but it is not surprising at all.''