DESPITE unfounded speculation reported elsewhere, the Abergavenny Thursdays secretary Chris Wilkins has confirmed that Phil Hemmings will stay at the club as manager of the first team, with Mark Hefferman assuming the mantle of responsibility for the seconds.
In a pre-season time of change for the club, the Thursdays have also recruited a handful of new players to aid their 2008/09 bid for promotion from Gwent County Division Three.
Wilkins told the Chronicle, "At the moments it's all systems go for the Thursdays. About ninety five percent of the players from last season have re-signed - which is very pleasing.
'We've also made a handful of new signings in the shape of forwards Andrew Hammett and Rob Davies.
"Hammett used to play for Neath Athletic, and Davies also has Welsh League experience, so they'll be a real asset to Pen-y-Pound, alongside Ross Povey and Paul Williams who have joined us from the Mardy."
Wilkins added, "At the Thursdays our ethos is all about local players playing for their local club, and from my own role of coaching U14 players, I know just what a wealth of talent we have coming up through the ranks.
"Hopefully a lot of these younger players will continue to play for the senior side in the future, and act as a foundation stone on which the club can build.
"It's been a bit of a shake-up for everyone at the club heading into the new season, but the mood is optimistic, the attitude is positive, and the pre-season performances to date have been both enthusiastic and encouraging."
This Saturday at Pen-y-Pound the Abergavenny Thursdays take a starring role in a football double-header, when the first team take on Newport Corries (1.30pm kick-off), followed by the second team's match against Georgetown.