Ron Jukes is so important
In today's Shropshire Star, incoming Telford boss Mick Jones has admitted the chance to work alongside new chief scout Ron Jukes convinced him to move back into football management.
Jones has been a long-time friend and admirer of the work of former Shrewsbury, Hereford, Wolves, Walsall and Derby scout Jukes and can't wait for the chance to work alongside the knowledgeable veteran next season.
Jones said: "There is no mystery about me and Ron working together. We have come to know each other over the years through lots of telephone conversations. I have advised him about players and he has been doing the same for me and we have become close. He is an excellent scout and that is what I wanted here. Ron and I have a super association and I am sure we will work well together.
"I am not saying I would not have taken the job if Ron wasn't involved but I would have questioned if I wanted it without him there.."
Jukes is certainly well-respected throughout football. Forty years of scouting have inevitably produced a number of high-class contacts and the fact he has unearthed players such as Steve Bull at Wolves and Nigel Pearson at Shrewsbury to name but two of his many finds prove what Jukes still has to offer. The former Hereford scout admits he is looking forward to the challenge of passing on his years of experience to another club.
He said: "I have never lost my love for football but I felt I needed a fresh challenge after five years at Hereford. I am getting no younger and to have the chance to be part of a team at an ambitious club like Telford is superb."
Jukes will be in charge of a network of scouts at the New Bucks Head.