MIDFIELDER Ryan Jones made his debut for Ledbury Town – after making the switch from Bartestree.

The 18-year-old enjoyed two years at Bartestree after a spell with Hereford United youth.

“It was just my luck that my first match was against Bartestree but I am still mates with the Bartestree lads,” he said.

“I played against Ledbury twice last year and we have had rivalry there.

“But now I have switched – the rivalry is the other way around.

“I am a Ledbury lad and it was a difficult decision to leave Bartestree – but I spoke to the Ledbury manager I started training with all the lads.

“I am looking forward to finishing off the season and the starting a fresh with Ledbury from next season with pre-season and playing with the lads.”

Ledbury have lost James Febrey, who has joined Newent, and the energetic Neil Gardiner, who has linked up with Malvern Rangers, said Town boss Paul Mann.

“No-one wants to lose good players but I don’t want to hold anyone back. If players want to go, they can. But the door is always open for them to come back and there was no hard feelings.”

Mann added: “We are very played with Ryan - he is a Ledbury lad who lives in Tarrington. He wasn’t getting a regular spot at Bartestree and we had him watched a few times.”