A Sports Lecturer from Shrewsbury College is set to play in the Europa League qualifiers this summer after the team he plays for secured second place in the Welsh Premier League.
Andy Jones, aged 29, of Shrewsbury, was headhunted while playing for Newtown FC and moved in the January transfer market to play semi-professionally for the Airbus UK.
The team has qualified to play in the Europa League next season so Andy, who has previously been selected for the England University squad in his teens and played for AFC Telford, is in training twice a week with the Chester based club.
Andy and his team mates have secured second in the league behind title favourites TNS so will definitely be going forward to the Europa League Qualifiers in early July.
He said: “Apart from my full-time job teaching at Shrewsbury College, I continue to play football semi-professionally. I also coach under 15s and 16s at The Centre of Excellence at Shrewsbury Town Football Club.
“My latest move to the Airbus UK team is a great opportunity to play in Europe and great for my CV. It’s really important for me to keep my professional standards up so I can keep my knowledge up to date and also offer the students I teach some inspiration about where they can go and what they can achieve.”
Jackie Swan, Curriculum Leader for Hairdressing and Therapies, Public Uniformed Services and Sport, said: “It’s so important for students to learn from lecturers who have worked in and or still have a hand in their chosen professions.
“Andy is a fantastic example of this and a fantastic ambassador for the College. He takes all of his responsibilities seriously and we are really impressed with his achievements and proud of him.”
Shrewsbury College offers a range of Sport courses, from opportunities for hobbyists, part and full-time and coaching and teaching courses to Higher Education.
For more information on Sport courses at Shrewsbury College please visit their website or call 01743 342333.
