CARL DARLINGTON has returned to The New Saints as first team coach.

Darlington spent more than four years as Head Coach of the Welsh Premier League champions before joining the backroom staff at Wrexham last December and he finished last season as interim manager.

But the UEFA A licensed coach was told in May his services were no longer required after Gary Mills took over as Reds boss.

And although there have been offers from a number of clubs, Darlington, the head of coach education for the Welsh Football Trust, has taken his time.

“I have had a few offers from League Two, Conference and Welsh clubs since leaving Wrexham, TNS being one, but the timing wasn’t right,” said Darlington. “But as time has gone on, I have been itching to get back into it. I have been working with the Wales squads but it is not regular.

“It got to the stage where we are halfway through the season and I have missed being involved with a club, being on the pitch and coaching day to day. I love coaching, it is my passion.”

Darlington, who will work with manager Craig Harrison and assistant Scott Ruscoe, still believes there are challenges at TNS who are unbeaten this season.

“TNS asked me to go back at the start of the season but the timing wasn’t right,” said Darlington. “The circumstances with some offers weren’t right, some were full-time which I didn’t want to do because of my job with Wales.

“I was asked on Sunday to go in as assistant manager at a Conference club but I’d already given TNS by word, I want to honour that.

“All I want to do is coach, I have done nothing for the last half a year so I am glad to get back into it.

“Of course there are still challenges at TNS. You can’t settle for what you have got, you have got to keep improving it.”

- Flint Town United have confirmed that Aden Shannon will take charge of first team affairs until the end of the season.

Shannon, who has been in the Flint first team, replaces Chris Herbert, who left to take on a role with Chester FC.