WELSH Premier Division Ebbw Vale say former skipper Chay Billen, pictured, is returning to the club as player-coach.

They have also reached an arrangement with another former captain, ex-Wales flanker and now Sale forwards coach Kingsley Jones, to act as skills coach on an ad hoc basis.

Both agreements represent a determination by the club to make a bold bid for success during the coming season after finishing bottom last season and avoiding the drop to Division One only because the Welsh Rugby Union decided not to enforce relegation.

But this season three clubs will go down with two promoted to take the division back to 16, leaving Vale much work to do, especially having lost players such as Andrew McLoughlin and Neil Edwards to Newport and Rhys Williams and Gareth Betts to Cross Keys in the close season.

Billen himself told the Argus today: "There are still one or two matters to sort out before I put pen to paper, but provided we do sort them out I will be delighted to return to Ebbw Vale.

"I enjoyed my time with them previously when they were in the old Premier Division and it would be nice to return with a fresh challenge."

Vale official Steve Hancock said: "These are important appointments and shows our determination to do well. We are not dead and buried as some people have intimated.

"Both Chay and Kingsley bring an enormous amount of experience and expertise to the club and it's brilliant to see that former club favourites are returning to the fold and are ready to offer their support in any way they can.

"Chay is coming to the end of a Masters degree in coaching sciences (he is also a part-time lecturer at Coleg Powys) so will be of immense benefit to us in conditioning and preparation as well as coaching.

"He is up to level three as a coach and was keen to add club coaching to his bow.

"He is also still a very good player, though we will use him sparingly and not week-in, week-out while Kingsley may also play on occasions if required.

"Most of Sale's games in the Zurich Premiership will be on a Friday night, making him available to us.

"We have been going about our business quietly and steadily and we are feeling positive about the coming season.

"We hope our supporters can see that we are doing our best to improve things and that they will rally around."

Billen was in the frame for a possible coaching role at Doncaster, where Kingsley Jones was previously in charge. He was also linked with Coven-try, Swansea and a possible return to Newport.