FOOTBALL is a funny old game - just ask new Flint Town United boss Neil Gibson.

Gibson is back in football as manager of The Silkmen, who he was battling it out with from the Prestatyn Town dugout just over nine months ago with Cymru North promotion at stake.

Despite topping the second tier, Prestatyn failed to obtain a domestic licence, allowing Flint to win promotion as runners-up.

Prestatyn’s 2019/20 squad was picked apart by rivals, including Flint, who snapped up the likes of Kai Edwards, Ben Maher, Alex Jones and Rob Hughes, leading to Gibson stepping down at Bastion Gardens.

Now he’s back in the game with Flint and those familiar faces.

“It’s a strange one, “ said Gibson. “I met the lads on Tuesday at training and half the squad was in my dressing room last season and the other half we were competing against.

“Football can be weird and this is one of those occasions!”

Knowing so many of the squad from last season, and in the case of John Danby, Conor Harwood and Dominic McHugh from his time as Connah’s Quay Nomads assistant, has allowed Gibson to settle into life at the Essity Stadium nicely.

Flint have a crunch run of games between now and Christmas with Saturday’s trip to Penybont followed by home games against Cefn Druids and Aberystwyth.

Gibson has been around the block enough time to resist the temptation to make any bold predictions regarding those fixtures, however.

“The old adage is that we are taking things one game at a time,” said Gibson. “In the Cymru Premier people look at the fixtures and target this and that, but if we are going to do that it will be further down the line.

“At this moment in time the message is a simple one about taking things a game at a time and I’ve got a lot of faith in the group.”

One man who will be on Flint’s coach as they head to Bridgend will be former Liverpool and Wrexham striker Lee Jones, who has joined Gibson’s backroom staff alongside Aden Shannon and Johnny Hill.

“I want a strong backroom staff and Lee is someone I’ve known for 20-odd years,” said Gibson.

Midfielder Hughes is back available for Flint after suspension, but Jones remains banned and Wes Baynes faces a late fitness check.

Bala Town entertain Cardiff Met tomorrow looking to build on their 2-1 win at Aberystwyth on Wednesday.

November’s Player of the Month, Will Evans, won the penalty for Gary Roberts to convert, before Lassana Mendes scored what proved to be the winner for Bala, who fell behind to an opener from Rhys Davies.

Caernarfon and Barry Town United do battle in tomorrow’s other fixture at The Oval.