Haymond played more than 200 games for the Steelmen and helped them to win three Championship and one Premiership titles. A ferocious competitor at full back, he also contributed 100s of points down the years.
He will have experienced team administrator Doug Taylor assisting him as the club looks to re-build under head coach Jason Strange and return to the top half of the Indigo Group Premiership table.
“When Dan discussed his retirement with Jason and myself, both of us agreed that we wanted to keep him involved with the club. The vacant team manager’s role was an ideal opportunity,” explained Ebbw Vale chairman, Jon Jones.
“Dan epitomises what has been good about the club over the last 10 years – pride in the badge, skill, heart and honesty. Good people create good environments and we are confident that Dan will continue to play a major part in driving a culture of hard work leading to success.”
The 33-year-old spent 11 campaigns as a player with the Steelmen and played under Strange in his early days. He helped the club win a Division One East title, a pair of Championship crowns and scored the last try in the famous Premiership final win against Pontypridd at Sardis Road in 2016.
“When I knew it was time to hang up my boots it wasn’t a decision I wanted to make. When Jason told me he still wanted me involved with the club and offered me the team manager’s role it was a no brainer for me,” said Haymond.
“It will be a strange feeling, and it is going to take a bit of time for me to get used to the role, but I will give it 100% and do my best for the boys and club. I’m hoping, having played under Jason for so long and played alongside the boys, that I can be a good link between them both.”
Strange has been busy assembling a new squad for the 2022-23 campaign after retaining a mere 18 players from last season’s squad. To date he has recruited a further seven players.
EBBW VALE RETAINED PLAYERS FOR 2022-23
Scrum Half: Jon Evans, Matthew Flannagan
Centres: Dom Franchi, Ethan Phillips, Paul King
Wing: Jordan Thomas
LH Props: Luke Garrett, Joel Harries, Lewis Kinsella
Hookers: Joe Franchi, Harry Bee, Mickhal Blake
TH Prop: Dave Whiting
2nd Row: Lance Randall
Back Row: Lewis Young, Alex Howes, Joe Thomas, Dawid Rubasniak
Former Wales U20 caps Carrick McDonnough and Morgan Richards are joined by Ryan Gardner in pepping up the back division, while front row men Curtis Gregory and Jordan Pritchard are joined by lock Andrew Mann and back row forward Jordan Davies in joining the club.
