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Merthyr Town F.C.

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This article is about the original football club from Merthyr Tydfil established in 1909 and re-established in 2010. For the club which existed between 1945-2010, see Merthyr Tydfil F.C.
Merthyr Town
Official logo of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club
Full nameMerthyr Town Football Club
Nickname(s)The Martyrs, The Romans, Red & Greens
Founded1909 (as Merthyr Town A.F.C.)
Reformed 2010
Dissolved1934–2010
GroundPenydarren Park
Merthyr Tydfil
Capacity10,000 (1,500 seated)
ChairmanMeurig Price
ManagerSteve Jenkins
LeagueSouthern Football League Premier Division
2014–15Southern Football League Division One South & West, 1st (promoted)

Merthyr Town Football Club (Welsh: Clwb Pêl-droed Tref Merthyr) is a Welsh semi-professional football club based in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. For the 2015–16 season, the club will play in the Southern Football League Premier Division.

Merthyr Town were founded in 1909 and played in the Football League during the 1920s, but the club folded in 1934 and were replaced by new formed Merthyr Tydfil F.C. in 1945. In 2010, the club reformed again after Merthyr Tydfil was liquidated.

History

Early years

The Merthyr Town team of 1909

In 1909, Merthyr Town joined the second division of the Southern League, which despite being primarily an English league, contained several other Welsh clubs, notably Cardiff City, Newport County and Swansea Town. After finishing third in 1911–12 the club were promoted to the first division, though they were relegated back to the second division in 1913–14. The Southern League did not operate during the First World War, and when it resumed for the 1919–20 season Merthyr were placed back in the top division.

In the summer of 1920 the Football League expanded with the creation of a new Third Division, which was made up entirely of the First Division of the Southern League from the previous season. Despite having finished second bottom in season before, usually a relegation place, Merthyr became a new member of the Football League.

In their first season in the Football League, the club had a much better season and finished 8th. This, however, proved to be their most successful league season, and it was followed by a gradual decline: 11th in 1921–2 and 17th in 1922–3. The 1923–4 season saw a slight improvement in league form as they finished 13th, but the major news was their appearance in the final of the Welsh Cup, though they lost 1–0 to Wrexham in a replay after a 2–2 draw.

From then on the club declined further, and finished bottom of the Third Division in 1924–5. Although they finished 14th in 1925–6, in the following seasons the club finished 17th, 21st, 20th and then bottom again, and were eventually voted out of the Football League in 1930.[1] They were replaced by the ill-fated Thames. During their penultimate season in the Football League the club had their best season in the FA Cup, getting past the first round for the only time, before losing to Watford in the second round.

The club dropped back into the Southern League, but lasted only four seasons, before ceasing to play in 1934.

Penydarren Park, home of Merthyr Town Football Club.

The new club

In 2010, Merthyr Tydfil F.C. of the Southern Football League Premier Division were liquidated despite finishing the 2009–10 season 17th of 22 clubs. The club was reformed under the name of Merthyr Town and consequently were required to drop three divisions to begin the 2010–11 season in the Western Football League Division One. The club was also forced to switch grounds, and left Penydarren Park to take Rhiw Dda’r, the home of Taff's Well A.F.C. as their new home ground. In their first season they won Division One and were promoted to the Western League Premier Division.[2]

The newly-promoted club once again called Penydarren Park home. Their first match back at their spiritual ground was a 1–9 defeat to Welsh Premier League side Llanelli in a pre-season friendly in July 2011.[3] However Merthyr went on to secure a second consecutive championship and with it promotion to the Southern League.

On 6 April 2015, Merthyr Town were promoted back to the Southern League Premier Division only five years after being expelled, following a 9–0 home win against Bishops Cleeve.[4]

The club is fully owned by the supporters' trust.[5]

Current squad

As of 16 April 2015

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK Wales WAL Tom Bradley
— DF Wales WAL Steve Williams
— DF Wales WAL Adam Davies
— DF Wales WAL Ryan Green
— DF Wales WAL Jarrad Wright
— DF Wales WAL Dan Summerfield
— DF Wales WAL Jamie Rewbury
— MF Wales WAL Gavin Williams
— MF Spain ESP Guillem Bauzà
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF Wales WAL Matthew Harris
— MF Wales WAL Richard Evans
— MF Wales WAL Kris Leek
— FW Wales WAL Jake Harris
— FW Wales WAL Kerry Morgan
— FW Wales WAL Ryan Prosser
— FW Wales WAL Kayne McLaggon
— FW Wales WAL Corey Jenkins

Management

Position Name
Manager Wales Steve Jenkins
Assistant Managers Wales Gavin Williams
Wales Steve Williams
Physiotherapist Wales Andy Needs

Honours

See also

References

  1. ^ Merthyr Town
  2. ^ Merthyr Town promoted
  3. ^ Match Report: Merthyr Town 1 – 9 Llanelli
  4. ^ Merthyr Town beat Bishops Cleeve 9–0 for promotion
  5. ^ Official website: History of Merthyr Town
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