Merthyr Town F.C.

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Merthyr Town
Official logo of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club
Full name Merthyr Town Football Club
Nickname(s) The Martyrs, The Romans, Red & Greens
Founded 1909 (as Merthyr Town A.F.C.)
Reformed 2010
Dissolved 1934–2010
Ground Penydarren Park
Merthyr Tydfil
Ground Capacity 10,000 (1,500 seated)
Chairman Meurig Price
Manager Gavin WIlliams
League Southern Football League Premier Division
2015–16 Southern Football League Premier Division, 10th

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

File:MerthyrTown1909.jpg
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. Position Player
Wales GK Tom Bradley
Wales DF Steve Williams
Wales DF Adam Davies
Wales DF Ryan Green
Wales DF Jarrad Wright
Wales DF Dan Summerfield
Wales DF Jamie Rewbury
Wales MF Gavin Williams
Spain MF Guillem Bauzà
No. Position Player
Wales MF Matthew Harris
Wales MF Richard Evans
Wales MF Kris Leek
Wales FW Jake Harris
Wales FW Kerry Morgan
Wales FW Ryan Prosser
Wales FW Kayne McLaggon
Wales FW Corey Jenkins

Management

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

Honours

See also

References

External links