Martyrs to the Cause

Merthyr Town FC launch Penydarren Park Pitch Fund

2012-01-03T06:53:00.001-08:00

Merthyr Town FC has today confirm the setting up of a Penydarren Park Pitch Fund (PPPF) to help raise £5,000 to upgrade the current playing surface at our famous ground.

Penydarren Park was visited in November by inspectors from the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) as part of the Football Association of Wales's audit for possible international match venues.

The IOG team were very impressed with the work being undertaken by our Ron Walton but were happy to work with Ron to put together recommendations to improve and maintain the playing surface.

The levels across the pitch, particularly between the penalty boxes are poor and the pitch would benefit greatly from levelling to integrate these levels across the whole pitch.

The pitch is also becoming compacted around the goals and centre circle.

The topsoil should be de-compacted when ground conditions permit using a range of options including verti-draining and linear aeration.

The recommendations were costed at just over £5,000 therefore the club is seeking volunteers via the PPPF to set up events to raise new monies to achieve this goal.

The first event is on the evening Saturday 14th January when local band Future Sailors will be playing in the Candac Suite in support of the Penydarren Park Pitch Fund. Tickets are only £3.00 each and can be purchased from the Candac Suite or via Mark Evans on 07900671937.

Future events will include a children's sponsored bike ride around the Penydarren Park pitch, supporters cycling to our away match at Bristol Manor Farm on Easter Monday and David Powell sky-diving out of a plane in April.

Andrew Murphy will also run the Rotterdam marathon in April.

If you have any ideas for fundraisers please contact Merthyr Town FC.

Charity collection update

2012-01-03T06:51:00.000-08:00

Merthyr Town FC would like to thank everyone who donated to the charity collection undertaken at Penydarren Park prior to match against Bristol Manor Farm yesterday. As a result of your kind donations we were able to forward £153.77 to the Llamau charity to continue their good work in our community.

Christmas Charity Collection at Merthyr Town FC

2012-01-01T08:07:00.000-08:00

The Trust at Merthyr Town FC undertakes a charity bucket collection every Christmas period (weather permitting of course) for a local charity, this season it has been decided to support Llamau.

Llamau is a homeless charity delivering services to socially excluded, homeless and potentially homeless young people and vulnerable women in South Wales.

The word Llamau means steps, progression or threshold in old Welsh and their ultimate aim is to support people who use their services in making such positive steps.

They are particularly well known for engaging with those at risk - particularly care leavers, young offenders, those as risk of offending, victims of domestic abuse and people who have chaotic and disadvantaged lifestyles.

Merthyr Town FC recently helped in publicising Llamau's project to renovate and create a cyber cafe at the famous Flooks jewellers shop which has stood empty on Pontmorlais Circus for a few years now. Llamau won £60,000 in their heat of the Jubilee People's Millions which was run on the HTV Wales Evening News programme. The charity needs more funds though to continue its great local work. The Bling Cafe @ Flooks will be run, in a similar vein to Merthyr Town FC, as a social enterprise but by homeless young people, providing them with work experience, knowledge, self-confidence and motivation to go on and lead successful independent lives. It will contribute to the regeneration of Merthyr town centre and in particular the Pontmorlais area where of course Penydarren Park is situated.

Trust volunteers will be looking for donations for this excellent local charity before, during and after todays' match against Bristol Manor Farm, please give generously and show your continued support for our community partners.

For further information on Llamau please note the following link - http://www.llamau.org.uk/

Wrexham Supporters Trust complete takeover

2011-12-01T06:04:00.000-08:00

Merthyr Town FC wish to congratulate our colleagues within the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) for their successful takeover of Wrexham AFC this week. The process has been lengthy but the WST has been diligent in its approach to securing the future of Wales's oldest football club.

As we know at Penydarren Park the best guardians for a club's future are its supporters and we're sure that good times lie ahead for those fans at the Racecourse Ground.

Penydarren Park renovation plan

2011-11-21T02:42:00.000-08:00

Merthyr Town Launch project for Penydarren Park Upgrade

On Thursday December 1st the Merthyr Town Board meet supporters of the club at the CANDAC Suite at 7.30 pm to outline the plans to upgrade Penydarren Park . The club has received a substantial grant through the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Social Economy team. The grant will be spent to overcome years of neglect at Penydarren Park on an upgrade of basic facilities such as security fencing, shower facilities, heating and facilities for the disabled. It has also enabled the appointment of a Business development Manager, whose role will be to expand the business turnover at the Penydarren Park, and to increase the use of the facilities at the club by the wider community. The club Board will also take the opportunity to inform supporters of all developments over recent months. All who are interested in the continued progress of Merthyr Town are welcome.

Steve Williams - 300 appearances for the Martyrs

2011-11-13T12:57:00.001-08:00

Merthyr Town FC was delighted to present a momento to our captain Steve Williams on Saturday prior to our Les Phillips Cup match to commemorate his 300th appearance for the Martyrs.

Congratulations to Steve on reaching this milestone, here's for many more seasons at Penydarren Park.

White Hot Webley t-shirts

2011-11-09T03:18:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the 21st anniversary of Merthyr Tydfil's historic 4-1 Welsh Cup win over Cardiff City at Ninian Park the website Cultzeros has launched a t-shirt design of the inconic Dai Webley goal celebration from that match.

If you would like one or would like to purchase one as a Christmas gift for the Martyrs fan in your life please use the following link;

http://www.cultzeros.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=MeT23

Merthyr boxer wears the shirt with pride

2011-11-08T05:31:00.000-08:00

Kerry Hope showed his support for his hometown by wearing a Merthyr Town shirt into the ring for his latest fight which was shown live on Sky Sports.

The fight was a British Middleweight title eliminator against Tony Hill at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton. Kerry won the fight.

The Club is very proud to be associated with Kerry and wish him all the best for his next fight when he will once again wear the Martyrs shirt with pride.

Fans elections to the Board at Merthyr Town

2011-11-05T11:01:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town have issued ballot papers to all of its members for the election of 4 Board members as part of the Club's constitution.

There are 7 candidates for the places;

Richard Bennett
Peter Harman
Les Howells
Dave Powell
Meurig Price
Len Sankey
Philip Sweet

Members are reminded that the ballot papers needs to be returned to the independent auditor by 19th November at the latest.

Another successful Minithon

2011-11-05T04:30:00.000-07:00

Merthyr hosted its annual Run, Walk or Crawl 5km event on Sunday 23rd October and although numbers were down on last season's inaugural event it was a day enjoyed by all who took part.

Councillor Brent Carter, a regular Merthyr Town FC supporter, started the race at Rhydycar on the Taff Trail and soon the route was full of MTFC players, supporters and families enjoying the scenery on a crisp autumn day.

Danny Carter was present along with captain Steve Williams and physio Russ Jones plus more players to show their support for the Academy teams at Merthyr Town FC.

The race was a deadheat this year between defending champion Andrew Murphy and Liam Bodenham. Lloyd Type finished third.

Our thanks to the players & staff for supporting the Minithon 2011.

Funds are still welcome to support both Merthyr Town FC and its Academy teams, if you wish to donate please contact Mark Evans on wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk

Merthyr Town FC honours legendary supporter

2011-10-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

David Miles who supported Merthyr Tydfil FC from its resurrection in 1945 right through to the current supporter-owned club of Merthyr Town FC was honoured on Saturday with the unveiling of the new sign on Theatre End stand at Penydarren Park which now carries his name as one of the greatest supporters of the Martyrs.

David Miles followed the Martyrs from 1945 through the glory years of the early 1950s into the barren years of the sixties then enjoyed the 1970s with John Charles at the helm he was around to enjoy the second glorious era when the Martyrs won the Welsh Cup and entered Europe. The decline of the club to its eventual liquidation in 2010 didn't put David off and he continued to sell Soccalot tickets to the very end.

David sadly died this year but was able to see the Supporters Trust save his favourite club from extinction. He was inspiration to us all with his never ending support for football at Penydarren Park and he will be greatly missed by all.

His family were present on Saturday to the David Miles Stand unveiled which will serve as a great reminder to future generations of a wonderful supporter.

Martyrs host annual Let's Kick Racism Day

2011-10-24T08:31:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town hosted its annual Let's Kick Racism Out of Football Day on Saturday for the visit of Sherborne Town.

Both teams and match officials wore the campaign t-shirts in the pre=match warm up and pennants were exchanged by the team captains.

Merthyr Town is proud of its inclusive community initiatives and recognises the Kick It Out campaign as part of its vigilance to ensure that racism is not tolerated at our club.

Campaign leaflets were distributed to the 411 fans who attended the match.

2nd Annual Merthyr Town FC Minithon

2011-10-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town FC will host its annual fundraising Minithon on Sunday 23rd October from Rhydycar Leisure Centre at 1pm.

Players, supporters, families and friends will either run, walk or crawl the 5km route from Rhydycar to Abercanaid and back along the beautiful Taff Trail to raise funds for both the Football Club and its Academy structure.

Sponsorship forms for the event can be downloaded via the following link - http://merthyrtownfc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=618:sunday-minithon-challenge-at-rhydcar&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=28

Last year's event saw over 60 people enjoying a Sunday on the Taff Trail which raised in excess of £2,000.00. Merthyr Town FC would like to exceed that this year.

Andrew Murphy will be defending his title as the Minithon 5k Race winner for 2010 but others will be pushing prams or walking the dog as part of their participation in the event.

All participants are invited back to Penydarren Park after the Minithon for refreshments in the Candac Suite plus a chance to see one of the Academy teams who rely on fundraising to keep them going.

The Under-14 team will play Newport YMCA at 2.30pm.

It's going to be a great day on Sunday, see you at Rhydycar.

Merthyr Town unveil Poppy Day shirt

2011-09-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town FC has unveiled a new shirt to be worn by the Club in November to raise much needed funds for the Royal British Legion. The Supporters Trust at Penydarren Park has made a collection each year to raise funds for our servicemen and so this season we've designed a black shirt with the poppy logo to raise the club's support for this vital charity.

The shirts will be sold for £35.00 with all profits being donated to the Royal British Legion.

Martyrs launch Away Supporters Guide

2011-08-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

The away supporters guide to Merthyr Town FC has been re-launched via the following link;

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1tg3m/MerthyrTownFCVisitin/resources/index.htm

Merthyr in seventh heaven

2011-08-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town completed their return to Penydarren Park on Saturday with a 7-1 win over visitors Odd Down in front of 513 jubilant fans. Penydarren Park was looking excellent for the return of semi-professional football to the town, the Trust's army of volunteers had worked tirelessly through the summer to make sure that the old ground was back to its best.

The Martyrs hit the cup trail on Saturday with the visit of Bitton to Merthyr for an Extra Preliminary Qualifying FA Cup tie.

In other news Merthyr Town will return to the Welsh Cup with a home draw against Caerau.

The final stage of the MTFC revolution nears

2011-08-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

At 3pm on Saturday 13th August Merthyr Town will play Odd Down in Western League Premier Division at their Penydarren Park stadium and bring the Supporters' Trust reformation of Merthyr Town FC to its conclusion.

It's nearly seven years since concerned supporters of the South Wales club decided to form a Trust in order to seek an influence in the way their Football Club was run whilst raising funds to support it's development.

Martyrs to the Cause has remained committed to preserving semi-professional football in the South Wales Valleys area and needed to act decisively in the spring of 2009 when the owner of Merthyr Tydfil FC refused to invest any further money to his ailing club.

The Trust acted to take the Club into administration to protect it from its creditors and proceeded to work with the appointed Administrator to run the club on license for the 2009/10 season. A season that culminated in an emotional day at Swindon Supermarine when the Martyrs gained the point required to avoid relegation from the Southern League Premier Division in front of 250 of their travelling fans.

It was obvious that saving the Club was beyond the means of the Trust and in May 2010Merthyr Tydfil FC was liquidated.

Martyrs to the Cause immediately set about reforming the Club as Merthyr Town FC and with the valued support of Supporters Direct they were able to meet the strict requirements of the Football Association to remain in their pyramid structure.

However the lease of their famous old stadium at Penydarren Park remained as an asset for the official Liquidator and therefore the Martyrs needed to find an alternative venue for the start of the 2010/11 season.

Two volunteers spent a day dashing around South Wales looking at options and were rewarded when the wonderful people at Taffs Well FC stepped up to host our flegling club in its first season.

Merthyr Town FC now registered as a Community Sports Mutual, the only one in Wales, set about upgrading the Rhiw Dda'r ground to match the Western League criteria. Following a site visit Merthyr Town FC were placed in Division One, a drop of three leagues from the Southern League Premier Division.

Merthyr Town FC had a great season under the management of Gary Shephard and his assistant Danny Carter and the title and promotion was won. The Martyrs were on their way back.

The great work continues to this day with the Trust-run Club committed to serving its communities and bring a sense of pride back to watching the Martyrs.

On Saturday we return home to our ground and complete a remarkable chapter in the story of our Club.

We own our football club!

The Boys are Back In Town

2011-08-06T06:39:00.001-07:00

Merthyr Town FC has on the eve of the new season launched its Boys Are Back In Town campaign to remind our community that we are back at Penydarren Park.

The stadium has been transformed by the club's ever-willing army of volunteers and with a newly refurbished Candac Suite we are ready for the start of the new season on 13th August when Odd Down become the first club to take on the supporter-owned Martyrs in a Western League match at Penydarren.

10,000 fixture cards will be distributed throughout the South Wales Valleys to show that Merthyr Town FC is back at the centre of our community!

Merthyr rocks in the park again

2011-07-26T08:43:00.000-07:00

Penydarren Park hosted the annual Rock In The Park music festival on Saturday and once again the local community responded with over 600 persons enjoying the event.

Limehouse Lizzy headlined the event but were supported by local bands to once again showcase the talent available in South Wales.

The event raised much needed funds for the Martyrs and provided an opportunity for the Trust run club to present its stadium as a venue for the whole community.

Merthyr supporters show their support for Godre'r Coed fields

2011-07-24T11:32:00.001-07:00

Merthyr Town FC expressed its support for the campaign to save the school field at Cefn Coed today with the first appearance of its supporters cricket team to take on the Cefn Social club team who are organising matches on the threatened community facility to widen its use and also show the benefits of exercise.

The school field site has been earmarked as a possible venue for the new Ysgol Y Graig school however locals are concerned that one of the few green field sites in the villages would be lost whilst other venues for the new building are available.

Further information could be seen via the following newslink - http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/merthyr/2011/04/14/cefn-coed-residents-protest-at-plans-to-build-primary-school-on-popular-playing-fields-91466-28514702/

The 20/20 cricket was a low scoring affair with the Football club team struggling to 31 all out despite a great performance with the bat by Lee Normanton.

The Cefn Social team also struggled with the lively wicket but managed to knock off the runs to win by 3 wickets.

It is hoped that the Merthyr Town FC cricket section will play a few more matches during the summer.

(Captain Jason Scanlon is pictured above inspecting the wicket before today's match).

Martyrs back at Penydarren Park

2011-07-14T14:59:00.001-07:00

It's been a long road for the Supporters Trust at Merthyr Town FC but finally the end of the struggle to resurrect our famous club is near.

This weekend saw the first friendly match of the pre-season with Llanelli the visitors to Penydarren Park for the club's return to its home.

A season in exile twenty miles away in Taffs Well did not deter the club from gaining promotion from the Western League Division One and now the faithful supporters can return to their normal pre-match routines as the Martyrs return home.

The first match was a tough return for Merthyr Town who faced a Llanelli team preparing for their Europa Cup tie with Dynamo Tbilisi (a creditable 2-1 win last week for the Reds!), it was the West Wales team who took the spoils with a handsome 9-1 win.

No one seemed to mind at the game as we were home.

Tuesday evening saw the return of Dean Clarke to Penydarren Park as the Martyrs took on local rivals Newport County in a benefit match for the combative midfield who has played over 370 matches for us over 10 years. A great servant to the club and it was great to see 500 supporters fill the stands to pay credit to his career.

The pre-season will continue but all eyes in the town are now fixed on 13th August when Dawlish Town provide the opponents for the first competitive match for the reformed club at its spiritual home.

Up the Town!

Merthyr Town FC supports local Homeless project

2011-07-03T03:12:00.001-07:00

Merthyr Town FC has placed its support behind the Bling Cafe project being undertaken at the old Flooks store on Pontmorlais Circus.

The project being undertaken by the Llamau charity won a £60,000 people's lottery grant last week with many of our supporters taking part in the telephone vote.

For more information on the project please visit the following link;

http://www.llamau.org.uk/

It is hoped that the Flooks project will be the start of the renovation of the Pontmorlais area of the town whic of course includes Penydarren Park.

We will be working with our colleagues on the Town & Park Communities First Partnership to support future projects that help to revitalise our community.

Merthyr Town FC Supporters' Six-a-side success

2011-06-28T10:46:00.001-07:00

Merthyr Town FC supporters returned to the prestigious Queens Park Sixes tournament this weekend after an absence of well over a decade, the youthful squad surprised everyone (including themselves) by going unbeaten in their qualifying group matches with wins over supporters teams from Worthing, Oxford United, Queen's Park, Tottenham Hotspur (Scotland) and Jalgpallihaigla (Estonia).

A quarter-final win over a young Leyton Orient team raised hopes of winning the tournament but our supporters were beaten 4-1 by eventual winners from Troon at the semi-final stage.

The Queen's Park event is more than a football tournament. With over 40 teams present it was an opportunity for supporters to share experiences and relive memories of previous events.

It was great to tell the story of our unique community club to friends from Orient, Peterborough, Tranmere, St Johnstone, Edinburgh City and Motherwell amongst many others.

We're hopeful of welcoming many of those clubs' supporters to Penydarren Park for the 2011/12 season as we return to our famous home stadium.

Heritage Day at Merthyr Town a complete success

2011-06-19T08:16:00.001-07:00

Yesterday's heritage day at Merthyr Town FC was a great success with the Club's new Mobile Museum Panels being welcomed by everyone who visited the Candac Suite.

Supporters were able to view exhibits from the club's origins right through to the present day.

The mobile museum project had been funded with a grant from the Communities First Trust Fund and has taken over 12 months of research to piece together the ten panels that take the viewer through the story of football at Penydarren Park from 1908 to the present day.

The Trust-run Club believe that the mobile exhibition will help to promote itself within the community. The mobile museum is now on the road for the summer with visits planned to local schools and clubs.

The Heritage Day was enhanced by Philip Sweet who made a great presentation on the Managers who were in charge of Merthyr Town from 1908 to 1934 which uncovered a few unknown facts about those who have sat in the hot-seat at Penydarren Park.

Many thanks to everyone who donated items on the day and who expressed an interest in the forthcoming digital archive project.

The mobile exhibition has already attracted attention and will be on display from 1st-12th September at Rhydycar Leisure Centre and from 13th September to the 3rd October at Dowlais Library. Look out for the panels at a venue near you.

Merthyr Town FC - New Sponsor for season

2011-06-17T16:46:00.001-07:00

Merthyr Town Football Club was full of the joys of spring this week as the club’s board finalised a new lucrative shirt sponsor deal with Trade Centre Wales for next season. The Neath based company has sponsored the club in the past, but this announcement is linked to the recent opening of the new Trade Centre Part Exchange Outlet on June 1st at the former Kwiksave store adjacent to the A465 in Pant, Merthyr Tydfil.

Trade Centre have worked closely with Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council in establishing the new venture, which should see the introduction of up to 30 jobs in the area, and are keen to develop working partnerships with the business community and the community of Merthyr as a whole, by doing some good in the area. The first step on this road is the sponsorship of Merthyr Town Football Club.

Martyrs management team Garry Shephard and Danny Carter were at a recent sponsors evening with the club’s new kit for next season, with the new Trade Centre Wales logo. The agreement was reached following an approach to the club by Trade Centre, following a phone in on Real Radio, with Garry Shephard, Merthyr stalwart Anthony Hughes and former Cardiff City star Jason Perry, father of Merthyr goalie Joe Perry.

Merthyr Town club captain Steve Williams expressed his joy at hearing about the new deal. Steve was pleased that the sponsorship from Trade Centre Wales has supported the club for the return to Penydarren Park next season.

Trade Centre Wales have a long history of supporting sport in south Wales, and currently sponsors 20 sports clubs in the region, so the first port of call in supporting the local community is the Martyrs.

Merthyr Town FC - Rock at the Park 2011 - The Boys are back in town

2011-06-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Penydarren Park will host the third Rock At The Park event on Saturday 23rd July to raise funds for Merthyr Town FC.

The Club has continued its policy of looking for the best of local talent coupled with a top headline act;

Weekend Legacy - This year's young show opener
Flaming Ferrets - Up and coming Rock band
Celtic Pride - Merthyr's Metal Masters
Minnie's Chuff - Rock/Pop Maestros
Four Wheel Drive - featuring Graham Williams

Limehouse Lizzy - Britain's premier Thin Lizzy tribute act will headline and bring the show to a close.

Gates open at 12 noon and the event runs through until 8.00pm.

Bar & Food stalls available.

The day is sure to attract another large crowd for one of the events of the Merthyr music calendar so make sure you get your ticket in advance, only £12.00.

Please contact the following persons for details and ticket sales;

Wayne - 07852769467
Phil - 07882066625

Merthyr Town FC Heritage Day - 18th June 2011

2011-06-11T13:11:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town FC will host its first annual Heritage Day in the Candac Suite at Penydarren Park from 2pm on Saturday 18th June 2011.

The event will also launch the Club's mobile museum project which has been funded with a grant from the Communities First Trust Fund, the mobile exhibition is comprised of ten individual panels outlining the history of football at our famous ground from 1908 up until the present day.

The panels will provide a backdrop for the story of football in our borough to be told via presentations and memorabilia.

Supporters are invited to bring any artefacts from the Clubs' histories to the event to be copied or scanned for inclusion in a proposed digital archive.

Merthyr Town unsuccessful in FAW Futsal Finals Day

2011-06-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Finals day of the inaugural FAW Futsal Cup on Sunday proved to be a huge challenge to the young Merthyr Town team as they suffered three defeats in their group matches in Cardiff.

Merthyr Town Futsal were placed in a group with CSKA Talybont, Connah's Quay and The New Saints which was a tough group which was proven by both North Wales teams from the group facing each other in the Final which was won by TNS who will now play in the UEFA Futsal Cup in August.

Jon Henderson, the team coach, can be justifiably proud of his young team who performed admirably in this new format of the game and surely the event will prepare them for another assault on European glory next season.

Young Merthyr team through to Wales Futsal Finals

2011-05-29T03:38:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town continued it's successful season as our youngsters triumphed in Sunday's FAW Futsal Cup qualifying round.

http://www.faw.org.uk/news/2187

The Martyrs only had to play one match due to withdrawals from the inaugural Futsal tournament but they comfortably overcame Rhayader Town 7-4 to book their place in the Finals tournament in Cardiff on 5th June.

Dan Richards was accredited with scoring the goal of the event displaying some great technique to outwit the Rhayader keeper for one of the Martyrs' goals.

Good luck to the lads as they seek to emulate the team of '87 and qualify for Europe.

Merthyr Town unveil new kits for next season

2011-05-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

Gary Shephard and Danny Carter unveil the new playing strip for Merthyr Town's promotion push from the Western League Premier Division next season.

The club is run by its members and at this season's AGM it was decided that the club would return to playing in black & white after a debate amongst the supporter and a subsequent vote.

The new replica shirts are available to purchase by supporters via Mark Jones in the Club Shop on emmawathan@talktalk.net

Merthyr Town Futsal

2011-05-10T15:42:00.001-07:00

Merthyr Town were drawn today in Group 1 of the Southern Conference for the inaugural FAW Futsal Cup to be played in Cardiff on Sunday 22nd May.

The Trust-run Club will need to top the group including AFC Llwydcoed, Port Talbot Town and Rhayader Town to progress to the National Finals to be played next month.

Jon Henderson, the Merthyr Futsal team manager, has welcomed the draw and is continuing the squad's preparation for the tournament.

The winners of the National Finals will represent Wales in the UEFA Futsal Cup 2011/12.

Merthyr v Cardiff but Fred Keenor Appeal is the winner

2011-04-30T02:40:00.000-07:00

The Supporters' Trust from both Merthyr Town and Cardiff City clashed on Thursday evening in a skittles challenge to raise funds for the Fred Keenor Statue Appeal that is close to the hearts of both Cardiff City and Welsh football fans.

The match was played at the Taffs Well Ex-Servicemens Club which has hosted Merthyr Town supporters during their season in exile.

The match was a close affair with the Merthyr team eventually prevailing with a 322-301 result.

It was a fun night to share stories of the season so far and to raise £156.00 for the appeal.

Merthyr Town FC wishes the Cardiff City Supporters Trust every success with the Appeal.

Merthyr Town back in Welsh Cup?

2011-04-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town FC is delighted to hear that the FAW is to invite them to re-enter the Welsh Cup for the 2011/12 season. The club would obviously love the opportunity to bring the famous old trophy back to Penydarren Park for a fourth time. The Club is looking forward to receiving more information from its governing body on the competition rules and will advise its loyal supporters accordingly.

Fred Keenor Appeal Skittles Night

2011-04-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town supporters have laid down a challenge to the Cardiff City Supporters Trust for a skittles match at Taffs Well Ex-Servicemens Club on Thursday 28th April from 7.30pm.

The match will be held as a fundraiser for the Fred Keenor Statue Appeal currently being raised by the Cardiff City Supporters Trust to recognise the player who represented both his Club and Country so proudly and culminating in him lifting the FA Cup for the Bluebirds in 1927 (the picture above shows Fred Keenor bringing the FA Cup to Penydarren Park five days after the Final; Merthyr won 1-0 that day).

Supporters of both clubs are welcome to attend the match to help raise funds for this worthwhile cause which is close to our hearts at Merthyr Town FC.

Our thanks go to Taffs Well Ex-Servicemens Club for hosting the event and also for providing excellent hospitality to Merthyr supporters during our current season in exile at Rhiw Dda'r.

Football Association of Wales Roadshow at Merthyr

2011-04-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

The FAW will host a roadshow at Penydarren Park today as part of its consultation process with the Associations's strategy for the next five years.

Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the FAW, will be taking questions from clubs, referees and supporters on all matters of the Association's business.

The Candac Suite will host a meeting for the South Wales region to discuss the priorities for the FAW.

The meeting starts at 7pm, please be there to make your statement on Welsh football.

Champions in our first year

2011-04-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town FC celebrated its first Championship on Saturday with a 5-1 win over Gillingham Town at our temporary home in Taffs Well. A record crowd of 501 basked in the spring sunshine to witness Wales's only community mutual football club take the Western League Division One title.

The Club has overcome numerous hurdles to reach this point but can now look positively at the future and an imminent return to Penydarren Park, it's historic stadium in the town.

The support this season has been amazing with an average crowd in excess of 300 making the 40 mile round trip to Taffs Well to ensure that the Martyrs remained on course to continue their resurrection under their main stakeholders; their own supporters via the Martyrs to the Cause Supporters Trust.

Our thanks go to the management team of Garry Shephard and Danny Carter for providing the team to match the supporters' ambitions. The team has been excellent all season and have deserved to win the Championship.

Next season we return to Penydarren Park where we belong. There's a lot of hard work to be done but with our players and our supporters there's nothing we cannot acheive.

Minithon Update - Gol charity announcement

2011-01-27T14:23:00.000-08:00

The JustGiving account for the Minithon held in October has now closed with just over £1,000 raised for both Merthyr Town and the Gol charity.

The Gôl charity has booked flights today for four Montenegrin Orphans, plus two carers to visit Wales for the Wales v Montengro game on 2nd Spetember 2011.

It will be a trip of a lifetime for Vasilija Durkovic, aged 12, Valentina Salihi, aged 14, Bojan Siskic, aged 13 and Danilo Korac, aged 12. They were all born in Podgorica apart from Valentina who was born in Bar and they now all live at the only orphanage still in existence in Montenegro, in Bijela, where Wales supporters representing Gôl visited last September along with the British Embassy.

The four youngsters will act as Mascots for the Wales v. Montenegro match in September.

This will be the third time Gôl have brought orphans to Wales after the previous successful visits of children from Azerbaijan in 2003 (two children) and 2005 (four children).

Gol has publicly thanked Merthyr Town for their donation to their funds as it helps fund the outstanding work being undertaken both home and abroad.

Merthyr Town FC - No return to Penydarren Park yet

2011-01-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

MERTHYR Town must wait until next season to start playing home league matches again at Penydarren Park.

A three-man Football Association panel yesterday upheld a Western League decision to turn down the club’s request to return to the Merthyr ground.

That means the Martyrs will keep playing home games at the Rhiw Dda’r ground in Taffs Well where they’ve been since the start of this season.

If the FA had overturned the Western League’s decision, the club say they would have been ready to play at Penydarren Park as early as this weekend.

Despite hosting matches in Taffs Well, Merthyr have been allowed to use Penydarren Park as their base with friendly fixtures, under-18 games and college teams playing there.

A permanent move back would have eased the financial burden on the club as they are currently paying Taffs Well to hire Rhiw Dda’r and shelling out money for the upkeep of Penydarren Park.

And although frustrated by the FA’s judgement, club spokesman Anthony Hughes said everything bodes well for a summer return.
“On the playing side of things I don’t think it makes a great deal of difference,” he said.
“It just means that our fans will keep having to make a 40-mile round trip for no reason as we see it.
“If the decision had gone in our favour we would have played at Penydarren Park as soon as Saturday. It is frustrating but we are 100% certain we will be playing there at the start of next season.
“We are based there now and have played some friendlies, we just won’t be allowed to play the rest of our home games there this season.”

Merthyr had already agreed a compensation deal with Welsh League outfit Taffs Well before their original request to the Western League was rejected.

Hughes added that the FA has said the club can submit another application to move back to Merthyr by May 1 when they would need to sign a new lease on the ground to secure the tenancy, something they believe the local authority would look at in their favour.

Candac Suite Exhibition Open

2010-12-27T04:12:00.000-08:00

The refurbishment of the Candac Suite at Penydarren Park has been completed. This is a completion of the first stage of the return to our historical home. The design of the Candac Suite has included many of the prints from the successful community arts day from last season, iconic shots of former players Chris Holvey and John Charles are supplemented by an impressive Warhol-esque print of four international players with links to our town.

(Top left) - Bryn Jones, born in Penyard on 2nd February 1912, who won 17 caps for Wales scoring 6 goals too.

For a player who was to become the most expensive footballer in Britain, Bryn Jones had a remarkably circuitious entry into league soccer. From local football in Merthyr he was given a trial by Southend, where his brother Emlyn played, and by Swansea. Bryn was unsuccessful and joined Glenavon in the Irish League before returning to South Wales to play for Aberaman. He was seen by a Wolves scout and moved to the Molineux club for a fee of £1,500. In a matter of weeks he had made his league debut and his brilliant displays earned him headline notices in the sporting press.

Bryn was a splendid ball player, lithe and elusive and with the ability to turn defences inside out. He excelled at creating openings seemingly out of nothing and could open up a defence with his long penetrating passes. in 1938, he became the sporting sensation of the year when he joined Arsenal for the then record fee of £14,000. He had played 163 times for Wolves scoring 52 goals in the process, however the fact that Bryn was one of the few people to stand up to Wolves manager Major Buckley may have been a contributory factor in the club's decision to sell. Nonetheless, the size of the fee staggered the sporting world. The attendant publicity proved a heavy burden for Bryn and affected his play. Arsenal manager George Allison thought a spell in the second string might help Bryn but there was non respite from the publicity and 33,000 turned up to see his debut for the reserves! It was not until Arsenal's scandinavian tour of 1939 that he began to recover his form.

During the War, Jones served in the 34th Light AA Regiment in North Africa and Italy but continued to play football regularly. In fact he supplemented his 17 official appearances for Wales with 8 war-time appearances for his country. In 1949 he joined Norwich City as a player coach but a chest condition resulted in him retiring on medical grounds eighteen months later. Bryn ended his connection with the game and took a newsagent and confectionery business in Stoke Newington, North London.

Bryn died in Wood Green, London on 18th October 1985.

(Top Right) - Dai Astley, born in Dowlais on 11th October 1909, who won 13 caps for Wales scoring 12 goals.

Dai Astley was a coalminer who joined Merthyr Town from Dowlais Welfare. Albert Lindon, player-manager of Charlton Athletic and a man who knew the South Wales soccer scene well, took him to the Valley in 1927 as although Dai had only made 5 appearances for the Red & Greens he had scored 3 goals in that period. A slenderly built, skilful player, he had superb positional sense and could shoot with either foot. Although naturally right-footed, Astley was aid to have a "mustard left peg" - perfected by hours of practising with a tennis ball. He preferred to keep the ball on the ground and was a master at deceiving defenders with his body swerve. Astley proved to be one of the most astute signings made by Aston Villa, as his prolific goal scoring record of 92 goals in 165 matches indicates. He once scored four goals for the Villa in a FA Cup match against Swansea Town - not a bad record for a player considered by some to be lazy.

In 1936, Astley preferred to move to Derby County rather than return to Charlton and he maintained his goal scoring reputation at the Baseball Ground in an all-international forward line, 45 goals in 93 appearances. He was reluctant to leave Derby but with no first team football in prospect he joined Blackpool. Astley found the net regularly for Wales and his 12 goals in 13 international matches demonstrated his uncanny knack for goals. He retired during the Second World War and went on to coach at Inter Milan, in France and Sweden up to 1956. Astley was subsequently landlord of the White Horse in Ramsgate, Kent.

Dai died in Birchington, Kent on 7th November 1989.

(Bottom left) - Gordon Davies, born in Merthyr Tydfil on 3rd August 1955, made 16 appearances for Wales scoring 2 goals.

Gordon Davies was a relative latecomer to league football at the age of 22 years, having previously played for Merthyr Tydfil FC in the Southern League and worked as a physical education teacher. As a youth he had joined Manchester City as an apprentice but was released and embarked on training as a geography teacher. A determined player with an eye for a half chance, he was a consistent goalscorer at Fulham who he joined for a fee reported to be in excess of £5,000 but also made chances for others, he in fact made 247 appearances for the London club with an impressive haul of 113 goals in that time.

In 1983 his goalscoring feats attracted the top clubs at a time when he had been recalled to the Wales side after a two year absence. Davies moved in quick succession to Chelsea and, ironically, Manchester City. He returned to Fulham in November 1986 and maintained his gift for goalscoring. In 1988 he overtook Johnny Haynes's club record tally of 157 league & cup goals.

In 1991 Gordon joined Wrexham where he finished his professional career.

Gordon now lives in Leicestershire and is a regular visitor to Craven Cottage on match-day where he acts as a club ambassador.

(Bottom right) - Moses Russell, born in Tredegar on 20th May 1888, who made 23 appearances for Wales scoring 1 goal.

Moses Russell left school to work down the pits but spent his leisure time playing football and rugby. He also boxed and swam - once rescuing a drowning child from a river. In 1912 he left South Wales to join Southport but when the club hit financial problems he accepted a free transfer rather take the cut in wages. A bout of rheumatic fever had left Moses "thinly thatched" and his bald head made him appear years older than his age.

He settled at Merthyr Town in the Southern League and it was during this period that he became the first player from the club to represent Wales with appearances against Scotland and Ireland in 1912. It was shortly after playing for Wales against England in 1914 that he was transferred to Plymouth Argyle for a then club record fee of £400. After service with the Royal Army Corps, Moses resumed his career with Plymouth.

His gritty determination at full-back throughout the 1920s was an inspiration to his colleagues for both club and country.

In those days only the Third Division champions were promoted. Plymouth finished as runners-up in six successive seasons and Moses was dubbed the "unluckiest captain in soccer". The club finally made it to the Second Division in 1930 but Moses only played in 7 senior matches during the season and never realized his ambition to play in the top flight.

Moses played many fine games for his country and in 1924 converted the penalty in Belfast that gave Wales a 1-0 win over Ireland and the "Triple Crown". He toured Canada in 1929 with the Welsh party and was involved in a disturbing incident at Hamilton, Ontario. The match against the local XI got a little rough and the crowd invaded the pitch to surround Moses. The unflappable Moses remained calm until one of the crowd drew a pistol. Fortunately the Mounties got their man before he culd get to Moses. During his playing career he kept a public house in Plymouth but subsequenly returned to South Wales. At the outbreak of war, he joined the territorial army and it was while working at the Royal Propellant Factory in Chepstow that he died on 18th December 1946.

Western League Decision on Penydarren Park

2010-11-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

Merthyr Town FC has received confirmation from the Western League that our request to move back to our Penydarren Park ground has been declined at this stage of the season.

The League will forward a formal letter detailing the decision to the Club.

The Club will continue its matches at Taffs Well and looks forward to continuing its partnership with our hosts at Rhiw Dda.

Community News from Merthyr Town

2010-11-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week for the Community team at Merthyr Town FC.

Firstly we hosted another of our monthly football cinema nights on Thursday at the Railway Club in the Town Centre, this month's film was the comedy Mike Bassett - England Manager which certainly entertained everyone who braved the inclement weather.

Next month's viewing will be a Tottenham Hotspur special with the 1983 film Those Glory Glory Days showing from 7.45pm on Thursday 25th November, once again in the Public Hall at the Railway Club. Don't forget it's free to attend plus there's complimentary ice cream and popcorn.

The weekend was completed with the Community Team hosting the Club's annual contribution to the Let's Kick Racism Out of Football Campaign. Chard Town were the visitors to the Rhiw Dda ground at Taffs Well for the Day of Action and both Chard and the Match Officials were delighted to join the Martyrs in showing their support for the campaign message.

Every supporter in the 270 crowd would have received a copy of the campaign magazine and a key-ring to enforce the message that racism in any form is unacceptable.

Both team captains exchanged campaign pennants to complete the day of action.

Minithon success at Merthyr Town

2010-10-26T03:17:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful autumn morning on Sunday for the first Merthyr Town FC Minithon. Our club joining FC United of Manchester and AFC Wimbledon in hosting an event to help both Club and a local Charity with the added benefits of a healthy run or walk in our stunning countryside.

Over 60 supporters, players, families and friends were ready at 11am at Rhydycar Leisure Centre to register for the 5km Run, Walk or Crawl.

Brian Flynn, Wales Under-21 Team Manager, was available to greet everyone and was able to have a chat with Merthyr Town Manager Gary Shephard about the team's performances this season in the Toolstation Western League.

Soon it was 11.00am and it was time for Mr. Flynn to start the race, the entrants were supplemented by mascots from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council plus our very own Shaggy the Sheep.

The course chosen for the event was along the Taff Trail as far as Abercanaid where everyone looped around and returned to the Leisure Centre to collect their Race Certificate and donate their sponsorship.

The 5km race was won by Andrew Murphy. The children's race ended in a dead-heat between Megan Jones and Liam Bodenham, and as for the dog walkers' competition? Well, Phil Mytton and Mally came in first.

The walkers enjoyed the glorious weather and a few even stopped for refreshments in the Llwyn-Yr-Eos pub adjacent to the course.

A big thank you to the Club's Stewards for marshalling the course and also to the local St. John Ambulance for agreeing to attend.

The sponsorship monies are still being donated and further donations can be made via the following link;

http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-EvansMinithon2010

Merthyr Town FC has started to plan for next season's event, we hope to see you there!

It's a week to the Merthyr Town Minithon

2010-10-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

There's only seven days of preparation left for the Merthyr Town FC Run, Walk or Crawl.

Supporters, families and friends are making their final plans for the 5km event to be held on Sunday 24th October.

The big send-off will be at 11.00am on the Taff Trail behind Rhydycar Leisure Centre, the route will continue along the trail until Abercanaid where the participants will loop around for the return leg to Rhydycar.

Everyone is welcome to support both Merthyr Town FC and the Gol charity on 24th October, see you there!

Penydarren Park update

2010-09-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town FC Board is pleased to announce that the new lease to Penydarren Park was finally signed yesterday and the keys were handed to the club.

Thankfully the buildings have not noticeably deteriorated during the summer, although there is plenty of tidying up to do.

The part of the building damaged by the fire a couple of weeks ago was not used by the club during the last year and therefore will not hinder unduly the rehabilitation of the ground to its former glory.

The Club will now use the famous venue to wash kit for our first team, youth team and academy age-groups and also store various items in a secure environment.

The pitch needs a little attention. When it has been cut and rolled the first team can start to train there. In addition the pitch will be used for a small number of Merthyr College games and Academy under 18 games.

The Club has targetted the return of international football to Merthyr Tydfil as an incentive to the work to be undertaken by our loyal supporters.

The Western League team will remain at Taffs Well FC for this season, but the plan remains for the only Community Mutual football club in Wales to return to its roots in time for kick off in season 2011/12.

Our thanks to everyone who has shown faith in the Supporters Trust over the previous five years as we move to return our Football Club to the centre of our community.

Merthyr Town FC Run, Walk or Crawl

2010-09-23T14:11:00.001-07:00

Merthyr Town FC is a Community Mutual Football Club based in South Wales. The Club has been reformed by its supporters in order to preserve semi-professional football in our town.

The supporters and more importantly our players & management will be undertaking a run or walk from our leisure centre down the Taff Trail to Abercanaid and return to raise money for our club and also for the Gol Charity.

All funds will be shared 50/50.

Our football club is committed to ensuring that Penydarren Park benefits our whole community through its facilities in the future and that is one of the main objectives of the Gol charity to realise that football can be a catalyst for benefit in all countries world-wide.

Everyone taking part will have different abilities therefore as well as the main race we are having a prize for the first dog-walker home, the best decorated pram or pushchair and of course fancy dress.

Quote from Sheppy

'The players are looking forward to the minithon, and there is a book being run on who will be the slowest in our squad. I am having a special strapping made following an injury to ensure that I can compete, and will return to training to prepare for the event shortly. It seems odd to hear Merthyr mentioned in the same breath as Sydney, Boston USA, Turin and Manchester but we look forward to competing against them all as the 'underdogs'.

I am delighted though that the Club is supporting Gol which has an excellent record at helping underprivileged children at home and abroad. As a father myself I realise it is important that we provide help to children to improve their quality of life. Since the Club has reformed we are keen to support community events such as these, and I am delighted that the whole squad will be taking part."

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

http://www.justgiving.com/Mark-EvansMinithon2010

Thanks for your support for the Martyrs and the Gol Charity!

From the Wall to the Well

2010-09-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town FC is advising supporters of Cardiff City that they will be more than welcome at their current base at Taffs Well FC on Saturday 25th September.

Cardiff City host Millwall at 12 noon and with the Martyrs also playing host to Melksham Town on that day but at 3.00pm then it's possible for Cardiff fans to pop in and support their neighbours at their temporary home.

A reduced entry fee of £4.00 is applicable to all Cardiff City Season Ticket Holders on production of the relevant pass.

Suggested train options for CCFC fans - Ninian Park at 2.15pm, change at Queen Street, arrive at Taffs Well at 2.43pm, or a direct service from Grangetown at 2.19pm also arriving at 2.43pm.

Fingers crossed for two home wins for the Welsh teams on Saturday!

Update on fire at Penydarren Park

2010-09-18T03:09:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town FC wishes to confirm that the fire at its historic Penydarren Park ground, reported via the BBC, last weekend was confined to a disused part of the main stand and will not impact on our plans to return to our home in the near future.

The Board of the Club which is now registered as a Community Mutual is continuing discussions with the local Council with regard to us returning to Penydarren Park in the near future.

Western League fixtures will remain at Rhiw Dda with our friends at Taffs Well FC however it is hoped that Penydarren Park will once again provide our supporters with a social outlet as we rebuild our famous club.

The original story of the fire can be found via the following link;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-11275387

Merthyr Town Stewards Training

2010-09-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town FC has teamed up with Swansea College to provide training for its volunteer match stewards. The training day will take place at Hills Plymouth Cricket Club from 10.30am on Sunday 19th September.

All supporters are welcome to attend the day's training programme. The candidates will receive further on-site training throughout the season in order to gain a NVQ Level 2 award which can provide access to stewarding posts at other major venues in South Wales such as the Cardiff City Stadium.

For further information please contact Mark Evans on wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk

Great start to season

2010-08-08T05:19:00.001-07:00

It has been a long time coming for all of us but finally at 5 to 3 on Saturday, the Red & Green shirts of Merthyr Town emerged from the dressing rooms at Shepton Mallet to a rousing welcome from the large travelling support from the Valleys.

Shepton Mallet FC were excellent hosts for our first match as Merthyr Town FC, a lovely ground with a decent playing surface offered a fine backdrop to this historic match.

It was Shepton Mallet that took the initiative from the start scoring an opener within the first 15 minutes and going close on a number of occasions but slowly but surely the Martyrs took control of the match and were rewarded with an own goal after good work by Marcus Griffiths just before the break.

The addition of Cortez Belle to the team for the second half was the catalyst for a brace of goals in two minutes, firstly from Scott Armitage who slotted home after a long throw then from Belle himself when he charged down a keeper's kick to score.

The Martyrs' passing game ensured that we stayed in control of the match and quality strikes by both Tariq Khalil and Craig Stiens added to the score, there was even time for Belle's last minute penalty to be saved by hosts' keeper who had an excellent game.

So we start with a 5-1 win, for many of us the result was secondary it was enough to see a club now managed by its faithful supporters take the field for the first time after so many challenges over the previous seasons.

On Tuesday we entertain Cadbury Heath at our temporary home at Taffs Well for our first Western League home fixture, if it's half as enjoyable as our trip to Shepton Mallet then it will be a game worth watching.

Up the Town!

Penydarren Park lease update

2010-08-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

5th August 2010 - Penydarren Park lease now the property of Merthyr Council

Following the wind up of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club on 18 June, the Official Receiver was appointed liquidator.

The Official Receiver has disclaimed its interest in the Penydarren Park .

The result is that Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council now have total control of Penydarren Park and all keys to the ground were passed to Council officials today.

Merthyr Town Football Club will shortly approach the council to request discussions regarding the possibility of the club’s return to Penydarren Park.

Football Cinema Night launched

2010-07-20T15:51:00.001-07:00

Merthyr Town FC will host a Football Cinema Night at the Railway Club in Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday 22nd July. The choice of film for the first of a summer season is the 1939 black & white classic The Arsenal Stadium Mystery. The film was one of the first to use football as a central theme and has cameo performances by some of the great players of the era such as Cliff Bastin, Eddie Hapgood and our own Bryn Jones.

This is another free event set up by the Community Team at Merthyr Town FC to maintain the club's presence in the town despite the current loss of Penydarren Park.

Next month's showing will be Another Sunday and Sweet FA.

We look forward to seeing football & film fans at the Railway Club on Thursday evening, don't forget the popcorn.

Merthyr Town FC - A Community Club

2010-07-17T06:37:00.000-07:00

Martyrs to the Cause is delighted to advise that its members voted unanimously at the recent Public Meeting to adopt an amended constitution to ensure that Merthyr Town FC is registered as a Community Mutual Sports Club.

This will make Merthyr Town unique in Wales as a Football Club run democratically by its Members with its base directly in the Communities which it serves.

Another big step by the supporters of Merthyr Town as we fight to return to our spiritual home at Penydarren Park.

Public Meeting

2010-07-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

The Martyrs to the Cause Trust Board has confirmed that they will host a public meeting at the Railway Club, Masonic Street, Merthyr Tydfil on Thursday 8th July at 7.00pm.

It is vital that all supporters of Merthyr Town AFC attend to hear the following items of information;

1. Current status of Penydarren Park
2. Season ticket information
3. Travel options & general information for Taffs Well
4. Members to vote to adopt new Constitution to change status from Trust to supporter-owned Football Club
5. Soccalot sales
6. Club membership drive

Thanks for your support!

Western Football League decision

2010-06-21T14:30:00.000-07:00

Martyrs to the Cause is happy to announce that following a ground inspection of the Taffs Well FC facilities today the Western Football League has confirmed that Merthyr Town AFC will play in their First Division.

League fixtures start on 7th August.

Our closest away match will be at Almondsbury UWE (56 miles) and the furthest at Bridport (125 miles).

We know that all Merthyr fans are looking forward to visiting new grounds and making new friends during the season.

Up the Town!

Keep football at Penydarren Park campaign

2010-06-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

It was a sad week for all Merthyr fans as Penydarren Park closed as a football venue for the foreseeable future however the fight to get the Martyrs back at our historic ground has only just begun with an on-line petition the latest way for all football fans to show their support for a swift return to Penydarren Park;

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/merthyrfootball/

A poster campaign is starting in the Heads of the Valleys area to remind everyone of the current plight of the stadium, posters can be downloaded from the Merthyr Town club website at;

http://www.merthyrtownfc.co.uk/

Items of memorabilia taken from the ground prior to its closure are available for display in local pubs & clubs, for example the signed shirt from the 2005 Walsall FA Cup is now on display in the Baili Glas pub in Twynyrodyn. If you know of a venue which can display securely an item from the Martyrs's past then please get in touch with the Trust.

Thanks for your continued support.

Merthyr Town

2010-06-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

Merthyr Town were today elected members of the Western Football League for the 2010/11 season, our division placement will be decided following a ground inspection of Taffs Well FC where we will ground share for the season due to the loss of Penydarren Park at the moment.

2010-05-27T15:59:00.001-07:00

Trust commits to fight to save Penydarren Park

The members of Martyrs to the Cause, the Supporters Trust at Merthyr Tydfil FC, committed themselves on Tuesday evening to fight to save both Club and Ground to preserve semi-professional football within the town.

The news from the Administrator that a development company has expressed an interest in the lease of the Penydarren Park ground was a severe set-back to the Supporters’ Trust which until a month ago was hopeful of gaining a further term at the famous stadium for a club to continue the town’s history of playing within the English pyramid structure.

The Trust has applied to the Football Association, with the continued help of Supporters Direct, to register a club to conyinue to represent the community of Merthyr Tydfil however as the lease for Penydarren Park may not be available to the reformed club the Trust has had to move quickly to find an alternative venue in order to keep the Martyrs alive until the club’s eventual return to its historical home.

We have been delighted with the response of Taffs Well FC to our request for a groundshare for the forthcoming season. The Trust has already committed to funding minor ground improvements in order to meet the criteria for Level 6 of the FA pyramid. Merthyr leaving Penydarren Park will be heartbreaking for all supporters of football in Wales however the site of the Taffs Well ground at Rhiw Dda’r is in the Taff valley and is accessible by both train and bus services for our loyal supporters.

The fight to stay at Penydarren Park will not be forgotten or underestimated, the Trust calls on both Welsh Assembly Government and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to confirm their support for our ground to remain both our home and a community asset to the Heads of the Valleys region for future generations. The archaeological remains of a Roman fort underneath the iconic football ground will ensure that no commercial development will ever be possible on that site. We understand that Cadw is monitoring the situation.

The focus now turns towards the Administrator and the status of the current football club. The Trust understands that the Administrator was unable to satisfy the FA of the continuation of football at Penydarren Park for the 2010/11 season therefore Merthyr Tydfil FC will be excluded from the Southern League. We are hopeful that the FA will note that the Supporters and wider community of Merthyr Tydfil FC deserve an opportunity to keep semi-professional alive in the Valleys and that the reformed club will be offered a placement in the Western League, it will not be a new arena for Merthyr football as the Merthyr Town club was a member of the league nearly a century ago.

Our supporters are among the best in non-league football. Swindon Supermarine FC will provide testament to the passion and humour of our support on the final day of the season. Our fans will be an asset to the Western League. We are confident that our loyal supporters can work through the next few months and that in August we can appreciate a new dawn for our Club. A club run by its biggest investors; it’s supporters.

Iconic paintings unveiled by Merthyr Trust

2010-05-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

The Community Team at Martyrs to the Cause is delighted to have been a partner to the Pippins Designs arts project at Brecon Road Infants school last week. The children were able to produce iconic paintings of famous players who have either played for or come from Merthyr Tydfil. The Trust are grateful for the sponsorship of the GMB union to enable the event to go ahead.

Players included Chris Holvey, John Charles, Gordon Davies, Dai Astley, Bryn Jones, Moses Russell and Mark Pembridge.

The paintings will now be on show at the Candac Suite in Penydarren Park up to 12th June.

Martyrs & the Arts

2010-04-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

Martyrs to the Cause is proud to advise that the first children's arts day to celebrate some of the great players to have come from Merthyr Tydfil will take place at Brecon Road Infants School on 18th May.

The children will be helped by the award winning team from Pippins Designs to produce five panels celebrating the football heritage of our town, the players to be honoured on canvas by the young artists will be Chris Holvey, Dai Astley, Gordon Davies, Mark Pembridge, Bryn Jones, John Charles and Moses Russell. The children have also decided to include current Wales star Aaron Ramsey in the panel to be retained by the school for display.

The Trust is very grateful for the financial support of the Merthyr Branch of the GMB Union for its aid to our community arts project, without their valuable support this event would not be possible.

Mobile Museum project update & appeal

2010-04-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

The Supporters Trust has met with the design team charged with producing the display boards for the portable information boards that will tell the story of football in Merthyr Tydfil from 1908 to the present day, we have already received many photographs, programmes, cigarette cards etc for the display boards but we could do with more stories and items to add something different to the tale, for example did you travel to Swindon in 1965 on the special train for the Cup match? We already have the match programme but maybe you kept the rail ticket. Do you know someone with a Football League programme from our membership in the 1920s? Season ticket from the 1960s?

All items will be returned, they will be digitally recorded for future generations. The next stage of the museum project is to set up a Merthyr Football Museum Website which will display all items from the 1927 Welsh League Handbook right up to the current day.

Please contact us via wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk if you have any items or ideas for the Mobile Museum.

Thanks as ever for your support.

Trust with the FAW

2010-04-06T11:54:00.000-07:00

Following today's meeting of the FAW Domestic Committee, the status of Merthyr Tydfil FC will be discussed at the FAW Council meeting in Pulford on Monday 12th April.

Congratulations and thanks

2010-03-26T02:40:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to our friends at Leamington for registering their Trust, good luck for the rest of the season.

Thanks also to the Newport County Supporters Trust for donating £100 to our Buy Merthyr Tydfil fund, once again its great to see our friends helping to save our famous Club.

For further information on the current situation please contact us via wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk

Trust AGM

2010-03-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

Please note that the AGM of Merthyr Tydfil FC Supporters Society will be held at the Candac Suite in Penydarren Park from 7.00pm on Thursday 25th March.

Welsh Guards collection

2010-03-18T16:48:00.001-07:00

There will be a bucket collection at Penydarren Park on Saturday, we have a longstanding agreement to allow former Welsh Guards to make a collection in support their cycle ride on the weekend from Anglesey to Cardiff. The three day cycle ride organised by Welsh Guards Reunited will make its way through Merthyr Tydfil in a bid to raise money for both Ty Gobaith and Ty Hafan.

Ty Gobaith is a children's hospice in Conwy providing respite care to the terminally ill. Ty Hafan, near Sully, is a similar haven for children who suffer from life-limiting conditions.

You can also help the charities and support the Welsh Guard Reunited efforts by visiting http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/wgr

Appeal from Martyrs to the Cause

2010-03-12T12:45:00.000-08:00

8 Salisbury Close
Heolgerrig
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 1SD
Tel 079496 23722

HELP US BUY THE MARTYRS

Dear supporter

We are writing to ask for your support as a Trust member and therefore a potential part owner of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club.

The Supporters Society (Martyrs to the Cause) is aiming to bid for the purchase of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club from Administration at the end of March.

The Trust is confident that the club can be run on a break even basis, but it has used its reserves (£50,000) to get things where they are, and we are committed to continue in the long term.

We are inviting supporters of all clubs to make loans to the Trust in £100 units, to be repaid over the next three seasons. If for any reason the club is not purchased, all funds will be returned.

Cheques or cash have to be with the club by Tuesday 23rd March 2010.

We think this is the best chance of a positive outcome for the club in the long term. We hope you can help.

If you wish to support us in our historic bid for our football club then please contact us at the address listed above.

John Strand
Secretary
Merthyr Tydfil FC Supporters Society

Trust bid for funding successful

2010-02-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

The Trust is happy to confirm that it has successfully gained a grant of £3,442.75 from the Communities First Trust Fund to provide funding for a Mobile Exhibition celebrating the heritage of football in the borough of Merthyr Tydfil.

The project now turns towards the design phase of the mobile information boards, the subjects ranging from the Football League years to the current fight for the Club's existence.
The Trust will be setting up a heritage sub-group to drive the project forward, if anyone has any memorabilia, photographs or just ideas then please contact Mark Evans via 07774 708063.

The information boards will provide a focal point for a mobile exhibition that will take the message of Merthyr Tydfil FC into our local communities.

Our thanks go to everyone in the Community Team plus our colleagues in the Park & Town Ward Partnership Board.

Season Ticket offer for the Martyrs

2010-02-12T12:45:00.001-08:00

Supporters of Football League clubs will get a reduced entry to Merthyr home matches if they produce their season ticket at Penydarren Park upon arrival at the turnstiles.

A special £5.00 fee is available to fans wishing to support the Martyrs in our fight to survive, a saving of £3.00.

The Supporters Trust is continuing to seek avenues to take the Club out of Administration and needs the South Wales football community to rally round to keep semi-professional football alive in the Valleys area.

Easter Monday has been confirmed as the date for the annual Come Back To Merthyr Day. Both new and former supporters will be welcomed to Penydarren Park for the visit of Stourbridge, it will also be the day for the Former Players Reunion so the stars of yore will also be available to relive the glory days of the Martyrs.

Merthyr Sixes date announced

2010-02-07T16:01:00.000-08:00

The Merthyr Supporters Six-a-side tournament will be held at Penydarren Park on the morning of 15th May. Newport County will be back I'm sure to defend their title.

If your club fancies entering a supporters team please contact Martyrs to the Cause via wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk

E-Newsletter launched

2010-01-29T14:43:00.001-08:00

Martyrs to the Cause has launched its weekly Newsletter, if you wish to receive an e-mail detailing our struggle to keep our famous club alive then please e-mail us at wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk

Trust Update by John Strand

First my apologies to members for not providing an update of events at the Trust since it has responsible for running the football club this season.

I expect that many of you have been keeping abreast of things through the press, the Forum and public meetings, but you may not have had the opportunity to get the full picture.

The Trust embarked on the current road in early June, when it asked the court to place the club into administration to avoid it being liquidated by HM Customs and Revenue.

The administrator made an agreement with the Trust to run the club from August 1st 2009. Because of conditions imposed by the FA, it was necessary to pay the administrator about £25,000 over the season. Added to this the Trust incurred £23,000 legal costs.

Despite this expense the Trust has managed to run the club reasonably successfully, with the help and support of many volunteers and local businesses.

Unfortunately because of the difficult financial situation it was necessary to cut the wage bill by 30% in December. The reaction of the management and players has been magnificent, with the continued excellent commitment of the whole squad.

As we move towards the second part of the season, we are considering the future.

The administrator has indicated that he has received an offer for the lease of Penydarren Park from a company who would not allow football at Penydarren Park in the long term. We do not know whether this offer will come to fruition.

We will be working in the coming weeks with all who have the club’s interests at heart to prepare for every eventuality, whether that involves working with another owner or owning the club ourselves.

A new Trust Board was appointed in October, following the receipt of 12 nominations, avoiding the need for an election. The accounts for the year ended 31 August 2009 are with the accountant, and soon as they are finalised the AGM will be held.

A further report will then be made.

In the meantime thank you to everyone who has helped the Trust and the club, this year and in previous years.

Next 7 home games:

The Martyrs are entering a busy period in their remarkable push for the play offs. Below is a list f the next 7 home games. Please spread the word and encourage more people to come to Penydarren Park to support Gary, Danny & the boys.

H Rugby Town Sat 13 February 2010 - 3.00
H Truro City Tue 23 February 2010 - 7.45
H Hemel Hempstead Town Sat 27 February 2010 - 3.00
H Clevedon Town Tue 09 March 2010 - 7.45
H Leamington Tue 16 March 2010 - 7.45
H Hednesford Town Sat 20 March 2010 - 3.00
H Brackley Town Tue 23 March 2010 - 7.45

Community Team Update

2010-01-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

A big thank you to everyone who donated to the Trust's annual Christmas Charity collection prior to the Chippenham match on 23rd January.

We've collected for a few local charities over the years including Tarian and Cancer Aid, this year we are happy to provide Merthyr PHAB with £128.00 to continue their excellent work.

The bid for funding of the proposed Mobile Museum has been submitted to the Communities First Fund, it's fingers crossed time now of course. If successful we've targetted the annual Ex-players Day on Easter Monday as the launch date for the new project.

Merthyr Football Museum

2010-01-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

This is a photograph of the Wales Schoolboys team at Penydarren Park during the 1912/13 season.

Martyrs to the Cause is continuing to collate items detailing the history of football within our Borough, a bid is being prepared for funding for a Mobile Exhibition to include classic photographs such as the posted above.

More news to follow.

Fanzine - New Issue?

2010-01-13T12:20:00.000-08:00

The Dial M For Merthyr Fanzine lads are looking for articles for the next issue, they've already produced a few, here's a sample article concerning the current freeze;

The Big Freeze of 2010?

So another day with snow, another day off for the kids, and continued coverage on both radio and television as to the effects of the current arctic conditions for South Wales. It’s certainly affecting the Martyrs, we haven’t played a match since 12th December and we’re unlikely to do so until 23rd January for the visit of Chippenham, but how has snow and ice affected the club in previous years?

I spent a few hours researching the “big freeze” of 1963 and how we coped in days of yore with frozen pitches? I’m sure older readers will have some memories to share too.

It seems the cold weather hit the UK and South Wales in particular on the evenings of 28th-30th December and the Lilywhites were only just able to complete their 1962 fixtures with a 4-1 defeat at Rugby on the final day of December. A match played on two inches of snow, cleared lines and sanded goalmouths. A match remembered for the great performance by goalkeeper John Clarke who prevented a rout with some inspired saves.

The Club chose this time to launch its new Heads of the Valleys Bingo Club as a fundraiser, Doug Morgan of the MTFC Supporters Club was on hand to warn that “if the scheme doesn’t go I don’t think we’ll have Southern League football in Merthyr Tydfil for much longer” A scenario all too familiar to the current supporters of our club.

A visit to the Rich Field to play Brecon Corinthians in the Welsh Cup was the next match but was postponed due to the icy conditions, the cancellation having a knock-on affect already on fixtures as the proposed visit of Worcester City was postponed in order that the Welsh Cup match be played. Things were a lot different in those days.

It was no surprise that the re-arranged match in Brecon for 12th January was also postponed as that area was particularly badly affected, my dad remembers driving in a truck up the main road to Brecon with the snow packed up on each side of the road with just a gap to drive through, it must have been a claustrophobic experience indeed. The Welsh Cup still took priority so the Southern League remained dormant for the Lilywhites.

The cold snap was already affecting the club’s finances but Vice-Chair Bill Richards remained bullish; “It is a present loss which we hope to recover later in the year with evening matches”.

By 19th January the Merthyr Express was reporting Thousands Without Water in Merthyr’s Freeze Up, it was noted that many homes in exposed areas had been without water for two weeks already. Of the 4,000 council homes in the Borough, a third were frozen up.

Indeed elsewhere in the UK, the FA Cup 3rd Round was struggling to its conclusion. It finally took 66 days to complete with a total of 261 postponements recorded. This inactivity provided the cause for the Pools Panel to sit for the first time.

Despite the cold weather and no football Merthyr team manager Les Graham continued to look for new signings, it was reported that Alan Wood was a target from Bristol Rovers coupled with Ray Williams coming from Hereford United.

Merthyr still looked to play their Welsh Cup tie with Brecon but the low temperatures and snow was unrelenting and the chances of playing this match were basically nil.

Ken Tucker remembered the season very well, “The pitch at Penydarren Park was unavailable so we had to train indoors at the YMCA on Tuesday and Thursday as normal. The team was full of ex-professional players so there was no let up in training”.

Meanwhile the Heads of the Valley Bingo Club had got off to a slow start, Doug Morgan blamed the weather and the overlap with the Supporters’ Club established Lucky Numbers scheme. However with the backing of the local LVA the scheme was picking up. The first £70 winner was Mr. J.H. Jones of Merthyr Conservative Club.

The local weather conditions had not changed by the following week, this time it was local industry that was forced to act. On 23rd January Hoovers put off 1,700 workers as Welsh Gas reduced its supply to businesses by up to 50%, the factory was able to re-start the day shift the following day and had to send telegrams (this is long time before text messages!!) to 450 workers advising them to resume. Lines Bros had 500 workers off by that Wednesday too but hoped to resume by Monday. The domestic scene was no better as coal supplies were scarce too, the prefab house in Haydn Terrace, Penydarren were particularly badly hit by this.

The Brecon game unsurprisingly still had not been played but the club was hopeful of reserve team fixture at Penydarren Park on 26th January against Swansea Town. The match in Brecon scheduled for that day was doubtful so the club announced that if off then they would play the Southern League XI in the Welsh League fixture. It was hoped that as Swansea’s match at Queens Park Rangers that day was also in doubt that a match containing both first team squads could be witnessed by the Merthyr Tydfil faithful.

The ice remained in place though and was delaying the signing of both Wood and Williams. Good news though as Colin Rees joined the club from Leeds United.

Ice on the Neuadd Reservoirs was reported as 18 inches thick.

Halifax Town converted The Shay stadium into a public ice rink to raise funds.

It was now over a month since the last match at Penydarren Park, a Welsh League match against Ferndale on 22nd December 1962.

It was still not as bad as the 1946/47 season when Merthyr went nine weeks without a home game, although they did manage to play away games in that time. When they finally managed to play a match at Penydarren Park 5,400 fans turned up to see Bedford smashed 6-1. That season had to be extended with the final home match being the visit of Milford United for a Welsh League match on 14th June!!!

The Brecon match on 26th Jan was off, there’s a theme to this story somewhere.

The weather at the end of the month seemed to improve but still the problems continued with over 1,000 burst water pipes reported and many gas mains fractured. Residents in Blanche Street, Dowlais were evacuated from their homes as gas board workers looked to repair a leak, unfortunately one resident Sarah Williams was found unconscious at home and had to be rushed to St. Tydfil’s Hospital for treatment, sadly she died two weeks later. The emergency services remained on high alert, they even had to intervene to remove a large icicle from outside of Howfields in the town High Street.

Good news for the football though as the Swansea Town friendly went ahead. The first match at Penydarren Park for six weeks, a disappointing 2-1 defeat. Ken Tucker raised the spirits though with a spectacular goal in response to brace by the visitors’ Mike Hayes. Frankie Collins missed a late penalty for the hosts, hitting his shot straight at keeper Gordon Smith after Brian Hughes had handled. 420 attended this match, no doubt hungry for football action.

The Swansea match wasn’t without its problems though, the water system froze so the players had to use the YMCA building’s facilities after the match.

Brecon finally relented to Merthyr’s request and the Welsh Cup match was scheduled for Penydarren Park the following week if it passed an inspection by referee Leo Callaghan therefore the match with Wisbech Town joined the long list of postponed Southern League fixture sidelined by the Welsh Cup. If the match went ahead then Cyril Beech was the surprise choice at chentre-forward. Alan Wood had finally joined Merthyr but was unable to play due to FA of Wales rules.

Within seven days the snow had returned and in force - a warm front then produced a thaw that turned the roads to slush nevertheless the road system was hit badly. Water pipe problems remained for residents and coal supplies remained low.

The FAW finally relented as the Brecon match was postponed once again, both clubs were instructed to resume their league fixtures with the Welsh Cup match scheduled for a midweek date. Penydarren Park was put once again on stand-by for the fixture but in the meantime the Lilywhites turned their attention to the possible visit of Cambridge City but the thaw had broughts its own problems and the match was considered 50/50 to be played.

The Heads of the Valley Bingo Club (does anyone know how this worked?) continued and the £70 first prize was claimed by a Mrs. Richards who had bought her ticket in the Glamorgan Arms (where was that in the town?), the LVA was now in full support of the scheme and publicans were encouraged to lend their support.

The home matches did not beat the elements so Merthyr gambled on playing a tour of Dorset to tick off two fixtures for 15th and 16th of February. Weymouth on the Friday night with Poole hosting the next day. Danny McCarthy, a former Cardiff City player, also joined the squad.

The gamble was a relative success with a 2-0 defeat at Weymouth and a excellent 3-0 win at Poole. Merthyr playing well in both matches. Centre-half Keith Vopke continued to catch the eye at the back. The win at Poole was particularly satisfying as the match was played in ankle deep mud plus new signings Wood and McCarthy netted a goal apiece.

As Merthyr planned for the next week’s journey to Yeovil, who were the proposed Welsh League opponents for Penydarren Park (weather permitting)? Brecon Corinthians of course.

Merthyr continued to impress with a 1-1 draw in front of 1,820 at Yeovil. Jim Clarke scoring a brilliant goal with a cool lob over the goalkeeper from a narrow angle. The Brecon match? … Postponed I’m afraid.

The Penydarren Park groundsman John Rees now called for volunteers to clear the pitch and get it ready for the visit of Guildford City on 2nd March, the Supporters’ Club responded and a dedicated team worked all week to attempt to finally get a Southern League fixture completed at our home ground.

864 supporters were there to see the return of first team football after over 2 months absence from Merthyr. Some still thought that the match shouldn’t have gone ahead but referee David Jones from Aberbargoed got it started and both teams entertained in a 0-0 draw despite pools of water and ankle deep mud all over the pitch.

After the match it was reported that manager Les Graham had confronted one of the club directors.

The following Thursday saw the long awaited Welsh Cup tie with Brecon finally played, a 2-1 victory meant a fourth round tie at home to Newport County but Les Graham had already departed. He tendered his resignation to the Board prior to the match. Les Graham had joined the club in 1959 to succeed Albert Lindon, he had already taken two pay-cuts whilst managing Merthyr.

The Directors’ dispute with Les Graham appeared to be about the amount of time he spent at Penydarren Park, he lived in Cwmbran and trained in Newport.

The loss of the Manager was far from popular with the supporters but at least they had football to watch as the Club looked to tackle the obvious back-log of fixtures. Following a 4-0 defeat at Wellington came a spell of three matches in five days; Thursday 21st March home to Newport County in the Cup (kick off at 4.30pm as we had no lights in those days) - but were well beaten 4-0, two days later we hosted and lost 1-0 to Dartford in the League (560 crowd), at 4.45pm on the Monday we took and beat Wellington 2-1 in front of 490 fans.

The remainder of that season became a relegation battled culminating in a fine 3-1 win over Cambridge City, who arrived as League Champions, in front of 780 supporters on 11th May. The heroes on the day were Ken Tucker who scored two goals, both from Frankie Collins’s long throws, and Brian Williams.

Who knows how long the current freeze will remain? Will it surpass both 1947 and 1963? Let’s hope not. I fancy watching us on 23rd January v. Chippenham, don’t you?

The Pub Olympics

2010-01-06T14:54:00.000-08:00

With the cold weather seemingly in for the foreseeable future, the expectations of the Brackley match on Saturday going ahead must be next to nil, so if the match is postponed and you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms from Penydarren Park why not head down to the Candac Suite on Saturday and take part in the Pub Olympics from 2pm?

The following olympic sports will be available:-

Darts
Pool
Table football
Cards
Dominoes
Pitch & Toss

There will also be a raffle to raise funds to cover the cost of Gary Shephard and the team holding an indoor training session that morning.

A dvd of classic Merthyr matches will be on show during the day.

The Candac Bar, sponsored by Rhymney Brewery, will be open for a selection of quality of drinks.

Please make the effort to attend the day, if only to sit and chat about the Martyrs over a pint or two. There's been no game since 12th December and funds are needed, so come along and enjoy an afternoon of pub games, beer, football and fun.

Community Team Update

2010-01-05T16:53:00.000-08:00

The Community Team has remained active over the winter months and has confirmed a few projects for Merthyr Tydfil FC;

John Hartson Foundation - following the testicular cancer awareness day at Penydarren Park for our youth team players we are happy to advise that Martyrs to the Cause have signed up to run at the FAW Dragon Ball Run on 21st March in Bute Park on behalf of both club and the John Hartson Foundation. We're looking for more volunteers to run, every runner is encouraged to wear his own club shirt so let's see the black & white of Merthyr celebrating in Cardiff Castle on that Sunday.

Caedraw School - we continue to collect empty plastic 2 litre bottles for an environment project at the local school, any donations should be handed into either Club Shop or Holveys Tea Bar.

Arts Project - The Community Team have meetings during January to confirm the Arts Project, hopefully we will see the results all around the Candac Suite in forthcoming matches.

Museum/Mobile Exhibition - We continue to research funding for a mobile exhibition to educate primary school children as to the history of professional sport in our town. Our thanks go to Cyfarthfa Castle Museum for their help in sourcing the display information for our bid.

Academy - An update to advise that we are looking at a funding stream to help with the finances of our excellent academy structure. On this point - don't forget to support out Future Martyrs as they represent us in matches for the remainder of the season.

Minithon 2010 - we have agreed to undertake a Minithon during 2010 following the success of the FC United of Manchester event this year. It has been very encouraging to see the input for hosting a 5km event in Merthyr Tydfil, but don't forget that you can RUN, WALK or CRAWL the event so no excuses for not taking part and raising money for our club to survive. More details to follow soon.

Poppy Day - despite the appalling weather conditions we managed to collect £51.32 on the day. The Royal British Legion has contacted the club to express its gratitude.

Christmas Collection - As you are aware the collection on behalf of PHAB was postponed from Boxing Day, please be assured that the Community Team will make the buckt collection at the next available Saturday home match.

Thank you once again for your anticipated co-operation.

Annual Merthyr ex-players' day 2010

2010-01-04T15:26:00.000-08:00

The Supporters' Trust is happy to confirm that this year's Players' Reunion will be on Easter Monday (5th April) for the visit of Stourbridge to Penydarren Park.

All former players are advised to contact Mark Evans on wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk for further details.

Away Supporters Guide to Merthyr Tydfil

2010-01-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

The Supporters' Trust has produced the following e-booklet to advertise the benefits of visiting our famous football ground, why not stay overnight in the town to experience a Merthyr night out?

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1gx7w/MTFCAwaySupportersGu/resources/index.htm

Fans Forum information

2010-01-02T01:54:00.000-08:00

A reminder that the Supporters' Trust will host a Fans Forum at the Candac Suite on Thursday 21st January 2010.

It is vital that all Merthyr fans attend this meeting to discuss the future of our famous club.

Once again, a "Sheppy" New Year from all at the Trust to every supporter of Merthyr Tydfil FC.

News from the Community Team

2009-09-20T13:34:00.001-07:00

A short update from the Martyrs to the Cause Community Team;

The link with the Tidy Towns project at Merthyr Council was a success, the area at the Pontmorlais end of the ground was cleared by the volunteers as part of our link with the Town & Park Ward Communities First partnership. The area has been improved for both supporters and local residents.

The Club is continuing to investigate the idea of setting up a mobile exhibition to portray the history of football within our borough, in effect a museum detailing the early years of the sport from the local league to the Football League membership of the 1920s and onwards through the 1950s glory team and finally modern times. The Trust has collected items for display including Sonny Gibbons's Welsh League medal from 1927 and a Merthyr League handbook from 1936. The community team will be discussing possible funding options with Communities First before proceeding further.

The collection of items for the Welsh Guards serving in Afghanistan continues, we have already delivered one box of goods to the organisers and urge all supporters to drop any items into the Club Shop on matchday.

The annual Let's Kick Racism Day will be on October 24th for the visit of Didcot Town, both teams will be invited to take part in the day's events which include a link with the Portuguese community in the borough. The evening will finish with Welsh language bands in the Candac Suite.

The club will be hosting an arts project with the local community in November, youngsters in the area will be encouraged to take part in a painting project depicting iconic pictures from Merthyr football history, the pictures will be displayed throughout the town and of course at Penydarren Park. Funding issues are currently being pursued with our local business community partners.

For further information please contact us at community.team@themartyrs.com

Welcome to Blue & Gold Supporters Society

2009-09-04T16:38:00.001-07:00

A big welcome to the Trust family from Martyrs to the Cause to our friends at Kings Lynn who have registered their Supporters' Trust called the Blue & Gold Supporters' Society.

20th Anniversary edition

2009-08-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

It was August 1989 and two Merthyr supporters are carrying a box around Old Road, Briton Ferry during a pre-season friendly in the sunshine (can you remember when we had a pre-season and it was sunny?), the majority of the crowd that day bought a copy of the new fanzine Dial M For Merthyr, probably most of them thought it was the programme (in the early days we were always asked "Is this the programme?", we'd say yes, sell one and then hope they didn't realise until we were safe in Strikers drinking the profits!) but it was the start of the Dial M For Merthyr fanzine.

The late 80s had spawned a new generation of publications dedicated to raising the profile of the ordinary supporter on the terraces, the early pioneers being When Saturday Comes, The City Gent (Bradford City), The Pie (Notts County), Orientear (Leyton Orient) and Watch the Bluebirds Fly (Cardiff City), it was a post-Hillsborough landscape with the fight against ID cards being led by the fledgling Football Supporters Association from its Liverpool headquarters, fences around the pitches, crumbling terraces and a wagonwheel was the best food you could get. The fanzines were a constant antidote to the patronising and out of touch coverage of the established media in the UK who failed to see the real issues relevant to all supporters, the fanzines weren't always welcome (the Merthyr Express expressed its caution in welcoming us after one of our early issues) but they remained vibrant until the establishment began to absorb the better elements into the mainstream, mainstay publications like Shoot were soon overtaken by more fanzinesque editions like FourFourTwo who relied heavily on journalists who had cut their teeth on the fanzine scene.

Dial M For Merthyr has continued over the 20 years to cover the fortunes of our club whether through joint fanzines with Cardiff City, testimonial issues for Chris Holvey or anti-racism booklets for the annual Let's Kick Racism Out of Football. We may not be able to match both Cardiff City and Swansea City for the number of fans but we have shown constantly that we have enough talent to maintain a famous fanzine brand which continues to be admired in terrace culture.

Twenty years after that first issue copied in Merthyr Law Courts and side stapled by hand, we look to bring out an anniversary issue celebrating 20 years of Merthyr Tydfil FC fan culture so whether its the poncho you wore to Woking, the music you listened to as you drove to Sutton Coldfield or the article that changed your view on football please forward your memories on both fanzine and Merthyr Tydfil to us for inclusion in the next issue. Deadline will be around 28th September.

Please forward all articles, one liners, poems, ideas for articles, dodgy photos of MTFC fans in various grounds to us at wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk

NEITHER CARDIFF NOR SWANSEA BUT INTERNATIONAL MERTHYRISM

Can you feel the difference?

2009-08-30T08:44:00.001-07:00

The first month of the season is almost over, and to be honest it's been enjoyable once again to be a Merthyr fan, I've actually spent my time discussing the team with fellow Martyrs fans (usually in Tesco where of course anyone who is anyone meet these days, usually in front of the dog food for some reason), the lack of a comprehensive pre-season calendar has obviously hampered Shep's preparations but in all three home matches so far (unbeaten as we type this article!) we have finished the stronger of the two teams so physically we continue to compete right until the last whistle but I think the lack of match practice means we haven't really gelled in front of goal, yesterday's goalless draw against a very unambitious Bedford team being a prime example. The return of Cortez Belle surprised a few, this scribe included, but so far I have to say that I have been impressed, a determination to take on the defence will produce the goods soon surely. So on the pitch we seem to have continued from last season but it is off the pitch that has provided the platform for the stability on the field of play. The Trust has continued its work from the close season with the main activities thankfully turning from legal arguments to stadium renovation and commercial income; Penydarren Park is slowly returning to its full use but its going to be a long haul with the main issue being security to prevent the constant vandalism on the site, new fences coupled with a new community vision will hopefully reduce the problem. Commercially it's been a vast improvement on recent seasons; local businesses seem happy to work with the supporters to provide both services and money to help turn around the fortunes of our famous club, it's a never-ending search for funds as the main issue of the club being in administration will need to be tackled sooner than later but if the club continues as a going-concern then at least we buy ourselves a chance in keeping the biggest football club in the Valleys alive, there's plenty more big decisions to come though so no-one should sit back and think the job is done. The Trust movement in the UK, governed and backed by Supporters Direct, believes that supporters can make a difference in the running of their clubs and this is being proved correct at Merthyr Tydfil FC, it is the supporters who are making the difference and that is obvious by the renewed enthusiasm evident at the Lyn Jones Gates where a few "old faces" are returning once again to see their heroes in black & white, people are definitely enjoying the new season, there's a long way to go and every club event needs to be supported to maintain the resources to keep the dream alive but together we have acheived so much and united we can deliver more.

Keep on, keepin' on!

Administration update

2009-06-15T03:09:00.000-07:00

Mark Evans, Meurig Price and I (John Strand) met with the Administrator at Penydarren Park for one and a half hours at 8am this morning, to show him around and to give him as much background to the club as he required.

The immediate action taken by the administrator was to lock the gates of the ground.

Nobody will be admitted to the ground without the administrator’s permission.

The administrator will now seek to find a buyer for the business, his main objective being to seek the best outcome he can for the creditors.

Although there may be other potential purchasers of the business, the Trust Board will continue to develop its plans to bid for the business and to maintain football at PP.

Clearly another potential purchaser could outbid the Trust. The Trust Board would then do its best to support and work with any new owner, whilst maintaining the objectives as stated in its rules.

The Save the Martyrs Campaign needs your support more than ever as we continue to build our finances to ensure Southern League football for Merthyr Tydfil FC. Please support the Season Ticket offers and please contact your local business to enquire whether they would be happy to help us commercially.

Important news for all supporters of Merthyr Tydfil FC

2009-05-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Supporter of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club

Public Meeting on Thursday May 14th at the Penydarren Social Club 7.30pm Start

I am writing to inform you that the Trust, along with members of the OSC and other active supporters, are holding a Public Meeting to look for support for a campaign to save Merthyr Football Club from extinction.

On Wednesday 6th May her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs were seeking to wind up the club, because of non payment of £7000 in tax. The Trust employed legal representation to arrange a 28 day adjournment of the case.

The lawyers are now looking for alternative ways of going forward to save the club, and if possible, to gain control of the club by the supporters. It has always been the Trust’s intention to be a vehicle to arrive at a club run by the supporters on a democratic basis.

If we, the supporters, are to be successful in our bid, we are going to have show complete commitment and it will be necessary to raise significant funds.

I urge you therefore to attend the meeting on Thursday 14th May, if at all possible, to demonstrate that you want the club to survive.

Please pass this email to anyone you think might be interested in ensuring a successful future for Merthyr Tydfil Football Club.

Yours sincerely

John Strand
Secretary Merthyr Tydfil FC Supporters Society

Soccalot 5th May 2009

2009-05-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

Tonight's numbers were 06, 14, 20 and 24.

No claims, draw undertaken by Steve Anderson.

Next week's draw to be £1,500.

Thanks for your support, don't forget to support the Trust in acheiving a Supporters' run football club at Penydarren Park by taking out a standing order to ensure that you are in the Soccalot draw every week.

Goals = Funds

2009-05-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who took part in this year's Sponsor A Goal fund, the lads did us proud this year with 79 goals and when all the monies are received we should benefit to the tune of nearly £500 which is much needed at the moment as we continue to search for a lifeline for our historic club.

Thanks once again!

Soccalot Result

2009-04-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

There were no winners tonight. The draw was pulled out by Rob Morgan and the numbers were;

05, 07, 11 & 13

Next week the prize fund willbe £1,250.

Sponsor A Goal

2009-04-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

Please note that the invoices for the Sponsor A Goal Fund will be sent out during week commencing 27th April to all supporters who have backed the project. It is much appreciated.

All monies raised will once again go towards the Youth/Academy teams' budget.

Centenary shirts

2009-04-13T13:33:00.001-07:00

The Merthyr Town shirts specially made by The Old Fashioned Football Shirts Company (TOFFS) for Martyrs to the Cause have arrived. The shirt is based on the design of the 1909/10 season with the Town's first badge, the Prince of Wales feathers, incorporated on to the Red & Green striped shirts.

Both Gary Shephard and Danny Carter were delighted with the quality of the shirts and confirmed that the players would wear them for the Halesowen Town match as part of the celebrations marking the centenary of football at Penydarren Park.

Following the match, the shirts will be returned to the Trust to be sold to supporters. The cost per shirt is £39.99 for a unique item; cash or cheque (payable to Martyrs to the Cause) to reserve one via the Club Shop or Trust, first come first served while stocks last.

Up the Town!

Quiz Night

2009-04-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

The next Martyrs to the Cause Quiz Night will be held on Thursday 30th April at the Cefn Club from 7.30pm. All proceeds will go to the Players' Travel Fund.

Entry is £10 for a four person team, the winning team will receive 50% of the entry monies.

Come along and enjoy a night with fellow Merthyr fans and test your brains whilst raising much needed funds.

See you there!

Leaflet drop

2009-04-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

Martyrs to the Cause undertook another leaflet drop on Good Friday to advertise the next day's match with Oxford City, the target area for this drop was lower Twynyrodyn.

The next leaflet drop will be on Friday 24th April, prior to the Halesowen Town match, volunteers are requested to contact the Trust for this event.

Quiz Night

2009-03-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

A big thank you

2009-03-06T11:36:00.001-08:00

Martyrs to the Cause would like to thank all the other Supporters Trusts & Clubs who have contacted us with messages of support and especially those football fans who have become members over the past week or so. It is much appreciated.

Quiz night

2009-03-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

Martyrs to the Cause will be hosting the first of its monthly quiz nights in the Cefn Club on Thursday 19th March, all teams are welcome with the night's takings being split 50/50 between the winning ensemble and the Trust. More details to follow.

2009-02-20T12:54:00.000-08:00

20th February 2009

Statement from the Board of Martyrs to the Cause

The Board of Martyrs to the Cause met last night with officers of Supporters Direct, our accountants and the leader of Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council, Mr Jeff Edwards.
From the meeting, we have confirmed our intended structure for running Merthyr Tydfil Football Club FC and are confident that when the time comes for the ownership of the club to pass to the Supporters of the club, we are in a strong position to deliver a democratically run club, inclusive of all Merthyr supporters which will be financially focused, with open and transparent governance.

We have made our intention that we wish to take over the ownership of the club clear to the owner of the club and are waiting on his response.
END OF STATEMENT

Statement from the Board

2009-02-18T03:37:00.000-08:00

18th February 2009

Statement from the Board of Martyrs to the Cause

With reports of spiraling debts, staff being unpaid, the threat of games being unplayed and removal of utility services at Merthyr Tydfil FC, the board of Merthyr Tydfil FC Supporters Society Ltd (Martyrs to the Cause) have today issued the following statement.

The Board of Martyrs to the Cause are 100% committed to preserving football at it's current standard at Merthyr Tydfil FC. The Society however is unwilling to do service pressing debts for the current owner of the club at present for the following reasons;

1) The club has failed to supply or submit accounts since those filed to August 2006.

2) The club is unable to present the Society with levels of income, expenditure or debt.

3) The club has been unable to present a case to show that they have any plan to make the club work as a viable business in the short or long term.

We have re-affirmed our ambition to take on the ownership of the club and change it's constitution to that of a Community Club and to that means we have informed the club that the offer made to the club in a meeting on August 17th 2008 remains open to them. In that meeting, we presented an outline offer to the club, following initial discussions with our legal representatives, the key points of which were as follows:

Firstly Martyrs to the Cause would loan the Club the money (on an unsecured basis but via a legal agreement) needed immediately to meet pressing creditors.

Wyn Holloway’s shares in Merthyr Tydfil Football Club Limited would be immediately transferred to Martyrs to the Cause for no consideration, however we would be prepared to consider the transfer of a controlling stake in the company only, with certain guarantees – to be agreed.

All of this would take place with the simultaneous resignation of the existing directors (without compensation) with a new board appointed by the Trust, which it is expected would be the current board of the trust.

The new board would meet the Club's ongoing debts and commitments.Under the terms of the deal, what we believed to be substantial existing loans and credit from a number of sources, would continue to be guaranteed by the existing directors (as they are now). And as a sign of our intention to ensure eventual repayment of those loans, we proposed that the new board would make monthly goodwill payments in order to assist in the ongoing maintenance of those loans.

We also proposed that annual reviews of this arrangement would be factored in so progress can be monitored by all parties to their satisfaction.However, all of this was contingent on due diligence of the club’s most recent accounts. Martyrs to the Cause offered to assist – financially or otherwise – in releasing these accounts, and would also be willing to discuss providing assistance as part of any deal.We believe that this deal represents an opportunity for Wyn Holloway and the other directors of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club Ltd to be released from their current over-burdening commitments, which must cause significant stress to all of them.

In operating the club, we would be doing so as a team, alongside the fans as owners. We would also be advised by Supporters Direct, which has a great deal of expertise in this area, and which has already assisted with fifteen supporters trusts in taking over or restarting their clubs, four of which are in the Football League. The involvement of the supporters is critical to the future of this football club, and we believe that now is the time for us all to step up to the plate and return our club to its former glories. The board of Martyrs to the Cause is committed to our great club having a future, and that future being under the ownership and control of the supporters of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club.

END OF STATEMENT

John Toshack Night

2009-02-15T06:05:00.000-08:00

A big thank you to everyone who made our John Toshack night on Thursday such a huge success, the Cefn Club was full of football fans from all clubs for the visit of the Wales team manager. Mr. Toshack was excellent and spoke for 90 minutes on a range of subjects from Wales to Madrid to South Wales Switchgear.

A big thank you to our hosts at the Cefn Club for making the evening run so smoothly.

The night was a great fund raiser for the Trust and we would hope to repeat such an evening as soon as possible.

Match of the Week - Tamworth v Telford

2009-02-15T06:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.twohundredpercent.net/?p=1202

News from Lewes

2009-02-15T05:57:00.000-08:00

http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/4123205.Threat_of_administration_grows_at_Lewes/

Come Back to Merthyr Day 3

2009-01-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

Well the weather outside is frightful .....

Don't despair we will have a home game soon. So remind that friend, workmate or complete stranger that we still want them up at Penydarren Park on 24th of January for the visit of Yate Town.

The players are doing the business on the pitch let's get a crowd to echo that on the terraces.

Come Back to Merthyr Day, take 3.

What next from mother nature? We're due a tornado!

Come back to Merthyr Day 2

2009-01-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

So the great Welsh weather scuppers our New Year's Day at the football, the team set to go top, the biggest crowd of the season expected and the big chill arrives, just typical I suppose.

Today's project to get as many ex-fans (and new faces) into our ground will now be moved to 10th January for the visit of Cambridge City to Penydarren Park, although the principle of the day could be taken for any home match, just bring someone to see the current team as they are worth watching.

Finally, here's to a Happy New Year for all Martyrs fans from your Supporters' Trust.