Merthyr Town youth players wins Wales cap

Wales beat the Republic of Ireland in an Under-18 Semi Professional international match on Tuesday evening at the new Nantporth Stadium in Bangor. The match ending in a 2-0 victory for the Red Dragons.

Ashley Hollingshead of Merthyr Town was included in the squad and came off the bench in the 49th minute to represent his country.

Ashley is pictured above receiving his honours cap from Trefor Lloyd Hughes (FAW President) and Chris Whitley (FAW International Committee Chair) after the match in the Farrar Suite at the stadium.

It is another proud moment for the Supporters Trust as it was their decision nearly 9 years ago to resurrect the Youth Team at Penydarren Park and to fund it directly to provide an opportunity for young players in the South Wales Valleys to further their development in the game.

The youth team is now a fundamental part of the community club's academy structure and Ashley is continuing his career under the watchful eye of Academy Director Ceri Bowley.

Congratulations to Ashley for representing both his club and country so proudly.

Football Exhibition opens in Merthyr Tydfil

The Soccer Dragons Football Exhibition has opened at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum in Merthyr Tydfil.

The exhibition has been compiled by both Ceri Stennett, FAW Historian, and Mark Evans, supporter of Merthyr Town FC to display the history of Welsh football and the role of Merthyr Tydfil in that story.

There are varied items on display from the very old; a 1913 Merthyr Town v Plymouth Argyle match programme, to the very new; a signed Gareth Bale Wales shirt.

The staff at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum have been excellent in their promotion of Merthyr Tydfil's strong football tradition and the display although small is packed with information.

The mobile football museum project of Merthyr Town FC provides the backdrop to the memorabilia on display on boards or behind glass.

Merthyr Town FC is run by democratically by its supporters and this event forms part of their community strategy of education via the sport of football.

Chris Coleman, the National Team Manager of Wales, will be at the Museum at 6pm on Thursday 14th March for a Q&A session with the public. If you wish to attend please contact Mark Evans via wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk

The exhibition is open until 28th March 2013.

A video of the exhibition is available via the following link;

http://mtfcforum.team-talk.net/t1403-a-short-video-of-the-soccer-dragons-exhibition