VIEW FROM THE MANAGER
STEVE CONROY
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
ingredients in with good technical players, you will win more than you will lose. The hard work is paying off and they are getting the results they deserve, but we will not rest on our laurels and will now be working even harder to keep the unbeaten run going.
Confidence is high, the boys have again trained well this week and will be looking to make it four league wins in a row.
Thursday night's training was the first time we shared the pitch with the Ladies' team. Watching the ladies train, I could see why they are doing so
well. They have some technically gifted players, Good afternoon and welcome to everyone even though they are a young team, still learning, involved at Merthyr Tydfil FC. We hope you enjoy and were very unlucky last week in their FA Cup our hospitality off the pitch for what is our first game losing after extra time. meeting this season in the Bet Victor Southern
Premier Division. A warm welcome to Gavin If the group they have got stick together and grow Williams and his coaching staff. Since my last together, they will be a forced to be reckoned with programme notes, before the game against in the future. Weston- Super Mare, two weeks ago, we have picked up our first win and have since won two The Academy team are also improving and making more games on the bounce at Met. Police and Yate great strides forward. They had great win on Town, respectively. Wednesday defeating Carshalton FC 3-1.
As I said previously, the first win was not far away, Again, I must mention that the supporters have as our performances have been good. A first win been fantastic and really patient for the first five gave us a platform to push on. games and I hope they can see that building a
team from scratch takes time but hopefully now The wins were satisfying, but what really pleased we are giving them even something more to shout me the most, were the clean sheets we were able about! to keep the previous two games.
COYS! Enjoy the game! I cannot fault the boys work rate and desire in all Steve Conroy the games so far, and when you put these
TODAYS TEAMS
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
Walton Casuals Merthyr Town
Alex Tokarczyk 1. Alex Harris(GK) Elgi Fejzo 2. Adam Davies Ollie Swain 3. Lewis Binns Jay Gasson 4. Ashley Evans(c) Callum Webb 5. Jarrad Wright Sam Amure 6. Kyle Patten Manolis Gogonas 7. Ben Swallow Michael Atkinson 8. Lee Lucas Brendan Murphy-McVey 9. Ryan Prosser Nathan Webb 10. Kieran Lewis Keaton August 11. Ian Traylor George Pilbean 12. Gethyn Hill Max Ndah 13. Cameron Clarke (GK) Harry Sheppherd 14. Jamie Veale George Burnham 15. Owain Jones Cheyce Grant 16. Kerry Morgan Arel Amu 17. Tom Meechan Rohdell Gordon 18.Eliot Richards 19. Corey Jenkins 20. Camden Duncan Manager – Steve Conroy Assistant Manager – Chris Winton Manager - Gavin Williams Coach – Liam Walsh Assistant Manager - Dean Clarke Sports Therapist – Katie Watts Coach - Ashley Thomas Video Analyst & Kit Manager – Elliot Minto
PLAYER SPONSORS
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
A huge thank you to our below player sponsors . Your support is invaluable and appreciated. We hope all teams First Team, Academy teams and Ladies teams do you all proud this season
First Team
Alex Tokarczyk – Sponsored by Ray Hole Architects Brendan Murphy-McVey – Jools Butler
Academy
George Burnham – Innovative Apparel
Elgi Fejzo – Jools Butler
Sakariya Gutale – Jools Butler
Ladies
Molly Jones – Jools Butler Kaitlyn Lewis – Jools Butler Olivia Gregory – Richard Brown Sophie Balaam – Richard Brown
For anyone who would like to sponsor a first team, academy or
ladies team player please email [email protected]
BECOME A MASCOT
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
Walton Casuals are plea sed to announce a new matchday mascot package for children aged 6-12 for the 2019/20 season.
This package gives children the chance to have a look behind the scenes before a home match and meet their favourite players. They’ll get a chance to see inside the home changing room, meet the players and management and have photos taken, have a kick about on the pitch before the game and of course, walk out with the team prior to the start of the game and take part in the customary pre-match handshakes with the opposition. On top of this, they’ll walk away with a signed football and photos from the day.
The price for this package is £25 per child and the mascot will receive the following. * Behind the scenes tour * Meet the players and have photos taken and get autographs. * Meet the management * Have a kick about on the pitch before the game while the players warm up and meet ‘Stan the Stag’ * Walk out onto the pitch with the players and take part in the pre-match handshakes * Free club football signed by all the players * Discounted entry for parents/carers * Complimentary matchday programme which will have a feature on the mascot inside * Photos of the day (Subject to a photographer being present) Parents/carers will of course be allowed to accompany the children around for the duration and take photos of their own, other than when the teams walk out onto the pitch when you will be asked to stand pitchside. ALL staff that will be looking after the mascots on any given matchday will be DBS checked. To enquire about availability or for any general queries, please email [email protected]
MATCH REPORT
YATE TOWN vs. WALTON CASUALS Saturday 21st September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
Later in the half as Casuals kept up the tempo, Adam Forster did well to block a Rowdell Gordon effort near the post and Rene Howe should have hit the target from close range after Jay Gasson 0 had knocked down a corner into his path.
Yate's best spell came towards the end of the first period with Albie Hopkins testing Alex Tokarczyk in the Walton goal with a shot from the left and Mike Bryant glancing a header just wide following a cross into the box from Sam Boulton.
2 Further self-destruction followed at the beginning of the second half as an out-paced Elliott Keightley blatantly pulled Manolis Gogonas back as he burst through on the edge of the box and the inevitable BET Victor Southern Premier League red card followed. Saturday 21st September 2019 Yate failed to put Tokarczyk under any pressure during the whole of the second half and the only attempts on goal of note were a ground shot from Casuals netted twice inside the first six minutes Nick Peare that went well wide and a rising drive and from then on always looked comfortably in from Sam Kamara that cleared the crossbar. charge especially during the second half once the home side had been reduced to ten men. Forster at the other end had a much busier time however and it was he who kept the scoreline Stephen Ward looked to be in an offside position respectable with a number of brave saves. when he was played through in the third minute but the flag stayed down, defenders stopped and In the last fifteen minutes he went full length to he went on to finish clinically. push away a shot from substitute Cheyce Grant, saved bravely at the feet of the quick running There was nothing suspect about the second goal Gordon and also kept out an effort from Gogonas. soon afterwards though. Dave Fitzpatrick carved his way through several attempted tackles during a run in from the right and when he pulled the ball back Ward calmly side-footed home.
CHARITY INITIATIVES
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
As we head towards Christmas and colder climates, Walton Casuals are taking on a double initiative in a bid to try and give back to the local community. These initiatives will take the form of donations for the Walton & Hersham Foodbank and clothing donations for the local Rentstart. Our designated foodbank game will take place against Merthyr Town on Saturday 28th September. ‘The Walton & Hersham Foodbank relies entirely on food that is donated by the public. We supply our clients with a variety of food products, all non-perishable, to cover all meal times. We regularly experience shortages of some types of food products. When planning to donate food, please check the shopping list for the items we are short of and those we have lots of such as Baked Beans, Pasta and Pulses as we have limited storage space. Please only donate food that is well within its best before date as we cannot issue out of date food. Thank you.’
Here is a list of items the Foodbank would appreciate most and those that they have plenty of already;
Our friends at Met Police FC will also be taking donations for the East Elmbridge Foodbank on the same day, so even if you can’t get to us there’s another option available. Following on from this, we will be taking clothing donations for Elmbridge Rentstart during our games against Taunton Town on Saturday October 19th and Hayes & Yeading on Saturday 9th November. Rentstart will gratefully take donations of blankets, coats and sleeping bags but will also take hats, gloves and scarves. The donations will be particularly useful for their clients who visit their hub – their daytime space where our clients can go to do practical things like shower, wash their clothes and cook a meal whilst also accessing their client support team for advice. Please start thinking about anything you may have that’s no longer needed that can be donated for either of these great causes and we look forward to welcoming you at the Hub with your donations. Even if you’re not there for the game we can still take your donations.
LEAGUE TABLE
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
VIEW FROM THE BLUE SEATS
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN
Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
a library?” to us, which was ironic because by the end of the Well this has been a bizarre couple of weeks hasn’t it? game, we had our very own Ray Hole leading the Blue Seats Suddenly, after all our trials and tribulations everything has into decibel shattering chants, along with those behind the clicked into place and we are playing like world beaters. goal. Such scenes at the end – I thought Steve Conroy was Style, substance, panache and tactical nous, it’s been going to implode and as for Duncan Saunders, the glue stunning to watch. behind the scenes here at The Home of World Football, he had the shakes long after the jubilant players had left the Throughout our dreadful start, what was never lacking was pitch. fight and togetherness. I decided to mystery shop this in the opening 15 minutes of that incredible victory against Where the Weston game was frenetic and, on a knife-edge, Weston-Super-Mare by nestling close up to the dug-out and the following Tuesday at Metropolitan Police was almost listening to the jokey and supportive comments amongst routine by comparison. Bear in mind, the Old Bill reached the those on the bench towards their team-mates and the Play-Off Super Final last season, yet in the first half we were management team. There didn’t seem to be the slightest in cruise control, winning every ball and tackle and passing hint that anyone not in the starting line-up was remotely with effective nonchalance. It was a really enjoyable evening irritated by this – nothing but unbridled support for those on from start-to-finish and great to see an impressive Stags the pitch and the backroom staff. contingent. One highlight, though, was the half-time entertainment which consisted in entirety of songs from I think that match against Weston-Super-Mare was my Status Quo’s Greatest Hits being played over the tannoy. favourite ever Casuals game. In coming to this conclusion, I recalled a few highlights since I became a fan. I’m a relative Onto Yate Town and once again another confident and newcomer to the joys of the Stags, my first ever game was ultimately successful display, with two early goals from never actually completed – it was in February 2014 at the old Stevie Ward and accolades on the home team’s social media ground – we played Whitstable Town on a Saturday account towards the Stags 7, led by Phil, who had made the afternoon in rain and windsw ept conditions and with us trip out West and chanted the whole game. They were a losing 1-2, the floodlights went out in the last 5 minutes and friendly bunch the home fans, which brings us onto Merthyr never came back on again. During the final denouement, I Town, my second favourite club – after us – in the league. recall players of both teams coming to blows in the changing Merthyr have a great footballing heritage and a fantastic room as frustration boiled over and some stocky visiting fans stadium, they are a “proper club” as the expression goes. joining in the melee. I think we won the replayed match! Last season, their hospitality was fabulous – we got Anyway, that afternoon was crazy and set the tone for my applauded as we changed ends at half-time then in the love of the Stags. Another favourite was a 3-2 win at celebratory pitch invasion at the end, clapped again as we Stompond Lane over Christmas 2014, when we again came left the bar after the game and then serenaded with further from behind, saw Gabriel Odunaike sent off in the closing applause and lovely comments as we walked onto the coach. minutes (and taking ages to be persuaded to leave the pitch) These folk were truly wonderful, just like they were earlier then scored a breakaway goal to win it in front of delirious in the season when they pitched up in a boat on the Thames, Stags supporters on the banks on the side of the pitch. In the then drank our bar dry. ground that afternoon, the Swans faithful had a real sense of old-school, non-league club superiority but we wiped it off Despite my affection for Merthyr, it would be great to get their faces. another 3 points on Saturday, then, whisper it quietly we might be looking for a season angling for the Play- Anyway, enough rampant, modern-day nostalgia, back to Offs….However, we absolutely must not get complacent, we that game against Weston and it truly was a joyous occasion. haven’t cracked this Southern Premier South lark yet, we’re There’s footage of the winner on Twitter which has gone still relative newcomers and our team still haven’t been viral at my son’s school as the kids are all taking the rise out together long, even though they certainly don’t play like of me going completely and utterly loopy celebrating – it’s strangers. The next few weeks will be critical in seeing how pretty hilarious really – the best bit though are two Stags things are going to pan out. As ever, at this crazy place, it is fans finishing off their own celebration with a prolonged going to be a rollercoaster of thrills and spills. hug! Those closing minutes were barnstorming, though, weren’t they? In the first half, I did my usual undercover Altogether now, “Steve and Chris’ barmy Stags Army!” mixing with the away fans and a couple were singing “is this Alex Warner
VIEW FROM THE OPPOSITION
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
The View From The Oppo this week comes from What away day are you looking forward to most? Merthyr fan Tom Yemm, who forms part of the
‘Merthyr On The Terraces’ fan group. Other than Walton, I’d say Wimborne as we normally have a good welcome down there Tell us about yourself?
Despite only having played each other twice, I’ve supported Merthyr for about 6 years and to be fair I’ve Merthyr fans are held in high regard by Stags enjoyed every minute of it. As far as fan organisations I’m fans. You came here at roughly the same stage last in with the Merthyr on the Terraces group, we’ve got a season on the boat and seemed to have a great time, good bunch of lads who travel to every game come rain signing and drinking us dry long after the final come or shine. whistle and your fans gave us a standing ovation as we left the clubhouse having won to stay up on the We had to build a whole new squad over the summer last game of the season which was a great touch. Is with a new management team. Was there much there another boat on Saturday and can we expect change at your end over the summer? even more of your fans down here this season?
There wasn’t much change for us over the summer. We Unfortunately this year we fell short of numbers to do a had a couple of players leave for the Welsh leagues but we boat trip this year, but nevertheless we will be in good did sign 5 players which is good . support again. We have a great bunch of supporters and that showed when you came to is at the end of last season. What were your aims at the start of the season? Hopefully the bar will be stocked up well this year as we never know how many supporters will turn up… For me with the team that we have my aim for is playoffs. Score prediction? You’ve had an inconsistent start to the season, how do you see the first few weeks of the season from a I’m going with a 2-1 Merthyr win #upthetown Merthyr perspective? Tip for the title? The first few weeks haven’t seen much go our way with results. I’d put it down injuries and players being played I’d say either Weston or Truro. Having both come down put of position and it’s just not happened for us so far, last year they will be looking to go straight back up hopefully change of fortune is on the cards for us. Favourite crisps? Which of your players are you most excited about this season? KP prawn cocktail
For me, Gethyn Hill. From what we’ve seen of him during A big thanks to Tom for answering our questions this preseason I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s going week. Don’t forget that Saturday is our designated to offer us this season. ‘Foodbank game’ where we’ll be taking donations for the Walton & Hersham Foodbank. All donations will
be greatly appreciated, more details on what we Who will be the dark horse of the league this season? need can be found here
– https://www.waltoncasuals.co.uk/club- The dark horse for me if say would be Chesham. With the news/charity/ way they’ve started the season they could be tricky to beat this year
MERTHYR TOWN HISTORY
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN
Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
Merthyr Town F.C. came into existence when it later with a narrow 2-0 defeat in Italy, the name became obvious to a loyal band of supporters that Merthyr Tydfil was well and truly on the football map. Merthyr Tydfil A.F.C., a club with a long and distinguished history in non -league football, would not The 1987-88 season ended with the Club being be able to overcome the financial problems that had crowned champions of the Southern League Midland beset it over the previous few seasons. Division. This was capped a year later when the Martyrs ran out winners of the Premier Division. Merthyr ended Merthyr Tydfil A.F.C. was formed in 1945 following a the 1989-90 season, their first in the Conference, in a series of public meetings in the town. After spending credible ninth place. the 1945-46 season in the Welsh League, the Club was elected to the Southern League in the summer of 1946. After once again finishing the 1990-91 season in ninth The team embarked on a spell of success that is unlikely place, the team ended the following campaign in a very ever to be bettered in non-league football as over the credible fourth place. During this time the standing of next eight seasons the Club went on to capture 5 the Club was such that CSKA Moscow, Red Star Southern League Championships, 2 Southern League Belgrade and Glasgow Celtic all visited Penydarren Park Cups, 2 Welsh Cups, 3 South Wales and Mon Cups, 3 for friendly fixtures. Welsh League Championships and 3 Welsh League Cups. The fourth place finish at the end of the 1991-92 signaled the end of the golden era at Penydarren Park. The 50’s, 60’s and 70’s marked turbulent time in the Two years later the Club only escaped relegation on a club’s history, and in the first half of the 1980’s were technicality. However, not even the return of Lyn Jones dark days at Penydarren Park as the team drifted along could prevent the Martyrs from being relegated at the in the Southern League Midland Division. However, the end of the 1994-95 campaign. appointment of Lyn Jones as manager in 1985 would prove to be the catalyst for another golden era in the The Martyrs endured more turbulent times after this history of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club. In the summer with numerous chairmen and managers, the high point of 1986, a new syndicate headed by local businessman being when a Merthyr side managed by ex-Athletico John Reddy took control at Penydarren Park. The team Madrid Manager Colin Addison finished 2nd to Forest finished in third place in the Midland Division after Green Rovers in the Southern League in the late 90s. By being defeated by eventual champions V.S. Rugby in a 2004 all supporters were naturally frustrated with ‘winner takes all’ final match of the season at events, that summer the decision was taken to set up Penydarren Park. The same season saw the Martyrs a supporters’ trust - ‘Martyrs to the Cause’. As well as win the Welsh Cup when they defeated Newport trying to support the Club financially the Trust decided County by a goal to nil in a replay after the two teams to foster young football talent in the Borough by had drawn 2-2 a few days previously. setting up a Merthyr Tydfil A.F.C. youth team.
Winning the Welsh Cup had earned the Club the right In 2005/6 the Club enjoyed a successful run in the F.A. to compete in the European Cup Winners Cup. The Cup. In the First Round Proper of the competition they draw paired the Martyrs with Italian side Atlalanta. On were awarded a home tie with Walsall, who at the time 20th September 1987 Merthyr shocked the football were managed by former Arsenal star Paul Merson. world when goals by Kevin Rogers and Ceri Williams However, any hopes the Martyrs had of securing a saw the Italians humbled at Penydarren Park by two famous goals to one. Although the adventure ended a fortnight
MERTHYR TOWN HISTORY
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
giant-killing were extinguished as Walsall ran out secured a 2nd successive promotion on their return winners by two goals to one in a game that was home to go straight through Western League into the televised live on Sky Sports. Southern League. Merthyr lost in the play-off final at Hungerford Town to finish the 2012/13 season and In 2006 newly appointed Gary Shephard and his Cirencester Town in 2013/14. Garry Shephard & Danny assistant Danny Carter assembled a squad comprising Carter stood down after 7 years, and ex-Welsh of youth and locally based players, and the new players international and Merthyr born Steve Jenkins took the rose to the task and the Martyrs ended the 2007-08 helm assisted by another Merthyr born Welsh season in a creditable sixteenth place. international Gavin Williams. Steve and Gavin led the team to the league title by 12 points, and Southern The 2008-09 season was probably the most difficult in League Championship winners. the Club’s chequered history. With owner Wyn Holloway declaring he would no longer continue to put In 15/16 season the club won the Red Insure Cup for money into the Club, there was a real danger that the the first time in 50 years and finished a respectable Martyrs would fail to complete the campaign. 10th in their first Premier Division season. At the end However, a massive effort by Merthyr supporters of the season Steve Jenkins left the club, and ex ensured that this would not be the case. This backs-to- Hereford United, Yeovil Town, West Ham United and the-wall spirit was replicated by the players who, Ipswich Town player Gavin Williams took over as despite going without wages for weeks at a time, manager, with Dean Clarke returning to the club as his ended the season in eighth place. assistant. In Gavin’s first season he led the club to the play-offs finishing 3rd but lost to Hitchin Town in the In June 2009 the Club went into Administration. In early semi-final on penalties. July of that year the Supporters’ Trust received the go ahead to operate the Club under license. A In 17/18 we saw an up & down season with financial combination of a ten-point deduction, injuries and issues affecting the club. The low point was 13-1 defeat suspensions prevented the players from repeating at Chesham which sparked a Just Giving campaign to their success of the previous campaign a 1-1 draw at clear bills. The club did stabilize with management Swindon Supermarine in the last game of the season team and players remaining loyal to finish in a saw the club finish in seventeenth place in the respectable 17th position. The club has stabilized, and Zamaretto Premier Division. we look forward to the 18/19 season in the new league structure. As the season drew to a close it became increasingly obvious to everyone connected with the club that Last season, 2018/19, started positively with the Merthyr Tydfil A.F.C. was doomed. Consequently, the Martyrs in and around the play-off spots until the busy Trust Board took the decision to carry on as a reformed Christmas period, with wins against Weymouth and club. However, legal problems meant that we would Taunton at home proving the Martyrs pedigree. not be able to use Penydarren Park, the home of senior However, with the high amount of games, came a football in the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil for over one higher amount of injuries, with the Martyrs only being hundred years. Merthyr played at Taff’s Well F.C. for able to field 10 first-team players to make the difficult one season in the Western League First Division and trips to places such as Harrow Borough, Salisbury and gained immediate promotion to the Premier Division. Hendon at the beginning of the new year, the Martyrs carried through and finished the season in 13th place Merthyr Town FC returned to its spiritual home at with an up-and-down climax to a tough season. Penydarren Park for 2011/12 season. The Martyrs
MEET THE ROMANS
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
Gavin Williams – Player manager Gavin began Kyle Patten – Cardiff born Kyle was with Cardiff his career at Hereford United before moving to City and Newport County before joining Merthyr Yeovil Town. Gavin was signed by West Ham Town FC in 2015, initially on loan. Can play in United from Yeovil Town and played over 400 defence or midfield. Kyle is now in his fifth football league games in total including spells at season with the Martyrs Ipswich Town, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and a return to Yeovil. Gav in joined the club from Craig McDonnell – Signed from Taffs Well in the Woking, firstly as a player, then became summer of 2018. Has also played for Grimsby assistant manager to Steve Jenkins in 2014. Town as a youth player and played for Gavin was appointed as manager in the summer Aberbargoed Buds before joining Taffs Well. An of 2016. injury- spoilt 2018/19 season meant only a small amount of appearances were made. Everyone is Alex Harris – Alex joined the Martyrs ahead of hoping for an injury-free season this time round. the 2019/20 season from Cinderford Town. Alex who has played previously for Hereford FC and Ashley Evans – Club captain Ashley rejoined Gloucester City has two Southern Premier South the Martyrs in the summer of 2015 having played West Titles too his name and is a highly- in the Southern League for Merthyr Tydfil. Ashley recognised keeper throughout Non-League has also played for Llanelli Town, Neath & Port football. Harris, aged 27, played for Cinderford Talbot Town in the Welsh Premier League. Town last season and helped the Forest of Dean club finish fifth to qualify for the play-offs. Kieran Lewis – Ton Pentre born Kieran joined the club in summer of 2018 from Carmarthen Adam Davies – Merthyr born Adam came Town. Has also played for Port Talbot Town. This through Cardiff City’s academy. He joined is Kieran’s second season with the Martyrs. Llanelli after his release, then he moved to Monmouth Town before joining Merthyr Town in Jamie Veale – Merthyr born Jamie was with summer 2014. Adam won all of the major player Cardiff City from their Academy before signing of the year awards in 2015/16 season. He left pro- contract. Jamie suffered a serious knee the club briefly this season to join Hereford but injury and joined The Martyrs in January 19 as returned in December. he steps up his recovery.
Lewis Binns – Lewis ‘Binnsy’ Binns is former Lee Lucas – Aberdare born Lee came through Hartpury student, who arrives at the Martyrs Swansea’s academy before playing for the first from Cinderford Town where he spent last team. Has also played for Cheltenham Town and season; previous to that, Lewis spent 4 seasons Motherwell before a knee injury which kept him with Evesham United. Joining the Martyrs, Lewis out of the game for a year. Lucas joined Merthyr looks to secure his place in the left-back position in summer of 2018. This will now be his second ahead of this season. season at the club.
Jarrad Wright – Porth born Jarrad joined Owain Jones – Neath born Owain began his Martyrs from AFC Porth in February 2014. Jarrad career at Swansea City before moving to Yeovil scored 12 goals and won players player of the Town. He joined Merthyr in 2018 and played 12 year in the 2014/15 Championship winning games in the 17/18 season before moving to season. A versatile player who can play in defence or midfield.
MEET THE ROMANS
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
Nuneaton Borough in the summer of 2018. Eliot Richards – Richards, who is now in his Owain re-joined the club on loan in September second spell at Merthyr Town after resigning 2018. That move was then made permanent from Hereford. Eliot made close to 150 after his departure from Nuneaton Borough. appearances in the Football League lining up for teams such as Cheltenham Town, Bristol Rovers, Ryan Prosser – Ryan joined the Martyrs from Exeter City and Tranmere. Welsh League Division 2 side Ton Pentre in October 2010. Ryan has scored over 150 goals Tom Meechan – Tom joined the club in summer for the club, better than a goal every other game of 2018. A prolific scorer with St Neots Town ratio for the club in his 7 years at the club. which earned him a move to Newport County in Prosser bagged another handful of goals last League 2. Tom has also played for Weston- season, keeping that total increasing. Super-Mare and Hungerford Town.
Ian Traylor – Ian joined the club from Welsh Ben Swallow – Ben joined the club on loan from League side Cwmaman in summer 2011. Ian is a Weston-Super-Mare in January 2019. Ben began pacey attacking player and was top scorer in his career at Bromley and has also played for 2013/14 season with 30 goals and repeated the Bridgwater, Taunton, Dartford, Bognor Regis, feat in the 2014/15 season. Ian scored his 100th Havant & Waterlooville, Chippenham Town and goal for Merthyr in 2016/17 season against York City. Ben has now signed with Merthyr Town Biggleswade Town. Another strong 24-goal for the 2019/20 season, after his contract season last year, saw Traylor finish as the finished with Weston-Super-Mare. Martyrs top goal scorer once again. Cameron Clarke - The former Welsh Under 17 Kerry Morgan – Kerry now in his 2nd spell at the and 19 international goalkeeper made over 19 Martyrs, rejoined from Cirencester Town. Kerry first-team appearances before departing Merthyr was with Swansea City as a youngster and has Town back in January 2018. Clarke returns to the also played for Neath, Port Talbot, Bath City, Martyrs with a great wealth of experience after Newport County and Mangotsfield Town. featuring for Cardiff City as a youngster before spells at Mangotsfield United, Pontypridd Town, Gethyn Hill – Gethyn Hill joins the Martyrs this Cinderford Town and Bristol Rovers. season, after making almost a hundred appearances across the Southern league system Camden Duncan – Camden joined The Martyrs with Cinderford Town, Hereford FC, and Weston- after a successful trial during pre-season ahead Super-Mare. Gethyn’s scoring ability has made of the 2019/29 campaign. The left-sided him a well-known name throughout Non-League wideman/midfielder was released by Football, and all the Martyrs fans will be hoping Cheltenham Town at the end of last season after this continues. completing his two year scholarship. Camden spent time on loan at Hellenic League Premier Corey Jenkins – Pacey winger Corey joined the Division club Lydney Town in 2018/19 and he club in summer of 2014 from Welsh League was also included in the senior match day 18 for Monmouth Town. Has also played for both League Two and Checkatrade Trophy Carmarthen in Welsh Premier League. In the matches. 2018/19 season, Corey reached the landmark of over 200 appearances for the Martyrs.
MEET THE STAGS
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
Alex Tokarczyk Callum Webb Alex followed Steve Conroy from Kings Langley and was Callum can play in a number of positions and joins us an immediate target for the new gaffer, who made him having been with Beaconsfield Town last season. His his first signing. Those who were present on New career started out at youth level with Arsenal and QPR, Year’s Day away at Kings Langley will no doubt before he spent three years at Millwall, one as a remember Alex as being the main reason we came professional. Since then he’s had spells with away with nothing as he took the man of the match Kingstonian, Billericay, Slough Town and Chesham and award with a superb performance between the he was one of Steve Conroy’s first acquisitions for the sticks. Alex joined Kings Langley from Chesham during Stags. last season and a string of fine performances saw him become a fans’ favourite and was a big factor in Kings Sam Amure Langley’s rise up the table which ended up with them Sam joined the Stags having spent four years in the US just missing out on a play -off place. Alex is the club playing football and earning a scholarship. Upon his vice-captain for the 2019/20 season. return, he came to train with the first team and Steve Conroy was impressed enough to offer him a place in Elgi Fejzo the first team squad. Elgi is an academy product who was promoted to the Manolis Gogonas first team squad last season after a string good Another one who came and helped us stay up last performances caught the eye. He made his first team season and who decided to stay on board for the debut in the FA Trophy at Carshalton and also stepped 2019/20 season. Know to the fans as ’The Tank’, in to league and cup action for a total of five Manos has a fantastic work ethic and will run through appearances. brick walls for his teammates.
Ollie Swain Michael Atkinson 22 year old Ollie joined us having previously been at Mike is well known at this level and carries a solid National South side Hemel Hempstead, who snapped reputation, having performed well for both him up from Bedford Town last season following a solid Basingstoke and Farnborough and having seen interest spell. He has been on the radar of a few league clubs from a number of league clubs. Known as the ‘White and Steve Conroy has done well to bring him to Walton, Kanté’, Mike is a versatile player who will be a valuable where he will no doubt be a huge fans favourite. addition to Steve Conroy’s new look squad.
Jay Gasson Brendan Murphy-McVey ‘Gas’ has fast become a cult hero for the Stags fans, Brendan played for Basingstoke Town and having joined us last season and being a major factor in Farnborough last season and immediately impressed our survival in his 9 league appearances. Gas decided the Stags fans with his performances in pre-season. A to stick around this season and gives us some solid tough tackler, he can certainly hit a football as well as experience in the back four. shown with his 40 yard wonder strike against Fleet Town.
MEET THE STAGS
WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League
Nathan Webb of very promising youngsters on the books now as Midfielder Nathan has had spells with fellow Southern Steve Conroy looks to the future. Premier clubs Chesham and Beaconsfield and also played over 100 times for Slough Town. More recently George Burnham he was registered with Hayes & Yeading and joins his Another academy player promoted to first team duties brother Callum through the door as one of Steve last season, George showed his potential straight away Conroy’s first signings and has been made club captain by scoring on his debut. He scored twice in his three for the 2019/20 season. games and was a valued member of our Southern Combination Cup winning squad, and he will now be Keaton August looking to kick on in his first full season in the first team Keaton was born in south Africa, before moving to New squad. Zealand at a very early age. He started his football career in Australia at Brisbane Strikers and upon Cheyce Grant moving to England, spent time with West Ham and Cheyce started out at Tottenham, before moving to Brentford. More recently he’s played for Windsor and National League side Borehamwood where he also last season for Step 4 side Chalfont St Peter AFC, with represented England Colleges. Cheyce impressed 8 goals and 5 assists in 21 games. The time is right for throughout pre-season and the management team had the step up to this level and we’re sure that Keaton will no hesitation in making him a part of the first team be a valuable member of the squad this season. squad for the coming season.
George Pilbeam Arel Amu 23 year old George started out at Brentford, before 23 year old goalscorer Arel can play up front or out moving on to AFC Wimbledon. He played at Step 3 wide. Previously at Luton Town and Welling United, a level last season for Staines Town, however a change fantastic spell at Dunstable Town where he was top of position resulted in a few goals to his name in pre- scorer saw National South side Hemel Hempstead snap season, playing as a striker. him up, where he scored 6 in 14 since his signing in January. Despite plenty of interest elsewhere, Arel has Max Ndah been impressed with gaffer Steve Conroy and his team 16 year old Max has only recently joined the Academy and decided to put pen to paper for the Stags this for this coming season the pacy winger but has already season. shown enough for the gaffer to also make him a part of the first team squad. Rohdell Gordon Max has football in the blood and comes from a fine Rohdell joins us from Royston Town in the Southern footballing family. Dad George will be familiar to Central Premier, having started out in League One for plenty having played in the Premier League for Crystal Stevenage. He also had spells in the National League Palace and older brother Jamie has Barnet and Torquay and National League South with Braintree, Bromley on his playing CV. and Hemel Hempstead and has a solitary appearance for the Casuals under his belt already back in 2012. Harry Shepherd A powerhouse of a forward, Rohdell can play all across Harry is just 17 and is a forward who spent two seasons the frontline and will no doubt be a Stags favourite if as Colney Heath. He is one of a number his pre-season performances are anything to go by.
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WALTON CASUALS v MERTHYR TOWN Saturday 28th September – BET Victor Southern Premier League