TON PLAYERS PROFILES – SEASON 2013-14 JOHN EDWARDS – Striker - John transferred to the Bulldogs from Aberbargoed Buds in March 2012. He’s a strong forward player that causes RYAN BETTENEY – Goalkeeper - Ryan has joined the club from South opposition defences many problems with his physical style of play. Amateur League Division One club Ton & Gelli BC. Having previously LEON YOUNG – Midfielder - Leon returns to the Bulldogs having left Ynys played for Ton Pentre Youth, Ryan is a local player with some considerable Park in September 2012 for Aberbargoed Buds. He’s a very committed goalkeeping talent. midfield player, who is likely to regain his popularity with the Bulldogs fans. NEIL COLLINS – Goalkeeper - Neil is a very experienced goalkeeper who LLOYD TOGHILL – Midfielder - Lloyd is a tough midfield player who has previously won the Welsh League Division One championship with returned to the Bulldogs last season from Town. Previous clubs Athletic. Neil has spent the past few seasons with Bridgend Town also include Taffs Well and Aberaman Athletic. His experience at this level is and is an excellent addition to Dean Morris’ squad. a welcome addition to the manager’s squad. GEORGE DALY – Midfielder - Joining the Bulldogs from Bridgend Town, LEWIS HYDES – Defender - Lewis is another of last season signings to George is an exciting prospect and a talented midfielder. He has also Dean Morris’ squad and is a skilful player with plenty of pace. He has previously played for rivals AFC . His talent was evident previously played for Taffs Well but finished the 2011/2012 season with during Ton Pentre’s pre-season schedule. Pontypridd Town. Lewis is another exciting prospect who will look to carve out ANDRE GRIFFITHS – Midfielder - Andre has an impressive skillset and the a regular place in the starting eleven. Welsh Universities International. midfielder is hoping to be a main feature of Dean Morris’ squad during the JAYMIE WEARN – Striker - Jayme joined the Bulldogs in September 2012 2013/2014 season. Andre reads the game well and is a very exciting from Merthyr Town. Jayme is a striker with pace and skill and was prolific in prospect. his time at former club Trelewis Welfare. Top scorer last season LEON JACKA – Midfielder - Leon signed for the Bulldogs from Ton & Gelli JOSH POWELL – Midfielder - Josh joined the Bulldogs from local Rhondda BC and is a talented midfield player. He will be looking to prove himself at rivals AFC Porth. He is a skilful midfielder with a lovely pass and an ability to Welsh League Division One level and is another locally based player in the read the game. He will hope to make an impact at Ynys Park and force his Ton Pentre squad. way into the team following his transfer in December 2012. NICKIE JONES – Midfielder - A highly experienced midfielder, Nickie has THOMAS DAVIES – Defender - Tom transferred to the Rhondda Bulldogs spent the past few seasons with Barry Town. A former schoolboy from Cinderford Town in December 2009. He’s a former Newport County international, Jones will look to use his football knowledge alongside the youth team product who has become the linchpin of the Ton defence. Without younger players in the squad. a doubt, Tom is one of the first names down on the teamsheet. Winner of STEPHEN OLIVER – Defender - Stephen is a no-nonsense defender who club, players’ and supporters’ player of the year last season featured regularly for the Bulldogs during the pre-season friendly matches. ROSS PORTER – Defender - Ross is an impressive defender who is cultured He’s a strong defender who will be keen to work his way into Dean Morris’ and reliable. He is a key member of the Bulldogs squad whose previous clubs starting XI. include Afan Lido, Merthyr Tydfil and Treharris Athletic Western. Winner of CRAIG REDDY – Midfielder - Signing from Treharris Athletic, Craig is an club and players player of the year in the 2011/12 season. experienced Welsh League midfield player. He’s strong in the middle of the ADAM LEWIS – Defender - Adam is highly respected player at Ynys Park pitch and has a good range of passing. His knowhow should be of great and is an excellent choice for Club Captain. He has been incredibly consistent benefit to the Bulldogs. for Ton since joining the Club from Troedyrhiw at the start of the 2008/09 CRAIG REES – Defender - Craig spent the entire 2012/2013 season on the Season. He is a player who leads by example and is very popular with the side-lines through injury. The defender is now returning to match fitness and Bulldogs fans. 2011/12 supporters player of the year (Ken Bowen memorial will be a huge asset to Dean Morris’ squad with his experience. His previous shield). clubs include Bryntirion Athletic. RICHARD INGRAM – Midfielder - Richard transferred to the club in DORIAN SWEET – Striker - Dorian is summer signing from Ton & Gelli BC September 2011 from Goytre United. He's a skilful midfielder that has where he was a proven goalscorer having netted over 40 times last season represented Wales at youth level. Richard is capable of playing an intricate in the South Wales Amateur League. He’s a sharp and eager striker who is style of football and often scores wonder goals. keen to prove himself at this higher level. TON PENTRE AFC – A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BULLDOGS The Bulldogs are situated at the heart of their community and many believe that with the right kind of support and financial backing, Ton Pentre is a club capable of gracing After suffering their first ever relegation at the end of the 2010/2011 Season, the top level of Welsh football once again. Ton Pentre bounced straight back to Welsh Football League Division One after lifting the Division Two title by finishing the League season unbeaten. The Rhondda Valleys based club were demoted due to the re-organisation of domestic Welsh football during the 2009/2010 Season, which saw the Division One relegation zone increased from three to five places. The Bulldogs suffered heartbreak as they dropped into the fifth spot during the final 20-minutes of their last game of the season. It therefore seemed fitting that they return to Division One as undefeated champions. Having lifted the Division Two trophy, Ton Pentre are looking to build upon their already rich history by consolidating their position in Division One this season. It is accepted that the first competitive matches in Ton Pentre were underway in 1896 and the Ynys Park club have represented the soccer loving fans of the Rhondda ever since. The Bulldogs were members of the Southern League from 1909 to 1915 and again after the First World War which saw Ton Pentre playing against opposition such as Luton Town, Southend United, City, , Stoke, Coventry City, Portsmouth and Town. In 1919 Ton Pentre were involved in a preliminary round match of the FA Cup when over 20,000 people watched the Bulldogs beat Mid Rhondda at . It is thought to be the biggest crowd to have ever gathered in the Rhondda. Ton Pentre made their one and only Welsh Cup Final appearance on 4th May 1922 at Pontypridd where they played Cardiff City. The Bulldogs lost the match 2-0 with Len Davies and Jimmy Gill netting Cardiff’s goals. The post-war boom collapsed in 1923 and valley teams such as Mid Rhondda, Pontypridd, Porth and Aberaman disappeared under financial stress. Ton Pentre were able to continue but only at the expense of leaving Southern League football for more localised Welsh League football. Ton Pentre’s present day set-up dates from 1935 since which the Bulldogs established themselves as a potent force, however, although invited to participate in the inaugural season of the League of Wales, they declined preferring to justify their inclusion by gaining promotion as a right in the 1993/1994 Season. Ton Pentre’s stay in the League of Wales saw the club finish a credible third place in each of their first two seasons and in 1995 they became the first Welsh participants in the UEFA Intertoto Cup competition. Unfortunately, the European experience proved to be an expensive one for the Bulldogs and their European ‘hangover’ resulted in a drain on resources and after being dragged to the brink of insolvency the Rhondda club were forced to resign from the League of Wales and return to the Welsh Football League. Ton Pentre won Welsh League Division One five times in consecutive seasons between 1997/1998 and 2001/2002, which equalled the league record held by Barry Town. Ton Pentre were again crowned Welsh League Champions in the 2004/2005 season for an incredible sixth time in eight seasons.