DOCSLIB.ORG

Buckley Town V Llanuwchllyn Competition

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Buckley Town V Llanuwchllyn Competition Date: 12.05.2018 Ground: 34 Match: 28 (55) Venue: The Globe Teams: Buckley Town V LLanuwchllyn Competition: The Welsh National League Premier Division (Wrexham Area) Admission: £3 Final Score: 3-0 (H/T 1-0) Referee: Geraint Williams Attendance: 228 Mileage to venue and return: 134.6 miles Programme: £1 Drinks Coaster: £2 Town of Buckley Buckley (Welsh – Bwcle) is a large town in Flintshire, North East Wales and situated on The A459 road, two miles from the county town of Mold. The first documented evidence of Buckley dates back to the year, 1294. The town was then described as, ‘The Pastorage Of the Manor of Ewloe’ Some historians suggest that the name, Buckley may derive from the Old English language name of Bok Lee – which means, meadow or field. In 1420, King Henry V presented Ewloe and the pastorage of Buckley to his wife, Catherine of Valois as a wedding gift to her. This was worth the sum of £26 per annum. Between the 17th and 19th Centuries, Buckley became an industrial heartland for both pottery and coal mining. The first pottery opened in 1737 and by the early 19th Century there were fourteen potteries in the town. Buckley eventually became a brick working centre, bricks were transported across the United Kingdom and as far away as The United States of America. Many people (particularly from Ireland and Liverpool) came to Buckley to seek work in the mining and brick industries. This influx of people gave the town a distinctive accent. The oldest parish church in Buckley is called St. Matthews and dates back to 1822. The first ever Primitive Methodist Church in the whole of Wales is situated on the outskirts of Buckley in the village of Alltami. The more than 200 year old Buckley Jubilee is held in the town every summer, usually on the 2nd Tuesday of July The year of 1932 saw the first of an annual pantomime to be held in Buckley. One year later, a gentleman by the name of Dennis Griffiths produced a version of Dick Whittington. This particular production ran for the next 27 years. During the 2nd World War, a German Luftwaffe Aeroplane was shot down in the surrounding areas of Buckley. Some reports suggest that the plane may well have been on it’s way to Liverpool. The engine of the plane was found in a local lake, named The Trap. Buckley is home to a famous Brass Band, namely The Royal Buckley Brass Band. This band is one of only two brass bands in the United Kingdom to receive sanction from a British Monarch to use ‘Royal’ in their name. Whilst on the subject of music – the Tivoli Nightclub in Buckley as played host to a wide range of top musical acts over the years. Some of which are – Black Sabbath, Led Zeplin, Oasis and Radiohead. Buckley is home to Etna Park which is only a short walk away from the centre of town and is part of the heritage trail in the area. There Is a community Radio Project in Buckley as well as a two storey library, the second floor of the library doubles as the town’s museum. Buckley also has it’s own railway station which is on the borderlands line. There is a lovely area within the town which is home to the war memorial, situated at Hawkesbury Bowling Club. Next to this is the Hawkesbury Little Theatre. War Memorial Shown Above Hawkesbury Bowling Club Shown Above Hawkesbury Little Theatre Shown Above Three miles away from Buckley sits Ewloe Castle, which is a popular local landmark. The castle was one of the last fortifications to be built by The Sovereign Prince of Wales. It was built around 1257 and it is now a Grade I listed building and cared for by ‘CADW’ the national heritage agency for Wales. Pictures of Ewloe Castle are shown as follows: Notable People The following people all have not only a connection to Buckley but also to Football. Danny Collins – Currently plays for Grimsby Town, born in Buckley and counts Sunderland as one of his former clubs who he played for whilst they were a premier league club a few years ago. Collins as also won 12 senior caps for Wales. Pictured below is a shirt given to Buckley Town FC, signed by Danny Collins whilst he was at Sunderland: John Lyons – Professional Footballer, born in Buckley and played for – Wrexham, Millwall, Cambridge United and Colchester United. Ryan Shawcross – Lived in Buckley as a youngster and played junior football in Buckley. Shawcross currently plays for Stoke City and has made more than 300 appearances for the club, winning one senior international cap for England. Mickey Thomas – The former Wrexham, Manchester United and Welsh international played reserve team football for Buckley. James Williams – Born in the 1880’s in Buckley, Williams was a fantastic goalscorer as a junior footballer and went onto play for Bury, Accrington Stanley (two spells) Crystal Palace and Millwall. He also won two senior international caps for Wales. James Williams enlisted in the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (known as the footballers battalion) and served during the First World War. Tragically, he was reported as missing, presumed Dad in 1916 and he is commemorated at the Arras Memorial in France. Buckley Town Football Club Football in the town of Buckley can be traced all the way back to 1860. Around this time the club was then known as Belmont Swifts and would later become know as, Buckley Victoria. Victoria played their home games at Mill Lane and were soon playing against the likes of, Mold Athletic, Wrexham Victoria and Rhyl Athletic. Buckley Victoria were a successful team, they won their first trophy in the 1896-1897 season by beating Llandudno Swifts Reserves in the final of, The North Wales Coast Junior Cup. The following season Victoria reached the 3rd round of The Welsh Cup, losing 2-1 to Chirk. They reached the North Wales Coast Final only to lose 4-2 against Bangor. The 1899-1900 saw the team go one round better in The Welsh Cup, reaching the 4th round only to be beaten by the wonderfully named, Carnarvon Ironopolis. They again reached the final of The North Wales Cup, losing 3-0 against Llandudno Swifts. In the 1900-1901 season Buckley Victoria played in The English F.A. Cup, losing 3-0 in the first qualifying round too Birkenhead. They also reached The North Wales Coast Final for a third consecutive season only to be defeated 9-1 by Bangor. Buckley Victoria were eventually superseded by the Buckley Engineers who continued to build upon the success enjoyed by Victoria. This included three cup final victories in The Welsh Amateur Cup. The Engineers most famous team included ten colliers and one plumber. During the same era of Buckley Victoria and Buckley Engineers, Buckley Town were founded. Town won The Wirral & District League in 1898 and won The Pike Challenge Cup during the same year. They joined the Welsh League in 1925 and went onto win The North Wales Amateur Cup in 1937. During the 1930’s, Buckley Town and other organised clubs in the area started to fall apart. By 1949, Buckley Wanderers and Buckley Rovers were the only two teams playing competitive football fixtures in the area. Rovers struggled in the lower divisions of Welsh football, while Wanderers joined The Welsh National League Division One. In their very first season they finished as runners up to Chirk AAA and again runners up in the 1953-1954 season, this time to, Overton St. Mary’s. Wanderers eventually won the league in the 1955-1956 season, scoring over 100 goals in the process. During the 1960-1961 season, Buckley Rovers joined Buckley Wanderers in The Welsh Football League First Division. Both teams established themselves well in the top flight. Wanderers finished as runners up to Chirk AAA by only two points whilst Rovers finished in 9th place. In the 1963-1964 season, Rovers were relegated only to be promoted back to where they once were the following season. From 1974, Buckley Rovers became the dominant team in the area. They came runners up in both the 1974-1975 and the 1975-1976 seasons. The following season saw both of the towns teams finish in the bottom half of the league. This season also saw the end for both clubs as separate identities, both merging together for the 1977-1978 season to form what is now Buckley Town Football Club. Buckley Town in their current form have won many honours, these are shown as follows: NEWFA Challenge Cup Winners: 1979/1980, 1980/1981, 2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003, 2004/2005, 2005/2006 2009/2010 2012/2013 Cymru Alliance Cup Winners: 2003/2004 Cymru Alliance Champions: 2004/2005 Buckley Town currently play at the impressive Globe Stadium, having previously played at Hawkesbury Road in front of the Elfed High School. Pictured below is Hawkesbury Road and the site of where I believe the old ground to have been situated. Buckley Town currently sit top of The Welsh National league Premier Division on 59 points, two points clear of nearest rivals Brickfield Rangers. Town have reached the semi-final stage of the Premier Division Cup this season and also reached the 3rd round of The Welsh Cup, beaten 1-0 at home against Flint Town. The Globe Stadium What a fantastic ground The Globe Stadium is. The first thing that I noticed was how clean tidy everything was, both inside and outside the ground. There is parking available on site and also parking on the road directly outside the ground.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Club History
    Club History Organised football in Bangor dates from a meeting held in the city’s Magistrates' Rooms on 18 December 1876 – but not football as we might imagine because it was the handling variety that was first played in the city. It wasn’t until nearly a year later that it was decided to abandon rugby, to concentrate on association football, and to join the Football Association of Wales. The reason for the change of code? The number of players injured in that first experimental season! At that time, the club played at the Maes y Dref ground, at the lower end of Bangor’s High Street, and in the early years concentrated on playing challenge (friendly) fixtures and competing in the various cup competitions. Obviously, the club had no lack of ambition as on Easter Monday 1880, they took on the mighty Blackburn Rovers, giving a good account of themselves in a narrow 2 – 1 defeat. Nine years later, Bangor won the Welsh Cup for the first time, beating Northwich Victoria 2 – 1 at Wrexham before a crowd of 4,000, and in 1895-96 put on an even more impressive performance, beating north Wales giants Wrexham 3 – 0 at Llandudno to win football’s second-oldest cup competition for the second time. The Welsh Cup has been a favourite trophy of Bangor City over the years. City has won the trophy eight times – only Wrexham, Cardiff and Swansea have won it more often. Despite, or perhaps because of, City’s success in cup competitions, it became clear that the Maes y Dref ground was not up to standard, attracting complaints from visiting teams.
    [Show full text]
  • L.T.C. MOBILITY | Carmarthenshire Association Football League
    L.T.C. MOBILITY Carmarthenshire Association Football League (Affiliated to the West Wales Football Association) SEASON 2018/19 President: S Green Life Members: A C James, R John, A J Jones, D P Francis, J H Evans, M J Bush, M D Hughes, A Richards, R Morgan, S Green, Mrs J Wooller, A Davies, L Griffiths Life Vice Presidents E H Roderick, J N Wooller Mrs A Evans, L G Pewsey, R Snaith OFFICIALS Chairman: R W Barnes • Vice-Chairman: D Hughes Hon. General Secretary (Seniors/Juniors) C R Jenkins, 25 St. Mary’s Rise, Burry Port SA16 0SH Tel: 01554 832109 • Mob: 07971 910107 email: [email protected] Hon. Junior Fixture Secretary TBA Hon. Registration Secretary (Seniors) Mr P Jones, 74 Squirrel Walk, Fforest, Pontarddulais, Swansea SA4 0UJ Tel: 01792 885306 • Mob: 07546 539033 email: [email protected] Hon. Registration Secretary (Juniors) Mr M Lee, 27 Coedcae Road, Llanelli SA15 1HZ Tel: 01554 778519 • Mob: 07740 165488 email: [email protected] Hon. Treasurer Mr D Tovey, 6 Zammitt Crescent, Llanelli SA15 1JA Mob: 07908 971768 • email: [email protected] CARMARTHENSHIRE ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL LEAGUE 1 Hon. Safeguard Officer Mr K McNab, 33 Coedcae Road, Llanelli SA15 1HZ Mob: 07966 774448 • email: [email protected] Hon. Referees Appointments Officer Mr P Owen, 17 Heol y Plas, Fforest, Pontarddulais, Swansea SA4 0TY Tel: 01792 885747 • Mob: 07968 300807 email: [email protected] Mini Football Secretary Mr M Lee, 27 Coedcae Road, Llanelli SA15 1HZ Tel: 01554 778519 • Mob: 07740 165488 email: [email protected] League Accreditation Officer Kevin McNab, 33 Coedcae Road, Llanelli SA15 1HZ Mob: 07966 774448 Email: [email protected] Executive Council Members D Hughes (Unattached) N Stephens (Unattached) W Bevan (Calsonic Juniors) Mrs R B Jones (Unattached) N Richards D Griffiths (Pengelli) A Thomas (Calsonic) Patron: Llanelli Town Mayor West Wales F.A.
    [Show full text]
  • The Football Association Challenge the Cup Final
    The Football Association Challenge The Cup Final Cup Final Facts • The match is widely known as just the Cup Final. • It is the last match in the Football Association (FA) Challenge Cup. • It has about 86 000 spectators and millions of TV viewers. • The trophy (winner’s cup) is only on loan to the winning side. • It is the oldest cup competition in the world, first played in the 1871 - 72 season. Who Can Enter? The Challenge Cup competition is open to any club in the top ten levels of the English Football League. Once clubs have registered to play, the tournament is organised into 12 randomly drawn rounds, followed by the semi-finals and finals. The higher ranked teams join the competition in later rounds when some of the lower ranked teams have been knocked out. What Do the Winners Receive? The winners of the final match receive the Football Association Cup, the FA Cup. It comes in three parts; the base, the cup and a lid. Over the years, there have been two designs of trophy and five cups have been made. The first cup, known as the ‘little tin idol’, was stolen in 1895 and never returned. An exact replica was made and used until 1910. From 1911, a new design was made. In 1992, another copy was made as the cup was wearing out from being handled, and another replacement was made in 2014. The cup is presented at the end of the match, giving the engraver just five minutes to engrave the winning team on the silver band on the base.
    [Show full text]
  • Rules of the Football Association of Wales Amateur Trophy
    RULES OF THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF WALES AMATEUR TROPHY 1. Scope of Application The present regulations govern the rights, duties and responsibilities of all parties participating and involved in the preparation and organisation of “The Football Association of Wales Amateur Trophy” Competition (hereinafter the Competition). 2. Cup Ownership The Cup is the property of The Football Association of Wales Limited and shall be presented to the winning Club following the outcome of the final tie. The Champions shall then be responsible for its return to the Association on or before the 1st day in March in the ensuing year in good order and condition. Should the Cup be lost, destroyed or damaged by fire or any other cause whilst under the care and custody of the Club, the latter shall refund to the Association the amount of its current insured value or the cost of thorough repair in addition to any other penalty which The Football Association of Wales may impose. 3. Medals In addition to the Cup, the Association shall present 25 medals to the Players, substitutes and technical staff in the Final Tie. Any additional medals must be purchased by the Club concerned. When a Player taking part is ordered to leave the field of play for misconduct, the medal to which he may be entitled may be withheld at the discretion of the National Cup Board. 4. Control of Competition The entire control and management of the Competition shall be vested in the National Cup Board. The National Cup Board shall have the power to formulate the Rules of the Competition and to alter or add to the Rules as they, from time to time, deem expedient.
    [Show full text]
  • To: CELG Committee From: David Collins, Editor, Welsh Football I
    To: CELG Committee From: David Collins, Editor, Welsh Football I wish to submit the following views to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee inquiry into the Welsh Premier League. I write as editor of Welsh Football magazine, the unofficial national football magazine of Wales. This has been continuously produced since 1991 by football enthusiasts, as a not-for- profit publication, to ensure that our nation has a national magazine to match the independent status of Wales in football. One of our primary focuses is the Welsh Premier League and the domestic structure below it. I am not a professional journalist, nor have I worked in sports administration. However, I have watched a large amount of Welsh Premier football over its twenty year existence and I am in no doubt that the standard of play and the spectator facilities have improved beyond recognition. Today we have a competition which bears comparison with the Football Conference in England – yet has a far lower profile even in Wales and attracts less public attention, including attendances. Indeed, the single biggest problem the league still has is its public perception: incongruously, despite the national pride in Wales as a nation displayed in so many walks of life, rather than celebrate the fact that we have our own league and cup competitions enabling our clubs to represent their country in UEFA competition, the wider public and press attitude to our national league is often a mixture of embarrassment and disinterest. This attitude contrasts strongly with many other smaller nations in Europe - and also with attitudes to Welsh rugby clubs and competitions.
    [Show full text]
  • THE NEW SAINTS FC of Oswestry Town
    THE NEW SAINTS FC of Oswestry Town Promote Your Company with The New Saints of Oswestry Town #SupportYourLocalChampions Contents Page About The Club 3 The New Saints of Oswestry Town - A Brief History 4 Youth Development 5 Ladies Football 6 Be Part Of Our Community 7 Be Part Of Our Online Presence 8 Be Part Of Our Success 9 European Football 10 Be Part Of Our Media Coverage 11 Sponsorship And Advertising Opportunities 12 2 | www.tnsfc.co.uk About The Club The New Saints of Oswestry Town are the most successful club in the history of the Welsh Premier League. The club ended the 2015/2016 domestic campaign by celebrating a famous domestic treble comprising: - A record tenth Welsh Premier League title - Winning the Word Cup - Successfully defending the FAW Welsh Cup This success has enabled the club to consistently qualify for major European Competitions, playing regularly in both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. The New Saints are also currently ranked number one in Wales and 64th in the World on http://footballdatabase.com/clubs-ranking/the-new-saints www.tnsfc.co.uk | 3 The New Saints Of Oswestry Town - A Brief History The New Saints of Oswestry Town were formed as a result of the merger of Llansantffraid and Oswestry town in 2003 and played as Total Network Solutions, the multi-million pound company that was eventually acquired by BT in 2005. The club was immortalised on Sky TV when presenter Jeff Stelling famously commented: “They’ll be dancing in the streets of Total Network Solutions tonight!” In 2005 the club was renamed The New Saints of Oswestry Town FC.
    [Show full text]
  • Mullocks Specialist Auctioneers & Valuers
    Mullocks Specialist Auctioneers & Valuers The Clive Pavilion Ludlow Racecourse Football & Rugby Memorabilia Bromfield, Ludlow Shropshire SY8 2BT Football, Rugby Union & Rugby League Memorabilia United Kingdom Started 10 Dec 2015 10:30 GMT Lot Description 1 1966 World Cup Final football programme England v West Germany an original match day Wembley issue. Slight creases, no writing 1946 Charity Football match programme Shrewsbury Town v Aston Villa at Gay Meadow, 11 May 1946. Has creases and small tears, 2 no writing Selection of Port Vale football programmes to include 1950/51 Brighton (single sheet edition), 1954/55 Ipswich Town, 1955/56 Fulham, 3 1956/57 Fulham, Leicester City, Grimsby Town, 1957/58 Shrewsbury Town (Lge + FA Cup). Condition varies (8) 1966/67 Wellington Town v Sheffield Wednesday Appeal Fund match programme dated 22 May 1967 at Bucks Head. Slight creases, no 4 writing Collection of Shrewsbury Town football programmes to include 1972/73 Aston Villa (friendly), 1974/75 Blackburn Rovers (friendly), 5 1976/77 Saudi Arabia (friendly), 1983/84 Bristol Rovers (friendly), 1985/86 Fulham (FMC), away at Rossendale Utd. (FA Cup) 1975/76 at Dark Lane. Generally good (6) Wellington Town 1951/52 football programmes v Aston Villa, Winsford Utd, Northwich Victoria and 1953/54 v Bromsgrove. Condition 6 varies, generally good (4) Wellington Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers 1951/52 football programme for the Birmingham League match at Bucks Head 22 7 September 1951 (Ron Flowers, Colin Booth, Eddie Stuart, Ken Whitfield in the Wolves team). Small tear o/w good 8 Wellington Town v Barnsley 1951/52 football programme dated 28 April 1952, friendly match at Bucks Head.
    [Show full text]
  • Association Football Club Ltd the ROCK, RHOSYMEDRE HISTORY
    "The oldest football club in Wales 1872" Association Football Club Ltd THE ROCK, RHOSYMEDRE Rock Road Rhosymedre LL14 3YF Tel:- 01978 824332 www.cefndruidsafc.co.uk WELSH CUP WINNERS 1880, 1881, 1882, 1885, 1886, 1898, 1899, 1904 HISTORY OF CEFN DRUIDS AFC The origins of soccer in the area can be traced as far back as 1869 when Plasmadoc Football Club was founded by the Thomson brothers. Three years later Plasmadoc became Druids when the various colliery and quarry teams in the hills around Ruabon and Cefn Mawr were brought together under one banner. Six Druids players were in the first Welsh international side which played Scotland on 25 March 1876 - the most from a single club ever to play for Wales. In addition to being the first Welsh club to play in the English FA Cup, Druids also played in the very first Welsh Cup game at Newtown on 13 October 1877, just a week after playing Scottish giants Queens Park at Hampden Park. In 1876 Druids entered the English FA Cup for the first time with little success. But in 1882/83 they defeated Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round, losing to eventual winners Blackburn Olympic in the quarter finals. Runners-up to Wrexham in the first Welsh Cup Final in 1877/78, Druids were finalists in the first six years of the competition and became the first club to win it three times in succession by lifting the trophy from 1880-1882. In all Druids won the Welsh Cup eight times and were runners up on eleven occasions.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019.04.27 Afan Lido.Pub
    CWMBRAN CELTIC FC www.cwmbranceltic.com DIVISION 1 £1 Season 2018/19 Official Match Day Programme CWMBRAN CELTIC AFAN LIDO League Form Guide: League Form Guide: DLWWWWDWLLWLLLDWLWLLDLLLLWD WDWLLLDWWWWWWLWLDWLLWLWDLWWWD Division 1 Home Squad Away Squad Lewis Watkins (GK) Rory McCreesh Rakesh Patel © James Parry Alex McDowell Alex Gammond Rhys Williams Cai Owens Louis Feeley Jack Hurley Daniel Battle Liam McCreesh Samuel Cawley Noah Daley Jai Junior Johnson Sacha Walters Rhys Thomas Kieran Parsons Chris Ham Jamie Karnsang Lewis Ellis Neil Thomas Josh Bull Ben Thomas Moynul Islam Jack Fleming Mohammed Akmol Mark Jones Dominic Connor Chris Hartland Tom Haggett Jack Underwood Callum Wakeham Patrick Finnerall Isaac Powell Pictures Credited To Stephen Handley Andrew Larcombe Joshua Hinwood WELSH LEAGUE DIVISION 1 Manager: Owen Cook Manager: Paul Evans CWMBRAN CELTIC v AFAN LIDO Asst Manager: Simon Prangley Asst Manager: Andrew Mumford Saturday 27th April 2019 K.O. 2:30pm Coach: Mark Jenkins TODAY’S SPONSORS Physio: Doug Mallen Colours: Yellow Blue Yellow Colours: Red Red Red MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Alex McInch (Cardiff) Assistants: Andrew Wilkins (Newbridge) & Alex Brent (Cardiff) Acve & Passive Safety Technology Proud Sponsors Of The Match Day Programme Prinng WELSH FOOTBALL LEAGUE TABLES WELCOME TO CELTIC PARK We extend a warm welcome to this a4ernoon5s visitors Afan Lido. The Aberavon based club DIVISION ONE P W D L F A GD Pts 0ere founder members of the League of Wales in 1992-3 and 0ere in Welsh :er one for 11 1 Penybont 25 20 5 0 60 20 40 65 out of 13 seasons un:l they dropped back into the Welsh League in 2004/,.
    [Show full text]
  • Guilsfield Football Club
    History – Guilsfield Football Club Football has been played in Guilsfield since the early part of 1930's but little is known of the teams of that era. A team was known to have played in the village at the end of World War 2. One game played was their version of an international when they played the local Italian prisoner of war camp side. One player of note from the early 50's was Wyn Nicholls who later played for Newtown, Welshpool and gained Welsh Caps at under 18 level, he later signed professional forms for Wrexham. The present club was formed on August 6th 1957. Mr.Bill Laker and several other men folk of the village got together to form a local side, with seven or eight local lads playing for surrounding villages it was felt that the village needed to form a team of its own. The club entered the Montgomeryshire Amateur League and matches during this early period were played on local farmer's fields and during the summer months the committee and players would help the farmer with his harvest to cover the ground rent for the season. During the mid sixties the village doubled in size and the local Community Centre was built with room to accommodate a football pitch, which is where the club plays today. Throughout the 60's, 70's and 80's the team was almost all local players of a good standard but honours eluded the club except for the occasional runners-up in cup finals. Players of note from this period who moved to higher standard of football were David Jones, Welshpool and Oswestry who also gained a Welsh Amateur Cap.
    [Show full text]
  • Dear Clerk of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee
    Dear Clerk of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee I am very grateful for the opportunity to submit my views on the Welsh Premier League in the context of the committee’s inquiry. I feel as though I should confess that I have not attended a league game since I was a student at Aberystwyth University in the late 90s. However, I would like to see the league improve, develop and bid for the attention of football fans in Wales. While I was studying at Aberystwyth, there was a feeling among many of the young men there that the league was a bit of a novelty. Among the English students (and many of the Welsh ones too) it was fashionable to poke fun at the league: standards were very low; the players were not fit enough; the facilities were poor; and the pitches were more suitable for growing cabbages than they were for playing football. Many people considered it to be a ‘non-league’. It was certainly a ‘non-English-league’, yet this label had deeper connotations—namely that the league was an amateurish, low-quality irrelevance to anyone with an interest in ‘proper’ football. Nevertheless, I feel that, in the eyes of many Welsh people, the league has improved since then. It has national status. Therefore, while no-one believes that the league is as strong as the English Premier League, many Welsh people appreciate the fact that it is separate from that league, rather than being subordinate to it. The profile of the league has improved, and BBC Wales and S4C (in particular) should receive a great deal of credit for this.
    [Show full text]
  • TT1314-12 TT No.12: Rob Campion
    TT1314-12 TT No.12: Rob Campion - Saturday 14th September 2013; Llansantffraid Village v Berriew (Welsh Cup Qual Rd 2); Venue: Recreation Ground, Treflan, Llansantffraid- ym-Mechain, Powys; Result: 1-5; Admission: £2; Programme: 4pp; Badges: £2.50; Attendance: no more than 50; Match rating: 7 out of 10. After recent visits to basic recreation grounds in and around Leicestershire over the past few weeks, I fancy something different today. Where was to be the stumbling block, as if often the case when I have no or limited restrictions, I am very indecisive. In the end I looked at possible games in the Welsh Marches, or for anyone unfamiliar with the term, one of the sides close to the English border. I narrowed it down to a shortlist of three and chose the above fixture. About Llansantffraid Village FC - LLansantffraid (spelt with or without the 't') Village FC were formed in 2007 after the original village club decamped to Park Hall over the border in Shropshire. The club were subsequently accepted into division 2 of the Montgomeryshire Football League (MFL) and won the division at the first attempt. They lost only one league game all season, finishing four points ahead of runners-up Montgomery Town and gained promotion to division 1. The 2008/09 saw them crowned MFL champions, remaining unbeaten throughout their league games. Montgomery Town were again runners-up to Village, though the gap between the two had increased to nine points. A second successive promotion was also achieved, this time to the Mid-Wales League (MW). The MW sits at the third level of the Welsh Football system, and feeds into the Cymru Alliance.
    [Show full text]