Merthyr Town Football Club is delighted to announce that Tom Handley has agreed terms ahead of the 2023/24 Southern League season.

Handley was one of only two players to feature in every game of the 2022/23 season, making a total of 49 appearances, and scoring 8 goals.

Handley, 22, joined the Martyrs in the summer of 2022 and was one of Paul Michael’s key targets as soon as he took on the managerial role. Tom moved to Merthyr Town after impressing the season previous at Cirencester Town, as well as having a short spell on loan in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division with Lydney Town in 2018/19.

Typically, a full-back, Tom has played in several roles for the Martyrs during the 2022/23 season, enjoying success in a more-advanced wide role, as well as stepping in at centre midfield, and at the centre of defence.

Tom recently became captain of the English Universities’ team in early 2023 and has featured for them towards the back end of the 2022/23 season. His strikes against Harrow Borough, Chesham United and Hanwell Town have made him a fans favourite at Penydarren Park, and Paul Michael was delighted on securing Tom’s signature for next season: “Keeping Tom is as important as any new signing this summer. His versatility is a manager’s dream, but that versatility is down to his outstanding understanding of the game and brilliant technical ability that allows him to refine and adapt his game to suit each role.

“I am sure next season his position will settle with us, but he will be all the better a player because of his varied experiences last season. Tom’s goal threat from wherever he plays is also important, he chipped in with a number of goals and assists last season and I am really looking forward to working with him again.”