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NEWS Merthyr Town FC < Back News (News-Title) Matchday Guide | Merthyr Town vs. Newport County AFC 22 August 2023 The Exiles make the trip to Penydarren Park on Tuesday for a mid-season friendly. This handy guide will give you the lowdown on how to get the most out of your matchday experience! Merthyr Town vs. Newport County AFC XI. Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Kick-off: 7.30pm ARRIVING AT PENYDARREN PARK The gates at PP will be open at 6pm – An hour and a half before kick-off against the League Two side. Supporters are encouraged to arrive in good time, so as to enter the ground as easily as possible, and arrive ahead of kick-off at 7.30pm. There will be limited access to car park, so please arrive as early as possible. PRE-MATCH Before kick-off on Tuesday, you can purchase a range of drinks from the club’s bar. Romans & Webley's Bar will be open from 6pm. Holveys Cafe will be closed with only Roman's serving hot food from 6pm. CLUB SHOP Get down to Merthyr Town Club Shop and purchase our new replica kits for the 2023/24 season. The store will be opening its doors from 7pm, giving Martyr's fans plenty of time to visit before entering PP! 50/50 TICKETS Our usual 50/50 tickets will be available to purchase around the ground on Tuesday at just £1. The draw will be made at half-time, with the winner being announced by our matchday announcer. MATCHDAY PROGRAMME Pick up a copy of our new look matchday programme on Tuesday at just £2. The programmes will be on sale around the ground prior to kick-off. ADMISSION PRICES Adults - £5 Concessions - £3 Children (U16) - £1 There are no tickets for the game with all payments ONLY on the gate. However, card payment is now accepted on Lyn Jones Grandstand Turnstile, as well as cash. It is sure to be a great evening, so make sure you don't miss any of the action! KICK-OFF Town kick-off against Newport County AFC at 7.30pm on Tuesday! We're looking forward to seeing you there, Martyrs! #OurTownOurClub Previous Next

NEWS Merthyr Town FC < Back News (News-Title) Soccalot Result - Monday 29th July 2024 30 July 2024 The numbers drawn randomly in this weeks draw were: 2, 4, 19 and 21. There were no winning claims. Next weeks prize will be £4,000, which will be drawn on Monday 5thAugust 2024. New entries can be made via our ‘Buy Now’ click and play link - £5 for five weeks entries. Please support your community football club. Tickets can be returned to both bars at the Club, the Station Cafe, Belle Vue, Penydarren, Heolgerrig Club, Pant Cad Ivor, Quarrymans, Baili Glas, Station Cafe, the Welsh Bar and Guest Keen Bowls Club. Good luck to everyone that enters. Previous Next

NEWS Merthyr Town FC < Back News (News-Item) Match-Day Hospitality - August 2023 26 July 2023 We have limited availability for match-day hospitality against Tiverton Town (Tuesday 15th August), Sholing FC (Saturday 26th August) and Chesham United (Saturday 9th September) Enjoy your own private box overlooking the pitch as the Martyrs take to the Southern League Premier! Video tour of your private box. Box for ten guests Hot Meal Private Drinks Fridge Host Match Day Entry Progamme Contact events@merthyrtownfc.co.uk today to secure your match-day package! Previous Next

NEWS Merthyr Town FC < Back News (News-Item) Post Match Reaction - Chertsey Town 27 November 2024 Previous Next

NEWS Merthyr Town FC < Back News (News-Item) Gosport Borough - Post Match Interview 24 September 2023 Paul Michael reflects on the three incidents that completely changed the course of the game against Gosport Borough. Read the full match report here . Previous Next

Olly Olly Mehew Forward 11 < Back Sponsored By: Dawn Bowden HOME Bryn Jones AWAY Signed from: X Profile: News: Olly started in the Bristol Rovers Academy and progressed through the youth ranks, before signing for Championship side Blackburn Rovers in August 2014 and linking up with their under-18s at the age of 16. Olly returned to Bristol Rovers in August 2015 as a second-year scholar, becoming a part of the under-18s side at The Memorial Stadium. In March 2016, he gained his first exposure to senior football on loan with Southern League Division One South & West side Mangotsfield United, scoring three goals and assisting one in four appearances. In March 2016, he joined Southern League Division One South & West side Shortwood United on loan until the end of the season, scoring two goals and assisting three in 10 games. Olly departed Bristol Rovers at the age of 18 in the summer of 2016 following the end of his scholarship, and was quickly snapped up by National League side Forest Green Rovers in June 2016. He returned to Southern League Division One South & West side Mangotsfield United in August 2016, scoring one and assisting two in four games. The forward then joined Southern League Division One South & West club Salisbury FC on a three-month loan in September 2016, scoring six goals and assisting four in six games while being an unused substitute four times. He was recalled by Forest Green Rovers six weeks into his Salisbury loan and immediately loaned out to Southern League Division One South & West side Mangotsfield United on a month’s loan in October 2016, which was then extended for an additional month in November. During his third spell at the Mangoes, he scored four and assisted four in eight games. In January 2017, he signed for Southern League Premier Division club Cirencester Town on a month’s loan, making three appearances and being an unused substitute once. The striker moved on loan again in February 2017, this time to Southern League Premier Division club Dorchester Town for a month where he scored three goals and assisted one in seven games. The striker then spent the rest of the season back with Forest Green Rovers, making his debut as a substitute in the National League away at York City on the final day of the 2016-2017 season. The next season, Olly joined Southern League Division One South & West club Taunton Town in August 2017 on loan until the New Year. He made five appearances and scored one goal under Leigh Robinson before being recalled early by FGR in September. In January 2018, he joined Southern League Division One South & West team Salisbury FC on a one-month loan for a second time, scoring four goals in six games. He joined Southern League Division One South & West team Bideford on a one-month loan in February 2018, playing four games in North Devon. In March 2018, he joined Southern League Division One South & West team Evesham United on loan until the end of the season. While at Evesham, he helped the club reach the league Playoffs where they lost out in the semi-finals to Swindon Supermarine. During his short spell in Worcestershire, he scored two goals in eight appearances. Olly’s two-year spell with Forest Green came to an end when he departed the club in the summer of 2018, and spent part of the summer on trial with National League South side Bath City. He opted to sign for Southern League Division One South side Yate Town in the summer of 2018 however, being part of the Bluebells squad that gained promotion from the league via the playoffs in 2019 which included two goals in the final against Cinderford Town. During his time at the club, he scored 23 goals and assisted three in 67 games, being an unused substitute twice. In November 2019, he moved on to Southern League Division One South side Bristol Manor Farm, scoring one goal in 15 games under Lee Lashenko. Olly returned to Southern League Premier South side Yate Town in the summer of 2020, leading the line effectively as Yate achieved their highest league ranking with a 7th-placed finish in 2021-2022 as well as helping them reach the FA Cup First Round in the same season and achieving silverware in the Gloucestershire Senior Cup. During his second spell at Yate, he made 72 appearances and was an unused substitute twice, scoring 22 goals and assisting 21. In October 2022, he signed for Southern League Premier South side Tiverton Town on a permanent basis, making 13 appearances and assisting three goals during his three months at The Ian Moorcroft Stadium. Gallery: Previous Next

NEWS Merthyr Town FC < Back News (News-Item) Lewis Powell departs Merthyr Town 12 December 2023 Merthyr Town Football Club can confirm that Lewis Powell has departed the club. After a total of 58 appearances for The Martyrs, scoring 27 goals, Lewis Powell has decided to call time on his Merthyr Town career. After originally joining the Martyrs in November 2021, Lewis has gone on to become a fans-favourite at Penydarren Park thanks to his eye-for-goal which saw him finish top goal scorer in the 2021/22 season. Lewis once again played a key role in the 2022/23 season, as he agreed to rejoin after Paul Michael became manager at the club. Powell, 35, rocketed the Martyrs through the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup with goals in every round, and of course scoring that unforgettable winner away at Gloucester City. After injuries then hampered the remainder of the 2022/23 season for Lewis, he rejoined ahead of the 2023/24 season once more, although the first part of the season was spent at Cinderford Town to regain match fitness. Since returning from his spell at Cinderford in November, Lewis has scored 3 goals in 3 games for The Martyrs, before injury once more meant he missed the league win over Salisbury, and the postponed trip to Chesham United. Speaking on his difficult decision to step away from the Martyrs, Lewis said; “Unfortunately, even though it’s only been a month, the commitment and demands have significantly impacted my personal life and body. As I turn 36 next month, I have had to think about other things besides getting myself out on the pitch on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – this has all impacted this difficult decision. I wish I could have played for this fantastic club and fans in my prime, not my twilight years. However, I am incredibly grateful to have pulled on the Merthyr shirt and created memories to last a lifetime. Lastly, I can’t thank the fans enough for the support I have received, and you were, without a doubt, the best I was able to play for. I’m sure the team will continue to give you the success you all deserve! Lewis.” Manager, Paul Michael, added: " I have nothing but respect for Lewis as a player, person and for his decision. I appreciate Lewis’ decision to remain at the club when I was appointed manager and for him to return again this season. He’s proven he can still do it at this level with 3 goals in 3 games but there are more factors involved with a young family and a successful business. I’d like to thank Lewis on behalf of the club for his efforts with Merthyr Town during my tenure and before, I know I speak for everyone at the club when I say, Lewis, thank you for the memories and we wish you every success, happiness and good health to you and your family for the future, and, we’ll always have Gloucester away!” Everyone at Merthyr Town Football Club would like to wish Lewis all the very best in his next career path, and family life, and I sure he will always be welcomed back to Penydarren Park with open arms by everyone at the club. Previous Next

Frazer Frazer Thomas Midfield 7 < Back Sponsored By: James Pickett HOME WDL Contracting Ltd AWAY Signed from: X Profile: News: Merthyr Town Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of Frazer Thomas. The Cardiff City Academy graduate has featured for the Martyrs in pre-season upon his release, and has made some promising signs as the Southern League Premier South season edges ever closer. The 18-year-old midfielder spent several years at the Cardiff City Stadium progressing through the age groups, most recently featuring for the U21 & U23 squads. Last term, Thomas, the son of former Merthyr player Grant Thomas, was among many goals, the biggest one being his winning goal against Swansea City in the South Wales Derby. Speaking on his new signing, Manager Dean Clarke said: "I'm really pleased to get Frazer's signature over the line. After some good competition, I'm delighted to win the race to sign him, he’s an exciting talent with loads of potential. "He’s creative with a lot of energy and as the fans have seen in pre season, he can chip in with goals too. " Gallery: Previous Next

NEWS Merthyr Town FC < Back News (News-Title) Academy Fixtures - Sunday 17th March 2024 15 March 2024 There are three FAW Academy games taking place on Sunday at Penydarren Park: 11am - Under 16's versus Haverfordwest 2:30pm - Development Team versus Haverfordwest 6pm - Under 15's versus Haverfordwest Free entry on the day. Support your local Academy teams. Previous Next

NEWS Merthyr Town FC < Back News (News-Title) Live Commentary | AFC Totton vs. Merthyr Town 26 October 2023 Stags Radio will be providing live commentary of Saturday’s Isuzu FA Trophy clash, with the stream getting underway from 2.45pm. Listen live here - https://twitter.com/StagsRadio You can also follow live minute-by-minute updates on their social media channels. Visit @AFCTotton on Twitter and Facebook. Previous Next

OUR STORY In the winter of 2009 local TV, radio and newspapers were full of coverage of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club. The club had difficulty paying its bills and a young boy responded to an appeal for cash to the supporters by donating his pocket money to the club. Others donated or lent fairly serious amounts of money in the hope that the club would survive. It was clear to many however that people were throwing their money away. This was the point at which Merthyr Tydfil FC Supporters Trust realised that their ambition to become involved in the running of the club was likely to become a reality in the coming months, although they did not realise what a arduous and tortuous journey they were about to embark on. Part of the coverage on television involved interviewing people on the street in Merthyr and asking them whether they cared whether Merthyr Football Club survived. The unanimous answer was yes – they thought it would be a tragedy if football was no longer played at Penydarren Park. Although for many these were easy words which did not involve in actively supporting the club, luckily there were many supporters who would be willing to help to ensure its survival. This story is about how the Supporters Trust took the club into administration, ran the club for one year for the administrator, reformed the club, moved to play at Taffs Well for a year, and finally moved back to Penydarren Park, its home for just over 100 years. It is also about the many people who gave their time and money to keep the club alive, and contains examples of individuals who went well beyond the expected commitment. OUR BACKGROUND John Strand's involvement in the club started in 2007 when he responded to a request in the match day programme for a new editor. John had supported the club for the previous 30 years or so and was about to retire, so he was attracted by the possibility of carrying on the excellent job performed by the former editor Mike Donovan. John’s aim was to involve as many people as possible in contributing to the programme, which he managed fairly quickly. We have two history teachers who support the club, Anthony Davies and Philip Sweet, and they were happy to explore the club’s rich history. There was also a retired editor of the local paper, Philip Howells, regular match reporter Richard Bennett and football betting advisor Jon Caple. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the club depended on many volunteers, it had built up extensive debts and was finding it difficult to pay the bills. There were frequent rumours of wages not being paid on time or threats from utility companies threatening to cut off gas, electricity or water. At this time the Martyrs to the Cause Trust started to come to prominence. THE SUPPORTERS TRUST The Trust had been formed by a group of far sighted supporters in 2006. The Trust (its formal name was the Merthyr Tydfil FC Supporters Society) had the aim of influencing the way the club was administered and also in the long term to achieve a shareholding in the club. The new society was formed on principles laid down by Supporters Direct, the nationwide association of supporter societies, some of whom already owned their clubs. The best known example of such a club was AFC Wimbledon. That club was formed by its supporters following the transfer of Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes. The new club started near the bottom of the English non league pyramid and have worked their way up to the Football League. Following the formation of the Trust the membership strove from the beginning to raise funds and fairly quickly built up a new lottery called SOCCALOT, which still runs today and is a significant source of income. Several people have remained at the core of this fundraising scheme to this day. Overseen by Phil Evans, a band of lottery sellers such as Len Sankey, Ron Philips, Jeff Hurley and Geoff Chinnock have raised many thousands of pounds for the Society over the last six years. The Society, with the advice and guidance of Supporters Direct, started to build up a reserve that could help with the rescue of the club, should it be faced with a winding up order by a major debtor. What Society Board members did not realise at that time was the amount of funding that would be required when the time came to mount a rescue of the club. Following on from this the Society was banned from carrying out any activity including raising funds at Penydarren Park. This led to the Society holding its weekly SOCCALOT draw and its meetings at the Cefn Coed Club, a couple of miles away from Penydarren Park. At the end of the 2008-2009 season it became apparent that the owners of the club were not dealing with the growing debts at the club, and that there was a danger of the club going out of existence. The Society had made approaches to the club to arrange some form of transfer of ownership, but the owner would not consider this option. During previous season the Society had donated thousands of pounds to the club, very much against the advice of Supporters Direct. In the spring of 2008 the club were taken to small claims court by the council for unpaid rates. On this occasion the Society loaned the club £1000 to help pay the bill. This proved to be a crucial move. By June 2008, when the club was on the brink of a winding up order from HMRC, John Strand telephoned the latter to ask that the winding up order be postponed. This was a very lucky and successful Friday afternoon conversation. The loan by the Society then enabled them to ask the Courts to place the club in administration, which it successfully did on June 18 2008 in the Birmingham Courts at a cost of £18k. After the appointment of Mr Bowen of Worcester as administrator, the next step was to seek permission from the FA, the FAW, the Southern league and the administrator for the Society to run the club at Penydarren Park. The administrator was happy to do this, but the FA insisted he remain responsible for gate money and payment of wages. In view of that the administrator charged the Society £600 per week for a year to enable it to run the club. In June 2009 the Society successfully applied to the FA to reform the club as Merthyr Town FC. At this point it was necessary to find a suitable ground. A frantic search resulted in an arrangement with Taffs Well FC. The new club was placed in the Western League Division One, a drop of three divisions from the Southern League Premier Division, where the club was playing before the formation of Merthyr Town FC. During June 2009 the administrator gave up his search for a buyer of the lease and wound up Merthyr Tydfil FC Ltd, the lease to Penydarren Park reverting to Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. In September 2009, with the new Society owned club playing at Taffs Well, the council offered a new lease for Penydarren Park to the Society. The Society tried unsuccessfully to persuade the Western League and the FA of a mid season return to Penydarren Park, so the Society helped maintain two grounds for a season, with the Merthyr Town Youth team playing at Penydarren Park. In August 2010 Merthyr Town FC returned to Penydarren Park as Western League Division One Champions. Since then Merthyr Town FC have gained grants for the installation of a state of the art 3G pitch at Penydarren Park and are currently undergoing a £1.8m redevelopment of the ground thanks to a VVP Grant from Welsh Government. Merthyr Town FC have gained two more promotions since the 2009/2010 season and the 2015/2016 campaign will see the club return to the Southern League Premier, the same division that it was in before its liquidation. In the early days, the club owner Wyn Holloway welcomed the Society and offered a share in the club and invited a Society Board member onto the club Board. However within a couple of years later the relationship between the Club Board and the Society became strained. The crux of the problem was that the club owner could not understand why the Society would not hand over the reserve of funds it was building up. Things came to a head when there was a serious disagreement between the then Society Chairman Mr David Webb and the club board. David was the representative of the Society on the football club board. The result of the disagreement was that David was removed as a director and banned from attending Penydarren Park. During that year the Administrator’s task was to release the club’s assets (basically the lease to Penydarren Park) to help pay creditors. At the end of the year in May 2009 the administrator advised that the club would have to leave Penydarren Park because he was trying to sell the lease to a builder.

NEWS Merthyr Town FC < Back News (News-Item) Away Guide | Taunton Town 18 September 2023 Merthyr Town make the trip to Taunton Town for their Emirates FA Cup replay on Tuesday night (7.45pm). We have put together the below guide to help any travelling Martyrs plan their trip. Taunton Town vs Merthyr Town Date: Tuesday, September 19 2023. Address: Taunton Town Football Club, Wordsworth Drive, Taunton, Somerset TA1 2HG By Car The Stadium is easily accessible from all major routes into the town. M5 – leave the motorway at Junction 25. Take the exit off roundabout signposted Taunton (A38). Go straight over first roundabout, keeping in left hand or middle lane. Continue along the Toneway and keep straight on at the four-way traffic light junction until reaching a roundabout where the left hand lane should be taken onto Chritchard Way. Stay left and take exit at traffic lights, then go straight ahead at traffic lights immediately after. Continue around the corner into Wordsworth Drive and the ground is on the left. By Rail The Stadium is an approximate 25 minute walk from Taunton Railway Station. There are various routes available; turn left when leaving the station onto Trenchard Way and walk eastwards, going over the bridge until reaching the roundabout adjoining Priory Fields Retail Park. Cross over the road into Priory Avenue and turn left. Route will take you onto the footpath in Victoria Park. Exit onto Alfred Street which leads to East Reach. Cross the road at traffic lights by Holcombes Car Mart and keep right into Wordsworth Drive. The ground is on the left. Should you wish to walk via the town centre, this is signposted from the railway station. Alternatively, taxis and buses are available. Bus No 1 runs to the Parade in the town centre and from there No 4 and No 51 drop off at Leycroft Road, a three-minute walk from the ground. Parking There are two car parks at the Stadium. The main is car park 2 at the front of the ground adjoining the road is for spectators while coaches for visiting teams should be parked at the far end of the car park after receiving guidance from a club steward. The inner car park situated on the left of the stadium behind one goal (Car Park 1) is currently unavailable as a car park and is restricted for use by matchday refreshment providers or by any other parties subject to prior agreement by the club. Disabled parking spaces are located immediately to the left of the main turnstile. Matchday parking at the Stadium is £2 per vehicle. Turnstiles Pedestrian access to the stadium is via the turnstiles which are clearly signposted and located on the end of the stand at the front of the ground. Normally only one turnstile is open but this will increase to two depending on the nature of the game and anticipated crowd numbers. The third turnstile is located at the entrance to the inner car park and is restricted for use by Taunton Town FC Season Ticket Holders. Entrance to the ground for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs etc is via the pedestrian gate adjoining the vehicular entrance upon display of a valid match ticket. Any requests or concerns regarding access for disabled spectators should be emailed to the club. Entry to the stadium via the gate adjoining the vehicular entrance is restricted to those eligible to park in the inner car park or by prior arrangement with the club. Admission Prices Adults (ages 18 to 67 incl.): £14 Concessions (State Pensioners & Students with ID): £11 Youth (13-18 years): £5 Junior (6-12 years): £2 Children aged under 6 are free with a paying adult Advanced tickets can be purchased here - https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=4110 Spectator Accommodation All four sides of the stadium have either covered seating or covered terracing: The stand adjoining the main car park The Les Marsh Carpets Stand has 277 public seats, a Directors Box with 27 seats including reserved seating for visiting officials. There is a wheelchair viewing area in this stand. There is terracing at either end of the stadium which is in place for its entire width. The mid-section of terracing is covered at both ends. The opposite side to the main entrance has the North Stand (currently available to sponsor) with 118 seats. Terracing is in place to the right of this stand stretching down to the corner while the stadium surround to the left consists of hardstanding in front of the clubhouse and boardroom. Another disabled viewing area is located to the left of the stand by the media gantry. Clubhouse The clubhouse is open on matchdays from 1.00pm on a Saturday and 6.30pm in midweek. The bar sells a range of alcoholic and soft drinks, snacks, confectionery and pasties. There is a smaller hatch area also selling bar drinks at the changing room end of the stadium. Catering Catering outlets are open on matchdays and are situated in the inner car park. There is normally a fast food outlet selling burgers, hot dogs, chips etc, a coffee outlet selling speciality coffees, teas, hot chocolate etc and a burrito wagon selling Mexican street food. Other outlets may be present on an ad hoc basis. Live Commentary Tonight, Peacocks Radio will be providing live commentary of tonight's Emirates FA Cup clash, with the stream getting underway from 7.40pm. Listen live - https://peacocks-radio.mixlr.com/events/2730674 Previous Next