Merthyr Town

Merthyr Town FC is a non-league football club from the former mining town of Merthyr Tydfil in the Welsh valleys. The current club was formed in 2010 but football in the town and the original incarnation of Merthyr Town AFC goes back to 1908.

Another local club, Treharris had been formed earlier playing at Penydarren Park which was earned by Merthyr Athletic Club. It was decided to form a football club to represent the town. The popularity soon took off with 7,000 fans attending a friendly against Manchester City.

The team competed in Division 2A of the Southern League in the 1909-10 season becoming Division Two champions in 1911-12 before Albert Fisher was appointed as team manager with full back Moses Russell selected as a full international for Wales.

The team were relegated from Southern League Division One in 1913-14 before regaining their place in an enlarged top tier for the 1919-20 campaign. The club was elected as founder members of Football League Division Three South for the 1920-21 season.

‘The Martyrs’ reached the Welsh Cup final in 1923-24, losing out in a replay to Wrexham. Town failed to finish in the top half of the league table, finishing bottom once and in the last three on another couple of occasions.

Another finish at the base of the table in 1929-30 led to the club losing their Football League status after failing to be re-elected to be replaced by the short lived Thames FC as Town struggled in the harsh economic climate in South Wales.

The club was placed in the Western Division of the Southern League but left the competition at the end of the 1933-34 season. Merthyr Town were disbanded with debts of £3,000 in June 1934.

Merthyr Tydfil FC was formed in 1945 after the end of World War Two to join the Welsh League. After finishing as runners-up in 1946-47 the club joined the Southern League becoming champions at the first attempt.

In the same season the team defeated Bristol Rovers in the first round of the FA Cup in front of 15,600 fans at Penydarren Park before going out to Reading at home as 19,500 supporters packed in to the ground.

A crowd of 35,000 at Ninian Park saw Merthyr lift the Welsh Cup with a 2-0 win against Swansea Town in 1948-49. Further Southern League titles followed in 1949-50 and 1950-51 with a 3-2 Welsh Cup final replay win against Cardiff City as 18,000 fans flocked to the Vetch Field.

Merthyr reached the final the following season but were defeated by Rhyl. Compensation came through a fourth Southern League championship win, with the title being regained in 1953-54 after a runner-up slot the previous season. The following season saw the team reach the FA Cup second round before going out to Bradford City.

Star players of the golden period included Bill Hullett, Bert Sellick, Trevor Richards, Bill Jarman and Phil Tabram. Despite the clubs’ success they failed to win enough votes to win election to the Football League. It was thought that the greyhound track around the Penydarren Park may have been a reason?

The league was split into two regional sections for 1958-59 before a Premier Division was created the following year, of which Merthyr Tydfil were members. Despite fielding a talented line up Merthyr were relegated to Division One in 1963-64.

Promotion back to the top level was achieved in 1970-71 before the team dropped back down to Division One North twelve months later. Around this time veteran Welsh international legends John Charles and Mel Nurse signed for a couple of seasons along with future Welsh international Nick Deacy.

The Martyrs reached the second round of the FA Cup in 1973-74, this time going out at home to Hendon. The goals of Gordon Davies earned the future international a move to Fulham before the team were moved to the Southern League Midland Division in 1979-80 after the Premier Division was done away with.

The same season would see the second round of the FA Cup being reached for a fourth time. Chesham United ended any dreams of joining the big boys in the third round draw with a replay win at Penydarren Park.

The late 1980’s would herald a second golden period in the history of the club starting in 1986-87 as a third Welsh Cup triumph was celebrated following a 1-0 replay win over Newport County thanks to a Chris Baird penalty, with Bob Latchford also in the line up under manager Lyn Jones.

The Midland Division championship in 1987-88 to gain promotion the Premier Division but that was surpassed by a remarkable foray into the European Cup-Winners Cup when Merthyr were drawn in the first round against Italian side Atalanta.

8,000 fans filled the modern Penydarren Park after work from the community upgraded the terracing. The town held a Fiesta Italiana to welcome their opponents at a time that English sides were banned from European competition following the Heysel disaster.

Kevin Rogers opened the scoring for Merthyr before the Italians equalised just before half time. A deflected Ceri Williams free kick near the end gave the Welshmen a 2-1 win. Atalanta went through after winning the home leg 2-0 in Bergamo to end an incredible tie.

In 1988-89 Merthyr added a sixth Southern League title and were promoted to the Football Conference. The 1990-91 campaign saw another second round appearance in the FA Cup, this time ending in defeat away to Woking.

After a couple of mid-table finishes, Merthyr finished in fourth spot in 1991-92 thanks in part to the goals of David Webley. However, that would be the highest position the club would achieve. The team were relegated back to the Southern League in 1994-95.

A runners-up place came in 1997-98 as the club struggled financially off the pitch once again. Another relegation followed in 2001-02 before the team regained their top tier position after winning the Division One West title at the first time of asking.

The live TV cameras covered the FA Cup first round tie against Walsall at Penydarren Park in November 2005, but the financial struggles continued. After finishing in seventeenth place in 2009-10 the club was liquidated with severe debts.

The Supporters Trust, Martyrs to the Cause immediately formed Merthyr Town FC as a replacement club who were placed in Western Football League Division One. In its debut season the club was forced to play at Rhiw Dda’r, the home of Taff's Well AFC.

Town won the title in their first season to be promoted to the Premier Division before moving into Penydarren Park which had been fitted with a new artificial pitch and received a facelift. The return inspired the team to a second successive championship and promotion in 2011-12.

Merthyr reached the play-offs in the Division One South & West in 2012-13, missing out on promotion in the final to Hungerford Town after defeating Swindon Supermarine in the home semi-final.

The side made no mistake under Steve Jenkins managership as they won the division in 2013-14 to win promotion to the Premier Division. Jenkins departed in the summer of 2016 to be replaced by his assistant and former League star, Gavin Williams.

Williams took the side to the play-offs in 2016-17 before losing at home on penalties to Hitchin Town. During the 2017-18 campaign the club was rocked with a massive tax bill which enforced the team to field a side of junior which were defeated 13-1 at Chesham United.

Donations came in as Merthyr restructured once again to show traditional fighting spirit with the team recovering from a cut in the playing budget to finish in seventeenth place. The club were placed in Premier Division South following league restructuring in the summer of 2018.

Manager Williams stepped down from the post in February 2021 after the club decided to go into abeyance for a season as Covid-19 restrictions were put in place and was replaced by Dean Clarke whose side returned to the league in which they left in readiness for the 2021-22 campaign.

Clarke was succeeded by new boss Paul Michael in April 2022, as Town escaped relegation despite finishing in the drop zone, Merthyr were reprieved as Walton Casuals withdrew from the competition. The 2022-23 season ended with a much improved ninth place finish. 

Merthyr Town FC will play in the Southern League Premier Division South in the 2023-24 season.

My visit

Merthyr Town 0 Hendon 2 (Saturday 16^th February 2019) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 511)

I’m incredibly lucky to get to go to plenty of sport and meet many good people, enjoying nearly every afternoon out, but every so often you really strike gold and know that you’ll remember a specific day for years to come.

A week earlier I’d travelled to Wimborne Town on the team and supporter’s coach, for what was unanimously agreed by fellow fans to be a cracking day out to great hosts and an excellent game of football in most pleasurable surroundings.

Merthyr had plenty to live up to as I boarded the coach. As ever, felt most privileged to be offered a seat on board. I liked the players and management, and I could sense that the lads who’d joined the club in recent weeks were settling in and adding to a special togetherness.

As it happened, I was on night shift on the Friday and then on my return, but I was boosted by the news that the club had booked a luxury coach for the long trip. I reckoned a decent kip in both directions would see me right.

A text from secretary, Daz Bloor arrived on Friday saying that the coach was unavailable, but that didn’t really matter to me. I was delighted to be heading to a venue I’d heard in glowing terms from my drinking pal, and fellow Dons fan Steve Barnes.

It said everything to me about manager Jimmy Gray that he was gutted as he’d promised the lads a coach with tables for cards and the height of luxury. A top man. We told him not to worry as it wasn’t anybody’s fault apart from the coach company. C’est la vie.

The journey took a bit longer than anticipated, not helped by a late arrival, but hey ho. My sleep wasn’t as long I had as hoped. Tom brought some sci-fi DVD along. I’ve no idea how good it was, but it was loud.

After a truncated break, the coach travelled through some pretty impressive scenery, despite the dull conditions, up the Taff Valley. On arrival into Merthyr, we soon found out that the narrow roads up to Penydarren Park were indeed as awkward as we'd anticipated.

But, not as awkward as those living at the second bottom house on the left-hand side of Park Terrace who were being a pain moving their two vehicles which blocked the way. It was building into a potential flashpoint, until the residents, who wouldn’t have looked out of place on Shameless, reneged.

Looking behind me, up the aisle, I reckon they made a smart move. Somehow the driver got us to where we needed to be. Even more remarkable must have been his feat in turning the coach round for our return.

It was a bit too late to head down the hill to a couple of pubs I’d earmarked. The Winchester Bar and Y Dic Penderyn would have to give them a miss on this occasion. Instead, we paid our £12 admission, and I grabbed a programme for a couple of quid.

The Met Coaches Stadium, to give Penydarren Park its sponsors title, did look a cracker, but more of that later. Andy, Tom, Bob, Alex, and I headed to the bar at the back of the stand where Daz was waiting for us.

There was no real ale on tap so the lass behind the bar soon got practise in pouring six Caffreys at regular intervals up to kick off. It was immediately apparent that a good contingent of Hendon fans had made the journey.

As kick off approached I got talking with elder Dons fan Peter Dean and then a Merthyr fan. Both reminisced about the FA Cup tie in 1973-74 when Merthyr had John Charles in their side. Hendon won 3-0 and went on to draw away to Newcastle United.

Peter told me all about that too. How the Geordies were friendly before the game but were throwing bottles at the Dons support by the end. He said he managed to get next to a big bloke to try and being hit as they headed back to the coaches.

I simply just love listening to elders, preferably with a pint, as they recall their stories about going to football and cricket. I would sit with my late Dad and in later years the smartphone would find him stuff to fill in details and bring back memories.

He was equally astounded and delighted at some of the stuff that modern technology could dredge out. It doesn’t matter who the team is, it’s the listening and learning and seeing the joy on their faces as they open up and have a chance to talk about happy times.

It seldom fails to intrigue and entertain me, so long as I’m not being lectured about it. You learn so much more than from a book or the internet and you build actual friendships by interacting with humans.

Anyway, back to Penydarren Park. The Main Stand was a single tier of seats with some kind of community facility with corporate facilities built onto it. To its right was a good size open terrace. The far end was covered with a combination of seats and standing.

However, the main feature to me was the far side cover, with one section having a newer roof. The main structure was huge by non-league standards, and not unlike that at Twerton Park in Bath with open sections either side. All the terraced areas had sturdy crush barriers.

The pitch was an artificial surface, with a fair gap between the touchlines and the spectators because it was once surrounded by a greyhound track. The far side gent’s toilets really were one for fans of 1970’s football ground architecture. An open-air walled area with drains on the floor.

The catering hut was to be found in the top corner of the cover. Again, this was outstanding. I opted for pie, chips & gravy at £3.50. I probably should have gone for what looked a classic for the same price, which was Tom’s selection. Half a small crusty loaf gouged out and filled with 2 sausages, chips and a choice of gravy or curry sauce. Superb fodder!

To be fair the catering was the highlight of the first ten minutes or so, as both sides looked to make their mark. Merthyr employed an expansive passing game using the whole width of the pitch whereas Hendon played it shorter and tighter.

The Dons hadn’t won in thirteen league games before kick-off, although they had drawn their previous four, whereas the Martyrs were looking to push towards a play-off spot having defeated Weymouth at home a few days previously.

The visiting defence were not taking prisoners but winning many of their vital battles in the centre. The centre midfield trio of Matty Harriot, Ryan Hope and Sergio Manjesio were going well, but the hosts Ben Swallow was causing problems wide on the left.

Swallow crossed on sixteen minutes where Jamie Veale shot low towards the corner. Danny Boness in the Hendon net pulled off a superb save to his left. Veale headed another Swallow corner over not long afterwards.

Manager Gray made a quality tactical change when he sent Luke Tingey out wide to mark Swallow and moved Jacob Gardner-Smith across the park and reverting to four at the back. It immediately tightened things up and Hendon grew into the game.

A good passing move freed Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick who got his shot away, but it was blocked by the legs of young home custodian Lewis Webb. By now the home fans were getting rather cranky with referee Martin Peters, who it had to be said, did like the sound of his own whistle.

Their ire was exacerbated as Andy and I had moved to the rear of the stand, at the front of the grid to get to the bar. His son in the Dons goal had made a good stop from Ryan Prosser before Hendon took the lead six minutes before the break.

Ogo Obi received a ball on the right. He touched it past Webb who clattered into him. Referee Peters consulted with his linesman before pointing to the penalty spot. Hippolyte-Patrick scored despite the best efforts of Webb to atone.

The Dons lost the ball from an attacking position throw in close to the half time whistle. Merthyr attacked with the ball finally finding Ashley Evans who was foiled once again by the brilliant Boness who was having his best game in ages.

We squeezed a quick drink in at the break before I took up a position on the terrace high up behind the goal with Daz for the second half. The Dons had to make a change as Darren Locke’s calf seized up again. Howard Hall came on in defence.

Merthyr continued to stroke the ball about, but Hendon held firm. If anything, they looked even safer than in the first period as the midfield fought like tigers. Swallow was eventually withdrawn for the hosts.

Connor Calcutt came on for Obi for Hendon and immediately set about winning all his area challenges and proving a real pest to the Merthyr backline. He made all the difference at a time when the game could have gone either way.

Hippolyte-Patrick was having another excellent game, showing confidence and his physique to good effect. He made the second goal with twenty minutes to go when he created room to plonk a cross on the head of Calcutt who guided it into the corner. It’s fair to say that we were happy!

Keiran Lewis came off the bench for Town and put the ball into the net after Mr Peters had already blown his whistle for a free kick. Much to the further annoyance of all but those cheering on the Greens.

With twelve minutes to go Tingey was sent off for a clumsy challenge after earlier being cautioned for dissent. Merthyr had a second goal chalked off for offside, which just added to their frustration.

Captain Evans looked like scoring as soon as a free kick left his boot outside the box, but Boness pulled off arguably his best stop to tip over. The hosts had another couple of efforts wide of goal before the full time whistle.

The Dons players and management were absolutely euphoric at full time as they and the fans exchanged applause and celebration. It had been a long time since a win; December to be exact against the same opponents.

The home fans were excellent all day, not that this was a shock to us. Merthyr supporters had been tremendous on both their visits to Silver Jubilee Park and had been first class hosts on this occasion, with nice words before and after the game.

After a quick coke I went back to the coach to relax. It was soon evident it was going to be a happy journey home. I had no option as to joining in as my eyes were soon shut on leaving town trying to get some rest before work.

Occasionally walking up it was great to hear the sing along to music and experiencing a proper team spirit. They’d earned every moment, especially the management team who must have agonised for hour on end for several weeks.

The spirit among the camp was epitomised when Jimmy came down to the front to offer the fans a beer. That is special. As I said; a top man. Fortunately for me, a couple of the players wanted to get off before Silver Jubilee Park. This was ideal for getting to work.

I gave one last blast of the miniature wooden rattle I’d bought online during the week, thinking it was full size. It got a cheer as a chorus of “Green Army” broke out at the back as I got off with Romario Jonas and Bayley Brown.

A bus arrived in no time to take me to Eastcote for a one stop ride to Ruislip Manor for work, where there was still time for supper before I got stuck in. A post on the Merthyr fans forum was being met with plenty of mirth by this time. I think he’d been to a different game?

The author complained of Hendon kicking their opponents all day to gain victory with the referee also to blame. He did, in fairness pay tribute to Danny Boness, pointing to his outstanding performance in the week that we’d lost the great Gordon Banks.

I guess football will always be a game of opinions, some often polarised, but it's all the better for it. What would we have to discuss in the pub or terraces if we all thought the same? 

Work went OK. I must confess I was glad when I closed until the morning service resumed. It was quite apt that my last punter asked me who I supported. I told him where I’d been. He said he played for Kingsbury Town for ten years and supported Arsenal. He'd had a good drink. Perhaps there was a connection between the final two points?

Sunday was spent in bed recovering, but I still had a smile on my face when I woke up. I don’t think I’ll ever forget my first trip to Merthyr. Maybe, I’ll get to recall it to an interested younger football fan one day?