june 2010

Tickets for Port Talbot’s European game on sale (Jun 26) 15:00
TICKETS for Port Talbot’s Europa League second leg match against TPS Turku of Finland on July 8 at The GenQuip Stadium are now on sale at a price of £10.
Capacity at The GenQuip Stadium is limited to 1,000 as all spectators must be seated in accordance with Uefa regulations.
Tickets are available throughout the week from the Princess Royal Theatre ticket office in the Port Talbot Civic Centre and can be ordered by contacting Julie Barnett on 01639 763214.
Mark Jones side take on TPS Turku in the 1st leg of the tie next Thursday at the Veritas Stadium in Turku.

Evening Post

 
Llanelli Euro tickets go on sale (Jun 26) 15:00
TICKETS are on sale for the first leg of Llanelli's Europa League first qualifying round match against Lithuanian side Tauras at Stebonheath Park on Thursday (7.05pm.)
All tickets are priced at £10 and can be bought from Stebo in person.
It is also possible to send a cheque made payable to Llanelli AFC to Stebonheath Park, Llanelli, SA15 1EY and enclosing a stamped addressed envelope.
Andy Legg's side play the second leg in Taurage a week later and will face Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus if they progress.

Evening Post

 
Legg stays confident as duo wait to learn Europa fate (Jun 19) 17:00
PORT Talbot and Llanelli will find out their Europa League opponents on Monday.
The Welsh Premier League sides will be among the 52 sides in the hat for the first qualifying-round draw, which takes place at Uefa headquarters in Switzerland.
It will be Llanelli's fifth venture into European competition — they have previously featured in the Champions League and also beat Motherwell last term — but Port Talbot will be making their Euro debut.
Both clubs are unseeded and so will not clash in the opening stage, but Llanelli could face Swedish outfit Gefle, who they beat 2-1 in 2006 to reach the second qualifying round of the Uefa Cup.
Other potential opponents include Irish side Dundalk and Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi.
"There's not really anyone I fancy, but there are a couple of teams I don't want," said Llanelli manager Andy Legg.
"Dynamo Tbilisi are a big name from the past, and going to Cyprus (to play Anorthosis Famagusta) would be an issue with the weather because playing in 110 degree heat would be very difficult.
"But we'll take whoever we get. We did well against Motherwell last year and I don't think the players got enough credit for that result.
"Going to an SPL side and getting a victory was incredible, especially one that finished fourth in the league.
"I learned a great deal from that."
Cuts in the playing budget at Stebonheath Park have forced Legg to omit six senior players from his Europa League squad.
The Reds' 21-man party for Europe includes several members of the successful under-19 side, but former Swansea City players Michael Howard and Andrew Mumford, plus Stephen Evans, Lee Jarman, Lee Phillips and Owain Warlow are all omitted.
Keeper Craig Richards, full-back Jordan Davies, defender Ryan Batley, midfielders Declan John and Ross Jones and striker Rikki Evans all make the step-up to the first team, along with Jordan Follows.
"I am confident that the boys we have brought through from our youth team are more than capable after having a successful period over the past few seasons," added Legg.
"It is our club's policy to develop from within and by bringing six of the youngsters through in time for Europe, and possibly one or two others by the start of the Welsh Premier season, it proves that we are sticking to our policy."

Evening Post

 
Tough times for Goytre Utd as players jump ship (Jun 17) 10:00
WELSH League champions Goytre United face the prospect of finding a new team for next season

With the curtain having only just come down on the season, six players have already indicated that they will be exiting Glenhafod Park.

While goalkeeper Chris Curtis has signed for rivals Afan Lido, the remainder are heading for Bridgend Town.

The Brewery boys had already unveiled Darren Lyons as assistant player-manager to Mark Sage.

But last week, big-spending Bridgend indicated that Steve Conaty, John Meacock, Ian Morgan, Dale Price and top scorer Richard Ryan would also be taking the same road to the Brewery Field.

Another big scorer on the Welsh League scene, Robbie Walters, is set to quit Afan Lido to join Bridgend. "Over the past few weeks my telephone has hardly stopped ringing with players looking to jump ship," said Goytre United manager Robert Cooke.

"These are hard economic times for football at all levels, and the club has been forced to cut its cloth.

"The easiest thing in the world for me to do would to also pull out of Goytre but I have decided against it. The situation has been explained to my assistants Dai Bowen and Neil Fredrickson, and they too want to see things through.

"It means that we will have to go out and sign new players over the coming weeks, and the search has already begun."

Goytre, who have won the Welsh League title three times in the past five seasons, now face demanding times.

South Wales echo

 
Welsh League clubs in quit pyramid call (Jun 15) 16:00

WELSH League clubs will be asked to withdraw from the domestic pyramid system following a bitter row over relegation.

The extraordinary request will be made before the league’s AGM in Bridgend on June 26 with relegated clubs angry over the way the restructuring of the Welsh League has been handled.

In what will amount to a no-confidence vote in the Welsh League board, the relegated teams want their fellow clubs to show solidarity with their plight and agree to play outside the Welsh pyramid.

But league secretary Ken Tucker has insisted that the matter has been dealt with correctly and the clubs should accept their relegation.

With the top-tier of Welsh football – the Welsh Premiership – being re-organised for the new season it was decided at the start of the season to cut the Welsh League from 54 to 48 clubs.

But several clubs have accused league chiefs of “moving the goalposts” during the season by abandoning their policy of using ground criteria to relegate in the first instance.

And they point to the fact that ground inspections were not carried out, with Tucker admitting that it would be “impossible for an amateur league to make 54 inspections”.

So the bottom seven clubs in Division Three – Garw, Pentwyn Dynamos, Risca United, Llantwit Fardre, Troedyrhiw, Pontyclun and Seven Sisters – are set to be relegated alongside the disbanded Maesteg Park, with Caerau and Treowen Stars being promoted.

A Pontyclun FC statement said: “The League Management Committee seems to have moved the goalposts without any consultation or discussion with member clubs.

“They decided to relegate clubs based on league position only – the first knowledge we had of this was when an e-mail arrived from Ken Tucker (on June 5).

“As the club finished sixth from bottom in Division Three, selection has clearly been made on league position only.

“We feel strongly that, at the very least, this should have been communicated to clubs much earlier.

“We feel most aggrieved at the way this has been handled by the Welsh Football League management committee.

“We do not intend to give in without a fight and we will certainly be making a formal appeal.

“We know that there is also a lot of ill feeling among other clubs about the way this has been mismanaged and that the FAW restructuring plan has been steam-rolled through without any real debate on the benefits or a proper understanding of the possible consequences.”

But the league has defended its stance and insisted clubs were kept in the picture as the Welsh League implemented the FAW’s Strategic Plan.

“All the clubs have known about this for 18 months and we have held more meetings than any other league about the restructuring,” said Tucker.

“The FAW wanted to create uniformity in Welsh football with 16-team divisions and we feel that is the right number for the Welsh League.

Phil Blanche

 
Tomi Morgan still unhappy over Super 12 (Jun 14) 10:00

NEW Carmarthen Town boss Tomi Morgan remains unconvinced by the Welsh Premier’s new Super 12 concept despite agreement on the format at the Annual General Meeting held in Llandudno.

Morgan, who took over the reins at Richmond Park last week from Deryn Brace, following a six-year absence, still believes the idea is flawed despite being in charge of a club in the top flight.

He said: “I have always wanted to manage at the highest level and my appointment at Carmarthen means I will be a Super 12 manager but that does not alter my views on the new format.

“ I still believe it is an ill thought out idea and will not work in the best interest of the clubs, players and the supporters.

“ After the dust has settled, I reckon it will not be long before we are up to 16 clubs which is what many of us wanted in the first place.”

Morgan fiercely opposed the 44-match plan that was originally being advocated, but this was rejected at the AGM in favour of an idea put forward by competition secretary Andrew Howard based on the Dutch system and how they operate their league.

Western Mail

 
Former Lido midfielder scoops WPL player of the year (Jun 13) 13:00

Liam McCreesh of Port Talbot has scooped the welsh premier player of the year award at the annual Welsh Premier League presentation dinner which took place in Llandudno on Saturday night.
McCreesh joined our neighbours on July 1 2007, but this season has been his most impressive, he scored 13 league goals in 27 games and he hit the back of the net 15 times including league cup from 34 appearances. Liam was Tony Pennock's first signing at Port Talbot and has proved to be his best. He came through the youth ranks at Lido.

 
Manager Dean Holdsworth signs new Newport County deal (Jun 13) 13:00
Manager Dean Holdsworth has penned a fresh two-year contract at newly promoted Newport County."I am very pleased to have signed with a club that have grown both on [and off] the pitch," said Holdsworth, who has the option of a third year.

The former Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers and England B striker took the Spytty Park club into the Blue Square Premier with a record-breaking season.

He had one year remaining on his old deal, but had been coy on his future.

A statement on the club website said: "Dean is central to our plans as the club hopefully moves towards full-time football over the next two-year period.

"I am sure that you will all be as delighted as the board that we have been able to lay another important foundation for the exciting new season which is just around the corner."

Newport had been in the same division for 15 years until Holdsworth was appointed in May 2008, the Englishman having joined the club as a player the previous year.

"We have had such great times this year and I'm now looking forward to sustaining our conference premier status and seeing just how far we can take this group of players whilst building the club," said Holdsworth.

"It's going to be a great challenge competing against some big names in this division and we are all looking forward to our pre-season programme.

"The importance of full-time training cannot be underestimated and will be a brilliant chance for us to work with players."

BBC

 
Welsh Premier approves new Super 12 format (Jun 13) 13:00
The Welsh Premier has ratified a new 32-fixture league structure at its AGM in Llandudno.

The 12 clubs will play each other twice on a home and away basis, before the league splits into two groups - the top six and the bottom six.

The league champions will enter the Champions League, with the runners-up guaranteed a Europa League place alongside the Welsh Cup winners.

The remaining Europa League spot will be decided by a play-off.

This will involve the clubs finishing third to sixth, and the best-placed club from the bottom six (or the eighth club if the seventh club wins the Welsh Cup).
BBC

 
Dean Morris is new boss at Ton Pentre (Jun 11) 09:30

DEAN Morris has been handed the task of leading Ton Pentre back into Division One of the MacWhirter Welsh Football League.

The Rhondda Bulldogs were relegated for the first time in the club's history last season and they have now appointed their former player Morris manager.

He spent last term at Pontypridd Town as player-assistant manager.

Morris is a familiar face at Ton's Ynys Park after winning six Welsh League titles during a lengthy spell with club.

He has been quick to appoint Andrew Hughes, who took temporary charge of the Bulldogs during last season, as his assistant manager.

Ton Pentre secretary Chris Jones, said: “We are delighted that Dean has taken over the reins.”
Terry Phillips

 
I quit Merthyr because of Martyrs’ problems admits former Captain (Jun 11) 09:30

PAUL Keddle has revealed the pressure of being captain of Merthyr Tydfil during one of the most turbulent seasons in its history prompted him to leave.

Keddle, 26, has joined Welsh Premier League outfit Newtown with Martyrs defenders Lee Hartshorn and Matthew Driscoll also making the move to Latham Park.

“I wasn’t playing my best football as captain and I wasn’t enjoying it,” said Keddle.

“I became emotionally attached to the club and it affected my football, so I felt it was time I moved on.

“You take on more responsibilities as captain and I was worried about what was going on with the club and how other people were playing rather than my game.

“You are under a certain amount of pressure to prove this, that and the other to people and it can have a big effect on your game.

“I just want to play at a standard I’m happy with and enjoy it.

“Moving on was something I needed to do for myself and I can fully enjoy my football now without having other things to worry about.”

Keddle admits it was a big wrench to leave the club where he became a firm fans’ favourite for the passion he showed both on and off the field.

He hasn’t ruled out a return to the Martyrs in the future, but would only come back if the club was under a firmer footing having been demoted to the Western League and thrown out of Penydarren Park.

“I’ve played at Carmarthen, Bath and Newport and have always ended up coming back to Merthyr,” he said.

“It’s a very special place for me and was where I really first started playing senior football.

“I have some brilliant memories of my time at the club and I will keep them with me for as long as I live.

“I don’t know what will happen to the club next.

“I hope it’s a success and I wish them all the best, but it’s going to be tough getting back to the standard of football they were at.”
David Williams

 
Former Cardiff City defender is the new manager of Div 1 new boys (Jun 6) 00:30

Former Cardiff City defender Ben Graham is the new manager of MacWhirter Welsh league Cwmbran Celtic.
Graham started his career with Celtic before joining the Bluebirds as a trainee and he later had one season as a senior professional before moving on to Bath City, Ebbw Vale, Merthyr Tydfil and Cwmbran Town.
Fireman Graham, who has taken his Uefa C licence coaching course, steps up from reserve team manager to take over the Welsh League team following Micky Copeman's decision to stand down for personal reasons.
Cwmbran Celtic’s reserves won the Welsh League Reserve Division East championship last season.
Former Chelsea and Shrewsbury Town professional Mark Parfitt is Cwmbran Celtic’s new reserve team manager.
Terry Phillips

 
Garry Shephard looks to build for Merthyr future (Jun 6) 00:30
GARRY Shephard will look to assemble his first squad for the newly-formed Merthyr Town in the next few days after confirming goal hero Kris Leek has left the club.
Leek, who scored vital goals at the end of last season to ensure Merthyr didn’t finish the campaign in the Southern League relegation zone, has joined Mangotsfield United.
Player-manager Shephard and assistant Danny Carter met with the supporters’ trust after the application to reform the club was accepted by the FA on Tuesday.
Shephard is “happy” with the playing budget given to him by the trust and will now contact the current squad to let them know whether or not their services are required.
He revealed some players will be leaving the club and that he has spoken to three potential new signings, but did not want to disclose any other information yet.
Merthyr will swap trips to Bashley and Stourbridge next season for the likes of Brislington and Bitton if they are entered into the Western League Premier Division or Cadbury Heath or Shrewton United in the First Division.
“Kris Leek has gone to Mangotsfield, but everybody else has been waiting for the outcome of the club’s situation,” said Shephard. “Hopefully in the next couple of days I will be able to let the players know what is happening.
“Some players will definitely be going and I have spoken to three about bringing them in, though I can’t give any names at the moment. Hopefully we’ll have done some deals with the current squad by the end of this week.
“Danny and I sat down with the trust on Tuesday and we are both happy to go ahead and plan for next season. We were always going to stay; we just wanted to make sure we knew what was happening with the club.
“We are really pleased with the budget the trust has given us and hopefully we can assemble a successful squad and get the club back to where it should be. If we keep the backbone of the squad when we go to play at Taffs Well there is every chance of us doing well.”
South Wales Echo

 
Defender Lee Baker leaves Kidderminster for Newport (Jun 6) 00:30

Kidderminster Harriers full-back Lee Baker has joined newly promoted Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Newport County.
Baker, 21, turned down a two-year deal at Aggborough opting to become County boss Dean Holdsworth's fourth summer signing.
"I see him fitting in very well," said ex-Wimbledon striker Holdsworth.
"He gives us good options and his desire to play at the top of his game is a delight to hear."
Newport ran away with the Blue Square South title last season with a record 103 points, finishing 28 points ahead of their nearest rivals.
Holdsworth has already signed former Havant & Waterlooville winger Tony Taggart, Woking midfielder Guiseppe Sole and Forest Green Rovers defender Oliver Thorne.
Harriers assistant manager Gary Whild admitted he was disappointed that Baker had chosen to leave.
"We were hoping Lee would stay but we have had contact with him and he said he has had a good offer elsewhere," said Whild.
"He is pretty chuffed he has had a good offer so unfortunately we can't keep him."
The former West Bromwich Albion player was a key figure for Harriers last season and Whild told BBC Hereford and Worcester manager Steve Burr had worked hard to try and keep him at the club.
"I know Steve thought highly of him and that was obviously reflected in the deal on offer," he added.
BBC