THIS is very much a transition season for Merthyr Town both on and off the field. But the club are calling upon the fans and the Merthyr public to get behind them in building for the future.
The club want to increase the fan-base as the big crowds tend to drop when results don’t go their way.And chief exectutive Rob Price urges supporters to answer the rallying call for volunteers- on match-days and in the week.
Lots of changes among the playing staff and a spate of long-term injuries have made it a tough baptism into the “street-wise” world of the Premier Division of The Evo-Stik Southern League.
Languishing three-quarters the way down the table before Christmas, there were still hopes that Steve Jenkins’ side could reverse their fortunes, pick up a few wins and still chase a play-off spot to The National League.
Merthyr have appointed a new Business Development Manager, Philip Jones, of Pontypridd. He kicks off the work at the start of January but already launched a “Come Home “ campaign for the month.
Jones said:”we are hopeful of announcing in the next few weeks, our first community group that have committed to using the new clubhouse facilities – generating sustainable income for the club as well as providing state of the art environment for community events”
Jones added:”We are launching a “Come home in January” campaign and in the hope of three home wins, two in the league, we may well be able to challenge for a play off place at the end of the season.”
Match-ball sponsors have already been arranged for the home games this month.
The Cup clash is with Chippenham on January 12 in The Red Insure Cup.In the league the home fixtures are Histon (9) and Poole (23).The latter promises to be a cracker of a game with Poole leading the division. But they lost away to The Martyrs in The FA Trophy in October and the sides drew 2-2 in Dorset in August in a league clash.
Jones,who succeeds Brent Carter, joins Merthyr while the major improvements at the Miller Argent Community Stadium, Penydarren Park, are nearing completion.
The new dressing-rooms are in use and it is hoped that the new bar- Webley’s- will be open about mid-February.
Problems have led to delays. Club chairman Meurig Price said:”We didn’t think we would have to have new walls, ceiling and floor at the old Candac Suite.”
He added that something would have been needed to be done, anyway,with the floor unsafe. Underneath, the foundations included old advertising hoardings!
Mr Price said that the unavailability of the bar so far this season had not been a major cash problem as it had not been so profitable. But they had been hoping to have made money over Christmas and the New Year.
Chief Executive of Merfthyr Rob Price has appealed for volunteers at the ground on match-days and during the week to help in various roles.”Basically we play home every two weeks, there are 13 other days and we need to run the club as a business seven days a week. The match programme has a plea for volunteers but so far there has been no response.”
On the pitch. wide-man Kerry Morgan, of Dowlais, returned to the squad after ligaments injury, late in December. He and defender Scott Tancock both had 45 minute run-outs in the Development Squad
Former Newport midfielder Kyle Patten is sitll having problems with his back. He has made only two appearances this campaign and two from the bench.He played 16 times for Merthyr last season on loan.
Matthew Harris is another long-term absence through injury, and the midfield is also missing Spaniard Guilermo Bauza, ex- tSwansea, who is unable to commit further to the club this season because of his medical studies at Swansea.
Boss Jenkins said it was difficult for him with the longer trips in the Premier and especially in midweek.
Gavin Williams? The Pentrebach-born playmaker, whose clubs include West Ham Ipswich and Bristol City? “He wants to play and hopes to be able to in March,” said Jenkins. Williams had a cruciate op early this season after an injury late last term.
The Martyrs went out of The FA Trophy at East Thurrock in a replay by 3-1 after a long trip to Essex.Ian Traylor opened the scoring from a penalty.
There was a disappointing 2-2 home draw with bottom side Bedworth United (Proser and Traylor) before Merthyr overcame visiting Bideford 3-0, Evans, Prosser and Jenkins scoring.
But there was no joy on the road with three defeats at Cambridge City 1-0, Slough Town 3-1, Kayne McLaggon netting for Merthyr, and Hitchin 2-0. They ended the year with Stratford away on December 22 and Cirencester home on Boxing Day.
There were more injuries at Slough- Adam Davies, who is from Merthyr, concussion, and Corey Jenkins,a former Monmouth Town player, who also took a knock. Both missed the game at Hitchin when a big crowd of Merthyr fans made it their Christmas trip. The home lads voted Methyr “the best fans in the league” but on the field, Hitchin had the edge with a first minute goal and one in stoppage time.
The new clubhouse is due to be opened in the near future. We will keep you updated as to it’s progress in the next edition of The Merthyr Tydfil Times.
