Pontyclun Football Club

Pontyclun Football Club - A Brief History

Pontyclun lies at the northern end at of what is known as the Border Vale of Glamorgan and the village was built around the old Llantrisant railway station.

The Football Club was founded in 1896 and play their matches at Ivor Park, Pontyclun.

In its early years, the club played in the Bridgend League and the Cardiff & District League. In 1922, it was then admitted to the Football Association of Wales, one of the few amateur clubs at the time to achieve such status. Within a few years, the FAW adopted Pontyclun's motto 'Gorau chwarae, chwarau cyd' (roughly translated as 'the best players play together') as its own.

In 1968, the club was admitted to the Welsh Football League (then the premier league in Wales). At the same time, Pontyclun continued to run teams in both the Rhondda and Pontypridd leagues.

Since 1968, the club has played most of its games in the 3rd division, but has three times achieved promotion. In 1979/80 the club was runner up to Lake Utd and again in 1992/3 to Treowen. However, the proudest moment in the club's long history was at the end of the 2002/3 season when on an emotional May afternoon the club was crowned of champions Division Three, pipping Skewen Athletic by a goal difference of one on the final day of the season. At the same time, the Reserves were Runners Up in the Reserve East Division.

Four Pontyclun players have achieved high honours - Thomas Edward Russell who was goalkeeper and secretary in the 1920's became President of the FAW from 1968-72. Former Cardiff City Centre Half Keith Pontin, who was also a Pontyclun youth product and local boy capped by Wales in 1981, the last time Wales beat the old enemy England.

Wayne Morgan, who was a professional with Norwich City was capped by Wales at U17 level.

21 yr old Craig Williams (who currently plays for Pontyclun 1st Team), was capped by the Boys Clubs of Wales in 2002 as well as representing the Swansea City Youth and Cardiff City Youth teams.

Above: Pontyclun v Bettws, Welsh League Cup Semi Final at Maesteg 2003.

Back Row (left to right): Alan Jacka (coach), Adrian James, Richard Croad, Tyrone Pope, Wayne Morgan, Ross Hutchins, Barry Whitelam, Phil Watson, Eliot Davey, John Jenkins (physio), Peter Shilton (sec), Phil Preene (manager)

Front Row(left to right): John Cooper, Pepe Mele, Barry Quinn (capt), Craig Roberts, Geraint Williams, Gavin Step, Craig Williams