Cwmbran Town FC were crowned Gwent Premier League champions last Saturday following Monmouth’s 1-0 league victory over Lliswerry FC, the Crows’ closest league rivals.
📸📝Words and pic by Gabe Hubbarde
The Newport-side can now only claim a possible nine points from league games, putting Cwmbran Town out of their reach.
It was an electric debut season at Cwmbran Town for manager Dale Clarke. He has led the team to the team’s longest unbeaten run since the top flight days, a Gwent Senior Cup final, and now the Premier Division of the Gwent Premier League title.
Ever since the team’s relegation from Tier 3 in 2010-2011, the club’s full focus has been on regaining promotion to the very top, and this promotion takes the club one step closer to making that dream a reality.
The club has obtained local planning permission for a new, 100-capacity stand at their home Cwmbran Stadium. A fundraising campaign has seen £3,400 donated by fans towards their £5,000 goal. Sports Wales has contributed towards £1,500 helping allow the club to gain the FAW’s Tier Three license, officially allowing the club to gain promotion.
Throughout their long and eventful history, Cwmbran Town have been a club that heavily prides their youth system.
The players have been as orchestral in the success this season as the manager, with six first-team players netting over ten goals, and another four with over five assists.
The future is looking up from Cwmbran Town, a club which has been through a rollercoaster journey over the many years, and under the control of Dale Clarke, anything seems possible for the Crows.
Comments from players
Top goalscorer and playmaker, Harry Russell said: “It’s been an unbelievable season for us.
“We were gifted with the best management team we could have asked for and Dale created a squad of talented and hardworking players with a common goal of winning the league. The ongoing support is incredible and a big shoutout to my sponsor (the SNC) who are a massive credit to the club.
“A lot of time and hard work has gone in behind the scenes to bring this club back to where it’s meant to be. For me it’s an honour to play for the Crows and I have been able to enjoy my football because of the people around me and everyone involved with the club. Up the Crows!”
Tomas Rutherford, team captain, said: “Winning trophies is what it’s all about. It’s why we play the game. But to finally get this great club back into the Welsh League, where it belongs is huge. All the hard work we’ve all put in over this season has paid off, each and every player, the gaffer and his management team, the backroom staff, Dan O’Connell, the fans, everyone deserves this.”
Aysa Al-Doori, the club’s second top goalscorer this season, said: “Delighted mate, so proud of the boys, standards were set early doors and the boys have stuck to them. Incredible achievement by everyone involved. A special shoutout to Dale Clark and Dan O’Connell for putting in the work behind the scenes. Still a lot of work to be done to go unbeaten and win the double but confident the boys will do it.”
Cwmbran Town FC Youth
And the club’s youth chairman paid tribute to how the club young players have progressed through to the senior side.
Mark Williams said: “What a proud moment this is for the whole club to be back in the Welsh League. It’s been a long hard 13 years. There has been some really tough few years where we didn’t think we would keep the club going. Losing 20-0 to Pill AFC was an extremely low point.
“When we dropped out of the Welsh League we the club knew we had to build from the ground up, building our youth section has had massive impact in our senior teams.
“It’s taken a long time for the youth to produce players for the men’s team and now it’s paying off, the likes of Harry Grinham, Luke Archer, Alex Davies, Joshua Williams, Harry Russell are just a few of the backbone of the club’s youth production.
“Massive thank you to Dale and his coaching team for achieving the goals they have set out, who would of thought we would go all season so far undefeated it’s only what dreams of made of.
“Also congratulations to our chairman Mark Herbert whom like myself been at the club a long time, his hard work and determination. Also thank you to our president Dan O’Connell who has brought in professionalism to the club.
“The Crows are back in Town and looking to push on higher in the future.”