Club News Archive May 2009 - Port Talbot Town Football Club

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Port Talbot Town Football Club - Principality Welsh Premier League - The GenQuip Stadium, Victoria Road, Port Talbot. SA12 6AD. Website best viewed 1024x768.

MAY 2009

29th May 2009
Blues beaten only by Euro-bound trio in Fair Play league
Port Talbot Town have claimed fourth place in the official Principality Welsh Premier League Fair Play table, with only European qualifiers Rhyl, The New Saints and Bangor City in front of them. The official table is compiled by the league from the reports produced during each game by the match assessors and takes a number of factors into consideration including the behaviour of the crowd and club officials, a positive approach to the game, respect to both the opposition and the referee in addition to the number of bookings and red cards received. The placing is credit to the style of play and attitude shown by the squad since Mark Jones returned to the club in December and the subsequent turnaround in results.

29th May 2009
Former coach Bishop joins Exiles in surprise move
Matthew Bishop has joined Newport County as 1st Team coach. Bishop was coach at Port Talbot Town last season before following former manager Nicky Tucker to Clevedon Town.

26th May 2009
McCreesh earns top award at annual presentation
Influential midfielder Liam McCreesh picked up the ‘Players Player of the Year’ award at the annual presentation evening on Saturday night. In what was another impressive season, McCreesh grabbed seven goals from midfield and edged the award over top scorer Martin Rose and captain Matthew Rees. The night started with presentations to the Exiles on winning the Port Talbot & District Division One title before the Reserve Team were commended on their double winning season. Matthew Rees collected the Clubman of the Year award and was also named second place in the Supporters Player of the Year while Martin Rose picked up the golden boot award after scoring 30 goals in all competitions and also with it the Supporters Player of the Year award. Aaron Jones collected both the golden boot and Player of the Year for the Under-19 side with Josh Wannacott earning the Clubman of the Year award for the team. Other awards included a special presentation to Physio Michael Warlock on his outstanding contribution to the club over the last few years while Lee Surman was presented with his Wales Under-23 Semi-Professional cap after he captained the team against Finland at Llanelli earlier in the season.

23rd May 2009
Striker boost for Blues as Daniel Thomas signs
Port Talbot Town Football Club have secured the services of one of the Welsh League’s most highly-rated forwards in Daniel Thomas. The local striker again impressed upfront for Goytre United last season and has now committed himself to Port Talbot Town despite interest from a number of other clubs in the Principality Welsh Premier League. “We are delighted to welcome Daniel to Port Talbot Town,” said Chairman Andrew Edwards. “He has again been in fantastic form for Goytre United and I am sure he will be an important part of the team”. Thomas, 25, has been a consistent goalscorer in the Welsh League for a number of seasons at both Briton Ferry Athletic and Goytre and his relishing his new challenge. “I’m excited to join Port Talbot Town and I am looking forward to proving myself in the Welsh Premier League,” said Thomas. “After listening to manager Mark Jones plans for the team and my part in it I was convinced that this is the right club for me to make the step up to the top-flight and I can’t wait for the new season to start. This is a club that match my own football ambitions and I am sure we can challenge the top sides in the Welsh Premier with the quality of players that are here”.

23rd May 2009
Edwards on Super 10 - ‘It is not a time to stand still’
Port Talbot Town Chairman Andrew Edwards has thrown his support to the FAW plan to reduce the size of the Principality Welsh Premier League to 10 clubs from season 2010-2011. “The time is right for change, and this league needs change,” said Edwards in the South Wales Evening Post. “It is not a time to stand still and we can’t carry on with 18 clubs because there is not enough money to go around. If we drop to 10 clubs then the standard of football would improve because the better players would want to play in the top flight. Better quality games would hopefully lead to increased attendances and interest from a commercial point of view. Attendances are something that seriously need to improve and this could well play a part in that. The perception of the Welsh Premier League is not good. People tend to think the standard is not good enough, but this may change that perception”. The plan has brought mixed reactions from clubs in the league although in South Wales Llanelli and Port Talbot Town are firm supporters of the radical changes.

21st May 2009
Early pre-season start against Welsh Premier rivals
Port Talbot Town could play their opening pre-season friendly as early as the 23rd of June with a game against Principality Welsh Premier League rivals Llanelli. The game has been provisionally arranged to assist Llanelli with their European preparations and if confirmed will take place at the training pitch adjacent to Prac-y-Scarlets. Llanelli have also arranged to play The New Saints on the 20th of June.

21st May 2009
Commercial Manager applications welcome
Applications are invited for the position of Commercial Manager of Port Talbot Town Football Club. The Commercial Manager will be responsible for the development of existing commercial projects including annual corporate events as well as generating new sponsorship and revenue streams. The club has built strong links with the local business community since being promoted to the domestic top-flight in 2000 and the successful applicant will have an established foundation to build and expand upon. Please contact Chairman Andrew Edwards for further information on the role by email at andrew@porttalbottown.co.uk

18th May 2009
Awards night this week with plenty of silverware
The annual presentation night takes place at the club on Saturday evening with a number of teams in the club celebrating a successful campaign. Manager Mark Jones returned to the club in December and earned two Principality Welsh Premier League Manager of the Month awards as his side completed a superb turnaround to the season with a fifth place finish. The 2nd Team earned the most silverware as they completed a league and cup double this season while the local league Exiles won the Port Talbot & District League Division One title but were unable to claim a league and cup double as they were defeated in the cup final. In addition individual player awards for each team will be presented on the night including player of the year, top scorer and clubman of the year as well as other awards for individual achievements both on and off the field. Entertainment is also provided together with a buffet with entry for the evening just £5 a ticket. The night starts at 7.30pm.

15th May 2009
Double achieved with four goal victory
The 2nd Team completed the league and cup double on Thursday night with a convincing 4-1 win over Bettws at Maesteg Park. The side had already confirmed their place as champions of the MacWhirter Welsh League Reserve Division West and rounded off an excellent season with Thursdays cup win.

15th May 2009
Bring back Wales on Saturday petition launched
Supporters of Welsh football are being urged to sign an on-line petition to protest about the BBC’s decision to end the popular Saturday afternoon show ‘Wales on Saturday’. The programme features a comprehensive results round up from the Welsh Premier League, Welsh League and Cymru Alliance together with the Welsh Cup and provides clubs with invaluable prime-time television coverage.

13th May 2009
Reserves out to confirm dominance at Maesteg
The 2nd Team take on Bettws at Maesteg Park on Thursday night in the Reserve Division Cup Final. Port Talbot Town have already won the Reserve Division West and have the chance to claim an outstanding double and close the season on a high with a victory. Kick off is at 7.00pm.

13th May 2009
Eighteen drop eight as 2010 sparks Super Ten
The Football Association of Wales have confirmed that from the 2010-2011 season, the Principality Welsh Premier League will consist of just 10 clubs instead of the current 18. In the most radical move since the league was formed in 1992, criteria for a place in the new-look league will be on clubs who can achieve a domestic licence, a modified version of the current UEFA Licence. Only seven clubs in the league, including Port Talbot Town, achieved a UEFA Licence this year such are the stringent demands of playing in the country’s top domestic league. Clubs who do not meet the criteria will drop down to the South and North Wales feeder leagues.

11th May 2009
Five straight wins earn Jones April award
Port Talbot Town manager Mark Jones has been named the Principality Welsh Premier League manager of the month for April following an incredible haul of fifteen points from a possible fifteen. Port Talbot started the month away to Porthmadog and claimed a 2-1 success in front of the S4C camera’s before earning maximum points from a home Easter double against Airbus UK Broughton and Neath. Martin Rose scored the only goal of the game the following Friday night in the potentially difficult match away to Haverfordwest County as Jones side claimed a 1-0 win before rounding off the season with a dominant 4-0 victory at home to Technogroup Welshpool. “Our warmest congratulations to Mark.” said James Shell, manager of the Port Talbot branch of the Principality Building Society. “Since his re-appointment he has achieved his goal of bringing Port Talbot Town back into the top half of the table and he is a worthy winner of this month's award. It has been an exciting season of football and I, along with my colleagues at Port Talbot branch wish the team every success for the future.” Greg Strong of Rhyl was named as the player of the month for April.

11th May 2009
Reserves plan double triumph on Thursday night
The 2nd Team play their last match of the season on Thursday night when they take on Bettws in the MacWhirter Reserve Division Cup Final at Maesteg Park. Port Talbot Town won the league by an eventual five points despite close competition from Pontardawe Town and local rivals Afan Lido in the Reserve Division West while Bettws are currently in second place in the Reserve Division East and will provide tough opposition. Kick off at Maesteg Park on Thursday is at 7.00pm.

11th May 2009
ENTO Aberaman to appeal over Welsh Premier refusal
Welsh League side ENTO Aberaman will appeal against the decision to refuse the ambitious club entry into the Principality Welsh Premier League next season. The decision was made at a ground inspection last Monday due to a delay in the installation of floodlights at the ground. If the appeal is turned down then Caersws will remain in the league with no side promoted from South Wales.

8th May 2009
Swans offer Evans further contract at the Liberty
Swansea City midfielder Scott Evans, who spent last season on loan at Port Talbot Town, has been offered a further one year contract at the Liberty Stadium. Evans made 14 starts for the club and also made 10 substitute appearances but struggled through injury and suspension following two red cards. Also offered a new deal with Swansea City is former Port Talbot Town striker Kerry Morgan, who last season was loaned out to our local Welsh Premier rivals Neath. A decision on the futures of former Port Talbot duo Chad Bond and James Burgin will be made when the two players return from their loan spell at Swedish club Ostersunds.

8th May 2009
Casey Thomas turns pro with Swans
Local youngster Casey Thomas is one of only six youngsters at Swansea City to be offered a professional contract at Swansea City. Formerly with Afan Lido, Thomas impressed for the Swans reserves this season at The GenQuip Stadium and also received International recognition.

8th May 2009
ENTO could miss out on Welsh Premier promotion
Welsh League side ENTO Aberaman could miss out on promotion to the Principality Welsh Premier League despite confirming a top two finish in the MacWhirter Welsh League. While extensive ground improvements and team investment has propelled the Aberdare club to the brink of the domestic top flight, rumours suggest that the club have been refused on ground criteria. The club were due to install floodlights recently but a delay has resulted in this not being completed in time for the final inspection by Welsh Premier Secretary John Deakin and members of the leagues board. Although no statement has yet been issued by the club and the league, it appears that the sides promotion remains very much in the balance. Should ENTO be denied a place in the league then Caersws will remain in the top-flight. Former Port Talbot Town striker Richard Ryan is currently at the club having signed in January from Goytre United but it is Goytre who currently have the edge on the title race however after they defeated ENTO 5-3 in midweek.

6th May 2009
Rose voted the best by Coyne and Griffiths
Aberystwyth Town manager Brian Coyne and Technogroup Welshpool manager Huw Griffiths both arrived at the same decision in the annual managers poll, Port Talbot Town striker Martin Rose is the best player in the Principality Welsh Premier League. Every manager in the league must pick their top five players in addition to their team of the season choice but cannot pick players from their own team. Runner-up in the Golden Boot awards, Rose was voted in 1st place by both Coyne and Griffiths. Gareth Owen of Rhyl won the overall award as the best player in the league and was 1st choice for Port Talbot Town manager Mark Jones. Rose was also voted as the second best player in the league by Andrew Dyer of Neath and Tomi Morgan of Porthmadog, overall he finished in sixth place, just two points off Chris Sharp of Bangor who claimed fifth. Only one other Port Talbot Town player was picked in any other managers top five choice as goalkeeper Kristian Rogers was voted the fifth best player in the Welsh Premier League by Craig Harrison, manager of Airbus UK Broughton.

5th May 2009
Rose makes the bench in Welsh Premier team awards
Top scorer Martin Rose has been named in the Principality Welsh Premier League team of the season squad for the 2008-2009 season. The team is made up from votes by the 18 club managers in the league and although Rose missed out on a place in the first eleven to Rhyl striker Neil Roberts and Llanelli forward Rhys Griffiths, he received enough votes to be named on the bench. In total six and the eighteen club managers in the league voted Rose in their starting eleven, they were Brian Coyne of Aberystwyth, Huw Griffiths of Technogroup Welshpool, Peter Nicholas then of Llanelli, Andrew Dyer of neighbours Neath, Tomi Morgan of Porthmadog and Neville Powell of Welsh Cup winners Bangor City. Kristian Rogers was next as he was chosen as the best goalkeeper in the league by Craig Harrison of Airbus UK, Neville Powell of Bangor City and Huw Griffiths at Technogroup Welshpool. Other nominations included three votes for captain Matthew Rees from David Rowe at Caernarfon, Lee Jones at NEWI Cefn Druids and Peter Nicholas at Llanelli. Nicholas also voted for Scott Barrow at left back to complete the list of selected Port Talbot Town players. Managers could not vote for their own players.

5th May 2009
Slow start to silly season as Jones starts summer plans
With the Principality Welsh Premier League season officially over on Sunday as Bangor City lifted the Welsh Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win over Aberystwyth Town, the traditional summer swap shop of players amongst clubs is due to start with Port Talbot Town manager Mark Jones keen to add to his squad but at the same retain his current crop of players. “We will add to the squad over the summer but it is important to have continuity,” said Jones after completing the re-signing of eleven members of his current squad. The only moves so far have involved South Wales rivals Llanelli who have parted company with manager Peter Nicholas and replaced him with one of his signings as Andy Legg has taken charge at Stebonheath. Legg’s immediate move was to make a seven day approach for Haverfordwest County defender Lee Jarman and the move is expected to completed sometime this week. Meanwhile Bangor City claimed the remaining place in the new UEFA Europa League next season as they defeated Aberystwyth Town in the Welsh Cup Final. Former Port Talbot Town defender Kristian James started for Aberystwyth but the side were comfortably defeated.

5th May 2009
Josh Pike selected for Tri-Nation tournament
Wales’ most promising young football players will again come together to represent our country in a Tri-Nation Tournament which will be held in Cardiff later this month. Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will be part of the tournament. Our congratulations to former Port Talbot Town junior player Josh Pike for his selection into the squad. Josh currently playing his football at Swansea City Under-16‘s was part of the National squad to play in Switzerland against Switzerland and Belgium last month. The first match is scheduled against Northern Ireland on the 14th of May and the squad will then play the Republic of Ireland on the 16th of May. Josh will join up with 28 selected lads for a week, The club would like to wish Josh all the very best for forthcoming tournament and hope this is the start of a very bright future for a very committed player. To keep up with all the latest junior news over the summer keep visiting the official website.

2nd May 2009
Pre-season starts with playing surface investment
Maintenance on the playing surface at The GenQuip Stadium started this week as contractors began the latest programme of work. Substantial work on the surface last summer was the start of a long-term plan to develop the surface into one of the best in the Principality Welsh Premier League and with work starting this year before the start of May the club will be confirming pre-season friendlies in the next few weeks. The work on the ground last season prevented any pre-season matches being played at the ground but no such problems are expected this year due to the early start.

2nd May 2009
Bond named on bench as Ostersunds slip down table
Despite only playing two games, Ostersunds are currently bottom of the Swedish Division 1 Norra although they did pick up a point last weekend against Enkopings in a 1-1 draw. Former Port Talbot Town duo Chad Bond and James Burgin are currently at the club on loan from Swansea City.