Merthyr Memories: Merthyr Town F.C.

by Paul Newman

I began to watch football at an early age with my father at Penydarren Park. I recall the colourful characters in the crowd who often give some poor referee a verbal hammering. The colourful comments were often also directed at the opposition and some Merthyr players who had the misfortune of misplacing a pass.  I bag of crisps and a chocolate bar and live football. I was hooked.

There was very little live televised football at the time. Therefore visits to Penydarren Park were our fix. We would come to watch both Southern League and Welsh League games. In my teenage years I would watch games with a group of school friends from Cyfarthfa High School. In later years I now attend with my son.

The first game I remember, and the first disappointment was the FA Cup Second Round defeat v Hendon in 1973, at the park. Hendon were drawn away to Newcastle in the next round which only added to the disappointment. I recall “King” John Charles was playing for the Town that day. I met John Charles many years latter at Elland Road Leeds. He spoke fondly of his time at Merthyr in which he was player manager. He also drove the team bus to away games!

I began watching the Martyrs on a regular basis in 1976; I remember the bruising battles with Barry Town in the league and Cup.  1977-78, was a good memory quarter final of the FA Trophy 1-1 v Runcorn at home Paul Caviel scored a header and had a better header disallowed. We was robbed! There was also a mid-week away trip to Wrexham in the Welsh Cup which was one of my first away games apart from our annual visit to Jenner Park in Barry.

One of my favourite memories is the Welsh Cup run of 1986-87; in the earlier rounds we played Cardiff Corries away. It was a 0-0 draw. I seem to remember Corries had a few chances to win the game. I was in college in North Wales at the time. So it was a short journey to see the Martyrs against Caernarfon Town in a scrappy 1-1 draw, and a dramatic penalty shootout win against Bangor City.  Of course, the unforgettable final v Newport and then of course the Atalanta game in the European Cup Winner Cup at the Park.

Other memories include in the conference years, a 3-3 draw with Kidderminster, the Martyrs were 3 down. All the goals were at the Park End which was still frozen after an overnight frost!  I remember a game against Macclesfield 1-1 at the Park when their goal keeper scored from a goal kick.

There have also been high profile friendlies v Red Star Belgrade, Celtic, and the Maltase National side. I remember the Red Star Game in which Belgrade had 2 players sent off.

Also in recent years, winning the South Western League and regaining our Southern League Premier status was more recent happy memories.

What a win on 15^th Oct 2022 in the FA Cup! 2-1, in front of a raucous crowd at the Park. First Round of the FA Cup, here we come!

Some of my favourite players over the years include: Gordon Davies, Paul Caviel, Ray Pratt, David Webley, and Ian Traylor all terrific goal scorers. But my favourite player who was a rock in the defence was Chris Holvey.

I am currently living outside Merthyr but I make the pilgrimage to Penydarren Park whenever I can. So, support your local team. It is better than any soap opera.

Up the Town!