Undy AFC vs Treharris Athletic Western - Saturday 9th September

Ground: The Causeway, Undy, Monmouthshire, NP26 3EW

Telephone: 01633 881352

Website: www.undyafc.co.uk/

Facebook: Undy AFC Twitter: @UndyAFC

Club Shop:

https://www.totalteamwearuk.com/clientshops/undyafc/

Club Chairman: Jim Roberts

First Team Manager: Lewis Thomas

Secretary: Matt Elliot - seniorsfixturessecretary@undyafc.co.uk

Junior Football Contact: Karl Luton - karlluton@undyafc.co.uk

First Team Sponsor

Jim Roberts - Club Chairman A Message from the Boardroom

Welcome to the Causeway this afternoon for our league game against Treharris Athletic Western. As you will read later on on in the programme, they are one of the founding members of the South Wales League, dating back to the late 1800s. It’s great to welcome a club to the Causeway with lots of footballing pedigree.

Last weekend we had a really entertaining cup tie against Penrhiwceiber Rangers. For those of you who weren’t here, the match was decided by penalties and we came out on top. It was a game which could have gone either way, but I felt we just edged it over the 90 minutes.

The shootout itself was very entertaining and we saw some great penalties from Ollie Smith, Elliot George and James Barnes. Our keeper Sam Burden was the hero though with two excellent saves.

Today sees a return to the league - and I hope we can follow on from the excellent win against Chepstow Town. If we do well on the

pitch, it will filter down to everyone else and create a feel good atmosphere at the club. From our seniors to the juniors, to our new Womens team, we are all one club. We all want to make Undy the best possible club it can be on and off the pitch.

Someone who knows this better than anyone is Harris Thomas. He is today’s player interview in the matchday programme. Harris and his family, through his dad as First Team Manager Lewis, and brother Sam have strong connections to our club.

Finally from me, Wales start their Rugby World Cup campaign against Fiji tomorrow. Given what Fiji did to England, it’s going to be a tough game. You can watch it live at the Causeway tomorrow (10th) night from 8pm.

Back to today, I hope you enjoy the match and lets make it three wins (in all competitions) on the bounce.

Up the Undy!

Undy AFC - Our Club History

Undy A.F.C. was formed in 1947 by Joe Champion, Lambert Bird, Harry Hodges and others. The changing facilities were in Undy Church Hall, using a tin bath for washing. During the period between 1947 and 1962 the Argus Shield was won three times. Unfortunately in 1962 the club was disbanded, due to lack of support.

1970 saw a reformation, the driving force behind this, amongst others, were John King, Percy Pope,Malcolm Pope, our president Mr J Smith, and the tote organiser Bob Scrivens, the tote keeping the club on a firm financial setting for more than 10 years

From 1970 to 1981 Undy Football Club operated without any team managers, a selection committee picked the teams every week The first manager taken on by the club, in 1981 was Dave Segal During the mideighties Undy United F C took over the management of the Playing Fields from Undy Playing Fields Association, changing our name from Undy United to Undy A F C

In 1992, the football club poured its first pint of beer in its new clubhouse, by obtaining its licence to sell alcohol 1996 saw the project to extend the clubhouse, providing us with new changing facilities, and more recently in 2005 the development of our new pitch Our colours changed during this period to the Red that the whole club wears today

Having gained entry to the Gwent County League, the Gwent County Motors Cup was won in 2004, and with a continual improvement of our first team, we became an established Gwent County Division one side, before beginning to set our sights on a place in the Welsh League

In 2010/2011, under the management team of Mark Crook and Jason Davies, we fulfilled our ambition by being crowned Division one Champions and gaining promotion into the Welsh Football League. Our time in The Welsh League has been a successful one, with us winning the Third Division in our first season, and gaining promotion to Division two

In 2015/16, now under the management of Laurence Owen, with Crook as Director of football, we achieved our objective, and gained promotion to the top tier of Welsh League football.

Our stay in the Cymru South division came to an end after relegation in the 2021/22 season We finished the 2022/23 season in the Ardal South East league in third position, just five points behind Abertillery Bluebirds AFC

First Team Honours:

Gwent County League Division One: 2010–11, Welsh Football League Division Three: 2011–12

Gareth Cullimore, James Barnes and Dan Jarman, all in action during the 2022/23 season.

YourUndyAFCSquad 2023/24

Other First Teamers:

Ryan Hudson

Sam Thomas

Elliot George

Frank Kobina Barnard

Gwion Lloyd-Jones

Jack Roberts

Sam Burden

Tom Wright

Brad Hanbury

Kane Jellyman

James Barnes

Harris Thomas Paul Clayton

Sam Broadribb

Ollie Smith Dan Jarman

Chris Parry

James Gidney Alex Jarman Dan Tozer

Tyrone Tucker-Dixon

Photos by Jason Anderson

The original Treharris Football Club was formed in 1889 as one of the earliest association football clubs based in south Wales. They were founding members of the South Wales League – a predecessor of the Welsh Football League – in 1891. The Treharris club were one of the foremost association football sides in South Wales in the two decades before the First World War, winning the inaugural South Wales League title in 1891, adding further triumphs in 1904-05 and 190708. They were also winners of the South Wales FA Senior Cup in 1904, 1906, 1907 and 1911. Treharris were also founding members of the Rhymney Valley League in 1904 and were league champions in 1910.

The club joined the Western Football League in 1906 and were champions in 1909-10 season. They entered the Southern League Second Division for 1910-11 finishing 6th behind the likes of Reading, Stoke and Cardiff City. Treharris remained in this division for another three seasons until the outbreak of WW1.

After organised football resumed in 1919, the club resumed as Treharris Athletic but did not join the English football pyramid, instead opting to play only in the Welsh Football League, where they generally played in the second tier during the 1920s and early 1930s. However, in 1934-35 the club won promotion to compete in Division One until the outbreak of WW2.

When the Welsh League resumed in 1945, the club played in Division 1, finishing as runner-up in 1949-50 behind Merthyr Tydfil, until relegation in 1959-60 into the Division 2 Eastern Division. The league restructured in 1964-65 and Treharris won promotion from Division 2 in 1965-66 as runnersup behind Caerleon. 1967-68 to 1969-70 saw Treharris miss out on promotion by a place three seasons running to Swansea University, Barry Town and Cwmbran Town

After several years in mid-table in Division 1, the club finished 3rd in 1977-78 to win promotion to

the Premier Division, behind Cardiff Corinthians and Milford United, but their stay at the top lasted only one season losing out to Pontlottyn on the final day of the season In 1983-84 they were relegated again into the Third Tier They remained here until 1995-96 when they won promotion as runners-up behind Cardiff Institute before relegation again in 1998-99.

Promotion was again achieved in 2000-01 in third place behind Bettws and AFC Llywdcoed. However, after two seasons the club were relegated back to Division 3, two years later they were back though again in third place behind West End and Cambian & Clydach. In 2009, Treharris Athletic incorporated Western Hotel FC into the club and were re-named Treharris Athletic Western FC.

In 2011-12 the club were relegated into Division 3, where they would remain until the Pyramid restructuring in 2019-20 which led to their last season in the Welsh League being in Division 2. In 2016 the club had to move from the Athletic Ground, their home since 1900 and for two seasons Treharris were forced to play at different grounds including Ystrad Mynach & the Welfare Ground in Fochriw At the start of the 2018-19 season, Treharris moved into their new permanent home in Parc Taf Bargoed on the site of the former Deep Navigation Colliery and look forward to being founder members of Ardal Southern League, South West Division.

Parc Taf Bargoed - home of Treharris

A Word from the Dugout

Lewis Thomas - First Team Manager

Today’s game against Treharris Athletic Western is the second of three consecutive games before we take on local rivals Caldicot next Saturday.

Our visitors have played a game less than us, but also sit on six points with two wins from their first four games. They come off the back of a defeat to Risca in the cup so they will be looking to put that right. We will need to make sure that we are at our best to get the three points today.

Last week’s cup tie Penrhiwceiber was a very entertaining one...for the neutral. It was obviously disappointing to concede right at the end, especially when we had some good chances to seal it, but that’s the way it goes sometime.

It was of course a huge relief to then win the penalty shootout which followed. Sam Burden has started the season well. Since

.

taking over from James Smallcombe, he has showed why in the shootout with two excellent saves. Before the shootout, we told Sam he could be the hero and I was pleased he was able to step up and it be the case.

I also want to give a shoutout to Brad Hanbury and Elliot George, who were especially good for us. Brad was a constant threat to the Penrhiwceiber defence throughout and Elliot looked very assured in midfield and was deserving of his goal.

As I said in my last set of notes, we want to build a run of consistent performances and results and today will be no different. With the quality we have throughout the side, I know we can do that. If we can win today, it will be three consecutive wins - and send us into next week’s derby game with plenty of confidence.

StPierre Country Club

Interview with Harris Thomas

One of the successes from last season was the emergence of Harris Thomas to the Undy first team. Now he is one of the first names on the team sheet with a series of impressive displays towards the back end of last season and going into the current campaign.

He started off as a wing back, but following a hat trick in pre-season, he has found himself starting this season up front with the likes of Sam Broadribb and our summer signing Tyrone Tucker-Dixon.

Speaking about the change in position he said: “In my youth career I was playing in more advanced positions of the pitch, so it is something I feel very comfortable with. When I was asked to play further forward last season, I showed I can contribute with the goals.

“In pre-season the gaffer asked me to play up front against Pill and I scored a hat trick in the first half. I have been full of confidence ever since really and I’m enjoying it.”

Undy is a club which means a lot to Harris with his dad as First Team Manager and his brother Sam also part of the main squad.

Harris added: “Being a local boy, the club has always meant a lot to me. Having my Dad as a coach as well only motivates me more to continue progressing and putting in good performances for the club.

“It’s also great to have Sam back. He had a bad injury, so it’s a big bonus for the team and I am looking forward to sharing the pitch with him once again.”

Undy’s start has been mixed with two wins from the first five games. Commenting on the start, Harris said: “I think as a group we’ve been slightly disappointed with it. As a group we feel we are good enough to go back up to where we belong and in the JD Cymru South.

“It was a shame to fall just short last season, so again we have to aim for the top two spots. It’s a long season and we shouldn’t let these early results get in the way of striving towards that goal.

“On a personal level, I was buzzing to win players player and young player of the year last season. I was really proud of that achievement, but my main focus is to of course help the team on the pitch week in week out.”

Harris who was last year named as Player of the Season

Undy AFC 2 vs 2 Penrhiwceiber Rangers AFC

Undy win 3-1 on Penalties

Ardal Southern League Cup - Match Report - Saturday 2nd September

Sam Burden was the shootout hero with two saves, meaning Undy progressed to the second round of the Ardal Southern League Cup.

With the shootout at 2-1, he first denied Penrhiwceiber's Jarrad Welsh and followed it up with a second save from Brandon Davies.

Lewis Thomas’ side were on course to go through in normal time, but conceded an injury time equaliser from Davies.

After Iestyn Davies departed the club midweek, Chris Parry returned to the team, alongside James Barnes, Henry Mollard and Ollie Smith, all of whom lined up in defence against Chepstow previously.

The game was only ten minutes old, when Undy found themselves behind. Some below par defending from a set play saw Jack Thomas head in from close range.

The hosts were dealt a further set back when Sam Broadribb was forced off in the twenty seventh minute through injury. He was replaced by Sam Thomas, who was making his return to the first team, following a lengthy period in the treatment room.

Undy did create a couple of chances in the first period - striker Frank Barnard arguably had his team's best attempt when his header was tipped over by Jacob Ireland. Either side of him and it would have probably been one apiece.

Moments before the half time whistle though, Penrhiwceiber came even closer to making it two. Welsh’s free kick was heading goal bound, but Burden was equal and parried it onto the post.

A goal down, Undy started the second forty five on the front foot. After just a couple of minutes played, the pacey Brad Hanbury put in an inviting cross which was met by the head of Elliot George, who scored.

They combined again shortly after when Hanbury played in George, but his shot was blocked by Alex Rees in the Penrhiwceiber defence.

Undy were now on top. However with the game all square, Burden had to be on his toes throughout -

and he was when he denied Joseph Jenkins from distance.

Still playing the better football, Undy were looking for the second themselves and Barnes, Smith and Tucker-Dixon all had good chances –the latter coming closest when he was through by Ryan Hudson, but he was unable to get the better of Ireland.

The Undy number 9 wasn’t disappointed for too long though when minutes after his chance, he crashed in a half volley from six yards out and give his side a deserved lead.

A equaliser was always possible though. The supporters had their hearts in their mouths for a moment when a mix up between Thomas and Burden almost allowed Davies in.

Down the other end, Hudson came very close to sealing the game by adding a third, but he was denied by the keeper on the goal line. Into injury time, the away side did find an equaliser, when Davies headed in a late cross. It could have got worse just a minute or so later, hadn’t Reegan Evans dragged his shot wide when he had the whole goal in front of him.

Undy were now probably relieved it was going to penalties. Smith got them off to the perfect start in the shootout when he sent his strike into the top right corner.

They took an immediate advantage when Brandon Hill skied his over. It was soon back to being all square though when Hudson failed to convert and Owen Orford levelled up for the visitors.

George was next up to put Undy and he sent Ireland the wrong way. Burden then saved Penrhiwceiber’s third in a crucial point in the shootout.

Barnes, always reliable from the spot, took the home side’s fourth and made it three to one. The visitors now needed to score to stay in it - but for the second successive penalty, Burden was equal to it and win the game.

Undy AFC: Burden, Mollard, Smith, Barnes, Parry, George, Wright, Broadribb (S Thomas), TuckerDixon (Lloyd-Jones) , Barnard (Hudson), Hanbury

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Thursday 7th September

Earlier this week was World Duchenne Awareness Day and here at Undy AFC, we wanted to raise awareness ourselves of the condition, which affects around 2,500 people across the UK. So below is a bit more information.

What is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)?

DMD is a progressive genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and wasting. It is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy. There is no cure.

It is caused by a fault, known as a mutation, on the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin is a protein that protects muscles; without it, muscles are easily damaged, and their strength and function is weakened. It eventually affects all the muscles in the body, including the heart and lungs.

DMD almost only affects boys, with only an estimated 1 in 50 million girls born with the condition. It is typically diagnosed in childhood between the age of three and six.

What is it like living with DMD?

Without the dystrophin protein, which is key for muscle function, muscles waste away. Many boys will rely on a wheelchair to get around by their mid-teens, and a ventilator to help them breathe by their twenties.

Currently, people with DMD live into their twenties and thirties on average, with some living into their forties and fifties. However, it is difficult to say what the life expectancy of a child diagnosed with DMD today will be.

Dystrophin is also believed to have a role in brain development. People with DMD are more likely to have learning and behavioural difficulties, such as dyslexia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, not everyone with DMD has these difficulties.

Access to better treatments and care will affect average life expectancy. Duchenne UK and other charities across the world are funding research into new treatments and investing in better care to extend lives and improve quality of life.

You can find out more about Duchenne at https://www.duchenneuk.org/about-duchenne-muscular-dystrophy/

Your Welsh Sports Roundup

Some of the latest sport stories around Wales

NETBALL: WALES SKIPPER RETURNS TO CARDIFF DRAGONS FROM LEEDS RHINOS (BBC SPORT)

Wales captain Nia Jones has left Leeds Rhinos to return to Cardiff Dragons.

The wing defence or goal defence, 31, who has also represented Wales in football, spent one season at Leeds after leaving Dragons in August 2022.

Jones, who led Welsh Feathers to ninth place at the recent World Cup in South Africa, has also played for Severn Stars in the Super League

"It always pulls on your heart strings when there's a team like the Cardiff Dragons," Jones said.

"I really missed Cardiff - I'd like to probably finish my netball career here. A place that's really close to my heart."

FORMER CAPTAIN TO STEP DOWN AS GLAMORGAN CRICKET CHIEF EXECUTIVE (BBC SPORT)

Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris is to step down after 10 years in the role.

He has overseen a large-scale reduction in the county's debts, after the rebuilding of Sophia Gardens as an international stadium.

Morris, 59, had two spells as Glamorgan captain and led the county to the one-day league title in 1993, also winning three England caps.

He spent 16 years in senior roles at the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Returning to Wales in 2014, Morris combined the Glamorgan CEO job with a director of cricket role for the first three years of his tenure before concentrating on financial and administrative issues.

He led efforts to ensure Sophia Gardens was the home of a Hundred franchise, chosen ahead of Bristol.

First Round Games

Undy AFC vs Treharris Athletic Western FC

from the Causeway

Sam Burden

Tom Wright

Brad Hanbury

Kane Jellyman

Tyrone Tucker-Dixon

James Barnes

Harris Thomas

Paul Clayton

Sam Broadribb

Ryan Hudson

Dan Tozer

Ollie Smith

Dan Jarman

Sam Thomas

Chris Parry

James Gidney

Elliot George

Frank Kobina Barnard

Gwion Lloyd-Jones

Alex Jarman

Jack Roberts

Giancalo Gabbiadini

Thomas Barraclough

First Team Manager: Lewis Thomas

Assistant Manager: Steve Lowndes

Mark Crook

Shay O’ Grady

Sharief Nassoro

Arthur Haines

Matthew Sellick

Gavin Robins

David Mitchell

Aladje Sani

Jack Chaplin

Dean Raven

Ali Abdalmageed

Joseph Holman

Iestyn Thomas

Matthew Jenkins

Owain Locke

Jordan Harrison

Morgan Cole

William Summers

Keenan Wiggins

Declan O’Grady

Simon Aynalem

First Team Manager Dean Raven

Assistant Manager: Owain Locke

Referee: Mark Roberts

Linesman: Daniel Brittan and Paul Lewis

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