Bala Town vs Paide Linnameeskond - Official Matchday Programme - UEFA Conference League FQR 1st Leg

O F F I C I A L M ATC H DAY P RO G R A M M E UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE FIRST

UA L RO U N D,

ST LEG

bala Vtown paide linnameeskond T H U R S D AY

TH ULY

-

: : : KO

BALA TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB OFFICIALS LIST SWYDDOGION CLWB PEL-DROED TREF Y BALA Bala Town Football Club Officials List / Swyddogion Clwb Pel-Droed Tref Y Bala Director of Football & Head Coach / Cyfarwyddwr Pel-Droed & Prif Hyfforddwr: Colin Caton Assistant Head Coach / Prif Hyfforddwr Cynorthwyol: Stephen Fisher & Ryan Valentine Goal Keeping Coach / Hyfforddwr Gôl Geidwad: Liam Stoneley Physios / Ffisios: Ffiona Evans Club Doctor / Meddyg y Clwb: Dr Christopher Jordan Strength & Conditioning / Cryfder a Chyflyru: Nicolas Jones President / Llywydd: Arwel Griffiths Chairman / Cadeirydd: Arwel Roberts Chief Executive / Prif Weithredwr: Nigel Aykroyd General Secretary, Finance Director & Licensing Officer / Ysgrifennydd Cyffredinol, Cyfarwyddwr Cyllidol a Swyddog Trwyddedu: Ruth Crump Media Officer & Website / Swyddog Cyfryngau & Wefan: Joe Taft Head of Security / Pennaeth Diogelwch: Graham Martindale Commercial Director / Cyfarwyddwr Masnachol: Arwel Ll Jones Supporters Liaison Officer / Swyddog Cyswllt y Cefnogwyr: Joe Taft Disability Liaison Officer / Swyddog Cyswllt Anabledd: Gillian Evans Safeguarding Officer / Swyddog Diogelu: Daniel McNeil Covid Officer & 3G Manager / Swyddog Covid & Rheolwr y 3G: Gillian Evans Sub Committees / Is-Bwyllgorau: Ruth Crump, Nigel Aykroyd, Ken Edwards, Don Lund, Gwyn Jones, Arwel Roberts, Carol Rowlands, Beryl Hanmer, R.F.Jones, Graham Martindale, Glyn Roberts, Arwel Lloyd Jones, Elwyn Rowlands, Gill Evans, Rob Davies, Ian Jones, Janet Blaszkiewicz, Barry Yates, Mark Watkins, Amanda Reed, John Roberts, Sion Roberts, Rhian Williams, Stuart Gardler, Ifan Edwards, Phil Shaw, Joe Taft, Brian Parry.

nigel's Notes

Here we go again!!! It is the Club’s 9th appearance in European competition in the last 12 years and that in itself is a remarkable achievement for our small Football Club. We are all extremely proud to be able to perform at the very top table of European football and each and every one of us are totally committed to ensuring we have the best possible chance of success in the tournament.

Our first adventure in Europe 12 years ago took us to Estonia and tonight we welcome back another Estonian team, Paide Linnameeskond, to Wales. Our opponents this evening will provide us with a serious challenge if we are to have a hope of progression and the full time professional team will be well prepared for the challenge as they are already deep into their season’s campaign in Estonia. Our own build up to the match has in itself been difficult. We have lost players from last season’s squad and the opportunities to bring in new players and bond them into our setup had had the minimum of time needed. That said we have pulled together a very talented squad with a mixture of youth and experience and we will certainly be competing with our opponents on all levels. It promises to be another historic evening for our Club and will be a hugely exciting occasion for all concerned. There will be a very warm welcome to all who have travelled from Estonia and we hope you will all enjoy our very best Welsh hospitality and return with fond memories of your visit to our country.

Our new playing kit for our 2024/25 campaign will be on show for the first time tonight. Please note our new Playing Shorts Sponsor AN Richards Ltd whose name and logo appear on all the players shorts. The Club are extremely grateful to this well known North Wales Company for their extended support for us and I only can hope that as many of you as possible can use the services of this excellent transport company in the future.

I must personally thank all the hardworking members of our Committee who have helped to put on this match this evening. There is an enormous amount of work required to stage these European matches and Ruth and her team have again produced an excellent event. Diolch pawb!

Please also can I take this opportunity to congratulate our Manager Colin Caton who takes up the reins for his 21st season at our Club.

A remarkable achievement for any person or Club and one which demonstrates his unswerving commitment and dedication to Bala Town.

I can only hope that you all enjoy a wonderful experience this evening and that we can travel to Estonia next week with a serious prospect of winning this tie. Thank you all for your attendance this evening and your continued support for our wonderful Club.

Diolch.

Nigel.

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Fixtures Date

KO Time

Venue

Home Club

Away Club

10/08/2024 14:30

Jenner Park

Barry Town United F.C.

Bala Town

16/08/2024 19:45

Maes Tegid

Bala Town

Briton Ferry Llansawel

23/08/2024 19:45

Maes Tegid

Bala Town

Flint Town United F.C

26/08/2024 14:30

The Oval

Caernarfon Town F.C.

Bala Town

31/08/2024 14:30 Maes Tegid Bala Town Penybont 07/09/2024 14:30

Maes Tegid

Bala Town

Cardiff Met

13/09/2024 19:45

Maes Tegid

Bala Town

Aberystwyth Town

20/09/2024 19:45 Maes Tegid Bala Town Newtown 24/09/2024 19:45

The Venue at Park Hall

The New Saints

Bala Town

28/09/2024 14:30

The Old Road

Briton Ferry Llansawel

Bala Town

04/10/2024 19:45

Maes Tegid

Bala Town

Haverfordwest County

12/10/2024 14:30

Essity Stadium

Flint Town United F.C

Bala Town

15/10/2024 19:45

Maes Tegid

Bala Town

Connah’s Quay

26/10/2024 14:30

SDM Glass Stadium

Penybont

Bala Town

02/11/2024 14:30 Latham Park Newtown Bala Town 09/11/2024 14:30

Cyncoed Campus

Cardiff Met

Bala Town

23/11/2024 14:30

Bridge Meadow Stadium Haverfordwest County

Bala Town

03/12/2024 19:45

Maes Tegid

Bala Town

The New Saints

07/12/2024 14:30

Maes Tegid

Bala Town

Barry Town United F.C.

26/12/2024 14:30

Park Avenue

Aberystwyth Town

Bala Town

31/12/2024 12:30

Maes Tegid

Bala Town

Caernarfon Town F.C.

11/01/2025 14:30

Essity Stadium

Connah’s Quay

Bala Town

Bala town squad 24/25

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PLAYER SHORTS SPONSOR A.N. RICHARDS LTD Bala Town FC are hugely delighted that A.N. RICHARDS LTD have again continued their superb support and sponsorship of the Club. The continuation of our relationship with them is of huge significance to us all at Maes Tegid and we are delighted to have this well known North Wales company as our Players Shorts Sponsors for the whole of our 2024/25 campaign.

The Club are extremely grateful for this sponsorship and we hope that the guests of A.N. RICHARDS will enjoy their evening with us tonight at this crucially important European match. The Club hopes that all our supporters will support their business in gratitude for their tremendous support.

form And One to watch Despite sitting in 4th position in the Meistriliiga, Paide have struggled in recent weeks with just the two wins in their last eight games in all competitions. The Estonian outfit were defeated in the Estonian Cup Final against Levadia at the end of May, despite being 2-0 up at the interval.

Levadia would score four second half goals to completely turn the game on its head and would pip Paide to the trophy. Paide’s last outing would be a 2-2 draw against Narva in the Meistriliiga last Thursday, although they needed to come from behind to earn anything from the game after being 2-0 down at the break. Paide’s keeper; Ebrima Jarju would come off injured in that game after going down inside the first five minutes of the second half.

ONE TO WATCH ROBI SAARMA The 23 year old joined Paide in 2022 after a 25+ goal season at Nomme Utd, and would then continue his goal scoring habits in his first season with Paide, as he netted 15+ goals for his new side. The Estonian has represented his country at U18, U19, U21 and senior level, having made his senior debut in a friendly against Finland in January 2023. Saarma has gone on to score 10 goals in 20 appearances so far this season and currently sits in fifth place in the top goal scoring charts.

get to know Our opponent CLUB NAME: PAIDE LINNAMEESKOND ESTABLISHED: 2004 HOME: PAIDE LINNASTAADION NICKNAME: PAIDE Paide are an Estonian Football Club who compete professionally in the top division of Estonia, which is known as the Meistriliiga.

The Club was founded in 2004 as a satellite club of Flora Tallinn and would enter the sixth tier of Estonian Football, known as the IV Liiga. However, it would not take long for Paide to establish themselves, as they gained four consecutive promotions from 2005 to 2008 and would ultimately be promoted to the top division. The Club’s first season in the top flight would end with a ninth place finish, but would avoid relegation after a 2-1 win on aggregate in a relegation play-off match.

Paide would reach the Estonian Cup Final in the 2014/15 season, but would face a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Nõmme Kalju. However, in May 2022 Paide would get their revenge as they would face Nõmme Kalju in Estonian Cup Final once more, and would come out on top with a 1-0 win courtesy of a 109th minute winner from Siim Luts.

Paide’s transition into a professional football club would ultimately aid the club into qualifying for Europe, with their first European qualification coming in 2019 after a 4th placed finish in the league. Their first ever European opponents would be FK Zalgiris of Lithuania in the UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round, where it would be a 2-0 defeat for the Estonians on their European debut.

Since their European debut Paide have qualified for Europe every year. Their best European performance so far would come in the 2022-23 season, as they would progress past Dinamo Tbilisi of Georgia and Ararat of Armenia to make the Third Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Their reward for reaching the Third Qualifying Round would be a mammoth tie against Belgian giants, Anderlecht. However, their European journey would end there with a 5-0 aggregate defeat.

new signing SpotlighT NAME: ALEX DOWNES POSITION: DEFENDER AGE: 24 FORMER CLUB: COLWYN BAY Alex made the move to Maes Tegid in June after spending the past two seasons at Colwyn Bay, having helped the Bay gain promotion to the JD Cymru Premier following their title win in the 2022/23 Cymru North season.

The 24 year old would make 107 appearances during his two spells at Colwyn Bay and would go on to score 22 goals playing predominantly on the right hand side of the defence.

The English man has previously plied his trade across the border with Runcorn Linnets, but earned his first professional contract with Chester in 2018.

NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES BALA TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB Matchday Graphics Sponsorship - Throughout matchday’s we post a number of graphics across our social media platforms. The platforms we post to are - X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram, which have a combined following of 30k+. Every matchday we post the following graphics to each of our social media pages: Starting XI, Half-Time, Full-Time and a Goal Graphic for each player who scores. As a marketing tool for your business or organisation, we would include your logo on each graphic for the whole league season (32 games) whilst also putting one promotional post up a month on all our social media platforms thanking you for your support, with a link to your website included.

Matchday Programme Cover Sponsor - At each home league game, the Club provide a Matchday Programme to all supporters including information regarding the game and any relevant stories surrounding the Club. In this package, we would offer your business/organisation’s logo to be printed across the top/bottom of every programme for our home league games (16 games) along with a full page piece on your business/ organisation inside the programme.

Website Sponsor - Our website brings in 40k+ site sessions every year, and with improvements to our website in the works, we expect this number to rise, especially should the Club succeed in its goal of qualifying for Europe and doing well in domestic competitions. Therefore, we would offer your business/organisation to have your logo showing on the header of our website, which would be visible on every page with a hyperlink to your website attached to the logo.

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MATCH BALL SPONSORS PETER SPITZMAUL & BARRY YATES The Club are most grateful to Peter Spitzmaul and Barry Yates for their very kind sponsorship of the Match Ball this evening.

Peter is a regular supporter of the Club at all our European matches and we are delighted to welcome him and his family once again to tonight’s match.

Barry is of course a committed and valued member of the Club’s Management Committee and his help, support and dedication to the Club are always hugely appreciated.

Thank you both most sincerely from all at Maes Tegid.

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bala town European

q&a

1. Who has the most goals in European competitions for the Lakesiders?

2. Who has made the most appearances in European competitions for the Town?

3. Who scored the winning goal in the Town’s 1-0 victory over Valletta in 2020?

4. How many times have the Lakesiders qualified for Europe?

5. In what year would the Lakesiders first qualify for Europe?

6. In which minute would the Town score their first ever goal in European competition?

7. Who was the last goal scorer for the Town in European competition? (excluding penalties) 8. Who would score the goal to secure the Lakesiders’ first ever European qualification against Port Talbot in the European Play Off Final?

9. Where would the Lakesiders play their European fixtures prior to 2019?

10. Which current Newcastle United player would the Town face against while at AIK in 2016?

Answers: Ian Sheridan Kieran Smith Chris Venables 9 2013 4th Minute David Edwards vs Sligo Rovers John Irving Belle Vue (Rhyl) Alexander Isak

Answer: 2

Reflective Article by Dion Williams – Former Bala Town Media Officer – Head of Media Cage Warriors

Sligo Rovers 0-1 Bala Town (agg 2-2) (4-3p) – 14th July 2022 It’s been over two years since our last European adventure played out with a competitive two-legged tie against Sligo Rovers of the League of Ireland. We experienced both highs and lows during this journey. After a 2-1 defeat in the first leg, it was the reverse fixture across the Irish Sea that provided the most memories...

That special night at The Showgrounds was a testament to our club’s resilience and passion, despite the ultimate heartbreak in the penalty shootout. David Edwards’ decisive goal in the 35th minute showcased not only his ability to rise to the occasion but also the entire team’s. His strike levelled the aggregate score and reignited our dreams of progressing.

Our fight that night was commendable, with every player contributing significantly.

Reflecting on those performances, it’s clear they rose to the occasion, perfectly embodying the spirit of our club’s anthem, “Yma O Hyd” showing they were in the game against all odds.

We had plenty of opportunities to avoid the shootout and advance during normal and extra time. The best chance of which fell to James Davies, who was played through one-on-one but couldn’t beat Ed McGinty despite his best efforts. The Sligo goalkeeper’s heroics were on full display all night, earning him Man of the Match honours with countless saves.

Reflective Article by Dion Williams – Former Bala Town Media Officer – Head of Media Cage Warriors

The penalty shootout, a nerve-wracking climax to an already tense match, ended in a narrow 4-3 defeat. The sharp pain of losing in such a manner was a poignant reminder of how far we have come as a club, to the point where such a defeat could hurt so deeply.

Our supporters’ passion and dedication were on display that night, having travelled all the way to see the players give their all on the pitch despite the odds being stacked against us. This bond between the team and its supporters has only strengthened since, reinforcing the community spirit that is at the heart of our club.

As we look back on that memorable night against Sligo Rovers, there is a sense of pride in how far The Lakesides have come and an eagerness to play out future memories. Thelessons learned and the experiences gained have shaped the team, preparing them for new opportunities on the European stage. The journey continues, with the memories of that night in Sligo serving as inspiration for our next adventure...

Commemorative Bench Unveiled at Maes Tegid A very special event took place at Maes Tegid on Friday June 21st during the half time interval of the Bragdy Cup Final, in which saw a commemorative bench unveiled.

A special bench has been skillfully built by Dei John Rhosygwaliau and Iwan Jones Bala, with a plaque donated by A.G.EVANS & SONS which is fixed on the bench with the names of three heroes that worked tirelessly for Bala Town Football Club. Emrys Rowlands, Teddy Edwards and David B. Roberts; the heroes that where known locally as Em Gelli, Tedi Ianto and Dei Brei who did it all for their beloved Bala Town Football Club.

It was great to see the families attending the event to commemorate the three heroes Em Gelli, Teddy Ianto and Dei Brei, and we would like to thank everyone who attended the Bradgy Cup Final and showed their support throughout the unveiling.

Cynhaliwyd digwyddiad arbennig iawn ym Maes Tegid ar nos Wener Mehefin 21ain, yn ystod hanner amser Rownd Derfynol Cwpan Bragdy, wrth i’r clwb ddadorchuddio mainc goffa.

Mae’r mainc arbennig wedi ei hadeiladu’n gelfydd gan Dei John Rhosygwaliau ac Iwan Jones Bala, gyda plac yn rhoddedig gan A.G.EVANS & SONS sydd wedi ei osod ar y fainc, gyda enwau tri arwr fu’n gweithio’n ddiflino i Glwb Pêl-droed Y Bala. Emrys Rowlands, Teddy Edwards a David B. Roberts; yr arwyr oedd yn cael eu hadnabod yn lleol fel Em Gelli, Teddy Ianto a Dei Brei a wnaeth y cyfan i Glwb Pêl- droed Y Bala.

Braf oedd gweld y teuluoedd wrth i ni gyflwyno’r mainc i gofio’r tri arwr Em Gelli, Teddy Ianto a Dei Brei a hoffem ddiolch i bawb a fynychodd Rownd Derfynol Cwpan Bradgy a ddangosodd eu cefnogaeth.

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Bala town Paide linnameeskond manager: colin caton joel torrance dan clark alex downes uniss kargbo nathan peate kyle harrison ross white naim arsan kieran smith aeron edwards nathan burke samba badjana tom hughes lassana mendes kevin petro josh ukek louis robles osebi abadaki joe malkin george newell match officials ref: matthew macdermid (sco) assistant: david roome (sco) assistant: christopher rae (sco) fourth official: ross hardie (sco)

manager: ivan stojkovic ebrima jarju mihkel aksalu mattias sapp gerdo juhkam hindrek ojamaa joseph saliste michael lilander milan delevic nikita baranov andre frolov oskar hõim patrik kristal predrag medic daniel luts dimitri jepihhin henrik ojamaa herol riiberg siim luts kristofer piht thomas agyepong abdoulie ceesay muhammed suso robi saarma