Caldicot Town v Aberbargoed Buds 10/8/21

Welcome to Jubilee Way CALDICOT TOWN AFC V

ABERBARGOED BUDS FC Date:

Tuesday 10th August 2021

Competition:

Ardal Southern League East

Location:

Jubilee Way, Caldicot, Monmouthshire NP26 4NA

Kick Off:

7:00pm

Today’s Officials:

Referee: Assistants:

Caldicot Town Colours:

Royal blue shirts, shorts & socks

Aberbargoed Buds Colours:

Red shirts, black shorts & socks

Next up: Penparcau FC (H) Welsh Cup: Fri 13th August: 7:30pm KO

Caldicot Town AFC: Season 2021/22

Caldicot Town AFC 1st Team: Season 2021/22: Appearances and Goals

Appearances Lge

Sub

Cup

Goals

Sub

Total

Lge

Cup

Total

Goalkeepers

CALDICOT TOWN AFC

Gareth Wesson

2

2

4

Defenders

Jubilee Way, Caldicot, NP26 4NA Web: www.caldicottownafc.com To contact the club please use the “Contact Me” button on the website.

Kit: Royal blue shirts, shorts & socks, Keeper: Orange shirt, shorts & socks 2nd Kit: Neon yellow shirts, shorts & socks, Keeper: Sky blue shirt, shorts & socks Chairman: Archie McKay Secretary: Steve Bright Assistant Secretary & Programme Editor: Kevin Buckthought Treasurer: Dave Moreton Membership: Sue Thomas Safeguarding: Andrew Thomas Stewardess: Kerry Rix Medical Officer: Julian Williams Social Media: Sam Williams / Mark Anderson General Committee Members: Frank Rowberry Will McConnell Adrian Porter Tom Wetter Tony Cartwright Nikki White Official Club Sponsor:

Matthew James (C)

2

2

4

Matthew Owen

2

2

4

1

1

Lloyd Williams Aaron Hancock

GROUND REGULATIONS The following regulations are stipulated in the interest of fair play and safety for all.

Spectators must not: • Consume ALCOHOLIC drinks or drink from glasses or bottles whilst on the football ground at any time or bring it with them for that purpose. This is a FIFA rule and must be enforced.

(You can drink on the patio area but only from a plastic glass, these are available at request from the bar) • Trespass on the playing and adjoining areas • Climb on any buildings, walls or fencing • Use obscene, racist or insulting language, or make offensive or insulting gestures, remarks or spitting on any person • Throw objects within the ground, this is a criminal offence and strong action will be taken against anyone committing such an offence • Bring personal footballs, handheld megaphones or alike into the ground • Interfere or climb on the floodlight pylons Spectators must: • Comply with instructions given by club officials • Keep dogs on a lead always • Pay an entrance fee when appropriate • Retain control of, and be responsible for any minors at the game Caldicot Town will not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to any property; person or persons (including children) on the ground, in the changing rooms or clubhouse.

Caldicot Town is not responsible for loss or damage to articles left on the premises. Please note more detailed ground regulations are posted around the ground and changing rooms.

THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE.

Samuel Watkins

1 2

1 2

4

Midfielders Samuel Swann

2

2

4

Alex Edwards

2

2

4

Louis Christian Feeley

1

2

3

Aeron Harris

2

1

3

1

2

1

3

Tom William Fry Ellis Holland

1 2

Richard Sharratt

1

Jake Clark

2

Harrison Shelley

1

Kazeem Kareem

1 2

1 1

1

1

2 4

2

4

1

2

1

1

1

2

Strikers Leo Ross Callum Wakeham

2

2 2

2

4

1

4

1

Own Goals

1

Date

Opponent

Score

Scorers

Ardal Southern League East Jul

Sat 31

Aug

Tue 3 Goytre Welcome to

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan Feb

Mar

Apr

Trethomas Bluebirds

H

2-0

L. Ross, C. Wakeham

@CaldicotTownAFC A

1-1

T. Fry

Tue 10

Aberbargoed Buds

H

Tue 24

Abergavenny Town (7.00pm)

A

Sat 28

Abertillery Bluebirds

H

Sat 4

Chepstow Town

H

Sat 11

Abertillery Excelsiors

A

Sat 25

Croesyceiliog

H

Sat 2

Llandrindod Wells

A

Sat 9

Monmouth Town

H

Sat 16

Newport City

A

Sat 23

Panteg

H

Sat 6

Rhayader Town

A

Sat 13

Tredegar Town

H

Sat 20

Treowen Stars

A

Sat 27

Trethomas Bluebirds

A

Sat 4

Goytre

H

Sat 11

Aberbargoed Buds

A

Sat 18

Abergavenny Town

H

Sat 22

Abertillery Bluebirds

A

Sat 29

Chepstow Town

A

Sat 5

Abertillery Excelsiors

H

Sat 12

Croesyceiliog

A

Sat 19

Llandrindod Wells

H

Sat 26

Monmouth Town

A

Sat 5

Newport City

H

Sat 12

Panteg

A

Sat 19

Rhayader Town

H

Sat 26

Tredegar town

A

Sat 2

Treowen Stars

H Welsh Cup

Jul

Sat 24

Abertillery Bluebirds

Aug

Fri 13

Penparcau FC (7.30pm)

Jul

Sat 17

Caerleon FC

Aug

Sat 7

Lliswerry (2.00pm)

A

2-2 W 7-6 pens

H FAW Amateur Trophy 0-0 A W 3-2 pens A

Ardal Leagues Southern Cup Pontardawe Town

L. Ross, J. Clark

A

-

CALDICOT TOWN AFC SUPPORTERS PAGE

Caldicot Town AFC 1st Team Fixtures and Results - Season 2021/22

Social Media Keep up to date with everything Caldicot Town AFC, follow us on:

Sponsorship: Want to sponsor a player’s kit or maybe the club in general? If you are interested, please contact a committee member for details.

Available packages include: Main Stand Sponsorship £2500 or Terrace Stand Sponsorship £2000, both are for 2 years and includes signage and installation as well as free entry to all home games (1-year packages are available); Pitch Side Advertising £300, includes signage and installation; Matchday Programme advertising Half page (B&W) £50; Full page (B&W) £100, Full page colour £150 Match ball sponsorship £60 (includes free entry to game of choice, programme, website mention and half-time refreshment

www.caldicottownafc.com

@CaldicotTownAFC

Caldicot Town AFC

@CaldicotLadyFC

Football Card: Help the club by choosing a team on the football card, and you could win a prize, only £1 per team. Available at the gate at every 1st team home game.

Predictor: (Open to paid up members only). Don't forget to have a go at guessing the score for the three selected weekend fixtures, available behind the bar (£1.00). Prize money pot is growing fast so don't miss out!

New Merchandise: Our new kit and training tops etc are available from the Macron store in Cardiff or via the website: https://macronstorecardiff.co.u k/caldicot-town

A Brief History of Caldicot Town AFC Caldicot Town AFC was formed in 1953. With voluntary help from the community the necessary funds were raised and after much hard work two pitches were laid at King George V playing fields. The 'green wooden hut' was erected to serve as changing rooms with a small shower area. The club then entered the East Gwent League. The 1963/64 Season saw a 2nd side formed, and they took their place in the East Gwent 2nd Division. Throughout the 60's the club was successful in winning the East Gwent Division 1 and 2 along with the Watkins Shield, the Benevolent Cup, the Gill Cup and the Argus Shield.

In 1966 the senior side joined the Monmouthshire Senior League Division, now known as the Gwent County League. During the late 70's and early 80's the club won the Gwent Senior League Division 1, on two occasions, as well as winning the Senior Cup and Amateur Cup. We again won the Gwent Senior Cup in 2012/13 season with a 1-0 win over Monmouth Town. In December 1975 the original Clubhouse was built in Jubilee Way. This incorporated a small bar, a lounge, changing rooms and shower facilities. Since then the clubhouse has been modified and upgraded and now boasts four players changing rooms, a referee’s room, shower and toilet facilities, a large function room, a new lounge, a well-equipped kitchen and outside patio areas complete with bench seats.

1979 saw the formation of Caldicot Town Junior Section. This gave local boys the opportunity to play competitive football at both Local and County Level. It is also a source of future players for the senior teams. In 1986 the club achieved its ambition of election into the Welsh Football League. A lot of hard work by many people had to be done to achieve this goal. The ground had to be enclosed with a high perimeter fence and a barrier had to put up around the pitch.

Also, the changing facilities had to reach the high standards set by the League. The playing fields are not forgotten and are re-seeded and maintained each year. We also have covered spectator accommodation, with vandal proof shuttering plus excellent floodlights. As a result of these facilities the club is regularly requested to hold representative games at Local and County Level.

The club enjoyed 34 continuous seasons in the Welsh League which was known as the feeder pyramid in the South of Wales, to the Welsh Premier League. This, sadly, ended at the end of the Covid-19 affected 2019/20 season when the league was restructured. Caldicot Town won the Division 2 Championship in 1989/90 and, as runners up in Division 1, gained promotion to the top Division in 1990/91. Since then we have spent time in both the 1st and 2nd Divisions.

Since being relegated from the top-flight in 2010/11 season Caldicot finished subsequent seasons (in Division 2) in ninth, tenth, sixth and fourth before gaining promotion back to Division 1 in the 2015/16 season, where we finished as champions. Unfortunately, our stay in the topflight last only one season after finishing 16th we were relegated back to Division 2 for the 2016/17 season, where we have remained since.

Many thanks to the following player sponsors: Bouncy Castles Wales: Matthew James Ocean Park Arena: Matthew Owen Oztech Electrical Services: Gareth Wesson C&E Travel: Jake Clark Maindee Handyman Stores: Andrew Delve Leetech Gas Engineers: Leo Ross Collett Maintenance: Samuel Swann C. Duffield Plumbing & Heating: Samuel Watkins Viper Brows: Louis Feeley Plush Flooring Solutions: Callum Wakeham Steve Bright: Aaron Harris Mark Anderson (Bungo): Richard Sharratt Paul Cook: Harrison Shelley Cable IT: Ben Smith Gwentronics: Ben Donoghue Kevin Buckthought: Muzingaye Sibanda Mr Harris: Kazeem Kareem Mr Harris: Ben Burns Mr Harris: Michael Thomas Mr Harris: Tom Fry Holland Electrical: Ellis Holland Awaiting name: Alex Edwards Also thank you to the following reserve team sponsors: SB Painting, The Levels Financial, David Kirkham Gardens, Accident Auto Repairs, Pristeen Home Cleaning, Free Press, Monmouthshire Living, Time Travel, Kew Plastering, Megachem, Caldicot Barbers, Chip, SJ Roofing & Steroplast Also, thanks go to our Vice Presidents for their continued support: Mike Windsor, Tony Cartwright, Tony Stephens, Mike Bruce and Stan Baker

For season 2021/22 Caldicot find themselves in a brand-new pyramid system run by the FAW. Caldicot sit in Tier 3 which will be known as the "Ardal Southern League East". The Reserves team will play within this structure whilst the Third Team will maintain its place in the East Gwent Division.

Caldicot is a community club where inclusion and diversity are key to our principles. Apart from Senior Men's, Youth and Junior teams, Caldicot also have a successful Ladies team that have grown from strength to strength in the past few years and will be competing in the Welsh Women League for 2021/22 season.

Visit www.caldicottownafc.com or our twitter account @CaldicotTownAFC for all the latest news, match reports and twitter feeds.

CALDICOT TOWN AFC HONOURS _______________________________________________________ East Gwent Division 2 Champions East Gwent Division 1 Champions Watkins Shield Winners Gill Cup Winners Argus Shield Winners Benevolent Cup Winners Gwent Senior League Division 1 Winners Gwent Senior Cup Winners Amateur Cup Winners Elected to Welsh Football League in 1986 Welsh League Division 2 Champions (1989/90) Runners up Welsh League Division 2 (1990/91) – Promoted to Division 1 Welsh League Division 2 Champions (2015/16) – Promoted to Division 1

ABERBARGOED BUDS HISTORY

Aberbargoed Buds were formed in 1957, after the previous team in the area Aberbargoed Town folded in 1950 who had played in the Welsh League from 194647 until their demise. The Buds, believed to be an abbreviation of ‘Bedwellty Urban District Sides’ began playing in the old Gwent County League, before the West Monmouthshire League was formed. Teams managed by Ken “Bunny” Edwards and Cliff Wallbank kept the Buds in the top division in the 70s, winning the league cup in 1978 & 1980.

The early 80s saw the Buds join the newly formed Gwent County League, winning the Gwent Cup in 1984 and the Gwent Championship in 1985–86. The nineties were not a good time for the Buds, but they still managed to remain in the Division 1 of the Gwent County League. In 1999, Aberbargoed Town who had reformed in 1986 approached the Buds committee to amalgamate the Town with the current Buds who were on the verge of folding. This arrangement kept the Buds in the Gwent County League and the Town, in the North Gwent League.

In 2001–02 the Buds won the Gwent Cup, defeating Llanhilleth 3–0 and then retained the Gwent Cup the following 2002-03 season by defeating Blaenavon Blues 6–0. The Buds also won the Gwent County League to complete a double but were not promoted to the Welsh League due to a lack of facilities. With work completed and another League title achieved in 2005-06, promotion to the Welsh League was accomplished under manager Neil Thomas, with a 4-1 victory over Clydach Wasps.

The following season 2009-10 saw the Buds gain promotion as Division Three Champions ahead of Abertillery Bluebirds and Cwmaman Institute.

The following season, saw a merry-go-round with John Lewis resigning as manager, replaced by Ceri Kinsey; Craig Evans, then return before being succeeded by Alyn Jones. The club would spend the next three seasons in Welsh League Division 2, before the re-organsation saw them playing in the renamed Division 1 for the final Welsh League season in 2019-20, ending up in 11 th place on points per average due to the pandemic. With floodlights erected at their Recreation Ground and Tier 3 achieved the club will be taking their place in the Ardal Southern East Division for 2021-22.

The story continues.

Disclaimer: Whilst great care has been taken in producing and maintaining this matchday programme Caldicot town AFC are unable to accept responsibility for any errors or omissions and/or the accuracy of information supplied by external parties.

The views expressed in this programme are not necessarily those of Caldicot town AFC and/or the programme editor.

Matchday programme: If any of you have any old photos or memory’s that you would like included in the matchday programme please contact Kevin Buckthought at the club. We would also welcome any ideas you may have to improve the programme.

Volunteers needed: Caldicot Town are always looking for volunteers to help out with match day preparation before and after the game (for example putting up nets and checking the playing field for rubbish – in all there are around 40 tasks that need completing on a match day. We also need volunteers to help out with the general upkeep of the club (painting for example), or if you cannot help out then maybe you could donate materials? So, if you are able to help us in any way please contact a committee member.

CALDICOT TOWN AFC PROGRESS SEASON 2021/22

New FAW Pyramid

structure

New League Structure - Ardal Southern Division East: From season 2021/22 Caldicot Town will play in the newly formed ARDAL SE Division which sits at Tier 3 of the FAW pyramid. The move will see Caldicot face less trips past Cardiff although with the amalgamation, clubs from Mid Wales will find themselves placed in the South East, South West, North East and North West Tier 3 divisions. Teams in our league are: Aberbargoed Buds; Abergavenny Town; Abertillery Bluebirds; Abertillery Excelsior’s; Caldicot Town; Chepstow Town; Croesyceiliog; Goytre; Llandrindod Wells; Monmouth Town; Newport City; Panteg; Rhayader Town; Tredegar Town; Treowen Stars; Trethomas Bluebirds.

1st team stats: Season 2021/22 (League only) Players used: 17 Biggest win: 2-0 (Trethomas) Longest winning streak: 1 Best unbeaten run: 2 Consecutive games scoring: 2 Consecutive not conceding: 1 Hat tricks: 0 Player: consecutive games scoring: 1 Consecutive drawn games: 1 Worst losing streak: Consecutive games not scoring: Consecutive games without a win: 1 Heaviest defeat: Golden Boot Award: Past Winners Name Season Goals NO WINNERS 2019/20 & 20/21 COVID-19 Ben Smith 2018/19 25 Luke Evans 2017/18 25 Tyler Wilson 2016/17 30 Helen Cadogan 2015/16 29 Courtney Davies 2014/15 31 Karl Bradshaw 2013/14 37 Courtney Davies 2012/13 37 Tom Philp 2011/12 24 Shane Jeremiah 2010/11 21 Paul Light 2009/10 34 Tyrone Tucker-Dixon 2008/09 26 Jason Thorn 2007/08 20 Jason Thorn 2006/07 29 Golden Boot Rules: Only League and Cup games count (No Friendlies or unsanctioned matches). Any "Dubious" goals scored are decided on by the teams "Manager or Assistant" Penalty shootout goals will count

From the Editor: Today we welcome the players, management, committee members, and supporters of Aberbargoed Buds to Jubilee Way for this Ardal Southern League East fixture.

We are looking forward to a good competitive game, played in a good spirit and, regardless of the result, a warm welcome will be extended to all in the clubhouse after the game.

Buds lost their opening game of the season, 0-3 at home to Abertillery Bluebirds but bounced back with a 2-0 win at home to Abergavenny Town. I know its early days but Caldicot have had a great start to the season, not only winning two cup games, on penalties, but also winning their opening league match, 2-0 at home to Trethomas but also gaining a hard-fought draw away at Goytre.

The club had a rather unusual request one evening this week, please can you open the gates to the main pitch, one of my chicken is running around it…

A big thank you to our main sponsors: Greenfox (main sponsor), Leetech (back of shirt), Ian Watts Funeral Directors, Perfect Pets and Welsh Water. Remember you can keep up to date with all the comings and goings at Caldicot Town by visiting our social media sites: website www.caldicottownafc.com; twitter @CaldicotTownAFC and Facebook - Caldicot Town AFC).

Yours in Green (PAFC!) and Blue & White (CTAFC!), Kev

‘FAW Fair Play’ and ‘Off the Pitch’.

The FAW Fair Play Code aims to raise the profile of the Fair Play message by inspiring players, clubs, officials and supporters to maintain good on-field discipline including abiding by the Laws of the Game, respecting opponents, referees and promoting the interests of football. To encourage good behaviour, the FAW will periodically publish Disciplinary Tables for each of the Directly Affiliated Leagues via a dedicated page on the FAW website. Those topping each table at the end of the season are awarded a Fair Play Award and a prize of £1000 to be spent on improving facilities at your club. Previous winners of the Award have invested the money on an upgrade to dressing rooms, new equipment such as balls, bibs, kit and improving the pitch.

The FAW Off the Pitch campaign is also represented here today and aims to educate all of our stakeholders including clubs and players with regards best practice when using social media. Off the Pitch is also here to remind stakeholders how comments made via social media can reflect on their club or competition that they participate in and therefore, offers advice to players and club officials such as treating others with respect. Be in the right state of mind when posting and to generally act responsibly when using all forms of social media.

The Off the Pitch campaign is unique amongst National Associations within Europe and has been utilised as evidence of best practice with regards promoting the positive usage of social media by UEFA. The FAW social media team look forward to continuing to work together with all its stakeholders over the coming seasons.

For more information on the FAW Fair Play Award and Off the Pitch initiatives, please visit the Discipline section of the FAW website: http://www.faw.cymru/en/about-faw/pitch/fa-wales-fair-play/ http://www.faw.cymru/en/about-faw/pitch/social-media-advice/

Caldicot Town AFC: Forthcoming Fixture for the Reserves, Third, Ladies & Vet teams

Welsh League Ground #6: Jubilee Way, home of Caldicot Town AFC – fantastic set-up from a very progressive thinking club JORDAN FORSTER

Reserve League Reserve League Reserve League

Sat

14/08

2.30pm

Caldicot Town

v

Undy Athletic FC

Sat

21/08

2.30pm

Abergavenny Town FC

v

Caldicot Town

Wed

25/08

7.00pm

Caldicot Town

v

Abertillery Bluebirds AFC

Fixtures correct going to press – please check website before travelling to the game

Saturday 31st July Ardal South East League - Caldicot Town 2 - 0 Trethomas Bluebirds Caldicot Town opened their league campaign with a hard-fought home win over Trethomas. After struggling to get a foothold in the game, Caldicot did manage to open the scoring through a well-placed header from Leo Ross on 31 minutes, a lead that Town would take into the break. Callum Wakeham came on to replace Harri Shelley on 61 minutes, and after bedding himself in on the right hand side of the pitch, Wakeham scored Town's second with a blistering shot from a tight angle that beat Tom Pass, a former keeper at Caldicot to make it 2-0.

Ground: Jubilee Way (home of Caldicot Town AFC) - Date of visit: Saturday 24th February 2018 Fixture: Caldicot Town v Llantwit Major - Welsh Football League Division Two Admission: £5 (programme £1) If you are a follower of Welsh domestic football you may be in some way aware of the Tier 2 ground regulations that will affect clubs wanting to play at that level of Welsh football from next season. At present – in a Welsh League context – this immediately concerns sides currently playing in Division One and those vying for promotion from Division Two. However, ambitious clubs below Tier 2 will need to plan for the incoming regulations and with Tier 3 regulations expected in the not very distant future, ultimately every current Welsh League club and those applying for promotion from regional leagues this season need to start giving serious consideration to the facilities at their ground. Along with infrastructure changes in the Welsh football pyramid effective from the start of the 2019/20 season, the issue of ground regulations has been the source of a quite a stir recently among Welsh League clubs.

There are concerns about how changes to the infrastructure will affect the status of clubs as the Welsh League will cease to exist, with many clubs likely to be forced back into regional and recreational football. Another concern is about the financial burden the new regulations will impose on clubs that wish to be in a position to remain at tier 3 and above, as the tiers below this will be downgraded to regional FA jurisdiction.

As somebody new to the Welsh League scene I haven’t really formed concrete views on the incoming changes. I appreciate the position of the FAW who want to drive up standards at the top end of the pyramid and to an extent agree with this in principle. However, on the other hand I have seen the reality at a lot of Welsh League grounds. Aside from the handful of well-established clubs towards the west, clubs struggle to attract more than the same hardcore group of 40-50 fans at home games. The requirement to provide 250 covered seats is nice in principle and means club have grounds that are some way towards being WPL-compliant, but it appears absurd when you consider the actual state of affairs at most Welsh League clubs. Nevertheless, the regulations are being applied and there is no amount of complaining or questioning from Welsh League clubs that will produce a different outcome.

The FAW are not going to grant any concessions, clubs should accept change is coming and, if they want to ensure a status within the top three tiers, find a way to meet the regulations. If that cannot be achieved or they are not prepared to co-operate, then the reality that their future lies at regional level – as tragic and unfortunate as that will be for some proud clubs with long histories – should be accepted.

The foreground to this background tangent is because my latest Welsh League visit was to a club that historically would be at potential risk from the incoming re-structure/ground regulations, but rather than making and huff and a puff about it, has got on with the job of developing a set-up that provides the club with a sustainable future compatible with the incoming regulations.

When I say, ‘historically at potentially risk’ I refer to Caldicot Town AFC’s recent Welsh League heritage, which is of a club that has largely bounced between Division Two and Division Three (Tiers 3-4), with a couple of brief ventures into Division One. Despite being formed in the early 1950s, Caldicot Town AFC didn’t join the Welsh Football League until the 1986/87 season, entering Division One (the equivalent of today’s Division Two). Caldicot Town enjoyed early success in the Welsh League, gaining promotion to the Premier Division in 1990 (which was re-named Division One for the 1990/91 season)

and a year later finished runners up in the Welsh League on goal difference and were granted promotion to the National Division (I believe this was the predecessor of the League of Wales). When the FAW re-organised Welsh football and introduced the League of Wales for the 1992/93 season, Caldicot Town were placed back into Welsh League Division One. It was a slow decline for the club over the next few seasons, eventually being relegated from Division One at the end of the 1996/97 season and spending the next decade between Divisions Two and Three before a return to Division One for the 2007/8 season. A finish of 4th in Division One in the 2009/10 season was Caldicot Town’s best league finish since those glory days in the early 1990s, but the following season the club slipped back into Division Two where they remained until promotion to Division One was earned by winning Division Two a couple of seasons ago. Caldicot Town’s most recent stay in the Division One was restricted to a single campaign; last season they were relegated after finishing 15th (out of 16 clubs).

Historically then, Caldicot Town are not a Welsh League heavyweight but through the hard-work of the club’s committee and volunteers they are very close to having a ground that should satisfy the Tier 2 ground regulations and presently have a set-up that some of their Division Two rivals should be envious of and arguably bettered only by some of the bigger or more famous Division One clubs. From a facilities point of view Jubilee Way ticks so many boxes: easy to access, excellent clubhouse, floodlights, seating and a really high standard playing field. Let’s elaborate on some of these.

Jubilee Way is located in the heart of Caldicot town centre, less than 10 minutes from the M4. There’s plenty of (free) parking opposite the ground. Inside the ground you are immediately presented with the clubhouse, which offers a good range of facilities including booze on draught, hot drinks, a large TV screen, a pool table and a darts board. The football ground offers everything the FAW are looking for and more, well it will do before too long. Caldicot Town have recently obtained a grant from the Welsh Football Trust to enable them to upgrade one of their stands to meet the 250 covered seats regulation.

By my (very rough) count there is around 150 covered seats at present. On top of this there are floodlights (which for me are more essential than seats) and one of the best playing surfaces I have seen in the Welsh League (in light of the winter we’ve had to endure).

It’s not just facilities though, the club’s approach on matchday aspires towards a professional standard.

Having a PA means teams are announced to spectators and even more helpfully, for somebody like me who is there to report on the match as well as spectate, the teams are fixed to the entrance to the football ground and visible to all. There is even a well-produced programme on offer. These facilities are good for players and spectators, but what I really admire about clubs like Caldicot Town is the vision and ambition to be more than a football-playing club. With their clubhouse, there is clearly a focus on Jubilee Way being a community hub rather than just being a place where football is played or watched.

The set-up is not unique to Caldicot Town obviously, but it is usually found at clubs with greater heritage or status in Welsh football. The great success of Caldicot Town is the infrastructure came from land that was purchased through local fund-raising and over decades has evolved from a couple of playing fields into a fantastic Welsh League football ground. Caldicot do not have the support of hundreds of regulars and no prestige as such to call upon, what they have built is a testament to the vision and hard work of those who have worked behind the scenes at Caldicot Town over the decades of its existence.

It is a club that is a genuine community project. What you learn from clubs like Caldicot Town is the limit of what you can achieve as a club in terms of facilities may come down to the limit of your ambition.

Somebody (apologies, I forget who) said to me not so long ago regarding the regulations, Welsh League clubs need to stop believing what they currently have is the best they will ever get. This may be true, clubs like Caldicot Town and Trefelin BGC (who I recently visited) are proof of what can be done with the right amount of commitment, hard-work and ambition.

CALDICOT TOWN AFC Goalkeepers

Defenders

Gareth Wesson Andrew Delve Matthew James (Capt.)

Lloyd Williams Gethin Foster Samuel Watkins Matthew Owen Alex Edwards

Midfielders

Samuel Williams Richard Sharratt Harrison Shelley Sam Watkins Louis Feeley Samuel Swann Kazeem Kareem Tom Fry Ellis Holland Jake Clark Aaron Harris

Strikers

Ben Smith Connah Hughes Leo Ross Ben Donoghue Callum Wakeham

Joint Managers:

Tony Wallis & Nicky Morgan Andrew Delve (GK), Mark Williams, Ryan Morley & Julian Williams (also Medical Officer)

Coaching staff:

ABERBARGOED BUDS From (positions not known) Thomas Davies (C) Shane Brewer Dafydd Brewer Kieran Thomas Liam Vaughan Cowan Lewis Cory Fox Dan Keane Gavin Meecham Kane Giffard Gruffydd Davies Owen Thomas Jak Lewis Alex Line Zak Jones Tomas Broder Jordan Price Joseff Speicher Cian Trollope Billy Romais Iwan Vaughan Macson Evans Levi Rees Gruffydd Bray Callum Davidson

PLAYER PEN PICS Goalkeepers Gareth Wesson: “Wess” is a strong and influential character who commands his goal area and gives strong vocal support and encouragement to the rest of the team. Wess is a very experienced keeper who has player for Plymouth Argyle, Newport County, Newport YMCA and Chepstow Town.

Andrew Delve: Andrew, a very experienced goalkeeper, returns to Caldicot as player coach.

Andrew joins after a career with many clubs in the South Wales area as well as the South of England, with spells at Newport County, Carmarthen Town, Merthyr Tydfil, Gloucester City, Chepstow Town and Midland Premier League side Westfields FC. Michael George Thomas: Defence Matthew James: (Captain): “MJ” needs no introduction; this will be his nineth season at Caldicot Town. Matt is a solid, no nonsense defender, who is good with both feet and chips in with the odd goal or two.

Jacob Guy: “Snake” re-signed from Monmouth Town at the start of the 2016/17 season after he left Caldicot Town in 2011. The former Cardiff and Swansea centre half is very strong in the air as well as being good on the deck, another defender who chips in with the odd goal two.

Aaron Hancock: Ben Burns: Signed from Goytre in March 19. Ben is a very experienced defender with a cool head, he has previously played for Caerau Ely, Cardiff Met, STM and Port Talbot.

Lloyd Williams: Can also play in midfield Gethin Foster: This is 18-year-old Gethin’s second season on the fringes of the First Team. He was part of the successful Caldicot Town under-16 side who completed a cup double, thought to be the first time in the club’s history. The side won both the Gwent County Cup and the Monmouthshire Junior Cup. A fantastic season for Gethin also saw him collect a Monmouthshire League runners-up medal.

Samuel Watkins: This will be Sam’s eight season with the club and he really established himself in the first team with some fine performances at wing back. Sam’s pace, skill and direct running with the ball proves difficult for defenders. He also has a great work rate and covers his defensive duties well. Sam can also play in midfield.

Matthew Owen: Matt joined us from Aberdare in December 2019. Attacking winger with great pace and delivery and will chip in with the odd goal. Matthew can play in defence or midfield.

Alex Edwards: This is 18-year-old Alex’s second season on the fringes of the First Team. He was part of the successful under-16 side who completed a cup double, thought to be the first time in the club’s history. The side won both the Gwent County Cup and the Monmouthshire Junior Cup. A fantastic season also saw Alex walk away with a Monmouthshire League runners-up medal.

Alex can also play in midfield.

Midfield: Richard Sharratt: A central midfielder (can also play in defence). A very experienced player at Welsh League level. “Shaz” is brave and solid in the tackle and chips in with the odd goal or two. A great first touch and reads the game superbly well. His work rate on the pitch is second to none.

Harrison Shelley: Harri joined Caldicot from Caerleon in July 2018. A very talented midfielder, who can also play as a striker, with a great deal of promise and an exciting player to watch.

Former Newport County youth player who has a great eye for goal.

Samuel Williams: Samuel Swann: Progressed through the youth ranks, this is Sam’s fifth season with the first team squad, exciting prospect who can score goals.

Kazeem Kareem: Lagos born Kazeem was with Fulham as a youngster. He was limited to reserve team football during his spell in England, and subsequently moved to Portugal where he would remain for the vast majority of his career, playing for the likes of S.C. Braga, C.D. Trofense, Gil Vicente FC and C.F. Oliveira do Douro. He then took his game to Wales, signing with Lliswerry in 2014 and moving to Monmouth Town the following year.

Louis Christian Feeley: A former Newport youngster who impressed against Barry for Chepstow in the 2014-15 campaign, creative wide man Louis brings experience from across the border, where he turned out for Hereford, Barry Town and Cinderford among others. Can also play as a striker.

Tom William Fry: Ellis Holland: Ellis, a former Merthyr Town player, joined us in the closed season. Ellis was Merthyr Town’s Development Team Player of the Year in 2018.

Jake Clark: Muzingaye Sibanda: Winger Aaron Harris: Signed from Croesyceiliog in December 2018. Aaron is a versatile player who can play either full back or in the midfield. Aaron has put in some outstanding performances in previous seasons, a no-nonsense player with a great first touch.

Strikers: Leo Ross: A prolific striker and has been Welsh League Division 2 top scorer in the past (scoring 22 goals). He has also been voted JD Welsh Cup player of the round after scoring a hat trick away at Undy FC. Leo is a very quick striker with a real eye for goal. He will complement the current forwards we have at the club. Former Abergavenny and Cwmbran Celtic player.

Ben Donoghue: Callum Wakeham: Former Cwmbran Celtic junior, moved on to Bristol Rovers and then Newport County where he scored 36 goals in 36 games over two seasons at U14 and U16.

Returned to Celtic playing for the Under 18s and Reserves and was promoted to their 1st team in January 2017.

Benjamin Smith: “Smudger” joined us from Blackrock in February 2016. Was a key player in our Welsh Youth set up and is a very hard-working striker, with a cultured left foot, Ben does not give defenders a second’s rest. Caldicot Town’s 2018/19 Golden Boot winner.

Connah Hughes: Re-joined us from Taffs Well two seasons ago. Originally from Porth in the Rhondda. Before studying football coaching, Connah was an academy player for both Torquay United and Newport County, he later joined Caerau Ely in Division 1 of the Welsh League. Connah is a big striker who's comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Joint First Team Managers: Tony Wallis: This will be Tony’s third full season in management after completing his playing career in Caldicot Town’s first team 4 seasons ago. Tony holds a UEFA B Licence. Caldicot signed Tony in November 2015, as a striker, from Risca United. The former Cardiff City professional has vast Welsh League experience which will hopefully prove invaluable again this season. Tony guided us to a respectable 4th place finish in his first season as manager, only missing out on promotion by one point.

Nicky “Mogsy” Morgan: Nicky is a UEFA B qualified coach Coach and Medical Officer: Julian Williams: Julian, who holds a UEFA C Licence, performs an invaluable role within the first team setup. Great asset to the first team, and the club, with his tireless contribution both on and off the pitch as “Ju” is also on the Caldicot Town Committee.

Coaches: Andrew Delve: Goalkeeping coach Andrew, a very experienced goalkeeper, returns to Caldicot as player coach. Andrew joins after a career with many clubs in the South Wales area as well as the South of England, with spells at Newport County, Carmarthen Town, Merthyr Tydfil, Gloucester City, Chepstow Town and Midland Premier League side Westfields FC. Mark Williams: “Willo’ is Caldicot Town through and through” having been First Team player, coach and manager of Caldicot Town. Mark is committed to bringing success to Caldicot Town through his experience and leadership skills. Mark prides himself on playing for Caldicot at all levels and is well respected amongst the players and supporters. Mark steered Caldicot Town to the Welsh League Division Two Championship in season 2015/16, a fantastic achievement. Mark has also won a Gwent County Cup Winner’s medal whilst he was a player at the club.

Ryan Morley: MSc Advanced Performance Football Coaching Student and UEFA A Candidate joined us in the closed season

Pictures from the archives – recognise anyone?