Today
’
s Programme at a Glance
Manager’s message.
The season geographically.
The squads.
The squad in pics.
Captains Interview.
Season Tickets.
Tote and 100 club
Q&A with the captain.
Upcoming fixtures.
Managers’ Message
Good evening everyone,
Welcome to the Orange Llama Stadium as we kick off the Ardal League 2024/25 season. It’s fantastic to see so many familiar faces here, ready to support the team as we embark on another exciting campaign.
I extend a warm welcome to everyone associated with AFC Llwydcoed. We are delighted to host you and look forward to a competitive and spirited match tonight.
A special welcome back to Phil Booker, affectionately known as Eggy, who re-joins the Dracs as a First Team coach. Eggy has been instrumental in our preseason preparations, and his return brings invaluable experience and enthusiasm. We’re thrilled to have him back in the fold.
I also want to take this opportunity to wish Oscar Raisbeck all the best as he signs a professional contract with KSV Hessen. It’s a significant step in his career, and we’re proud to see him progress. Additionally, we bid farewell to Luke Davies and Myles Corson, who are moving on to higher leagues to further their development. We wish them nothing but success in their future endeavours.
Tonight’s game promises to be a tough challenge. Llwydcoed have done their homework on us, watching our games closely and signing several promising players. With new management at the helm, they full of energy and determination to make an impact.
For us, the focus is on our players doing what they do best - working hard and playing quality football. If we stick to our game plan and execute it well, I am confident we can secure a positive result.
Enjoy the match tonight and thank you for your unwavering support.
Diolch
Nana Baah
A new season - Ardal SW 2024/25
With the 2023/24 season finished we very quickly find ourselves kicking off 2024/25 a lot earlier than we all expected!
It was a closely fought finish at the top of the table with Penrhiwceiber winning the league and promotion with their last game and for Cefn Cribwr, in a space of a week or so losing automatic promotion, the 2nd place play off and the league cup!
We finished in a healthy position of 3rd just ahead of close rivals Ynyshir.
Relegated were Penydarren, Port Talbot and Mumbles Rangers.
These places have been taken up by Pontardawe Town, the only side dropping down into our league this season after relegation from the Ardal Southern. The surprise sideways shift was Canton FC to the East! The remaining 4 teams, Bridgend Street, Clydach FC, Evans & Williams and Treherbert BGC, were all promoted from their prospective leagues but none as winners!
This leaves the full line up for the 2024/25 season as:
AFC Llwydcoed, Bridgend Street, Cardiff Corinthians, Cardiff Draconians, Cefn Cribwr, Clydach FC, Evans & Williams, Morriston Town, Pontardawe Town, Pontyclun, Seven Sisters Onllwyn, South Gower, Swansea University, Treherbert BGC, Ynyshir Albions and Ynysygerwn.
We have a lot more travelling down west with the majority of the new teams entering the Ardal West from that area. Cefn Cribwr are back home as well at Cae Gof.
Last season was a hard fought season and not as wide open as many expected and we expect it to be a hard fought campaign again this season!
Nana Baah has shown great confidence in the fantastic squad he built last season and has added some good players. Along with his coaching staff of Ben Hartrey, Darren Buttle, Dan Hurton and Paul Smith, Phil Booker has rejoined the club to add strength to the coaching team.
This season will be one to watch with the aspirations of the Dracs to seek tier 2 status.
Match Officials
Referee Charlotte Carpenter
1st Assistant Referee Jason Lewis
2nd Assistant Referee Jamie Griffin
Harry Johnston
Dracs 24/25 Squad
Charlie Hansen-Taylor Nathan Mathias
Rob Bloor Jacob Benford
Sam Cawley
Harry Gardener Luke Bridgeman (C) Efu Kazadi
Dan Lewis
Jordan Fofana
Jamal Roberts
Simon Aynalem
Gruff Nichol
Marinho Manga
Ethan Farley
Sam Roberts
Ibraim So Sani
Connor Graham Jordan Coles Ben Vincent
George Shewring Dylan Amin
Ali Brisam Callum Beckett
Manager Nana Baah
Assistant Manager Paul Smith
Assistant Manager Ben Hartrey
Coach Phil Booker
Goalkeeper Coach Dan Hurton
Coach Darren Buttle
Physio/1st Aider Emma Ryan
Kieron Evans
Harley Tucker
Gabe Williams
Levi Jones
Dan Holding
Mikey Davies
Dylan Davies
Levi Jones
Brad Wickham
Llwydcoed Squad
First Team Manager
Ricky Carter
Cian Cable
C Bowley
Gabi Viazzani
Leo Smale
Adam Lewis
Kam Filarsky
Dewi Abbruzzee
Leo Thomas
Lewis Holder
Coach Ross Daniels
Coach Luke Davies
1st Aider
Dan Hancock
Interview with the Captain
Captain Luke Bridgeman is gearing up for his second season with Cardiff Draconians.
After arriving from Treharris Athletic Western at the start of the previous campaign, Bridgeman was handed the armband and has become a fan favourite and has led by example on and off the pitch.
Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Bridgeman shares his thoughts on pre-season, the start of the new season, facing AFC Llwydcoed in their Ardal Southern opener this evening and his goals for the year ahead with media officer Joshua Thomas.
How much are you looking forward to the new season and how much have you enjoyed being around the guys again?
It’s been brilliant to be back. It’s a short gap between the seasons. So, it almost feels like we have come straight into it. It’s a really good group to be part of. The boys are a really good bunch, everyone gets on really well. (I am) really excited just to get going now and get stuck in to the season.
What’s been the most important thing about pre-season, it’s been earlier this year than normal hasn’t it?
It’s been tough having a shorter break and some of the lads still carrying injuries and things like that. Not much of a rest but I think just getting minutes under the belt, getting to know some of the new faces, playing alongside people you haven’t played before and just building those relationships I think is massively important. Just minutes under the belt ready to go into the season now.
What have you learned about each other from pre-season?
I always think it’s tough pre-season to replicate what a proper match will be. We have had a lot of lads coming out, old faces, new faces as well. On the whole I think it’s been good. We have played some decent sides, some wins and losses but going into the season now on Tuesday we are confident with the side we have got. We have added to last season and lost one or two but I think we are in a stronger place than we were last season and hopefully we can push on again into those top two spots.
What do you make of the squad you have got now?
I think it’s the strongest squad I have been a part of. In previous seasons, last season maybe we were a few numbers short at the start of the season and that’s why we started poorly. Lots of good players, lots of depth in every position. I think in every position we have got three or four players who can easily start. Lots of players who can play a level above as well. So, a really strong squad.
Having that experience of your first year as captain, has that helped settle you down now ahead of the new season?
It’s always a pleasure to get the captaincy and it comes with things alongside it. You have got to make sure the standards are set high and you are setting the example. So, I think that your experience will no doubt help you going into this year. Hopefully we can push on again. What are your thoughts on AFC Llwydcoed?
It’s always tough against Llwydcoed. They have always been a tough game in the past, had some good battles against them. It difficult going into the new season not knowing what players they have got, what their squad is going to look like. I know one or two of their old boys from last year have taken over as manager. It will be interesting but hopefully get off to a winning start.
What are your aims and ambitions for the season ahead?
(We finished) third place last season, we had a poor start to the season last season. If we had ended the season the same way as we started I think we might have pushed for those top two places. But this season top two has got to be the aim with the squad we have got. First place, obviously, if we can. If not that second spot. That’s what we are going for.
Pics by Debbie Yanez and Josh Thomas
The Squad 2024.2025
Pics by Josh Thomas
Feeling lucky? Then join in with our club fundraisers of the Lucky 24 Tote and the 100 club!
For £1 a tote ticket there is a weekly chance of winning our current jackpot of £1275.
Join the 100 club for £10 a month and be part of the monthly draw to win a prize of either £100, £75, £50 or £25. 100 club draw takes place the end of every month!
See a club member in the shop to find out more or buy a ticket or message us online.
Thanks to everyone who supports us in this and good luck in the next draws.
Email: Cardiffdraconians@aol.com
Twitter: @CDraconians
Facebook: @CardiffDraconiansFC
Q&A with Bridgey!
Favourite Football team? Liverpool
Favourite meal? Pizza
Favourite car? Kia Picanto
If you could have any three dinner guests who would they be?
Jurgen Klopp, Andy Robertson and Steven Gerrard
Go to Karaoke Song? Stand by Me by Ben E King
What is your best footballing attribute? Heading and classic defending
Previous clubs? Treharris Athletic Western and Caerau Ely
How long have you been with the club? Two seasons
Tell me one fact about you: Nana Baah was my PE teacher at St Teilos.
Best player you have ever played with? Ben Cabango.
Best player you have ever played against? Rabbi Matondo
Best piece of advice you would give upcoming footballers: Just enjoy playing football, put the hard work in and the results will come.
Fixtures
Once a Drac, Always a Drac
