Risca Utd vs Cwmbran Celtic

RISCA UNITED A.F.C. Matchday Programme

Cwmbran Celtic I

K..O. 14.30

I 15 -04-22

I

JD CYMRU SOUTH

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@RiscaUtd Risca United Football Club riscautd #cuckoos

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Pleased to be a Sponsor of RISCA UNITED A.F.C Wishing them all the best in the new season

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FOREWORD

We welcome Cwmbran Celtic and their supporters to the CSE this afternoon. First of the Easter Bank Holiday double header games, we play Celtic away on Easter Monday.

We are reaching the very final stages of the season now and as stated every game is the proverbial cup final. We will be looking to build on the hard earned 4 points from previous 2 games. All to play for as both sides are fighting the drop.

The onsite café will be open and refreshments and snacks are available.

Thankyou to all the volunteers that make things happen behind the scenes and on a matchday, your hard work is what keeps us running.

Finally, enjoy the game.

Best wishes Ryland Price—Risca United Chairman

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WHAT’S INSIDE

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BEZZO’S BIT CLUB HISTORY FAW FAIR PLAY FORTNIGHT ACADEMY ROUND-UP THE SQUADS SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES HISTORY — TODAYS OPPONENTS RISCA UTD PLAYER PROFILES FIXTURES & RESULTS 2021 / 22

LEAGUE TABLE WELSH BLOOD SERVICE PARTNERSHIP NEXT FIXTURE

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BEZZO’S BIT SOME THOUGHTS FROM THE GAFFA This weeks fixture see us play home to Cwmbran Celtic on Good Friday. This fixture has been rearranged having should have been played at Christmas. It’s a huge fixture with both sides needing to win to escape the relegation zone.

Last weeks game saw us play Carmarthen and despite going 1-0 down early we probably played our best football of the season and applied a lot of pressure to Carmarthen. We equalised in the second half through a Callum Hodges header and then pushed for a winner but unfortunately this didn’t come. Pleased with the performance but need to win some games in a remaining fixtures.

Squad news is positive we welcome back Joe Massaro and Matthew Thomas.

Unfortunately Leon Thomas the only absentee having picked up his 5th yellow on the weekend

Thanks Bezzo

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CLUB HISTORY “The Cuckoos” The club came into being in 1946 when a few local sides UNITED to form the new club, they played at Ty-Isaf Park in the Monmouthshire Senior League, where after early success they joined the Welsh Football League in the 1951 playing in the 2nd.

Division East until 1961 before having to drop back into County Football due to financial reasons. Their highest position during those 10 years was 5th. in the 2nd. Division East. The club have always been known as “The Cuckoos”, in keeping with the legend of the town.

In the summer of 1965 the club almost folded due to a lack of funds & volunteers but were ”taken over” at the 11th hour by Fernlea A.F.C., a Risca based, Newport & District League side, who actually shared Ty-Isaf Park with “The Cuckoos”.

For a few seasons the “new” club struggled in the lower reaches of the 1st Division of the Mon Senior League but always managed to avoid relegation. Gradually we strengthened on and off the field before Risca United began its “Golden Era” in the early 70`s.

During that decade “The Cuckoos” strung together an incredible 13 honours including 3 consecutive League and Cup doubles, 3 Championships, and were Challenge Cup Winners for 5 consecutive seasons. The 3 consecutive League & Cup doubles had never been achieved previously and was recognized by the Mon. Senior League in presenting the club with a one off trophy that still proudly sits in the trophy cabinet.

The “Golden Era” continued into the `80`s as more silverware was added including the Gwent Senior Cup, The Gwent Amateur Cup and yet another

League and Cup double in 1988/89, besides twice being League runners-up and runners up twice in the Gwent Amateur Cup. Following these achievements the club strived to fulfil its motto, “Progress” and were eventually accepted back into the Welsh Football League in 1990/91. They were Division 3 runners-up in that first season, followed by three seasons in the 2nd Division before gaining promotion in 1994/95 to the Welsh League 1st Division. The club had two seasons in the top flight before slipping back down through the divisions.

Their highest placing in the 1st Division during this time being 11th in 1995/96.

In February 1995 whilst a 2nd Division side Risca United reached the 4th round of the Welsh Cup and played at Ninian Park against a full strength Cardiff City in front of 1,200 spectators, for an hour the score remained 0-0 but eventually the “Bluebirds” ran out 4-0 winners.

In 2001 the club took part in a two hour BBC Wales TV football drama, “Score”. Filming lasted a week at Ty-Isaf Park where some TV stars, including, Sue Johnston (Brookside & The Royale Family), Eve Myles (Belonging & Torchwood) rubbed shoulders with “The Cuckoos”. Some of the clubs players even took part in filming at Elland Road in front of 40,000 Leeds United fans! In 2003/2004 Risca United were again on the small screen as BBC Wales filmed their historic 2-1 defeat of Barry Town at Jenner Park in the Welsh Cup, at the time Barry Town were the Welsh Cup holders and reigning Champions of the Welsh Premier League.

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CLUB HISTORY “The Cuckoos” Under the guidance of Player/Manager Paul Michael a 3rd place finish in 2013/14 secured promotion to the 2nd Division after a spell of 13 seasons in the 3rd Division. That was followed in 2014/15 with a second successive promotion when 3rd place in Division 2 was achieved on the last day of the season with a 5-1 defeat of A.F.C. Llwydcoed, the last game in an incredible 13 match unbeaten run.

In 2014/15 the club set up an Academy for young players between 10 and 16 years and were granted F.A.W. Accredited Academy status. That first year was a huge success at all age levels but pride of place went to our under 12`s who completed their F.A.W. Academy League (South) Fixtures unbeaten and finished top. In the All Wales Play-Off Final held at Latham Park, Newtown we beat Bala Town 5-1 to become Welsh Champions in our very first season. The Academy goes from strength to strength and bodes well for the clubs future. A number of todays squad have come through our academy programme.

Risca United have become victims of their own success, the consecutive promotions in 2013/14 and 2014/15 saw “The Cuckoos” back in the top flight of the Welsh Football League after 18 years but with the F.A.W. determined that all clubs in the 1st Division have grounds that qualify for a Tier Two Licence by the end of 2018 it meant that we had to move from our humble surroundings in Risca to the new Council owned, Centre for Sporting Excellence (The C.S.E. Stadium) at Ystrad Mynach. It meant that 1st. Division/Cymru Premier Development/Academy games would be played there whilst the club`s other sides would continue to use Ty-Isaf Park in Risca.

Following our move to the C.S.E. Stadium we applied for and were accepted into the strongest youth league in Wales, the Cymru Premier Development League where our Under 19`s compete against established giants such as Barry Town United, Llanelli Town, Aberystwyth Town. Playing at this level of Football has ensured our young players are capable of making the step up to Senior domestic football.

Season 2019-20 will long be remembered for reasons other than football with the Covid-19 virus bringing the season to an early finish in March.

We`ll also remember it for football reasons. A great start saw us in the top three places from August until the abrupt end in March. The unbeaten start saw Simon Berry being awarded Manager of the Month for August, September and October and Risca United picked up Club of the Month in the same three months. There were some blips though as we went out of the Welsh Cup & Welsh League Cup to sides lower down the pyramid, not so in the Welsh Trophy as we made our way through the competition to the last eight.

A long trip north and an overnight stop saw us take on Llandudno Albion in the quarter final but in all honesty we weren`t at it on a windy February afternoon and lost 2-0, a game we should really have won but we didn`t perform to our best.

When the Covid put a stop to football we had only played 14 League games and were 3rd behind Trefelin B&GC and Port Talbot Town and had a nervy wait whilst the FAW decided how the season would conclude. After a couple of months in limbo we found ourselves placed 2nd behind Champions Trefelin as a result of the points per game system being employed.

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CLUB HISTORY “The Cuckoos” The FAW also decided that promotion and relegation would remain and we were duly promoted as Runners-Up in the last ever season of the Welsh Football Leagues 111 year history. A fitting finale to Risca United`s history with the now defunct Welsh Football League.

More honours followed when the F.A.W. crowned our best ever season with the Fair Play award in Welsh Football League Division One, the second such award in the last few seasons.

Our start in the 2nd. tier of Welsh football has been delayed by Covid-19 as season 2020/21 was wiped out and has removed some gloss off our achievements but we look forward to starting season 2021-22 where we will pit our wits against well established clubs in the JD Cymru South, the highest level of football ever reached by Risca United in it`s 75 year history.

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The FAW is continuing to promote the Fair Play initiative by organising the ‘FAW Fair Play Fortnight’ in partnership with Nationwide Building Society for all National League clubs between Friday 1st April and Friday 15th April 2022.

The FAW has already organised this for all divisions within the National Leagues in previous seasons which involved players and match officials wearing the FAW Fair Play patches on their kit, having articles in programmes to raise the profile of this worthwhile initiative, where the winners of each award from the National Leagues receives £1000 prize money to put towards their club.

This season the FAW will launch the largest Fair Play initiative ever with all National League clubs taking part. The FAW will provide FAW Fair Play patches for the players and match officials, half are in Welsh and half in English. They will be worn on the sleeves of the shirts.

To further promote the message a pennant promoting Fair Play will be exchanged, and clubs will to the opportunity to take photographs to publicise on social media channels using the slogan ‘Working Together for a Fairer Game’.

Todays game with Cwmbran Celtic has been chosen for our FAW Fair Play game.

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ACADEMY ROUND-UP

It’s been a very positive season for our FAW accredited academy, as the season draws to a close we’ll give you a brief summary. Not all age groups have finished, this weekend our U15s will play in the Southern play-off for a place in the national final awaiting them or their opponents Briton Ferry Llansawel.

The u15s have enjoyed an undefeated season so far, their only draw was against Ferry. The play-off is sure to be another hard fought close game. The team is featured on the programme cover.

U15s - 2021/22

Our Cymru Premier Development U19s finished their season last weekend with an excellent 4-2 win against champions Taffs Well. The result confirmed a 3rd place finish, our highest in that league. The squad were title contenders virtually the whole season and a small dip in form costs them a run for the title in the last few weeks. A great season though that has seen 7 players make 1st team debuts.

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ACADEMY ROUND-UP The FAW Youth U18s still have a few games to play and currently sit a solid 2nd in the table. After a slow start (partly due to player unavailability) they have been on a fantastic run to rise through the table.

U16s had a very tough season, finishing 12th in the table. That doesn’t tell the story of their season, they have shown great determination and have continued to develop and improve as the season progressed.

U14s narrowly missed out on a play-off place in a very competitive league.

They ended just 3 points off 2nd place in a fantastic season for this talented squad finishing in 3rd place.

U13s finished 5th in the table in what was a very competitive league where the top sides ran each other close.

U12s had a fantastic season in yet another very competitive league, they finished 3rd just missing out on a play-off place.

All age groups will be looking to build on a positive season and take forward to the new season and the challenges ahead. Our pre-academy for mini football age groups is still in it’s infancy and has thrived and continued to develop with great enthusiasm.

A massive thank you to all our volunteer coaches and staff who have dedicated their time to develop the players , the environment and the running of the academy.

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TODAYS FIXTURE

RISCA UNITED SQUAD Joe MASSARO Tom CHORLEY Ricky HODGE Callum HODGES Arthur FURNESS Connor HANFORD Dan SPENCER Josh CLAYTON (C) Callum PORTER Ryan WHEELER Lewis ELLIS Tom GAMESON Sam PALMER Morgan STEAD Harvey SELLWAY Will BEVAN Camden DUNCAN Sean FEELEY Leon THOMAS Matthew THOMAS Tom BERRY Jake MORRIS Ethan EDWARDS

CWMBRAN CELTIC SQUAD

15th April KO 14.30PM CSE Stadium

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE George Nemes

ASSISTANTS Brooklyn Lloyd-Meek & Amin Said

Lewis Watkins (GK) Tyler Broom Dominic Connor Andrew Hewitt Taylor Davies Billy Gill Lewis McCauley Jordan Meaney © Samuel Powell Jack Martin Elliot Jones Alex Bonthron Andrew Larcombe Daniel Prichard Alex McDowell Isaac Powell Thomas Meechan Thomas Neville Evan Prosser Joshua Hinwood

Management Team

Management Team

Manager - Simon BERRY Coach - Marc INGLES Coach - Jeff REYNOLDS

Manager - James Kinsella Assist - Matthew Williams Coach - Neil Jones Physio: Conor James #cuckoos

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES OPTION 1: MATCH BALL SPONSOR 

Half page advert in matchday programme

OPTION 2: MATCH SPONSOR   



£50

Full page advert in matchday programme Mentioned in match promotional material Entry to the game x2 people

OPTION 3: PLAYER SPONSOR 

£25

£50

Mentioned in every matchday programme alongside sponsored player Mentioned in social media posts related to the sponsored player

OPTION 4: MATCHDAY PROGRAMME £50 Half Page 

Advert for every home match for the season

OPTION 5: PITCH SIDE ADVERT   

£75 Full Page £200

Sponsor banner displayed pitch side Full page advert in matchday programme Discounted renewal fee for following season

Other options or combinations are available including teamwear sponsorship. Also options for Academy age group teams. Please send enquiries to:

riscautd@gmail.com #cuckoos

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HISTORY OF TODAYS OPPONENTS CWMBRAN CELTIC A BRIEF HISTORY OF CWMBRAN CELTIC 19252021 Cwmbran Celtic football club was formed in 1925.

In the early years the club was known as CYMS (Catholic Young Men's Society). After the immediate success of winning the Newport & District Division 2 Section A title in 1925/6 there was then a 25-year gap before the next trophy, the Premier Division title in 1950/1. The club disbanded in the late 1950’s largely as a consequence of national service call-ups but a large influx of junior and youth players brought about the reforming of the club in 1964 under the new name of Cwmbran Catholics. In 1970/1 Celtic won the Gwent Senior Cup. In 1972/3 with playing membership open to all denominations the club dropped the catholic title and re-named as Cwmbran Celtic winning the Gwent Amateur Cup and finishing runners-up in the Gwent Premier League.

In 1979 the club bought its own premises at Oak Street, Old Cwmbran, the club's present headquarters. The club's ground was in Cwmbran Park but around 1995 they moved to the grounds outside Cwmbran Stadium which were shared with Cwmbran Cricket club. The cricket club later moved to Caerleon and Celtic obtained the lease from Torfaen Council.

Celtic played in the Gwent County League in the 1980s and 1990s and after gaining promotion as champions of Division 2 in 1986/7 remained in the 1st division for the next 10 seasons. However a disastrous slide found the club languishing in the 3rd division when Paul "Dishy" Richardson became manager in 1999. He transformed the side bringing in experienced ex-Cwmbran Town stalwarts Mickey Copeman and Kevin Payne alongside teenage striker Shane Williamson who for a dozen seasons was top scorer. The side was later bolstered by the return of ex-professionals Ben Graham and Mark Parfitt who had started their careers with Celtic as juniors. There were

successive promotions from the 3rd to 1st division between 1999 and 2001 and in 1999/2000 Celtic won the Gwent County league cup.

In 2004/5 under new player-manager Mickey Copeman, the club were runners-up to Clydach Wasps who applied for membership of the Welsh Football League, but their ground was adjudged to be not of the required standard. Celtic applied instead. Their ground was also not up to standard, but they were able to share Cwmbran Stadium with Cwmbran Town and the Welsh League accepted the club's application.

In their first season in the WFL, 2005/6, Celtic struggled near the bottom of the 3rd division all season. In April Celtic travelled to Chepstow Town needing a win to stay in the league. They went 1-0 down. With minutes of normal time remaining substitute Jason Price equalised but a draw was not enough. In the 9th minute of time added on player manager Mickey Copeman went up for a corner. The ball was cleared off the goal-line by a Chepstow defender, it hit Copeman on the back and rebounded into the net. Celtic had achieved a last gasp win and, by winning their final match against Seven Sisters, Celtic escaped relegation on goal difference.

The following season, 2006/7, Celtic now back at their upgraded and newly named ground, Celtic Park, were transformed. They only lost 2 games and enjoyed a 24-match unbeaten run. They went to Risca for their last match already promoted but needed to win to secure the Championship ahead of Llanwern. With 3 minutes left Celtic were 1-0 downplaying with 10 men after a red card for Kevin Payne. Then Sammy Winter equalised with a speculative long range shot and in the last minute a Risca clearance found full back Ben Graham outside the box.

He hit a perfect looping volley over the goalkeeper's head and into the net. Celtic were champions.

In Division 2 Celtic consolidated their position in

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HISTORY OF TODAYS OPPONENTS CWMBRAN CELTIC 2007/8 and 2008/9 during which they introduced a number of players from their new partnership with Fairwater High School Football Academy in Cwmbran managed by Celtic coach Della Cheedy.

In 2009/10 Celtic were front runners destined to win the Championship. However, they lost two key defenders at a crucial time and vital points were dropped. Nevertheless, Celtic finished their games in 1st place and would win the title if Penrhiwceiber failed to win at Newcastle Emlyn.

The home side was 2-0 up at one stage but Ceiber clawed their way back to win 3-2 and deny Celtic the championship. At the end of the season Mickey Copeman stood down after 7 years during which he secured 3 promotions which took the club from Gwent County League to the top division of the Welsh League.

In their first season in the 1st division, 2010/11 under new manager Ben Graham, Celtic struggled for much of the season and were firmly planted in the relegation zone but a superb run-in during which they won 7 and drew 3 of 14 games earned them 12th place out of 16. In 2011/12 a good start was made under Alan Dibble who stepped down in September with the team in 5th place, to be replaced by Gareth Morgan. Either side of Christmas, Celtic were 2nd but they had a dismal end of season run and again finished 12th.

In 2012/13 with head coach Della Cheedy at the helm, Celtic started brightly with some fine performances including a 4-2 win versus reigning champions Cambrian & Clydach, but they lost their way in the New year and at one stage were in last place. However, with characteristic determination they dragged themselves up the table and sealed another season in the top division with a resounding 5-1 win against Haverfordwest County. Under Steve Morgan in 2013/14 Celtic underperformed finishing 4th from bottom and with Afan Lido relegated from the Welsh Premier League, Celtic were relegated despite appealing to an FAW arbitration. With Della Cheedy back as manager in 2014/15 Celtic finished 7th in Division 2.

In 2015/16 Nicky Church started as manager but he resigned mid-season. Ex Ton Pentre boss Dean Morris took over, won two manager of the month awards, and guided Celtic to the runners-up position and promotion on the back of 10 straight wins. The club also reached the quarter finals of the Welsh Cup, going down 2-1 after a brave fight at home to WPL side Port Talbot. Josh Bull was the Welsh League’s top scorer with 32 league goals.

In 2016/17, back in the 1st Division, Celtic went top of the league early in the season. Dean Morris resigned in March 2017 and first teamer Lee Challenger took over, winning his first 5 games in charge as the team ended in 6th place, their best position in 5 seasons in the top tier.

In 2017/18 Celtic finished 8th in the league and enjoyed their best ever league cup run, reaching the semi-final before losing to Llanelli Town 3-0.

Chris Ham was Welsh Division1 player of the season and top scorer with 28 league goals.

In 2018/19 Celtic finished a disappointing 10th in the League with Lee Challenger resigning in March 2019.

In 2019/20, for the inaugural season of the Cymru League South, Celtic installed Nicky Morgan and Simon Truman as the management team. With 9 new signings there was a lot of optimism for a successful season, but the team never got going and after a 6-1 drubbing at Pontypridd in January the club regretfully dismissed the management duo.

Development team manager James Kinsella took over with Matthew Williams as assistant, the team finishing 13th in a curtailed season due to the pandemic.

Last season, only one game was played, in December 2020, a 2-0 defeat at Pontypridd Town in the Nathaniel MG League cup.

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RISCA UNITED Player Profiles Joe MASSARO: 24 yr. old Goalkeeper: Joe has been out of the game for a season or two. A promising youngster who was capped as a youth by Wales, he has spent time with Barry Town Utd, Goytre and Ton Pentre.

Dan SPENCER: 28 yr. old midfielder: Recent January signing. Previously played for Cardiff Met and Bristol Manor Farm. Dan brings experience and quality to the squad and can play in numerous positions. Looking forward to him showing us what he can do.

Arthur FURNESS: 27 yr. old Full Back: A native of Brighton, Arthur started in Welsh football with Cardiff Met. Signing for us in Nov. 2018 before having a spell back in England with Reading City. He absolutely loves playing for the Cuckoos and re-signed Sept. 2020. Totally committed on and off the pitch.

Callum HODGES: 23 yr. old Centre Back: Cwmbran boy Callum is a towering central defender who takes great pride in trying to stop opponents from getting shots away. In his second spell with us having played in the unbeatable Monmouth Town Youth side of 2016 before joining our Cymru Development side, Also played for Croesyceiliog. Re-signed for us sept. 2020.

Ricky HODGE: 35 yr. old Centre Back: A native of Western -Super-Mare who started his Welsh football playing career at Cardiff Met. and later had spells with Cwmbran Town, Taffs Well & Penybont before signing for us in July 2019. Ricky`s experience and know how was and still is a big influence in our team. He had a huge part to play in our promotion to the Cymru South.

Callum PORTER: 23 yr. old Midfield: Local boy Callum is not just a Mid-Fielder he`s another player who can play well in other positions. As a 16 year old was at Newport County and was later a member of the Monmouth Town Youth team that were unbeaten Welsh League Youth Champions in 2016. Has been a regular with us since signing in August 2016.

Connor HANFORD: 22 yr. old Defender: Caerphilly boy who was at Newport County as a junior, an out and out defender who loves keeping clean sheets. Has had spells at Cambrian & Clydach, Merthyr Town and Pontypridd Town before signing for us in Jan. 2020.

Josh CLAYTON: 30 yr. old Midfield & Club Captain: Vastly experienced who has a great engine and is a super fit box to box player but like others in the squad does a very good job elsewhere when the need arises. Totally committed to the Cuckoos having been with us since 2010, bleeds Black & White.

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RISCA UNITED Player Profiles Lewis ELLIS: 29 yr. old Midfield: A very experienced and cultured player who was at Barry Town as a 16 year old before moving onto Penybont via a short move to play in Sweden. In his second spell with us following a season in 2026/17. He also counts spells with Cinderford Town, Taffs Well, Cwmbran Celtic & Pontypridd Town as former clubs. Returned to us in July this year.

Sam PALMER: 34 year old Midfield: There`s no substitute for experience and Hereford born Sam has loads of that gained from 10 years with Monmouth Town, Where he was a Welsh League Division 1 winner, before moving to Caerphilly in 2017 when he signed for us. This likeable bloke has been a regular since and pops up with the odd goal or two.

Tom GAMESON: 23 year old Midfield: Blackwood boy Tom is a new signing in June this year. A tall elegant player with a great range of passing and great close control who enjoys a good physical battle as well. His previous clubs includes Treowen Stars, Aberbargoed Buds and Taffs Well.

Sean FEELEY: 25 yr old. Forward: New signing Sean has joined us from Abergavenny Town where he played for the last 5 seasons. Prior to that Sean has played at Croesyceiliog, Cwmbran Celtic and Penybont.

Ryan WHEELER: 21 yr. old Midfield: Local boy “Naught” played Gwent County football for A.C. Pontymister until finally making the step up to us in July 2019.

He made an impact from day one, we regret him not joining us sooner. He has great close control and a great engine with a never say die attitude and was another who had a big say in our promotion to the Cymru South.

Camden DUNCAN: 20 yr old from Blackwood, a very talented young player who returns to join us from Cinderford Town after transferring from us in the Summer.

As a youngster had a few clubs, including Pengam BGC, our Academy, Cheltenham Town, Worcester City, Newport County and Merthyr.

Morgan STEAD: 17 yr. old Midfield: Abertillery boy has been art of our Academy since 2016. A gifted ball player who is an important member of our Cymru Development team and has recently broken into our first team squad with some impressive appearances.

Harvey SELWAY: 17 yr old from Caerphilly, who has proved a versatile player showing his all round ability. Another Academy product , been with us since 2016 and is an important member of our Cymru Development team and has recently broken into our first team squad covering a number of positions,

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RISCA UNITED Player Profiles Leon THOMAS: 20 year old Forward: Caerphilly boy Leon signed for our Academy in 2015 where he quickly progressed and went on to be an important member of our Cymru Development team as well as breaking into the senior side a couple of seasons ago. Great first touch and loves drifting past defenders.

Tom BERRY: 24 yr. old Forward: Newport boy Tom has a stocky build but don`t be fooled, he has great ball control, is physically very strong and combines it with a powerful shot. Spent time with Newport County as a youngster and was another member of the unbeatable Monmouth Town Youth champions of 2016. Has been with us since and is another who helped us secure promotion to this level.

Matthew THOMAS: 28 yr. old Forward: Local boy “Tuna” played Gwent County football for home town Abercarn before joining us in Jan. 2015 before moving onto a short spell with Cinderford Town in-between a couple of seasons in the Cymru Premier for Carmarthen Town. He returned to us in 2017 to pick up where he left off. He may be a striker but is often our first line of defence, his work rate in every game is a great example to his team mates.

Jake MORRIS: 16 yr. old. Forward: This well built young striker hails from Bargoed and spent two seasons with Swansea City from the age of 11. He joined our Academy in 2018 where he has continued to catch the eye. At such a young age to be included at this level of football shows he has the managers trust. We look forward to seeing how far he can advance.

Ethan EDWARDS: 18 yr. old. Forward: Ethan started with our Academy in 2015 in the U12s where he quickly progressed and was a key member of the National Academy Championship winning squad. After a few seasons away he has become an important member of our Cymru Development team and has recently broken into the senior side. Electric pace, a nightmare for defenders and has an eye for goal.

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The recruitment and retention of referees is essential to the development of the game in Wales. Contact your local area referees association or check out : WWW.BECOMEAREF.WALES

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Enjoy a pre or post match drink or meal at the Coopers Arms, or any other time you fancy it.

Tel : 01443 814319

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FIXTURES & RESULTS 2021 / 22

17-Jul

Llantwit Major

A

3-3 2 - 4 Pens

24-Jul

Afan Lido

H

2-3

JD Cymru South

27-Jul

Llanelli Town

H

1-1

JD Cymru South

31-Jul

Carmarthen Town

A

P-P

JD Cymru South

07-Aug Trefelin BGC

A

2- 0

Nathaniel MG Cup R1

10-Aug Pontypridd Town

A

2- 1

JD Cymru South

14-Aug Llantwit Major

A

3-0

JD Welsh Cup

21-Aug Trefelin BGC

A

4-0

JD Cymru South

24-Aug Briton Ferry Llansawel

H

2-5

JD Cymru South

27-Aug Taffs Well

H

1-1

JD Cymru South

H

7-0

JD Cymru South

11-Sep Llantwit Major

A

2-0

JD Cymru South

18-Sep Swansea University

H

4-0

JD Cymru South

01-Oct Briton Ferry Llansawel

A

3-1

JD Cymru South

22-Oct Undy Athletic

H

3-0

JD Cymru South

29-Oct Cambrian & Clydach

A

5-0

JD Cymru South

H #cuckoos

1-1

JD Cymru South

7-Sep

Port Talbot Town

05-Nov Goytre United

Nathaniel MG Cup R1

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FIXTURES & RESULTS 2021 / 22

19-Nov Ammanford

A

2-2

JD Cymru South

03-Dec Ammanford

H

2-1

JD Cymru South

10-Dec Goytre United

A

1-1

JD Cymru South

17-Dec Cambrian & Clydach

H

0-2

JD Cymru South

21-Jan

Swansea University

A

2-2

JD Cymru South

28-Jan

Llantwit Major

H

0-2

JD Cymru South

12-Feb Undy Athletic

A

1-2

JD Cymru South

25-Feb Taffs Well

A

1-3

JD Cymru South

04-Mar Llanelli Town

A

1-1

JD Cymru South

11-Mar Trefelin

H

0-2

JD Cymru South

25-Mar Pontypridd Town

H

0-1

JD Cymru South

02-Apr Port Talbot Town

A

0-1

JD Cymru South

09-Apr Carmarthen Town

H

1-1

JD Cymru South

15-Apr Cwmbran Celtic

H

JD Cymru South

18-Apr Cwmbran Celtic

A

JD Cymru South

30-Apr Afan Lido

A

JD Cymru South

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LEAGUE TABLE

Updated as at 12/4/22

*

* - Points deducted #cuckoos

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YOUR ADVERT COULD BE HERE

For programme adverts or other sponsorship opportunities please send enquiries to: riscautd@gmail.com #cuckoos

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Match of the Day: Welsh Blood Service teams up with FAW’s Cymru Leagues & WPWL urging Risca United supporters to save lives 'Blood, sweat and cheers’ campaign aims to get football fans into donation centres in Caerphilly.

The Welsh Blood Service has partnered with the FAW’s JD Cymru Leagues and Orchard Welsh Premier Women’s League to launch a brand-new campaign to encourage Risca United fans to donate blood this season and to help save lives in the local community.

Through its ‘Blood, Sweat and Cheers’ campaign, clubs are being encouraged by the Welsh Blood Service to engage with their supporters and local communities to promote the importance of giving blood and signing up football fans to save thousands of lives. The campaign has received support from former Wales midfielder Owain Tudur Jones and Wales forward Natasha Harding.

Every single day the Welsh Blood Service needs to collect 350 blood donations to supply hospitals with enough blood for patients.

Blood and its by-products play a vital role in saving lives each day, with donations helping accident victims, patients having a kidney, liver or an organ transplant, pregnant women, leukaemia and cancer patients, someone about to undergo open heart surgery and premature babies who cannot survive without a blood transfusion.

The Welsh Blood Service collects 100,000 blood donations each year from roughly 70,000 volunteer donors. In its new role as the official community partner of the FAW’s Cymru Leagues and Welsh Premier Women’s League*, the Welsh Blood Service is hoping the ‘Blood, Sweat and Cheers’ campaign will help the organisation with its goal of signing 11,000 new blood donors in 2020.

Although the pandemic temporarily stopped football fans from attending games, clubs are asking supporters to cheer their team on by making a potentially lifesaving blood donation. Giving blood is considered an essential service, and donation sessions have continued across Wales throughout the pandemic with additional safety measures introduced to meet Welsh Government guidance for donors attending.

Professor Donna Mead, chair of Velindre University NHS Trust, said: “This is a brilliant result for the Welsh Blood Service. These football clubs have a huge connection with their local communities and we really hope that our ‘Blood, Sweat and Cheers’ campaign will inspire fans to drop into a local donation centre. #cuckoos 29

Stephen Williams, Chairman of the National Leagues Board, said: “The Welsh Blood Service is our first community partner for the JD Cymru Leagues and Orchard Welsh Premier Women’s League and we’re delighted to have made such an important signing. In each and every community across Wales there are people whose lives have been supported by blood donation and we’re calling on football fans to get involved and be lifesaving champions.

“We know football clubs across all levels of the game are often at the heart of their communities and during what continues to be a difficult time for all, we are grateful to provide clubs and fans an opportunity to play an important role.

With around 1,600 donation sessions at 400 different venues across Wales every year, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to find their nearest session and make a difference. Anyone aged between 17 and 66 can enrol online and become a donor. From start to finish, the process of donating takes just less than one hour, with the actual blood donation lasting only five to ten minutes.

The Welsh Blood Service has introduced a new function on its website which will allow fans from clubs across Wales to click on their club’s emblem and view a list of upcoming donation centres local to them. To learn more about those sessions or donating blood, visit wbs.wales/football and enter your postcode to find all donation sessions in your area.

#cuckoos

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Did you know that Welsh hospitals need 350 blood donations a day?

That’s a lot of blood!

Risca Utd is helping the WelshBlood to reach this target – can you help?

Register at www.wbs.wales/RiscaUAFC

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