llanymynech

In May 1858 the village hosted a football match to celebrate the 'commencement of railway works in the neighbourhood'

More than 200 people, comprising of 'navvies, rockmen and villagers' turned out for the match at Glanverniew House which the North Wales Chronicle reported 'a football club being formed '

This means Llanymynech is home to the oldest football club in Wales, predating the Wrexham Football Club which existed from 1864 to 1883 and considered by many to be the forerunner of the existing Wrexham club

While the village continued to grow thanks to the railway and quarry the next mention of football does not appear until 1879

The November 21 edition of the Cambrian News reported: 'At a meeting recently held in the School Room it was resolved to form a football club in the village There was a good attendance of young men who were wishful to become members Officers were elected and the necessary rules drawn up A low rate of subscription was fixed to enable any who are anxious to become members to join the club Upward of sixteen have given their subscriptions so that there is a probability of success It is hoped many may be induced to become members and take an interest in the club '

Llanymynech, straddling the border with Shropshire, played English and Welsh opposition at the end of the 19th century

The Llanymynech Reds played Derwen in Gobowen in February 1896, winning by six goals to two.

Four years later Llanymynech lost 3-0 to Whittington in the semi-final of the Oswestry Cottage Hospital Charity Cup

The sides met again in the final of the Village Cup in 1902.

The April 3 edition of the County Times reported the match as the biggest in the competition's history

'The silver challenge cup which has been offered annually for competition since 1891 among the villages in the neighborhood of Oswestry has caused many an exciting match but probably there has never been a match which has aroused more interest than the meeting of the teams who met in Oswestry on Saturday.

'The attendance proved one of the largest during the season and it was pretty evident large majority.

'The weather on the whole capital but a wind which blew across the ground in an obliq e play.'

The Llanymynech team on the day comprised of: R Bowyer, G Bowyer, E Davies, D Elli

T Jones, J Payne and R Morris.

Whittington would eventually prevail 2-0 winners with the report stating 'Llanymynech were spoiled by bad play. They needed more method and judgement.'