Bryntirion Athletic FC - A Brief History
12 Aug 2009

Bryntirion Athletic football club was formed in 1956 by Mr Bill Rosewell with the help of Mr Tom Evans and Mr Percy Pudge. The club's first trophy, the Open Cup, was won in the 1959 season after drawing the first game 3-3 and winning the reply 3-0. Then, in 1964, Bryntirion entered the South Wales Amateur League. Mr Bill Shales then became extensively involved in the club and without his intervention the club, arguably, would not have survived.

In 1972 Ray Warner joined the club and was to serve Bryntirion for 25 years before handing over the reigns to Vic Carpenter.

The early years were a struggle to survive with the club having to seek re-election due to poor playing performances. However, in 1981 the club won the 2nd division Championship. Unfortunately, life in Division 1 was to last just 3 seasons before relegation occurred after a huge battle was lost to survive the 83/84 season.

In 86/87, Bryntirion took the bold decision to ground share with Bridgend Town which was to be their 1st team home for the next 10 seasons. Promotion was won at the first time of asking and in 88/89 season saw Bryntirion finish in a commendable 4th place, their highest ever placing in the 1st Division. However, between 1990 and 1994 they suffered a somewhat "yo-yo" existence between the two divisions, but then between 1994 and 1998 the club regained stability and continued to earn respect as a well run and progressive club!

But, to progress further up the Pyramid System, Bryntirion would have to develope their own ground. in the 1996/97 season, land was acquired courtesy of Bridgend County Borough council and a local developer and Bryntirion Athletic formed a steering committee to embark upon a massive fund raising exercise. Lottery funding was obtained and further fiancial assistance was also gained in the form of a loan from Brains Brewery, but more importantly £120,000 was raised by donations and gifts from Dennis and Sally Evans of Regal Travel, Vic Carpenter of Ocean Construction, Dai Brett of Rapide Transport and Emlyn Phillips of Mid Glamorgan Provisions Ltd.

In 1997 the club returned to Bryntirion Park only to find the drainage system did not extend to the 1st team pitch! Further expenditure to rectify this resulted in the projects costs spiralling past the £400,000 mark. Despite this and major building costs, the doors of the clubhouse finally opened on 23rd December 2000.

In 1998 Bryntirion recorded their first ever Corinthian Cup win with an exciting 3-2 extra time victory over British Steel. In 2000 Bryntirion reached the final of the prestigious FAW Trophy, but were beaten by Trefelin Boys Club.

After winning the South Wales Amateur League Championship in some style in 2002 and having met the strict ground criteria imposed by the Welsh FA, Bryntirion were forced to play-off against South Wales Senior Champions, Bridgend Street, who in fact failed to meet the necessary criteria. On the day justice was done when Bryntirion recorded a convincing 4-0 victory with goals from Lee Stevens, Darren Nota(2) and Nigel Jordan.

The first season in the Welsh League ended in a commendable 5th position despite being among the frontrunners for the majority of the season.

The 2004/05 season was to prove to be one of Bryntirion's greatest seasons with the 1st team capturing the Third Division Championship and the Youth team becoming only the 3rd team to win the prestigious McWhirter Youth League at the first team of asking under the management of Jason Bekker and Owen Roberts. The only other 2 teams being none other than Cardiff City and Swansea City.

This achievement followed on from the Youth teams previous Cup and League double in the South Wales Youth League when the management comprised of Harry McLean and Richard Duckfield.

It has been an intoxicating six seasons for Bryntirion's 1st team under the expert guidance of Manager Phil Clay and coach Peter Francombe. Both Phil and Peter have now departed, but the club will be forever indebted to them both for their commitment, professionalism and sheer hard work, culminating in the 2004/05 season with promotion to Division 1. Phil's achievement in taking the club from relative amateur league obscurity to the top flight of the Welsh League in just 4 seasons is remarkable and Phil has been justly rewarded for his efforts by being made Bryntirion's only second Life Member, the illustrious Ray Warner being the first.

In 2006 Vic Carpenter stepped down as Secretary after 14 years, handing over control to Clive Layne. Clive's administration experience with the Bridgend League and Brynna F.C. has stood him in good stead and he settled in well, quickly establishing a relationship with both players and management. Clive is also a qualified referee.

In the same year the club also welcomed a new manager in the form of Francis Ford. Francis played for Cardiff City in the Football League and has both managerial and playing experience at a number of Welsh League clubs, most notably Bridgend Town and Barry Town. Francis is now starting his 6th season for Bryntirion AFC.

Season 2007 / 2008 was undoubtedly one of the Club's most successful to date. Under the guidance of Francis Ford and Matthew Bishop the side finished fifth in Division One, reached the Nathaniel Car Sales Welsh League Cup Final, narrowly losing out to Goytre United and were just edged out by League of Wales side Welshpool Town in the the fourth round of the Welsh Cup. The Reserve team also had a great season with joint managers Derrick Jones and Matthew Lewis winning their League and reaching the final of the Harris Printers Shield where unfortunately they too narrowly lost out, this time to Caerleon.

Not to be outdone, the 3rd team, playing in the Bridgend & District League, also had had their share of success. Peter Goodwin's side reached the semi final of the League Cup and achieved promotion to the Premier Division.

And last but by no means least, Bryntirion's Home Guard or Vic's Vets as they became known, won the inaugural Welsh Veterans Championship Cup beating a strong Abercarn side 3 - 1 in a memorable final.

In 2008 / 2009 we welcomed onboard Harry McLean as first team coach and Gareth 'Gaz' Morgan as MacWhirter Under 19's Welsh League Youth coach. Harry is well known to the club through his links with Cardiff City and the Pencoed Football Academy. Gaz was in charge of Llantwit Major Youth winning the South Wales Football Association Under 18's League before joining Bryntirion FC.

In 2009/2010 saw the club match their highest ever finish in the Welsh League Division 1 in what was one of the tightest League run in for many a season. Our facilities here at Bryntirion Park has now seen the club rewarded with two International matches being held in August 2010, where Wales Under 16's Schoolboys play Switzerland Under 16's and then we host the Wales Under 17's Ladies v Belgium Under 17's. This is an honour for our club as it shows we won't stand still in improving our facilities to make it a top venue for our community.

The last 5 years have seen major changes to the facilities here at Bryntirion Park. We have put new floodlights around the first team pitch, a new all seated stand and with the aid of an FAW grant we have now layed two flights of steps and a concrete pathway around the pitch together with disabled access direct from the car park to the stand. We have just finished installing a new perimeter fence which has aesthetically enhanced the ground and also improved the security of the ground. This also fulfils League of Wales criteria. (FOOD FOR THOUGHT!). The start of season 2010 / 2011 has seen our ground enhanced further by demolishing the old block dugouts which seated 4 in each to new perspex dugouts which seat 8 people. New advertising boards have been introduced thanks to our partnership with Nathaniel Car Sales which now incorparates the new main stand and the pitch under the supervision of Mark Fowler is looking the best it has ever been.

These changes enhance our excellent clubhouse facilities which under Manageress Helen Jones has gone from strength to strength and continues to be one of the places to be in Bridgend for a good night. With a friendly atmosphere, Bryntirion FC clubhouse welcomes all.

Our Chairman, Emlyn Phillips is as ambitiious as ever and the life force behind this ambitious and progressive club and is always looking to see new ways to push the club forward.

The 2010 / 2011 season was to be the greatest season ever in our club's history when Manager Francis Ford and his squad brought home the Welsh Football League Division 1 Championship for the 1st time in our history. The squad led by Captain Reliable Paul Evans won the league by 5 points from Afan Lido to create a party atmosphere around the Bryntirion Park club. Bryntirion Athletic even pushed the eventual Welsh Premier League Winners Bangor City in the Welsh Cup at their Farrar Road ground and only lost 1 - 2 in a game many Bangor City supporters was the closet they have come to losing in the season at the time. Bryntirion Athletic now have to continue to be amongst the top teams for the foreseeable future whilst we bring our ground up to the Welsh Premier League standard and with Emlyn Phillips at the reigns, we are getting closer and closer every year.