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 Bryntirion's greatest season (so far) 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.

Vic Carpenter has also stepped down as Secretary after 14 years, handing over power to Clive Layne. Clive has extensive administration experience with the Bridgend League and Brynna F.C. and is also a qualified referee.

The club also welcomes a new Manager in the form of Francis Ford. Francis is a well liked and respected character with both managerial and playing experience at a number of clubs, the most recent being Bridgend Town and Barry Town. The boys have struck up an immediate rapport with Francis and we wish him the best of luck for the coming season.

And last, but I hasten to add not least, our Chairman of 25 years, Emlyn Phillips. Still the driving force behind this ambitious and progressive club and a major contributor to this season's installation of the floodlighting which will afford the club greater flexibility with fixtures and further enhance the club's impressive facilities in this, the club's 50th year.

HERE'S TO THE NEXT 50 YEARS.

Bryntirion Athletic "Junior" Football Club was formed in 2001, mainly due to the ever increasing number of children taking up the sport. Prior to this the junior section came under the umbrella of the senior club. The Junior club now looks after it's own affairs (admin and fiancial) independently of the senior club. Since it's formation the junior club has grown in stature and has become one of the most well respected clubs in South Wales. Today the junior club is very much an integral part of the main club in terms of structure and success, with a large number of junior players going on to represent the club at senior level. This whole venture would not be possible without the help and dedication of a large number of key people, too numerous to mention who kindly gave up their time and continue to do so, in order to encourage children to play football in a safe and protective environment. The last 6 years for Bryntirion Athletic Junior Football Club have been a major success on and off the field. The club is currently divided into sub sections, the junior teams (u12/u14/u16's) and the mini teams (6 to 11 yr olds) who play small sided football.

All our coaches are Junior Leader trained and at least 2 coaches per age group have a first aid award. A lot of the coaches have also taken specialist goalkeep training as we want to develope every player we have.

Last season the Under 12's won the Brian Drew Shield for winning the Cup Final and also finished runners up in the league. The Under 14's did the "double" by winning the league and also the Mid Glamorgan provisions Cup. The Under 14's "B" team finished 3rd in their league and did the "double" the previous season at Under 12 level.

The Under 18's had 4 players selected to represent the Boys Clubs of Wales against Scotland. The capped players were Dafydd Palenson (GK), Karl Lewis (RB), Mark Evans (CB) and Adam Yeats (CM) who also captained the side.

We welcome new players and new parents to join our club and join in the fantastic success story which is Bryntirion Athletic Junior Football Club.