Club History
20 Aug 2008

Club History

The club was originally founded in 1972 and played their football on the Park field (now the rugby field).  The club moved to the Welfare ground and played there until approximately 1975, when the Cavaliers folded.  The reasons for the club folding are unknown, but players retiring and a lack of backing is considered to be the most likely rationale.

Football was played in Nelson in many guises through the years but in 1983 the Social Club formed a team to enter the Rhymney Valley Saturday League. The team then mainly played for the social side of football, but were a young and improving team.  At the club's A.G.M in 1992, John Price proposed a name change back to Nelson Cavaliers, John was one of the founders of the original Cavaliers. The change in name changed the face of the club.

With Terry Davies taking over as manager and Billy Matthews as captain a more professional attitude was instilled in the team.  The hard work and dedication off the field was provided by a revamped committee headed by Carl Dicks and Peter Szpadt. The club's first season as the Cavaliers proved to be a success, with the club lifting its first trophy, the Rhymney Valley Cup (season 1992/93).  The 1993/94 season proved to be a bigger success, with the club retaining the Rhymney Valley Cup as well as winning the Rhymney Valley League and gaining promotion to Division 2 of the South Wales Senior League.  In the 1993/94 season, the club lost only two games, one of which was a South Wales Intermediate Cup quarter-final against Lisvane, who went on to win the Senior League that year.  The 1994/95 season saw more achievements for the Cavaliers, with the club winning promotion to Division 1 of the Senior League, finishing third behind Penydarren and Whitchurch. 

Unfortunately, the 1995/96 was not such a success with the club being relegated back down to Division 2 after the loss of many players.

In the 1993/94 season, the club lost only two games, one of which was a South Wales Intermediate Cup quarter-final against Lisvane, who went on to win the Senior League that year.  The 1994/95 season saw more achievements for the Cavaliers, with the club winning promotion to Division 1 of the Senior League, finishing third behind Penydarren and Whitchurch.  Unfortunately, the 1995/96 was not such a success with the club being relegated back down to Division 2 after the loss of many players.

Following a few years in the doldrums, the club's young and exuberant team gained promotion back to Division 1 in 2004/05, this time going up as champions! The club's first season back in Division 1 saw the club finishing a creditable 5th place, and finishing runners up in the C.W.Bruty Cup losing to local rivals Fochriw in extra time.

From 2003-2006 the club ran an Under 18's team in the South Wales Youth League. Although the youth team did not pick up any honours, it proved to be a success with a number of players now playing their senior football for the club. 

From the 2006/07 the club formed another Saturday Senior team, in the Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance Saturday League. This was due to an increase in interest from players wanting to play for the club, many of whom had stepped up from the youth team. All players were available for selection for both the SWSL team and the TERV team.

The club also has a veteran's team where former players and older current players join together.  The veteran’s team has yet to win honours, although in the 2004/05 season, they reached the semi-final of the National Umbro Veterans Tournament, which was made up from teams across England and Wales, some of which had ex-professionals playing for them.

The 2009/2010 proved to be ‘The Vets’ most successful season with them reaching the final of the Consolation Cup only to lose 3-0 to a well drilled Swansea side.

For the 2010/2011 season ‘The Vets’ entered an Over 40’s & Over 45’s in the Veterans League with both teams having a good season with them finishing 3^rd & 2^nd respectively in their leagues and both teams reaching the semi final’s of their cup competitions.

During these times the Cavaliers Veterans have regularly received international honours supplying a host of players to represent Wales against England, Northern Ireland & the Czech Republic

A junior section was introduced in the 2007/08 season, entering an under 10's team in the Taff Ely Rhymney Valley Alliance League but unfortunately this only lasted for one season due to lack of numbers.

For the 2011/2012 season it is hoped that the Junior Section can be revived and ‘taster sessions’ are planned to see the level of interest in the village, which hopefully can result in teams ranging from under 7’s to under 11’s. Therefore reducing the need for parents take their children out of the village to play their football.

Again for the 2011/2012 season the Cavaliers will be running two teams, showing the level of interest and hopefully with a blend of old and young players, coming through the ranks, a successful can be enjoyed by all teams.

Nelson Cavaliers is enjoyable and ambitious club to be involved with, both on and off the field and have an enthusiastic committee who are doing their utmost to provide football across all age groups.