The     histories     of    Aberdare     Town     and    Aberaman Athletic,   clubs   separately   formed   in   1892,   have   been intertwined for over 90 years. In   the   early   years, Aberdare   were   the   most   successful,   dominating   the   then Glamorgan   leagues   and   in   the   new   domestic   format,   winning   the   Welsh League   in   its   inaugural   season   of   1905   with   further   success   in   1909,   1912 and 1921. We   were   also   finalists   in   the   Welsh   Cup   on   three   occasions   during   that period. Aberaman   Athletic   also   reached   a   Welsh   Cup   final   in   1903   and   won   three South   Wales   and   Monmouthshire   Cup   finals   before   the   outbreak   of   the   First World War. In   1920   Aberdare   Town   re-formed   as   Aberdare   Athletic   and   the   fledgling club   entered   both   the   Southern   league   and   Welsh   League   finishing   runners up   and   champions   respectively.   It   is   interesting   to   note   that   the   local   Welsh League derby with Aberaman in that season attracted a crowd of 8,000. The summer of 1921 produced an extraordinary chapter in our history when we   were   elected   to   the   Football   League   –   one   of   only   six   Welsh   clubs   to   do so    –    the    others    being    Cardiff    City,    Swansea    City,    Wrexham,    Newport County and Merthyr Town. With   a   population   of   75,000   and   a   ground   capacity   of   23,000   at   the   Ynys Stadium   allied   with   a   strong   “marketing”   campaign,   we   topped   the   poll   for election to the Third division being joined by Charlton Athletic. We   spent   the   years,   1921-1927   in   Division   3   (South),   for   younger   readers the   equivalent   to   League   1,   with   a   best   finishing   position   of   8th   and   a highest   home   gate   recorded   at   16,000   against   the   then   mighty   Preston North End for a third round FA Cup tie in 1923. On   7   November   1923   fire   destroyed   the   main   stand   and   offices   along   with all   the   players'   kit.   An   appeal   for   help   led   to   the   donation   of   boots   from   all over   the   district   and   for   their   next   home   game   against   Brighton,   the   team wore   amber   and   black   striped   tops,   possibly   given   to   them   by   Newport County. Alas,    with    the    beginning    of    the    Great    Depression    bringing    severe unemployment   to   the   area   and   the   knock   on   effect   of   lower   crowds   and thereby   income   to   sustain   a   Football   League   club,   our   days   were   numbered and we were replaced at the end of 1927 by Torquay United. A    controversial    merger    followed    with    who    had    become    the    junior    club, Aberaman Athletic. The   sale   of   the   Ynys   Stadium   in   the   town   centre   and   a   move   to   Aberaman Park,   saw   the   name   changed   to   Aberaman   Athletic   who   happily   more   than held their own in the Welsh League. As   an   acknowledgement   of   the   brand   of   football   exhibited,   we   were   invited to   be   members   of   the   Football   League   Western   Division   during   the   war years of 1939-45. A   record   crowd   at   the   Park   of   2,500   attended   a   Cup   match   against   Bristol City whilst participating in the league. The   club   produced   two   stars   of   that   era   in   Welsh   international,   Bryn   Jones who   was   sold   to   Wolves   and   then   moved   to   Arsenal   for   what   was   at   the time a transfer record between English clubs of £14,000. From   the   neighbouring   village   of Abercwmboi   came Alf   Sherwood   (pictured right)   who   was   regarded   at   his   peak   as   the   finest   left   back   in   the   British Isles   and   who   represented   Cardiff   City   and   Wales   with   great   distinction. One   of Alf’s   caps   is   now   proudly   on   display   in   the   Club   house   thanks   to   his son Robert. Another   former   player   Jack   Smith   (who   had   played   for   both Aberaman   and Aberdare   went   on   to   become   the   first   ever   manager   of   West   Bromwich Albion in 1948. In   the   late   1940’s   Aberdare   and   Aberaman   again   merged   for   a   short   while before the Aberaman Athletic name was restored. Highlights   of   that   period   included   being   runners   up   in   the   Welsh   League   to Barry   Town   before   the   advent   of   the   Welsh   Premier,   reaching   the   final   of the    FAW    Trophy,    and    winning    the    Welsh    League    in    2009    under    the sponsorship of ENTO and managed by David Morgan. In   2012   we   decided   for   commercial   reasons   to   rename   the   club   Aberdare Town   and   we   can   all   look   back   with   pride   on   the   125   years   of   football   and to   a   future   based   on   our   well   founded   ambitions   to   reach   the   Welsh   Premier League. Over   the   last   few   years   we   have   expanded   considerably,   we   now   have   a Welsh   League   Division Two   side,   Welsh   League   Reserve   side,   an Aberdare League   senior   side,   a   Ladies   side   as   well   as   our   hugely   successful   mini and junior section for both boys and girls. This   we   feel   will   help   us   in   our   long   term   ambitions   to   make   the   club   the most successful in the area.