With the new season set to get underway this weekend we preview the new campaign and the changes within the Club over the summer. On the pitch, manager Ryan Betteney has been quietly going about assembling his squad ready for the visit of Tongwynlais on Saturday in the JD Welsh Cup. The majority of the squad have remained committed but we say farewell to: Brychan Davies and Cameron McHale (Cwmbach Royal Stars), Dan Collins and Owen Jones (Llantwit Fardre) and Nicky Rees. We wish them all well for the future and thank them for their efforts. However the summer incomings have been well received with striker Luke Boyle being amongst the goals in pre-season after his move from Sully Sports. Rejoining Aber are two other forwards with Harri Jones (AFC Llwydcoed) and Connor Berry (Tonyrefail Welfare) coming home. In midfield we welcome Cam Dean (formerly Ton Pentre and Pontypridd Town Development) while winger Jay Smith and defender Liam Miles join from a strong Ton & Gelli Youth side with the later also playing a full season for AFC Porth in the Alliance Premier Division. Fullback Jack Carlick has also moved to Aberdare Town after formerly playing with Merthyr Saints and Treharris Athletic. After taking a break from football we are also pleased to have goalkeeper Callum Dunning back involved to complete an excellent goalkeeping division. On the sidelines James Rowlands rejoins us as coach and Dan Field will be our goalkeeper coach while remaining registered as a player. Finally Ashley Phillips-Green will now look after all the kit and equipment in a crucial position. Ryan said of the teams preparations: “It’s been a little bit of a strange pre-season, we haven't really trained too much (by our standards) with some last minute changes to games especially in midweek, but we are in a good spot, and everyone is pulling in the same direction on and off the pitch which is crucial. “We have recruited some top lads this summer, not just good footballers, who have settled in really well. All of them keen to work hard, improve and be part of this club going forward which is the main thing. The rest is for us to extract the quality out of them, and find a way to win games. “Things haven't gone our way in friendlies but we have stayed in there, stuck together and got over the line to win games. At times that is with a number of our promising 16 year olds, and inexperienced lads on the pitch against clubs a league or 2 above. That’s not a bad trait to have. “We have kept our leaders, our key local lads, and with the energy and determination of the new signings, we have a squad I am excited to work with and develop over the season; Including a number of last season u16s team who have been with us through pre-season. “Hopefully see everyone there on Saturday in what will be a tough game in the Welsh Cup but we will be going all out to be in the next round”. Off the pitch there have been plenty of changes too as Joanne Speck takes on the Club Secretary role, Marc Williams will be our new Junior Secretary, Carwyn Speck as our Registrations Officer and Mini Secretary, Peter Taylor as Coach Development Officer and Simon Morgan as our "For Her Champion". Coupled with the other existing team members of Garry Williams (Chair), Ray Pearce (Vice), Steve Pearce (Finance) and Ian Pearce (General Manager) we have a strong off field team helping drive the Club forward. General Manager, Ian said "We are all really excited for the season ahead, its a new start off the pitch with a really good group of people wanting to push the Club forward and we have some ambitious goals we want to achieve. Plenty of improvements continue with our facilities and there are more plans for the next 12 months - we would especially like to thank our Facilities Partner, RC Electrical for their amazing support and help in undertaking these projects. “Ryan has added to the squad over the summer in key areas and with our already committed players there is plenty of optimism for the new season in what will be a really tough division this year. "Kickers continues to be a key part of our future and we are delighted that this season it will have produced our first Under 6s side who will start off in the AVFL in September. Our mini and juniors sections continue to grow and with Simon (Morgan) now in place as our "For Her Champion" its our aim to develop our girls football provision". MATCH SPONSORSHIP >> Match sponsorship is available for the JD Welsh Cup game and if you are interested in taking this up please email commercial@aberdaretownfc.co.uk or contact IAN on 07811511222

Published Monday 22 July 2024