The dust has begun to settle on our incredible season of 2024-25. The past weeks of celebration are times, that hopefully, all Martyrs will treasure forever. 

At this point I feel it’s important to say a few thank you’s publicly. I’ve said a few of these things privately, at presentation evening and in person but in a historic season I want to ensure these messages are public.

First and foremost, this team and title is a product of all the many, many contributions from many players over the last 3 years. I’d like to thank every single player that has pulled on the Merthyr Town jersey since I arrived at the club. Players that aren’t here for the medals helped set the culture, the standards and the expectations. I can’t name them all, but I hope they realise how much we appreciate their contributions and their part in this journey. 

Of course the players that have done the business this season deserve special praise. Our philosophy on football has evolved and progressed due to the immense quality, talent and character of this team of players. I’m not sure I quite ever believed that a team could win this league playing the way we do but these players inspired us, one another and set new standards! What a team. I’ve been blessed to watch these players this season. 

Off the pitch the back-room staff have been incredible. This club could not compete at the level it does but for the dedication of the management team at the club. They gave the players the detail, support and guidance with which to flourish this season. 

Thank you to the Board who, on behalf of the owners, made commitments to help us keep this squad together last summer, their work behind the scenes has given us the platform to perform. 

Our supporters have been immense, not just this season, or even since I’ve come in, I think everyone knows of how good the Merthyr Town supporters are, and how historically they’ve saved the club and now make the club what it is. They’ve supported the club through thick and thin, this season they’ve travelled in their numbers away and turned up at home. Not only do our supporters push us on in games they are fantastic ambassadors for the club spreading the message and growing the brand of Merthyr Town Football Club! 

We could not put a team on the pitch without our sponsors. None of us would be here. The club wouldn’t survive let alone compete or proper so to Europlas, RTS, London Metric, Jonny Owen & Anthony Lewis, Nuffield, Trojan Group, First4Rentals, Gramm, Persimmon, RJM Solicitors, General Dynamics, George and Co, DT Contracting and all our other sponsors, thank you. 

I’d like to also thank Peter Evans for his incredibly generous end of season personal gift to the players and staff. This has been an incentive for the second half of the season which has helped us get over the final hurdle. 

Now is not the time to relent. We are now on the cusp of professional football, we will be playing against a number of professional teams next season. The travel can’t faze you if you want to test yourself at a higher level. You can’t play against professional football clubs in the local league, the games at the level of football we are heading into are massive! If this is where we belong and if we are to compete next season then we now need everyone to pull together once more. 

The hard work has started to keep the majority of the squad from last season and add the 2/3 players that will improve us again next season; following the model of the last few seasons. Hopefully we can sort that out and keep you all updated over the next couple weeks, then I can get a short break before pre-season when it all starts all over again! 33-1 for the title last season, we’ll be odds on for relegation next season so let’s upset some more.

Up. The. Town!