OUR STORY
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Merthyr Town F.C. came into existence when it became obvious to a loyal band of supporters that Merthyr Tydfil A.F.C., a club with a long and distinguished history in non-league football, would not be able to overcome the financial problems that had beset it over the previous few seasons.
Merthyr Tydfil A.F.C. was formed in 1945 following a series of public meetings in the town. After spending the 1945-46 season in the Welsh League, the Club was elected to the Southern League in the summer of 1946. The team embarked on a spell of success that is unlikely ever to be bettered in non-league football as over the next eight seasons the Club went on to capture 5 Southern League Championships, 2 Southern League Cups, 2 Welsh Cups, 3 South Wales and Mon Cups, 3 Welsh League Championships and 3 Welsh League Cups.
The 50’s, 60’s and 70’s marked a turbulent time in the club’s history, and in the first half of the 1980’s there were dark days at Penydarren Park as the team drifted along in the Southern League Midland Division. However, the appointment of Lyn Jones as manager in 1985 would prove to be the catalyst for another golden era in the history of Merthyr Tydfil Football Club. In the summer of 1986, a new syndicate headed by local businessman John Reddy took control at Penydarren Park. The team finished third place in the Midland Division after being defeated by eventual champions V.S. Rugby in a ‘winner takes all’ final match of the season at Penydarren Park. The same season saw the Martyrs win the Welsh Cup when they defeated Newport County by a goal to nil in a replay after the two teams had drawn 2-2 a few days previously.
Winning the Welsh Cup had earned the Club the right to compete in the European Cup Winners Cup. The draw paired the Martyrs with Italian side Atlalanta. On 20th September 1987 Merthyr shocked the football world when goals by Kevin Rogers and Ceri Williams saw the Italians humbled at Penydarren Park by two goals to one. Although the adventure ended a fortnight later with a narrow 2-0 defeat in Italy, the name Merthyr Tydfil was well and truly on the football map.
The 1987-88 season ended with the Club being crowned champions of the Southern League Midland Division. This was capped a year later when the Martyrs ran out winners of the Premier Division. Merthyr ended the 1989-90 season, their first in the Conference, in a credible ninth place. After once again finishing the 1990-91 season in ninth place, the team ended the following campaign in a very credible fourth place. During this time the standing of the Club was such that CSKA Moscow, Red Star Belgrade and Glasgow Celtic all visited Penydarren Park for friendly fixtures. The fourth place finish at the end of 1991-92 signaled the end of the golden era at Penydarren Park. Two years later the Club only escaped relegation on a technicality. However, not even the return of Lyn Jones could prevent the Martyrs from being relegated at the end of the 1994-95 campaign.
The Martyrs endured more turbulent times after this with numerous chairmen and managers, the high point being when a Merthyr side managed by ex-Athletico Madrid Manager Colin Addison finished 2nd to Forest Green Rovers in the Southern League in the late 90s. By 2004 all supporters were naturally frustrated with events, that summer the decision was taken to set up a supporters’ trust - Martyrs to the Cause’. As well as trying to support the Club financially the Trust decided to foster young football talent in the Borough by setting up a Merthyr Tydfil A.F.C. youth team.
In 2005/06 the Club enjoyed a successful run in the F.A. Cup. In the First Round Proper of the competition, they were awarded a home tie with Walsall, who at the time were managed by former Arsenal star Paul Merson. However, any hopes the Martyrs had of securing a famous giant-killing were extinguished as Walsall ran out winners by two goals to one in a game that was televised live on Sky Sports.
In 2006, newly appointed Gary Shephard and his assistant Danny Carter assembled a squad comprising of youth and locally based players, and the new players rose to the task and the Martyrs ended the 2007-08 season in a creditable sixteenth place.
The 2008-09 season was probably the most difficult in the Club’s chequered history. With owner Wyn Holloway declaring he would no longer continue to put money into the Club, there was a real danger that Martyrs would fail to complete the campaign. However, a massive effort by Merthyr supporters ensured that this would not be the case. This backs-to-the-wall spirit was replicated by the players who, despite going without wages for weeks at a time, ended the season in eighth place.
In June 2009 the Club went into Administration. In early July of that year the Supporters’ Trust received the go ahead to operate the Club under license. A combination of a ten-point deduction, injuries and suspensions prevented the players from repeating their success of the previous campaign, a 1-1 draw at Swindon Supermarine in the last game of the season saw the club finish in seventeenth place in the Zamaretto Premier Division.
As the season ended it became increasingly obvious to everyone connected with the club that Merthyr Tydfil A.F.C. was doomed. Consequently, the Trust Board took the decision to carry on as a reformed club. However, legal problems meant that we would not be able to use Penydarren Park, the home of senior football in the Borough of Merthyr Tydfil, for over one hundred years. Merthyr played at Taff’s Well F.C. for one season in the Western League First Division and gained immediate promotion to the Premier Division.
Merthyr Town FC returned to its spiritual home at Penydarren Park for 2011/12 season. The Martyrs secured a 2nd successive promotion on their return home to go straight through Western League into the Southern League. Merthyr lost in the play-off final at Hungerford Town to finish the 2012/13 season and Cirencester Town in 2013/14. Garry Shephard & Danny Carter stood down after 7 years, and ex-Welsh international and Merthyr born Steve Jenkins took the helm assisted by another Merthyr born Welsh international Gavin Williams. Steve and Gavin led the team to the league title by 12 points, and Southern League Championship winners.
In 15/16 season the club won the Red Insure Cup for the first time in 50 years and finished a respectable 10th in their first Premier Division season. At the end of the season Steve Jenkins left the club, and ex Hereford United, Yeovil Town, West Ham United and Ipswich Town player Gavin Williams took over as manager, with Dean Clarke returning to the club as his assistant. In Gavin’s first season he led the club to the play-offs finishing 3rd, but lost to Hitchin Town in the semi-final on penalties.
In 17/18 we saw an up & down season with financial issues affecting the club. The low point was 13-1 defeat at Chesham which sparked a Just Giving campaign to clear bills. The club did stabilize with management team and players remaining loyal to finish in a respectable 17th position. The club then stabilized and the 2018/19 season, started positively with the Martyrs in and around the play-off spots until the busy Christmas period, with wins against Weymouth and Taunton at home proving the Martyrs pedigree.
In September 2020, The Martyrs took the decision to ‘Mothball’ for the season after consulting with the governing bodies & the southern league. This meant that the squad was disbanded, and Gavin Willliams left his managerial role after just under 5 years in charge. 2021/22 saw Dean Clarke take over in the dugout and almost a completely new squad to start the Southern League Premier Campaign. Dean Clarke and Steve Williams were relieved of their roles in February 2022, with player, Matthew Harris, taking over as player-manager, along with the help of former player, Craig Reddy. During the summer of 2022, Paul Michael was appointed as the club’s new first team manager, with Andrew Smith joining him as his assistant. Craig Reddy was also appointed as first team coach, with Matthew Harris returning to his playing duties. The 2022/23 season saw Paul Michael led his team to the First Round of the FA Cup for the first time in 17 years, where the Martyrs would fall to National League North side Buxton FC. A league position of 9th at the end of the season, left Martyrs fans excited for the 2023/24 season.
2023/24 continued to be a season of progress at Penydarren Park, with the Martyrs narrowly missing out on the play-offs by a single point. Despite this the fans continued their positivity as Paul Michael continued to build on his exciting young squad as the 2024/25 season approached.
The 2024/25 campaign saw the Martyrs crowned as Southern League Premier South champions, after an incredible season which included a 32-game unbeaten run in the league. A difficult league which saw Paul Michael and his side overcome AFC Totton, Gloucester City, Havant & Waterlooville and many more strong sides.