Unbeaten Champions Trefelin BGC promoted to JD Cymru South Division.
It seems like the longest wait (the joys of lockdown) since the FAW confirmed Trefelin BGC as unbeaten champions of Welsh League Division 1. But finally, a decision by the FAW Board on the 16th June promoted Trefelin BGC (along with Risca United and Port Talbot Town) to the JD Cymru South Division, Tier 2 of the pyramid football structure in Wales.
Trefelin BGC will start next season at the clubs highest ever level of football. The fixtures will see some mouth-watering local derbies with our close neighbours at Afan Lido FC, Briton Ferry Llansawel, Goytre United and Port Talbot Town. Matches which I am sure will excite the sporting community of Port Talbot over the coming year and the treasurers of the clubs involved.
Those of you who know the Trefelin story will be aware of how incredible an achievement promotion is, but for those who don’t, please allow me to indulge in a quick glassy-eyed look back in time. Founded in 1984 Trefelin BGC started with one boy’s team playing football at the Memorial Park in Taibach affectionately known as “The Plough”. The club was initially set up by a group of likeminded individuals to provide sporting opportunities for youngsters in Port Talbot and especially the community of Velindre.
As the club grew, so did the need for facilities to match its ambition and through the work of many volunteers and the community in Velindre a new home at The Ynys Park was born in 1996, a mere 12 years after the club’s humble beginnings. Fast forward 24 years and the club will enter Tier 2 of Welsh football for the first time, a remarkable and meteoric rise.
As I write this article, the club continues to grow from strength to strength and the development of the facilities at The Ynys Park continues. This announcement rightly shines a light on the incredible achievements of the First XI, and the club and its volunteer ‘staff’ will continue to use the opportunities delivered by Richie Ryan, his management team and the players to further the work of providing opportunities to the community via sport.
The promotion party is on hold until the lockdown is over. Still, it’s time to say thanks to all those members of the Trefelin BGC family who have helped the club to this remarkable achievement, from the bar staff, stewards, managers, players and sponsors we could not have achieved this without you.
For those of you who have yet to be involved with the club, pop to The Ynys Park when football re-starts and I guarantee you will find it hard not to fall in love with Trefelin BGC and all it stands for.
It would be remiss of me not to mention one man at the end of this article, affectionately known as “Boss Green”. Steve Green has been at the club since day one as a founding member, manager, barman, Chairman and any other job you care to mention. Without Steve, this club would not be what it is today and his tireless work for Trefelin BGC and sport in Port Talbot for the last 36 years is truly inspirational. So, BOSS, this one’s for you. The only way is up.
– Phil