Merthyr Town FC Champions again

Saturday afternoon I took my semi regular trek through the gates on Penydarren Park to watch my beloved Merthyr Town play Infracombe in the knowledge a win would confirm they win the league and return them to the Southern League, now just 1 division below where they were when Merthyr Tydfil went bust.

They beat this side 5-0 away not 1 week before, surely it would be simple! When is it ever simple?

After a considerable period of being unable to hit a cows arse with a banjo, eventually the significant proportion of the play Merthyr had paid off they scored and won 1-0 (Goal by Ryan Prosser), keeping them a point clear and with second place Bitton having no games left... game over. There was a nice trophy prsentation after and much sparkling white was sprayed around the field. Nice trophy too:

Western League trophy

Two promotions in 2 years is nothing to be sniffed at any level and while the Western Football League wasn't exactly of blistering quality, it was entertaining at times! Next years return to the Southern League (in a regional division) should be a notable step up in quality and I doubt three on the bounce is really on the cards, but you never know! Next year will see the return to some more familiar teams such as Mangotsfield, Tiverton, Taunton... Still pretty obscure, but better!

I'll be there next year, and judging by the turnout at a few of the later games this year, there's potential for quite a few others to be there too, just need to carry on doing well to keep the crowds in. 725 my arse. Even got their mugs on sgorio. Da Iawn!

Worst part is, despite the season being done, champions decided etc, 2 teams have not played the full 34 matches, Merthyr and Wells. The games been abandoned once and postponed once and now... doesn't matter much (Unless Merthyr score 5 to get their 100 goals for the season, or if Wells win they come 11th not 12th). It's now scheduled for the 8th, I doubt too many of the players will be up for the 4 hour round trip for little/no reason. Call it a draw?

Stuff like this just confirms to me even more, while an Arsenal follower I'll continue to be, I'm a fan of Merthyr.

Football season has properly begun, 'mon the Martyrs

So we're into the Premier league season, and this one could potentially quite interesting. Don't get me wrong I've written Arsenal off already, I think 4th is a pipe dream and 5th more likely, chances are Man Utd will win it, Chelsea and Man City close behind and maybe a bit of improving Liverpool rounding off the Champs league spaces. But I don't think I'm most interested by the top this year.

As everyone probably knows who has any interest in the sport, Swansea were promoted. Oooh a Welsh team in the Premier, and, as I've said before, a Welsh team I quite like (sorry Cardiff, you could be playing in the Champs League final and I wouldn't give a rats ass and everytime I'm told by Cardiff fans I 'should' support them, and it's great for the whole of Wales when they win stuff, it makes me care just a little bit less.) so I find myself quite interested in how they do, to the point where I may even watch them tonight (while I still have sports).

Obviously I think they'll struggle and while I'd never say I 'support' them, I'd like them to do well. I think they've made some decent, not overly high risk signings which could be enough, could being the word. Just get to 40 points and the rest will sort itself out.

Going down the odd step, Merthyr are playing in Merthyr again, and I have a feeling this is where most of my football related time will be devoted this year. I didn't go Saturday as there was stuff on, but I'm quite fancying a few trips to Pen Park this year to watch them. They went up last season and are now playing in the Western League Premier, not exactly stuffed with footballing giants but you can only play what's infront of you. They started off beating Odd Town (I have no idea what's so odd about it) 7-1 which is a hiding at any level, so we may have a shout again this year, who knows.

I did miss every game last year, but the trip to Taffs Well was a pain in the arse.

Also the new kit is very nice

So if you see me wet and looking p'd off in Penydarren Park, say hi!

Oh and the bloke sitting behind me looks the spit of Leonard Nimoy...