Bont looking ahead

FOOTBALL

AS one season ends, preparations are well under way at Penybont Football Club for the next, writes Tony Poole.

Having finished runners-up to Welsh Premiership-bound Barry Town Utd in the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League, the Bridgend super club have confirmed that Rhys Griffiths will remain in charge next winter.

Last weekend, the club took the players and management team out to a special end-of-season dinner that was staged at Court Coleman.

Griffiths and his assistant Martyn Giles stressed that they had thoroughly enjoyed a first-year association with the Division One club – and were hungry for more success.

However, it will be far from quiet at the Kymco Stadium during the close season, as some key decisions have to be made.

They have opted for a step-by-step approach with regard to FAW Licences, and the associated extension to the grandstand.

Plans have been submitted to Bridgend County Borough Council to extend the grandstand from 100 to 250 seats.

This is one of the key stipulations in FAW Tier Two Licence criteria that in a year’s time will be a requirement to operate in Division One.

For a full FAW Domestic Licence, clubs have to offer grandstands with a seating capacity of 500.

“The last thing we want to do is run before we can walk, and too much shouldn’t be read into the club at the moment only going for a 250-seater grandstand,” said Penybont chairman Emlyn Phillips.

“One of our directors Mike Baroth is working hard behind the scenes to get the new grandstand sponsored – and we are hoping to make an announcement shortly on definite plans.

“But the long-term aim remains the Welsh Premiership, and as a club we continue to move in that direction.’’

Earlier in the month, Penybont rounded off the season with another of their popular clubhouse luncheons.

This time around, the entertainment was provided by Peterborough Utd director Barry Fry and top Welsh comedian Mike Doyle.