Big-name signing for Cefn
FOOTBALL
CEFN Cribwr have added a former Premier League footballer to their coaching staff, writes Tony Poole.
Ex-Southampton midfield player Neil Bartlett was last week added to the coaching staff at Cae Gof Playing Fields.
The 42-year-old player made eight Premier League starts for the Saints from 1992-94 during the managerial reign of a former England World Cup winning star – the late Alan Ball.
Bartlett will bring vast experience with him to Cae Gof having also played in the Football League with Hereford United during the 1996/97 campaign.
Cefn have just completed an exceptional season with the highlight provided by promotion to Highadmit South Wales Alliance Division One.
The Riders finished third behind runaway Division Two winners Garw and Trebanog.
There will be plenty of derby clashes for Cefn, as they lock horns with former Welsh League champions Betws, Cornelly United, Garw and Porthcawl Town Athletic in a Bridgend-orientated division of 16 teams.
After Bartlett departed the then Dell in 1995, he had an unsuccessful trial with Swansea City.
He then took in spells with Fareham Town, Bashley, Newport County, Salisbury City, Hastings Town, Lymington Town, Tring Town, Bath City – and Ballyclare Comrades.
His biggest claim to fame when he delivered a cross on August 25 1993 that led to Matt Le Tissier getting the opening Southampton goal in a 5-1 win over Swindon Town.
Meanwhile, Cefn Cribwr Reserves failed to round off their season on a high. They went down to a 4-3 defeat last week in the Bridgend & District League Court Coleman Cup to Caerau All Whites at Bridgend super club Penybont.
It completed a double for the Llynfi Valley side, who earlier pipped Pencoed Athletic for league honours on goal-difference.