Penybont make three significant signings
FOOTBALL
PENYBONT player-manager Rhys Griffiths has strengthened his squad with three significant summer signings, writes Tony Poole.
Defender Gethin Jones has joined the Bridgend super club from Merthyr Town while midfield players Bradley Flay and Liam Walsh have strong links with Glyndwr Wrexham Football Academy.
At 35 years of age, Jones is the most experienced player that Griffiths has welcomed to the Kymco Stadium.
Born in Carmarthen, he played 18 times for his hometown club before signing for Cardiff City in 2000.
He made just three Football League appearances for the Bluebirds before a broken leg effectively ended his stay at Ninian Park.
It was on to Merthyr Tydfil in 2003, but his most successful stint then came at Bath City where he figured on 210 occasions.
He helped the West Country side become Evo-Stik Premier champions and helped them gain National League status.
His presence will further bolster a Bont defence that gave little away once they hit a purple patch midway through last season.
The arrival of Flay represents a return to the club – during the 2014/15 campaign he was part of the Welsh Schoolboy squad that contested the Centenary Shield.
The Swansea City product favours the centre of midfield, and it’s a role he’s performed with Glyndwr Wrexham Acad- emy, Buckley Town and Monmouth Town, who signed him last January.
And 21-year-old Walsh, who was born in Swansea, has just completed studies at Glyndwr Wrexham Academy and joins Peny- bont following a short stay at Prestatyn Town.
And there are high hopes that the bulk of last season’s Bont squad will be putting pen to paper over the coming weeks.
The Bridgend super club launch the 2017/18 campaign on July 15 with an away friendly against Tamworth.