FOOTBALL COMES TO RESCUE OF MARTYRS
ON SUNDAY evening, Merthyr Town fans packed into the Park View pub just a goal kick away from their club’s Pennydarren Park home. It’s where many fans meet before home fixtures for the traditional pre-match pint. Away supporters are welcomed with open arms, although they must select a song on the jukebox. On Saturday, the Martyrs fans had seen a young side beaten 13-1 by Chesham United in the EVO-STIK Southern Premier. Now they were discussing how they could save their club. Just 48 hours before that defeat, news had emerged of the dire financial problems with 80 per cent of the first team on the move. By many accounts, there have been rumblings and grumblings about the fanowned club’s current state and some have been upset with the direction they’ve been going in. Chief executive Rob Price, who is going through an employment tribunal process, and board member Mike Williams, left the club in September, while Lee Rossiter stepped down as a co-opted board member earlier in the season. In the build-up to last Saturday, four more directors resigned and chairman Meurig Price has since stepped down. It had been hoped that a supporter model would bring an end to the Welsh club’s troubles that saw the former club Merthyr Tydfil liquidated in 2010. But it’s not all plain sailing for fan powered entities – just ask FC United and AFC Telford – and, at an open meeting on Monday evening, the board admitted they have made mistakes.
Committed
While the full debts have yet to be confirmed, what isn’t in doubt is that a big £25,000 tax bill looms, and just how they were going to move their club forward was a big topic in the bar. Among the gatherers was manager Gavin Williams. The 37-year-old is leading from the front at his hometown club. He’d dusted off his boots for the second half of their game against Chesham and wanted to show his face to the supporters on Sunday. “It was good to see so many fans turn up and so many people care about the club,” Williams says. “It’s a worrying situation for the fans because obviously they’ve been down this road before. So they are very committed to that not happening again. “A couple of players turned up with me as well so that was really good. The players really care about the club as well. I know we’re employed by the club, but we wanted to show we care about the club and, like the fans, want what is best for the club.” Williams decided that walking away himself would only add to the chaos and with his roots in the town, it was never an option. Many of the senior players offered to play for free against Chesham but with other clubs lined up, and the potential for injuries, Williams felt it wasn’t fair to take up their offer. He was, however, hugely proud of those who did put themselves in the firing line – including three staff members, coach Ashley Thomas, community officer Elliott Evans and U10s coach Dominic Mahoney – and their consolation goal was celebrated with as much joy as a winner. “It was a difficult situation for everyone involved,” Williams said. “But I was so proud of the young lads who travelled, and how committed they were. “What people have got to remember is they weren’t normal youth players of 18, 19, 20 – these boys are 16. They’re playing a year above in the youth. So I’ve got nothing but praise for those boys who played Saturday. “I just thanked them before the game. If they had turned around and said they didn’t want to play then the club would have been in serious trouble because we wouldn’t have been able to fulfil the fixture. “Not only did we have youth team players but also two members of staff who don’t play football. So it really was a patched-up team. I was on the side at the start, but I could see things weren’t nice for the lads so I put myself on. I just felt I needed to be out there supporting the boys. They gave everything to me.” Often in times of need, we see the so-called football family pull together. Newport County have held a bucket collection, Cinderford Town fans vowed to help them ‘Pack the Park’ against Dorchester Town yesterday to repay the help Merthyr showed when they had their own problems.
Character
A just giving page has already raised £15,000 towards the bill, Hollywood actor Michael Sheen has donated and tweeted for people to support the club, while former Wales international Danny Gabbidon, a team-mate of Williams at West Ham, put £1,000 in the pot. “Danny is a great lad, we thank him very much for that,” Williams says. “So many clubs across the country have been supportive. We’ve just got to get through this difficult time and hopefully things will improve.” Williams now faces the task of putting a side together that can compete in games. A play-off push is clearly out of the window but they are hopeful that, with one relegation spot and the points they’ve accumulated so far, they can beat the drop. In many ways it will be a character-building experience for Williams and his youngsters with the pressure truly off. “We are probably going to be a young team between now to the end of the season,” he adds. “I’m sure calling in a couple of favours will mean a couple of loan players – I just want us to be competitive. I don’t want to be losing by big scorelines every week. “I know it’s a cliché, but it’s literally taking it game by game and seeing what we’ve got. As long as the young lads are working hard and giving their all for the club, that will do me for now. It’s a chance for them to step up and maybe one or two could make a future in the game for me. “When news broke it was all doom and gloom, but having seen the reaction from Merthyr fans, and fans around the country, it’s just amazing how everyone is rallying around us.”