Full-time called on leagues
THE final whistle has been blown on the South Wales Amateur League and its younger Senior League counterpart, writes Tony Poole.
However, the thorny issue of play-offs between the respective league champions remained controversial to the very end.
STM Sports (Amateur League) from Llanrumney were due to meet Pontlottyn (Senior League) tomorrow night at Aberdare Town FC for a place in the Welsh League.
But doubt has been cast over the shootout, marking the end of an era, as STM Sports failed a final ground inspection.
Since 1991/92 when the Senior League was introduced, similar instances of haggling over criteria have blighted the play-offs.
The Amateur League began in 1946/47 as the South Wales Corinthian League to bridge the gap during the stark post-war years between local leagues and Welsh League.
Just 11 clubs entered the inaugural 1946/47 championship with Dinas Corries champions but numbers soon mushroomed.
Cardiff City and Newport County both entered teams in 1949, demand leading to a second division and overall, 125 clubs have benefited from Amateur League membership.
Magical names gradually appeared on the roll of honour and gone but not forgotten are the likes of 1948 champions Lysaghts (Newport) and Fleur de Lys Welfare from 1953.
Another Newport team, Teddington, lifted the 1956 title and Ferndale club Pyrene had 15 minutes of fame in 1965.
A year later, another factory team, Beatus United, who went on to become AFC Porth, won league honours.
During the 1960s, after Bridgend Town became established in Coychurch Road, they entered a second team in the Amateur League, lifting both the 1967 and 1969 championships.
However, until the pyramid was introduced in 1991, the champion club wasn’t automatically promoted.
Welsh League entry – on similar lines to the Football League – was by invitation and the champions didn’t necessarily go up.
Pontllanfraith were the best early example of the Amateur League fulfilling its job title – they were promoted in 1972 and six years later, were crowned Welsh League champions.
Three other former Amateur League clubs have followed suit with Goytre United gaining Welsh League access in 1991.
The Port Talbot club has lifted the title three times (2006, 2008 and 2010), and in 2008 it was double celebrations with league and cup silverware housed in the Glenhafod Park trophy cabinet.
Former Bridgend side Bryntirion Athletic was the next club to record the feat in 2002.
Bryn beat Bridgend Street 4-0 in a delayed play-off at Aberdare Leisure Centre that caused a storm in a teacup.
Though the capital city side failed the criteria, a play-off was called in August 2002 that saw Nigel Jordan score twice for Bryn alongside goals from Darren Nota and Lee Stephens.
They became 2011 Welsh League champions, and two years later, a merger with Bridgend Town led to super club Penybont.
The fourth and final club to record the achievement was Rhondda Valley side Cambrian & Clydach – 2005 Amateur League champions and seven years on Welsh League.
Down the years, four clubs from the Bridgend area – Bridgend Town, Caerau, Llangeinor and Kenfig Hill – have all won the Amateur League championship twice.
Porthcawl Town and Bryntirion won it once while neighbours Llantwit Major and Rhoose have recently followed suit.
Things, however, changed in 1991 with the pyramid, resulting in two South Wales FA leagues running in parallel.
The introduction of the Senior League made a play-off match necessary to decide Welsh League elevation.
The inaugural Senior League champions in 1991/92 were Les Croupiers Caerau Ely.
But owing to ground criteria issues, they didn’t get into the Welsh League until 1998 – and last month they lifted the title.
However, the first club to be promoted from the Senior League and go on to become Welsh League champions was Betws.
Though the North Site club lost the 2000 play-off to Dinas Powis, they successfully fought their corner and were promoted to the Welsh League with Cwmtillery and Newcastle Emlyn.
Their rise was meteoric – driven on by Terry Hiatt, the late Neil McEachen and Oddfellows landlord Dave Simons with successive promotions culminating in the 2003 championship.
But time has now been called on the two leagues that have nurtured the game over a considerable amount of time.
In their place comes a 48-strong South Wales Alliance of three divisions with this season’s positions determining allocations.
And with cream rising to the top, it will be even more difficult to reach The Promised Land that’s the Welsh League.
But at least the outright winner will now be promoted without the need of a playoff – and associated bickering.
However, the success achieved by some clubs over the past 69 years, owes a lot to unsung heroes behind the scenes.
The list is far too vast but mention the Amateur League and one name readily springs to mind – Pentre stalwart Dave Wilcox, who was awarded life membership way back in 1973.
And on the Senior League scene, William Davies has been an equally diligent secretary for almost a quarter of a century.
A final celebration dinner to mark the passing of the Amateur League is being staged on June 19 at Ton Pentre Social Club.
Comedian Owen Money is guest speaker and tickets costing £20 are available from Dave Wilcox on 01443 436586.
Many a match and countless characters that make the Welsh club scene so colourful will no doubt be recalled.
But a fitting memoriam to these two South Wales leagues would surely be: “Punched well above their weight.”