WalesOnline Magazine Sport Blog

Missing stars of the World Cup matinee

2014-07-09T18:15:24Z

Despite the fact that the final is yet to be played, Brazil 2014 has already been heralded as one of the greatest major footballing tournaments in recent history. With the majority of the competing nations endorsing an attacking philosophy that suggests an approach to play with a fear of regret rather than a fear of failure, the expected nervous caution has been replaced with a nervous energy, with managers taking the stand to ask questions of their opponents rather than serve out solid defensive answers. England have been a disappointing exception to the rule, with the riches of the Premier League and its influx of foreign stars finally catching-up on a national team traditionally placed, and then pushed off, its pedestal by it own press and public. The stars have largely shone, but pre-tournament headlines centred around some of the talent that would not be on a plane to Brazil, and for the first time in a long time Wales were debated in the same breath as the World Cup on a regular basis.

And quite rightly so, as the tournament could have only been enhanced by the creative, attacking flair of Gareth Bale and the combative, positive midfield play of Aaron Ramsey. Instead, both players have taken an enforced summer break, and while both will welcome the opportunity to relax, there will have been an inevitable feeling of envy by the talismanic duo as lesser mortals took to the various fields in the hastily constructed stadiums of Brazil. Fans of the Welsh national team will appreciate their frustration, as watching supporters of the likes of Iran, Honduras, Algeria and South Korea lap-up the occasion leaves behind only the unanswerable question of what could have been. While most nations have justified their place at the world's greatest footballing event, it has been a natural reaction for many to imagine how Wales with Bale, Ramsey and co would compete against such aforementioned teams. A recent national newspaper article compared quarter-finalists Costa Rica with Wales, and stated why Wales are that much better. But the facts are that Costa Rica came within a penalty shoot-out of reaching the last four, while Wales failed to come even close to reaching the first thirty-two.

]]> However, the real issue is not about how Wales would have potentially competed on the biggest stage, but instead, it is about how they reach it in the first place. Amongst the teams defeated by Costa Rica on their way to qualifying for Brazil 2014 were Guyana, El Salvador and Jamaica. Meanwhile, Wales failed to even come close to finishing above the highly-rated Belgians or Croatia in their European qualifying group. The fact is that the World Cup finals are not attended by the best teams or the best players in the world. Every nation is provided with the opportunity to qualify, but some paths are a lot straighter than others, and some are almost downhill. Iran and South Korea two prime examples, their path to Brazil being blocked only by the challenge of rivals such as Uzbekistan, Qatar and Lebanon. Most observers would even back Wales to comfortably succeed in a qualification group made up of those five countries, but the odds on any of those five making an impression on a European equivalent would be very slim indeed.

Of course, part of the magic of the World Cup is the fact that it brings together alternative footballing cultures and supporters of such diverse backgrounds. The European Championships are considered to be a better spectacle in terms of quality, with the finals bringing the best of European football together, but there is now a fair argument that the UEFA Champions League has become the single best football competition in the world as it brings together the world's very best players. However, while club competitions are powered by finances and its ability to attract the very best players, international football holds onto a thread of morality in terms of players being raised rather than invested in. Rule changes in eligibility could alter this scenario in the future, but representing your country remains one of football's few remaining values that cannot be bought or sold. The World Cup inevitably sets a number of standards from tactics to theatrics for the football world to follow in the subsequent four-year cycle, and the feel-good factor of Brazil 2014 will be a boost to the football environment as a whole.

Gareth Bale is one of a number of European stars not competing at the World Cup in Brazil

But, it could be better. For Welsh stars Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) and Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), add Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris St-Germain) of Sweden, Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund) of Armenia, Petr Cech (Chelsea) of the Czech Republic, David Alaba (Bayern Munich) of Austria, Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) of Serbia, Daniel Agger (Liverpool) of Denmark, Marek Hamsik (Napoli) of Slovakia, Steven Jovatic (Manchester City) of Montenegro, team-mate Matija Natasic of Serbia, Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid) of Turkey and Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) of Poland. In fact, the list goes on. But what links all these star names is not just the fact that they have been denied the opportunity to showcase their talent on football's biggest stage, but that they all represent European countries that failed to qualify. Move outside of Europe, and the names missing from Brazil become much-less familiar, in fact, they become just as unfamiliar as some of the names currently representing the rest of the world at the World Cup finals itself.

So while we all revel in the greatest show on Earth, it is potentially little more than a matinee performance, with the understudies enjoying fifteen minutes of fame. Questions have been asked about the recent expansion of the European Championships to 32 teams from the current 24 ahead of France 2016, but the players missing from the current World Cup suggest that European football has a lot more to offer international football than is represented in Brazil. For Wales, qualifying for a major tournament remains an unwelcome weight on the shoulders of players and managers, and it has been since 1958. The performances of Algeria, South Korea and others in Brazil only adding to this pressure. But the question is not how Wales would perform at a major tournament, but how they can qualify, as Brazil 2014 has already confirmed that the real challenge is in making it to the party in the first place. France 2016 has opened-up a new era of expectancy for Wales, but the increase in competing teams has had the same effect on other nations too, and our world class players are not alone in envying those currently enjoying the South American spotlight.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Welsh Premier clubs with Euro focus

2014-07-02T18:19:00Z

It may have only been six weeks since Spanish-side Sevilla lifted the UEFA Europa League in Turin following their penalty shoot-out victory over Benfica, but this week the ten-month long competition returns with the opening qualifying round of fixtures taking place across a full-range of European outposts. For the first time, Gibraltar will have a representative in the form of the aptly-named College Europa FC, and they are one of no-less than eighteen clubs competing in the competition for the first time. The Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League will be represented in this opening round by a trio of clubs all looking to double their initial prize money with a victory, as Airbus UK Broughton, Bangor City and Aberystwyth Town look to negotiate their way around the continent and make it through to August without being eliminated. However, the challenge is a difficult one, and the three clubs face respective opposition from Norway, Iceland and Northern Ireland as they look to boost the profile of the domestic top-flight, and also boost their balance-sheets in the process.

Clubs in the opening round will collect around £100,000 for merely making-up the numbers in the competition, and the prize money doubles with each passing round. For clubs in the Welsh Premier League, the sums are significant, and for those that reach the continent after a long domestic season the risk of financial investment finally becomes worthwhile. However, while money talks, so do the cynics and critics, who see heavy defeats in Europe as a negative double-page story worth shouting about. In recent years, progress in a relative sense has been consistent for Welsh Premier League clubs, with Bala Town and Prestatyn Town both making headlines for the right reasons this time last year with famous victories in the UEFA Europa League. Neither club made it through to August, and no club from Wales has ever made it to the group stage, but the talk in certain optimistic circles is that this particular statistic is moving away from 'if' and maybe even closer to 'when'.

]]> Airbus UK Broughton also enjoyed a relatively successful debut season in Europe last summer, but while they failed to make it past Latvian opponents FK Ventspils, Andy Preece's side were only eliminated through away goals having avoided defeat in both fixtures with two draws. This time around, the club take on Norwegian outfit FK Haugesund, and one former player of both clubs is optimistic of their chances. "Haugesund are towards the bottom of the league and haven't won a game all season," said former striker Marc Lloyd-Williams to the official Welsh Premier League website following the draw. "So Airbus should fancy their chances. The Welsh Premier League sides are now catching up with the likes of the Norwegians." All three clubs begin their European campaigns on Thursday, but while Bangor City and Aberystwyth Town are away for their opening ties, Airbus UK Broughton will welcome their Norwegian opponents to North Wales.

The match will take place at Bangor City's 'The Book People Stadium', with the club's Broughton base currently having a new artificial surface installed ahead of the new Welsh Premier League campaign. Both Bangor City and Aberystwyth Town will host respective opponents, Stjarnan and Derry City, at their own grounds in their return games next week. While this offers an advantage, the part-time status of all three clubs does question if home advantage, irrespective of the stadium used, is of any advantage at all? The argument that follows is a difficult one to prove, as the eventual results will be decided on a range of different factors, but in terms of preparation there is a solid basis to believe that part-time clubs like our aforementioned trio are more likely to perform better on the continent than in more familiar surroundings. While travelling will be an obvious disadvantage, there is a counter-argument, and the traditional saying of 'fail to prepare, prepare to fail' may well apply in this case scenario as our clubs face their toughest test of the season in the opening week of July.

Airbus UK Broughton and manager Andy Preece take on FK Haugesund in the UEFA Europa League

What makes the European away fixtures different is that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week will be a completely different experience for the players and managers of Bangor City and Aberystwyth Town than what they will be for their counterparts at Airbus UK Broughton. From the time the leave for their respective airports, the only focus for the travelling team will be on the match ahead. With no family, work or social distractions, the players and staff will prepare as professional players for three days. By comparison, part-time players are likely to be working in their full-time jobs, even on the day of the match, when the home leg comes around, and the focus will be shifted well away from the challenge that awaits at the end of the working day. It is unlikely to be either practical or financially feasible for clubs to take their players away from their domestic lives for the home leg in the same way as they will for the away leg, but the preparations and focus will inevitably suffer as a result.

Of course, there are many more factors that will affect the result. Last season, Bala Town won at home, in Rhyl, against Estonian side Levadia Tallinn, but lost away in the return leg. By comparison, Prestatyn Town suffered an opening defeat against Liepajas Metalurgs, also in Rhyl, but triumphed in a penalty shoot-out in Latvia a week later. There are fine lines that dictate results, but small percentages can make a significant difference, and no manager would deny the opportunity of having a full three days with his players to prepare for such an important fixture both home and away. But while performances will be closer monitored in some quarters, the end result will define how much of a success this European season will be for Welsh Premier League clubs. However, the initial aim for the competing UEFA Europa League trio will be to ensure that they are still in the competition by the time The New Saints start their UEFA Champions League campaign a week after the return legs. If all three are, the Welsh Premier League can celebrate another season of relative success, and progress.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Wales' World Cup dream can become a reality

2014-06-21T10:59:49Z

With the focus of the football world fixed firmly on events in Brazil, a sparsely-populated stadium in the centre of Minsk was never likely to capture the imagination, but for Wales it proved to be a defining venue in a World Cup qualifying campaign that has matured like a fine wine. A hat-trick from Natasha Harding in the capital city of Belarus helped claim a third consecutive victory of the Wales Women's national team last Thursday afternoon, and together with a third consecutive clean sheet, the victory moved Wales in a play-off place for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup finals in Canada. In a tournament already confirmed as a swan song for influential manager Jarmo Matikainen, the popular Finn now has two more challenges to negotiate to ensure that his side stay within the play-off parameters, with the biggest challenge of all coming next as group leaders England visit Cardiff in August needing just a point for automatic qualification.

The 3-0 victory in Belarus made it a double-success for Wales, as just a few days before a goal from Sarah Wiltshire earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Turkey in Haverfordwest. Now sitting comfortably in second-place, a defeat away to England has been the only blot on Matikainen's qualification copybook, and Wales now return to Cardiff City Stadium to avenge last October's reverse against England. Wales kicked-off their qualification with a 1-0 win over Belarus in Cardiff back in September, and have claimed six victories to put themselves in an envious position. However, with only the four best runners-up heading into the play-offs to discover which team will join the seven group winners in Canada, Wales still need points to confirm their place and the challenge ahead could not be more difficult. With only England and Ukraine left play, Wales must manoeuvre their way past the only two teams that have taken points off them during the current campaign.

]]> Under the guidance of Welsh manager Mark Sampson, England have once again dominated, and conceded only their first goal last week when claiming a 2-1 victory in Ukraine. On the verge of confirming qualification, a point in Cardiff will be enough to book their place in Canada, while such a result would also be seen as a bonus point for Wales. When the two sides met at Millwall, Wales showed the character and determination needed to frustrate England, but two second-half goals eventually separated the two sides. Since that match, Matikainen has seen his side mature into a team filled with belief, and the momentum of recent results can be the inspiration to once again square-up to England in Cardiff. With the pressure of expectancy increasing as the Welsh football public become aware of the teams achievements to date, Wales now enter into uncharted footballing waters with just 180 minutes of their qualification campaign remaining, and overcoming their own psychological hurdles could prove to be as difficult as the challenge they face on the field.

But there is every reason why Wales should believe. The side have moved themselves into a play-off position on merit, and exceptional results like the 5-1 win in Turkey in April provide the evidence. Matikainen is consistent in his team selection, and only injury problems have forced him to change from the tried and trusted. An immensely popular figure to all within the squad, Matikainen will return to his native Finland to further his coaching career at the end of this campaign, and a fitting acknowledgement of his contribution would be for his time with Wales to come to an end in Canada. Led by the influential and talismanic figure of Jess Fishlock, Wales are playing with the same confidence that defines the team captains personality, and with each victory the notion that the team will freeze when it comes to the crucial fixture becomes less and less likely. A close-knit group, the current squad have already become an inspiration to the increasing number of young girls choosing to play football, and a place in the World Cup finals would take women's football in Wales to another level.

Wales manager Jarmo Matikainen will step down at the end of the campaign

And that was the remit for Jarmo Matikainen when he was appointed back in October 2010. A brave decision by the Football Association of Wales at the time, the governing body went against tradition to appoint a foreign manager, and his work overseeing the entire women's game in Wales has been at the core of the developments that have been made. Last summer, Wales successfully hosted the UEFA European Under-19 Women's Championship, and the success of the senior national team in the qualification campaign that followed has extended the impact that the tournament has had on the current generation of young female footballers in Wales. Matikainen has set a high-standard, but women's football in Wales is still very much in the early stages, and his successor will inherit a solid platform in which to build a better future. It is crucial that the FAW once again appoint a manager with the responsibility of developing the game at all levels, as with much work still to do, the position is still too delicate to appoint a manager only responsible for the senior side.

Comparisons between the men's game and the women's game are both inevitable, and unfair. A sport in its own right, women's football displays a number of qualities that the modern game has lost in recent years, with the sporting respect shown between players being the most visible example. However, comparisons between Wales men's senior side and their female counterparts shows a clear link between their respective improving statuses, and both are very much on the ascent. Likewise, England's men's side have suffered a miserable World Cup with their exit confirmed after just two group games, and should their women's side follow the same path then it could be the best possible time for Wales to take them on. The challenge posed by England and Ukraine will be the toughest yet, but with just two games remaining, Fishlock and company are on the verge of inspiring an entire generation of young female footballers, and reaching Canada in the process would confirm their own place in Welsh football history.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Time for Coleman to unconditionally believe in youth

2014-06-05T19:23:12Z

On a night of nondescript international friendly results, few observers would have taken a second-glance at the Netherlands 2-0 victory over Wales in Amsterdam on Wednesday. With international attentions firmly-fixed on Brazil and World Cup 2014, the midweek run-outs were seen as little more than a training exercise and a chance to whip-up some nationalistic excitement ahead of the main event. However, while goals from Arjen Robben and Jeremain Lens proved sufficient to send Louis van Gaal's side to the World Cup on the back of a victory and a clean sheet, the match provided food for thought for Wales as preparations for the European Championship qualifiers begin. In fact, while Chris Coleman will have learnt more about his squad than what van Gaal will have learnt about his over the course of the 90-minutes, the real education was for those observing Coleman in order to ascertain what to expect from him in relation to the challenges that he will be presented with throughout the upcoming campaign.

The build-up to the fixture was inevitable for Coleman and Wales. An ill-timed fixture on the back of a busy domestic period, withdrawals were not a case of if, but of how many, and more importantly, who. Aaron Ramsey's winning goal for Arsenal in the FA Cup final was matched in the UEFA Champions League final by his international team-mate Gareth Bale, but while both basked in the glory of their respective club success, neither would take to the field in Amsterdam. Add into the mix the omission of captain Ashley Williams and his Swansea City colleague Ben Davies, and Wales were without an significant collection of talent and influence before the squad were even brought together. However, there were some positive signs in terms of commitment, with Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen accepting the captaincy despite risking the wrath of the future Mrs Allen, with his wedding scheduled to take place just a few days after the game.

]]> When the starting line-up was announced the initial reaction was one of disappointment. Emyr Huws, a exceptional young talent from Manchester City, who was only outshone on his international debut by the talismanic Gareth Bale in the last friendly match against Iceland, was only named on the bench. However, only eleven players can start, and despite the loss of a number of influential and experienced players, it was encouraging to realise that Wales finally, if only relatively, have what optimists may refer to as strength in depth. Louis van Gaal, the outspoken manager of the Netherlands and the next chosen one at Old Trafford, had expressed his own disappointment in the build-up to the game over the fact that Wales would without Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. His comments no doubt echoed by a 'Yeah, me too butt', from Coleman. Van Gaal had been complimentary of Wales, requesting the match based specifically on their style of football being an ideal pre-Word Cup warm-up tool for his Dutch side, but his initial disappointment proved to be unfounded.

The Netherlands were without out doubt considered by Wales as formidable opposition, and given the criticism that has chastised Coleman during his tenure, it is not difficult to understand why he opted for experience over youth in his starting line-up. Although that experience is only experienced in failure, and the youth represents a talented and brighter future for Wales, Coleman went into the match with more attention on the final scoreline than on the longer-term benefits of the fixture. It would prove to be the first insight into Coleman's psyche. Although fully-versed in what his fringe veterans are capable of on the international stage, Coleman declined the opportunity to ask questions of the latest members of the golden generation, possibly fearing the longer-term negative effects of a heavy defeat than the positive impact of a performance above their years. In Coleman's defence, there is validity in the argument that such prodigious young players should be protected mentally as much as physically, and the nature of the fixture made it difficult to gauge how aggressive and relentless the Dutch would be in attack.

Arjen Robben scored the opening goal for the Netherlands against Wales on Wednesday night

The early exchanges suggested that Wales could be in for a long night. Maybe not as a long as the night in Eindhoven in 1996 when goalkeeper Neville Southall produced a man-of-the-match performance against the Netherlands to keep the score down to seven under the guidance of Bobby Gould, but still a long night. With Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and captain Robin van Persie providing the creative attacking influence, Wales defended with more luck than judgement in the opening exchanges, with debutant defender James Chester having a deep-end introduction to international football. However, Wales steadied the storm, and started to enjoy constructive periods of possession. If recent press reports are to be believed, then the creative Jonathan Williams was out to impress Swansea City as much as he was Coleman, but both were more than happy with what they saw from the diminutive catalyst as he played a pivotal role in creating a number of chances for Wales in the opening half.

However, the orange cream eventually rose to the top, and on 32 minutes Arjen Robben finally capitalised on a period of increased pressure. Substitute Jeremain Lens then added a second goal on 76 minutes to effectively end the contest in terms of the final result. Without focusing too much on the performance of van Gaal's side, there is no doubt that they were the dominant force on the night, but their laboured efforts will not have been greeted too warmly by the Dutch press and passionate footballing public, despite the result. In fact it was Coleman who was the far happier of the two managers when reflecting upon the fixture. "It was a huge performance from the team, a fantastic mentality," said Coleman. "Our lads were very brave. We have had four training sessions in almost a month and were playing against a top team who have been together for two or three weeks, and this is their third friendly in that time. We did what we could - and could have got one or two goals ourselves. It was a great performance overall."

But while Coleman's optimism in defeat offers another glimpse into his managerial make-up, there were other key moments in the match that defined his attitude. With six substitutions allowed by each team, the second-half inevitably became a little disjointed, but a positive approach from Coleman with the score at 1-0 suggested that he was remembering the feeling of equalising in Belgium in his last competitive game. On the hour-mark, youngsters Declan John and Emyr Huws were introduced, and they were shortly followed onto the field by George Williams, the wide player from Fulham who went from 'George who' to George 'woaaa' within seconds of his arrival. Having put in an impressive performance under the watchful eye of Coleman as a substitute for the Wales Under-21 side against England at the Liberty Stadium last month, Williams controlled the ball and weaved his way through a number of orange shirts, before defender Ron Vlaar prevented him from reaching an early career high.

Wales had began to ask questions of the Dutch before Williams' impressive introduction, but with the opposition having a wealth of quality to call upon, a counter-attack proved to be the undoing of Wales as the Netherlands grabbed a second goal. Although many were disappointed to see Emyr Huws miss out on a deserved starting place, there were further social media rumblings over the omission of Manchester United youngster Tom Lawrence. Handed his Old Trafford debut by Ryan Giggs a few weeks before, and a pivotal member of the Wales Under-21 side, Lawrence has emerged as another talent for Coleman to nurture, but he was denied a debut appearance for the senior side in Amsterdam as he did not even make it off the bench. The twitter rumblings began to snowball as defender Paul Dummett replaced Neil Taylor as the sixth and final substitution on 83 minutes, but while Dummett was making his own international debut, his selection over Lawrence again took the covers off Coleman's thought process.

Within minutes of the second Dutch goal, experienced midfielder David Vaughan and defender Dummett were brought on. Neither were likely to have any influence in the attacking third of the pitch, and the double-switch confirmed that Coleman's attentions had reverted back to the final scoreline. A respectable result despite defeat, achieved with a very creditable performance, would justify his post-match optimism, but the merits of the display would have been lost if Wales had conceded another couple of goals upon tiring physically and mentally in the final few minutes. It is difficult to believe that Lawrence was not in Coleman's thoughts ahead of the match, but the sting of the second goal served only to remind the manager of his pre-match fears. For all the talk of youth development, results inevitably define a managers tenure, and Coleman will have seen for himself what good developing youngsters at the expense of results did for John Toshack when it is the managerial successor who eventually reaps the benefit of his predecessor's forward planning if the scorelines do not match the performances.

But despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives to take from the match. James Chester and George Williams are two players that impressed sufficiently on their international debuts to let Coleman know that he has different options available to him, while Emyr Huws has emerged as a prodigious talent that can emulate the status of Ramsey and Bale, if he can continue to develop through playing regular club football. However, the real question from the defeat is about Coleman himself, and if he has sufficient belief and trust in these young players if his headline stars are unavailable. His starting line-up showed him to be too cautious, his late substitutions showed him to be almost fearful, but the changes in-between confirmed that he does believe in this latest wave of talent, and they repaid his faith by showing him that he has every reason to trust them. The upcoming qualification campaign will be long and there will be tough challenges along the way, by Coleman's own declaration Wales do have a great chance, but he must now show that same optimism in his team selections.

There were players involved on Wednesday who should have no part to play in the next campaign. Coleman must now show his belief in youth and dismiss those that contribute to a level that Wales, with players like Ramsey and Bale, have left behind. Wales and Coleman have to stand-up to their group rivals and show that they are deserving of their challenge for qualification, and not hide behind the promise of a brighter future, while the veterans of previously failed campaigns are adding another to their depressing list. For Coleman, the time has come to drive forward a new era of youthful exuberance with the talent he has at his disposal, because if he doesn't, two key figures in the recently retired duo of Craig Bellamy and Ryan Giggs will become even more attractive options for his employers than they already are.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Welsh Premier set for plastic pitch switch

2014-06-01T14:09:50Z

For the best part of the last decade, the use of the artificial playing surface used by Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints has been a consistent subject of debate. But despite the criticism since the club started playing on the 3G surface in 2007, more and more clubs have had their opinion shifted by the business potential of playing on plastic, and work has already started on installing artificial surfaces at both Newtown and Airbus UK Broughton ahead of next season. In addition, Aberystwyth Town have also unveiled plans to follow the growing trend during the course of the next year, and a new stadium development proposed by Port Talbot Town recently would also include a 3G playing surface. Meanwhile, Bangor City are set to install an artificial surface at a new training facility at their Nantporth stadium, while The New Saints are also set to install additional training surfaces at their Park Hall base. The option has also been debated at other clubs, and it appears that playing on such a surface could soon become the norm, rather than the exception.

The benefits of installing an artificial surface are extensive, and while it may not be the preferred choice of the football purist, the technological advancements in the quality of the surfaces now available make it harder than ever to argue against the switch. The initial cost is significant, and there is a degree of annual upkeep required, but the business potential attached to owning such a playing surface means that the positives far outweigh the negatives. As well as providing a training facility for the club, the surface can be made available for hire day and night throughout the week, and the club involved can become a focal point in the local community as a result. The New Saints have established a solid business model at their Park Hall complex to make the most of the facilities available to them, but while other clubs may not be able to match their ambitions in fielding a full-time professional team in the Welsh Premier League, the fact that they will be able to generate a consistent and sustainable income should avoid some of the financial problems faced by clubs over the last few years.

]]> But clubs must still proceed with caution, as the shift to plastic opens up an alien environment that requires clubs that have traditionally been run by volunteers to become full-time business operations. Full-time employees will be required to manage the playing surface on a daily basis, and the entire operation of running a part-time football club will switch to being a full-time business of stadium management. This shift will inevitably mean that the part-time football will in fact become secondary, with the daily business of the club centred around the use of the stadium and the playing surface becoming the main priority and the focal point of the club. Currently, clubs are run with football success from the juniors up to the seniors being their primary ambition. The concern will be what happens to each club's footballing aims when the weekend results take second-stage to the results of the weekday balance sheets.

Competing in the Welsh Premier League is an expensive business, and clubs currently struggle to generate sufficient financial support to sustain the level at which they find themselves. However, competing in the Welsh Premier League will remain an expensive business, and as more clubs turn their attentions to capitalising on their new artificial facility, the more business logic will be applied to the other various aspects of running a football club. With each club's footballing ambitions becoming secondary to their weekday success, it will become harder for clubs to justify competing at a level that significantly eats into the profits generated from the new full-time business that the club has become. No longer a matter of primary importance, clubs may find competing as a part-time team the Welsh Premier League to be an unnecessary expense in their full-time business model.

Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints play on an artificial surface

The New Saints have managed to sustain both aspects of their business, and there is no doubt that managing a fully-professional squad sits better within the full-time business model that they currently operate. The challenge now for the clubs that remain part-time on the field, but switch to full-time off it, will be to remain focused on their footballing ambitions, and not to let the financial benefits of their artificial playing surface and stadium become more important. Switching to a full-time business will bring with it a number of challenges, and mistakes will be made along the way. The Welsh Premier League and the Football Association of Wales will need to support and help clubs as much as possible in making the transition, and ensure that various duties, such as licensing and the general administrative work of the club, isn't compromised during this cultural change.

Despite the criticisms of the football purists, artificial surfaces have become a necessity in order for Welsh Premier League clubs to generate a sustainable income. The clubs involved will become more attached to their local community as a result of people using their facilities on a daily basis, and the clubs must maximise the potential of this by then attracting them back for their Welsh Premier League fixtures. There are many more potential benefits, and with the right staff and people involved, each club can look forward to a new era of financial sustainability and success. However, the key factor for each club must be to retain their footballing ambitions despite their new-found business opportunity, and ensuring such will offer hope of a brighter future for the Welsh Premier League and its clubs.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Bale to reign as the King of Spain

2014-05-25T14:43:45Z

Gareth Bale arrived in Madrid last summer following a protracted transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, and introduced himself to Spain with the intention of realising the clubs long-standing ambition of becoming European champions for a tenth time. An obsession labelled 'La Decima' at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bale not only lifted the famous trophy on Saturday night, but played an integral role with his injury-time goal that edged the tie in Real's favour. Eventually disposing of city rivals Atletico 4-1, Bale not only became the first Welshman to score in the final of UEFA's flagship competition, but more importantly he completely vindicated the world-record transfer fee that took him to Madrid that has been used against him by his critics in the Spanish press throughout his debut campaign. Having missed out on the La Liga title, it appeared his crowning moment would be his winning goal against Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey last month, but his crucial injury-time header in Lisbon on Saturday eventually proved to be the defining action.

It may have taken Gareth Bale time to prove himself to the Spanish press, but the current Welsh national team talisman can do little wrong in the eyes of those watching from his home country. Recent inspired performances for Wales have made Bale the star attraction in Chris Coleman's national team, but his exploits in the Spanish capital have also been closely followed by those with a keen interest in advocating one of the best things to happen to Welsh football in years to a wider audience. Only four other Welsh footballers have featured in either the European Cup or the Champions League final, and the positive influence from Bale in the final on Saturday has added to the growing belief that he can be the catalyst to Wales qualifying for a major international tournament, with the vindication of his transfer fee to those that have doubted him being nothing more than an added bonus.

]]> A talisman for Wales and Spurs, Real Madrid would prove to be the best possible club for Bale, as despite his world-record transfer fee, he still would not be considered to be the focal figure at the Bernabeu. Cristiano Ronaldo welcomed Bale's arrival, appreciating the influence that his ability could have on the side, and how the Portuguese star could benefit from it. The fact that Ronaldo remained the headline act suited both parties, and alleviated the early pressure on Bale as he suffered with injury and a lack of match fitness. However, Bale quickly adapted to Madrid, and racked up some impressive statistics in his performances throughout the season. Under the experienced guidance of Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian manager integrated Bale wisely into his side, but concerns about his ability to perform on the biggest of stages were raised when he failed to star in the first 'clasico' of the season against Barcelona. Redemption eventually came when the two sides met in the final of the Copa del Rey, but Bale still had more to offer, despite scoring the winner in the absence of Ronaldo.

"When I signed I was told all about it,'' said Bale about 'la decima' ahead of the final. In fact, Bale introduced himself to his new adoring fans with a message of intent about realising the dream that had become an obsession at the club, a target that has decided the fate of managers since the ninth triumph was achieved back in 2002. "There is a lot of expectation at Real but there is more expectation about that. Everyone who comes to Real Madrid, everyone in that dressing room wants to win the Champions League and now we have a real chance to go it. We are happy to be in there now, happy to have a chance of actually winning it. It is a dream come true, not just for me but for everybody at Real Madrid. No matter who it is or where you are, everybody wants to beat Real Madrid. It is just the most massive club, the expectation is absolutely huge but we all thrive on pressure, we certainly did against Bayern. We have performed unbelievably on the pitch all season."

Gareth Bale lifts the UEFA Champions League trophy

Expectation at Madrid is obvious, and the challenge each and every season is to triumph in each competition. Finishing below Barcelona and city rivals Atletico, the eventual surprise champions, in La Liga was an unwelcome end to the domestic campaign. While it was countered by success in Lisbon on Saturday, concerns will have been raised about the clubs failure to dominate on the domestic front, and not even the achievement of 'la decima' will allow Ancelotti any additional grace. With no World Cup commitments, Bale can concentrate on a full and uninterrupted pre-season, and he will be keen to avoid the footballing fallacy of 'second-season syndrome' when domestic business resumes in Spain. Ronaldo will still hold the talisman title, and neither player would want it any other way.

"I've learned from past experience to keep going, forget about the chances you've missed and keep persevering," said Bale, draped in a Welsh flag, Champions League trophy in hand, following los Blanco's success on Saturday night. "Thankfully I got the decisive goal. It was great to see it go in. I came here to play in big competitions and win trophies. This is what every footballer dreams of and it doesn't get any bigger in club football. Lifting that trophy is a feeling you can't describe and it will be a memory I will never forget. We want to win more now. When that ball came over for my goal, I said to myself: 'Do not miss, do not miss'. It was great to see it go in and the celebrations from the crowd showed how much it meant to them. It feels like we are living a dream. When we play our own football we win matches and it was just about attacking and keep doing what we do best. We believe in that and we believed if we kept doing it we would win."

But it was not only the Madridistas who were celebrating, as Bale's goal and eventual triumph was received just as well in his home country. For Wales, Bale stands in the shadow of no-one in the national team, and his evolution as a player provides the belief that he can be the catalyst that takes Chris Coleman's side to a major tournament for the first time since 1958. A pivotal figure for both club and country, Bale's performances, and crucial contributions, have justified his price tag, and he must now ensure that the biggest of international stages are not denied his obvious talent. Many Welsh stars have tried and failed over the last fifty-plus years, but having now made one dream a reality, there is every reason to believe another can happen ahead of the next qualifying campaign.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Postives not enough for Welsh Premier format

2014-05-22T18:10:57Z

The Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League has become something of a sitting duck for criticism in recent times, and this disturbing trend has become all the more worrying over the course of the last year. Where once there was a solid divide between the negativity of the Welsh press and general public, and the positive advocacy of the member clubs and their dedicated supporters, the current format of the domestic top-flight has now been publicly criticised by those on the inside. A recent feature by broadcasters S4/C Sgorio revealed the extent of the resentment to the twelve club format, with managers, players and club officials all speaking out about the need for change. After three full seasons, the popular consensus is that the league has become stale in its current guise, and a return to a more traditional format is needed, and the sooner the change is made the better. However, Welsh Premier League officials remain committed to the twelve team format, but as the pressure for change increases, it seems inevitable that matters will come to a head sooner rather than later.

The dominant criticism of the current format is the number of repeat fixtures that take place during the course of the season. The final match of the latest campaign was played out between Bangor City and Rhyl, with the winners claiming a place in the UEFA Europa League together with the financial rewards that accompany such an achievement. Bangor City eventually secured a 2-0 victory with two second-half goals against nine-man Rhyl, but while the biggest Welsh Premier League crowd of the season confirmed an interest in the play-off final, the edge was inevitably shaved-off by the fact that it was the seventh competitive meeting between the two sides this season. Despite this, 1,442 were present at the Book People Stadium in Nantporth to witness Nev Powell's side return to the European stage, and the match defined everything that is both good and bad about the current format.

]]> While the Sgorio straw-poll failed to reveal any positives, there is at least one aspect of the current format that must be retained, even if a more traditional league and fixture structure is introduced. The play-offs have proved to be a huge success, with the play-off final attracting significantly increased attendances and interest in each of the three seasons that it has been in place. The added pressure of the European prize and financial windfall of around £100,000 for the winners, and nothing for the losers, certainly makes for an exciting atmosphere, and this intensity has transferred onto the pitch with both sets of players in no doubt about the significance of the match. The current format does have some considerable flaws, but while efforts are again being made this season to add a variety of teams into the League Cup competition, the introduction of the play-offs is something that should be commended.

Of course, play-offs are nothing new in the football world, and their successful implementation into the Football League has added a new dimension to that level of football. In Scotland, a twist on tradition means that one promotion and relegation place is decided by the respective teams from the two divisions involved playing-off against each other, and this is another element that the Welsh Premier League could introduce to address another key problem. Once again this season, only one club has been relegated from the Welsh Premier League, as the only club from South Wales eligible for promotion failed to finish in as either feeder league champions or runners-up. In order to retain sporting merit in deciding which clubs compete in the Welsh Premier League, it would not be right to extend the final league placement in order to promote those with the necessary criteria. However, inviting the highest-placed club with the pre-requisite domestic licence to play-off against the Welsh Premier League's relegation candidate would ensure that if they were then to win their place in the top-flight, they would do so with a degree of sporting merit.

The Welsh Premier League play-off final attracted the biggest crowd of the season

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, the basic play-off format can be implemented into a league of fourteen, sixteen or even eighteen clubs. The league champions qualify for the UEFA Champions League, the runners-up and Welsh Cup winners qualify for the UEFA Europa League, and the remaining place is played-off by the clubs finishing third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the shape of two semi-finals and a final. Combine this with the promotion and relegation play-off at the other end of the table, and few fixtures towards the tail-end of the season would be irrelevant, and the competitiveness that the current format has brought would be retained. In fact, the added competitiveness is another positive of the twelve-club, mid-season split format that has been casually overlooked by the critics, and is another factor of the current system that should be praised.

It is concerning that the Welsh Premier League and its clubs appear to be clearly split on the issue of the format of the league, as unity has been one of the key elements in the league surviving against its harshest critics since its formation in 1992. However, there are solutions, and the member clubs would happily compromise on a number of issues in order to return to a more traditional fixture format with more competing teams. An increased league would require more clubs to obtain the domestic licence, while the already limited prize and sponsorship money on offer would have to be split more ways than it is now. But while these matters are a concern, taking action would be for the greater good. Although only a limited number of clubs in the Welsh football pyramid achieved a domestic licence this year, this should not be used as a defence for the current format until it is made clear how far away the clubs that failed are from actually meeting the criteria, and what can be done to ensure that they do achieve it next season.

When the decision to reduce the Welsh Premier League was made and then implemented in 2010, it was the right decision at the time. The eighteen club league had stagnated, and with few clubs actually being relegated, the majority of games in the later half of the season had no purpose. The twelve-club format changed this entirely, but issues have since come to light that now need to be addressed. By retaining the play-off system for the remaining European place, and possibly even expanding it to ensure promotion and relegation each season, while restoring a more traditional fixture format in a sixteen-club league, all the parties concerned can take some positives. Combine this with the recently introduced changes to the League Cup for next season that will see new clubs introduced to the competition, and the overriding concern about repetitive fixtures would be eradicated. Although these are only possible solutions, some sort of change has now become a must, and the clubs are right to demand it.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

A welcome Welsh Premier rivalry

2014-05-11T14:03:16Z

On Saturday, Bangor City will take on North Wales rivals Rhyl at the Book People Stadium in Nantporth as the two sides play-off for the remaining UEFA Europa League place. Having respectively progressed to the play-off final with victories over Newtown and Carmarthen Town, both sides now find themselves just one win away from making a return to the European stage. The footballing prize is motivation enough for both sides to put on a committed and spirited performance, but with financial rewards of around £100,000 for the winners, the stakes in the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League's biggest match of the season are indeed high. Neutrals and advocates of the national league could not have hand-picked a better grudge match, and with the S4/C cameras in attendance to broadcast the event live, it could be just the fixture to stir some much-needed interest and passion in the domestic top-flight.

Ironically, the fixture is also one of the main reasons why the Welsh Premier League has come in for heavy criticism by its biggest supporters over the last year. The match will be the seventh competitive meeting between the two sides this season, with the sides having met four times in the league, once in the NWCFA Cup and once in the Welsh Cup already. Managers, players, club officials and supporters from across the league have universally criticised the twelve club mid-season split format in recent weeks, with many believing the experiment introduced in 2010 has no run its course and a that more traditional league format must now return in order for the league to progress. Repetition of fixtures is the main cause for concern, but while league officials remain adamant that the current format will remain in place for the foreseeable future, there is an increasing pressure for change. But what makes this seventh and final meeting of the season between Bangor City and Rhyl so intriguing is the prize that is on offer, and for two rivals to compete in this winner-takes-all situation adds a whole new dimension to the proceedings.

]]> Bangor City have been regular competitors on the European stage, but last season missed out on a European place for the first time since 2007. Under the guidance of experienced manager Nev Powell, the club have regrouped and now find themselves on a verge of a European return. Rhyl were also a regular fixture in Europe for the best part of a decade during their dominant domestic period, but like many other clubs, financial mismanagement brought their success to an unceremonious end when they were relegated having failed to achieve the requisite FAW domestic licence in 2010. Both clubs have been Welsh Premier League champions in the last decade, and have competed in the UEFA Champions League as a result. While the financial rewards of the Europa League are less than those on offer in the flagship competition, returning to Europe would mark a significant step in their efforts to return to their respective high-standing status of the past.

Rhyl booked their place in the play-off final with a surprising yet comfortable 6-1 victory over Carmarthen Town. Despite finishing third in the table, Carmarthen again failed at the semi-final stage for the second season in a row. The game swung on a red card to influential Carmarthen defender Carl Evans with the score level at 1-1, the converting of the resulting penalty, and a quick third goal that was added as the Old Gold were still trying to regroup. Rhyl also played the conditions better, with a strong wind making the game more of a lottery than a spectacle Meanwhile, Bangor City edged past Newtown by a solitary second-half goal from Chris Jones, but the scoreline didn't truly reflect the number of chances that Powell's side created. The reward for both clubs is a fixture where there will be no place to hide, and the promise of an intense atmosphere from a bumper crowd, with the number of passionate supporters likely to outweigh the number of neutrals in attendance.

Bangor City and Rhyl will compete for the remaining UEFA Europa League place

Under the management of former defender Greg Strong, Rhyl only returned to the top-flight last summer, but have quickly re-adapted to the Welsh Premier League having regrouped off the field as much as they have on it. Strong experienced relegation with Rhyl, and while the reasons were due to off the field events, he now has opportunity to restore the club to former glory by bringing European football back to Belle Vue. Both Bala Town and Prestatyn Town both used Rhyl's facilities for their own European campaigns last season, but their temporary tenancy only served to show what the club had been missing, and the motivation to make a European return will be more than evident when they take to the field of the rivals on Saturday.

The desire and importance of success next weekend will take precedent over club rivalry, but the added edge can only be a positive for bringing back the passion that the Welsh Premier League has lost in recent years. The league needs clubs with passionate fan bases like Bangor City and Rhyl in order for it to be successful, and while only one club will achieve success this time around, the fact that both are back challenging for honours suggests that there may yet be a brighter future for the league. While the current format of the league remains in serious question, one positive has to be the intensity and interest that the Europa League play-off final attracts, and the added rivalry of this years fixture appears set to make it the best final yet.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Decade marks decision time for Swansea and Monk

2014-05-01T18:11:05Z

Next month Garry Monk could celebrate a decade at Swansea City. The element of doubt surrounds his immediate future at the club, as the interim manager awaits the decision of the club's board over the permanent appointment to his current position. Monk has publicly declared his interest on continuing in the role on a permanent basis, using his knowledge and passion for the club as compensation for his lack of managerial and coaching experience. Currently sitting with his feet under the managers desk at the Liberty Stadium, Monk is in the right place to stake a claim for the job, and recently improved results and performances have helped escalate him to become the bookies favourite for the permanent role. However, unlike the club Monk joined in June 2004, Swansea City has evolved into a serious financial and sporting commodity, and making the right appointment is pivotal to the club building on its now established status in the Premier League. Vacancies in the English Premier League inevitably attract interest from across Europe and beyond, such is the status of the domestic top-flight, but it may be in Monk's long-term benefit, and best professional interest, to take a step back at this current time.

A popular figure with the club's players, fans and officials, the naturally optimistic Monk has experienced the highs and lows of management since taking charge of the club ahead of the crunch derby fixture against rivals Cardiff City back in February. Adulation poured in for Monk following a comprehensive 3-0 victory, but the dominant second-half performance and resulting success appeared more to be more through the departure of former manager Michael Laudrup a few days before than through the promotion of the veteran defender. Regardless, Monk subsequently guided the side to Premier League survival, and his potential as a serious managerial candidate has never looked better as the club attempt to finish the season on a high. However, Monk is likely to be one of the riskiest candidates for the board to ponder upon when the applications are reviewed, with high-level coaching and management experience expected to fill the applications of those on the outside who see their future managing in the Premier League with Swansea City.

]]> While Monk has experienced the highs and lows of management on the field over the last few months, he is yet to show his worth in a transfer window, either in terms of players arriving or departing the club. The changing model of club football at the highest-level suggests a growing shift away from such responsibility, with more and more clubs in England expected to follow the European football protocol of a Head Coach working in administrative tandem with a Director of Football. An increase in foreign ownership will accelerate the introduction of this model, but Swansea City are a club built on the solid and traditional values that are associated with the British game, and the manager is likely to oversee all playing aspects at the Liberty Stadium, both on and off the field, for a number of years to come. Now playing out their third season in the Premier League, with their third manager in charge, Swansea City have reached a crucial stage in their long-term agenda, and their ambitions for the future will be reflected in what could be an imminent appointment.

Senior and established players in the squad have spoken positively about Garry Monk and his suitability for the permanent position, and his retention could prove to be the catalyst for players such as captain Ashley Williams to also stay at the club. Swansea's domestic and European success in recent years has provided a shop window for agents to showcase their wares, and with strict financial constraints forming the basis for the clubs solid foundation, the club are unlikely to enter into any high-brow bartering with players, agents or rival clubs. That is not to say Swansea City are not ambitious, but the financial actions that have left the club's very existence on the brink on more than one occasion in the past are still recent enough in the memory to ensure, at the very least, that the club stay within UEFA's financial fair-play rules. With a proven track record in managerial appointments, the board can again be trusted to again make the decision, but the biggest decision yet could be one that Monk will have to make himself.

Garry Monk has publicly declared his interest in making his position at Swansea City permanent

One guarantee amongst the uncertainty is that Swansea City will not want to lose the services of Garry Monk completely. In the modern game, top-flight loyalty is restricted to the very few, and the legendary status of these footballing figures within their respective clubs is testament to its importance. Now 35, Monk's playing career appears at be at an end, while his managerial career his currently represented only by a handful of games. However, there will inevitably be the opportunity for him to enjoy a long-term future with the club, but working alongside the new manager of the club he loves may be the most practical option. There are no mugs in the world's richest domestic league, and the global, cosmopolitan landscape of the Premier League demands a certain level of experience from each of its member clubs. High-profile figures from across Europe have already been linked with the vacancy, and retaining Monk in a coaching capacity in order to maintain some sort of continuity for the club in this instance may prove to be the best policy for all concerned.

However, Monk now has a taste for the big time, and the disappointment of being removed from his current, albeit temporary, position, could bring forward the end of his time at the club. It would be a mistake for Monk to take such rejection in an overly-negative way, and should the club ensure a position for him alongside his successor, then there is every reason to believe the position will become his own in time. Big name players certainly do not necessarily make the best managers, and Monk can take optimism in submitting his application from the way Michael Laudrup's departure distracted from the earlier success of his tenure. Swansea City have experienced significant cultural changes during their three years in the Premier League, and only recently has the hyperbole that previously surrounded a fixture against a top four club been replaced by an acceptance and realisation that the club are competing against such teams on sporting merit. Swansea City played out their debut season in the Premier League as a newly-promoted Championship club, but now, having established themselves as a club in the Premier League, the club must both define, and then strive towards, the next level in their longer-term plans.

Appointing Garry Monk as permanent manager, at this stage in his fledging managerial career, would suggest that the club still consider themselves to be punching above their weight in the Premier League. The fact is, they are not. After three seasons, which include a League Cup triumph and a relatively successful UEFA Europa League campaign, the club head into their fourth Premier League season as part of the establishment, and they must now act accordingly. Monk still has a key role to play, but the off field demands of management on a permanent basis demand skills that he has yet to acquire. But, they can be obtained, if he accepts taking a step backwards to move forward in the long-term. Although no solution offers a guarantee of success, should Monk retain a place on the coaching staff, then the board have a ready-made and willing interim to step-in if his successor, whoever he may be, fails to produce. Should the situation arise, the older, wiser, and managerially more-experienced Garry Monk would then become a credible first-choice candidate for the permanent position.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

The uncertain future of local league football

2014-04-18T10:19:22Z

The face of football and the landscape within which it lives has changed significantly over the last two decades. The causes are common knowledge, the catalyst being the financial investment of Sky television to create the commercial product known as the Premier League, and the snowballed escalation that has made professional players at the highest-level some of the wealthiest sporting figures on the planet. The commercial boom coincided with the arrival of the internet, which in turn not only brought a change in the way news is distributed around the world, but increased the media coverage and fan-interaction to a level previously unknown. But while the fundamental basics of football remain the same as they did in its pre-Premier League days, but the evolution of the media concentration on the fortunes of the elite few have left football's silent vast majority looking at a very bleak future, and one South Wales example offers a case study that is being repeated all over the country.

Over the last decade, Swansea City and Cardiff City have evolved into almost unrecognisable clubs. For all their rivalry, the comparisons between the two are much closer than opposing fans would care to admit, but both can chart their mirroring success to the fact that it is imperative that neither club allows the other to gain too much of an advantage. By setting a standard for the other to follow, both clubs have come through financial problems that threatened to their very existence, and have emerged amongst the elite of the Premier League, with modern stadiums and a ten-fold increase in support. But, current league positions and form apart, while they bask in the glory of their new-found status, their success has had a significant and detrimental impact on the local league football that once defined the sporting landscape of their respective communities.

]]> Swansea City started the trend with their move to the Liberty Stadium in 2005. Leaving behind the dilapidated Vetch Field in the centre of the city for their purpose-built base, a new era began that saw the popular and well-populated Swansea Senior League lose a number of players, and subsequently teams, as a new wave of interest in the club took over the area. As the club climbed the divisions, eventually reaching the promised land of the Premier League, more and more locals took the club to heart and swapped their traditional Saturday afternoon football fix of representing their local team on the park pitches of Swansea to supporting their adopted club against some of the biggest names in the football world. This shift in culture was mirrored in the capital upon the opening of the Cardiff City Stadium in 2009, and their own subsequent rise to the Premier League brought with it the inevitable increase in attention from it's local community.

The Port Talbot & District League, with clubs situated midway between Swansea and Cardiff, has also seen a consistent downturn in players and clubs over the last decade. But while the new-found interest in the big two is a significant factor, it would be wrong to lay the blame for this solely on the progress and success enjoyed by Wales' flagship clubs. From increasing work demands and council cutbacks, to the internet and other alternative attractions, there has been a clear change in culture from the heyday that local football once enjoyed in the area. Pubs and clubs across South Wales now have the ability to broadcast live Saturday afternoon fixtures, including those involving both Swansea City and Cardiff City, and weekend recreation no longer treads the traditional path enjoyed by players of an increasingly bygone era where a game of local football was followed by a beer and a takeaway.

Local league football has an uncertain future (Photo - Michael Gant)

Michael Gant, 29, is one current player who has experienced better times in the Port Talbot & District League. "I began playing senior football in the now defunct Port Talbot Sunday League at the age of about 18," said Gant. "There was a vibrancy of competition in both Saturday and Sunday football back then, and participation levels were strong, but this has changed. I think it's a bi-product of the society we live in and funding for most recreational activities is down. In fact, I think grassroots football is lost, and hasn't had a place in the pyramid for decades now. In the age of academy football, a professional club is very unlikely to find a rough diamond on the local fields any longer, an Ian Wright for example, playing Sunday League and itching for a chance. Professional clubs like Swansea and Cardiff are even less likely to go and look, or give any thought, to the millions that never made it in South Wales."

"The lack of facilities are a worry, we use the same, goal torn nets as we did 10 years ago," added Gant. "A hot shower has become a rarity. The majority of pitches are not too bad, but the cold, dripping showers are the topic of most post-match debate. There has been too long a period without investment by the council, and I think sport in general is viewed by our local authority as an unnecessary expense, one from which they stand to gain little by investing and improving its basic facilities. It's to be expected, and it's even accepted to a degree. In an economic time where everything has increased in price, most are not surprised to see permits rise, the anger comes from permits rising at a time where facilities are not. People are feeling the pinch, to use a cliché, and that's evident in a league where most participants are of modest means, some are low paid apprentices, some unemployed."

A recent nationwide survey, commissioned by Sky Sports News, revealed that Gant's concerns over the commitment of the local authority are not unique, or restricted, to South Wales. In fact, 65 per cent of those who responded to the survey believed that their respective local authorities were not doing enough to encourage local football, and it is a situation that Gant does not see improving anytime soon. "The issue of permit prices will soon become a spearhead for a campaign of anger against rumoured plans from next year to remove all attendants at grounds," he added. "This forces the local teams to become key holders as the council will cease maintaining the local pitches and changing rooms, and any club that wants to play will have to take a lease out on the ground. The expense involved is likely to see grass roots football die in the area. It's the clearest indication yet that the council have rendered sport in the area as unimportant."

But while such off the field matters cause controversy, the problems facing local league football extends to matters on the field too. "The pitches struggle to recover from even the mildest winter," said Gant. "Children lace their boots to run out on these pitches hoping to replicate the tiki-taka style of football they've seen hailed as the best on television, but these surfaces give them very little chance to hone their ball skills. Also, returning to the senior league, players appear to be younger than I remember. The players who formed a team to play with friends in their 40's appear to be a thing of the past. I think, as the league has shrunk in size, the older generation of casual players have grown fed up of meeting the same opposition every other week and getting beat. A single, larger league would perhaps help attract new players as it would present different challenges from week to week. Players are predominantly young men, with little responsibility, and many men over-30 would find it difficult to integrate into that sort of dressing room now."

"I also believe there is something of a 'them and us' culture between referees and certain players, and this has continued to grow," added Gant in his list of on-the-field concerns. "There's a real lack of common ground and trust between some referees and players. We've seen no new faces don the black kit in recent years, and I do think the local league needs that. Personal agendas have been allowed to develop and it's easy to identify what referees harbour a dislike to certain players. It's difficult for referees though, they have to make snap decisions, and get them right." The issues are not lost on the Port Talbot Referees Society, who are actively seeking new officials, but participation levels are not just a problem for players in this changing culture. Although negative in his assessment of the current state of local football, Gant is also optimistic that some pro-active changes could at least stem it's increasingly likely demise.

"I look at some of my team-mates, historically high in commitment and pride for the local league cause, and now I only hear them wax lyrical about the Premier League football they thought they'd never see," added Gant. "You can't begrudge them that, most are loyal supporters. I think those in charge must now consider fresh ideas to encourage greater participation, like the introduction of Sunday fixtures for example. That would allow Swansea and Cardiff fans greater opportunity to play for their teams and ease the demand on grounds that have communal showers. There's no Sunday League football to contend with any longer after all." Whatever the future of local league football in South Wales, it is clear that the situation is not unique, and similar concerns over the commitment and investment of the local authorities are being voiced by those not swayed by the 'football is a TV show' culture. The business end of the season has firmly arrived, but for local league football, this particular business appears to be firmly on the brink of bankruptcy.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Emyr Huws hunting Euro's

2014-02-26T18:58:16Z

The best things come to those who wait, apparently. For the Welsh national team, 56 years without qualifying for a major tournament and counting is a wait too long. However, it is also a wait that could eventually be over by the time that the European Championships in 2016 roll around. The draw for the finals in France took place last weekend, and with the exception of Belgium, manager Chris Coleman would have struggled to pull out a better collection of little plastic balls to pair with his Wales side for the next qualifying campaign. Joining Belgium and Wales are top seeds Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, Cyprus along with the international minnows of Andorra. With the group and fixtures now confirmed, the upcoming friendly against Iceland on Wednesday night has something of a 'first pre-season friendly' feel to it, as the anticipation for the opening match in Andorra next September begins to build in the Wales camp.

"Positive, but there will be tough games," said the usually honest-to-a-fault Coleman, hiding a smile. "We know what Belgium are capable of. Like I've said before our biggest concern will be ourselves and how many times we can field our strongest team, and the more times we can do that, the better chance we have of getting points against anybody. I think Israel will be looking at it the same as us probably. Bosnia are strong, we have played them already, and Belgium. They are two strong teams. Looking at Israel they had a couple of good results against Portugal in the last campaign, two draws. There are no mugs in the group. There no easy games. We have to look at it and say, yes, we have a chance I think if we finish above Israel then we have a great chance of maybe getting that third spot. That's not to say were going into it thinking we have to target third, we got to win as many games as we can, because you never know."

]]> Unlike previous campaigns, the fixtures were dictated to the competing nations by UEFA, and will form part of a new initiative christened 'the week of football' by President Michel Platini. Wales will open the campaign with an away match in Andorra, before returning to Cardiff a month later to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina. "There are pluses and minuses whoever you have in the first game," said Coleman at his first press conference after the draw. "With all due respects to Andorra, they are the team that people will look at and expect them not to do much. Looking at the group, it could have been worse. I'm excited, the fixtures are what they are, we have to start better than we did in the last campaign. We will target the first two games, we need the points. We have to edge forward and make sure that we are always in the mix. This will be the golden generation when we are successful and when we qualify. Looking at it, we have a very good chance. I'm optimistic."

And so the preparations for another long qualifying campaign begin. Iceland are the visitors to Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday, and with ticket prices set at just a tenner for adults, a fiver for concessions and only a quid for kids, the Welsh football public have no financial excuse not to come out and support the national team. Aaron Ramsey is the only high-profile omission from the 23-man squad, at least the only one at this early stage, with injury ruling the in-form Arsenal midfielder out for a few more weeks. With Ramsey out of the spotlight, the undivided attention will inevitably turn to Gareth Bale, but the world's most expensive footballer has a Madrid derby to negotiate over the weekend before the squad meet in Cardiff ahead of the friendly fixture. However, Ramsey's omission has opened a window of opportunity for young midfielder Emyr Huws, and having recently impressed following his loan move to Birmingham City, the 20-year old Manchester City midfielder could well be set to make a starting international debut for Wales next week.

Emyr Huws is set to make his senior international debut against Iceland

For Llanelli-born Huws, his elevation to the senior squad has been a long-time coming, but his eventual arrival is one that should be heralded. Throughout his youth career, first at Swansea City and then with Manchester City, Huws has regularly been labelled as the next big thing by those in the intermediate team know. But while his teenage peers found themselves making the international grade ahead of their time, Huws remained with the intermediate set-up, following the pathway through with the Under-17, Under-19, and very recently, the Under-21 squads. With over 20 caps for Wales at intermediate level, Huws has been an important part of Geraint Williams' Under-21 squad for the current European Championship qualifiers, but his elevation into Chris Coleman's plans means that he will miss the crucial qualifier with England at Derby on Wednesday in order to mark the next stage of his international development.

In recent campaigns a whole host of Welsh players have received international caps during their teenage years, but the reason that the talented Huws as had to wait is a result of his lack of senior football opportunities at the Etihad. In fact, since joining the club five years ago, Huws has made just senior competitive appearance. His moment to shine eventual coming as a substitute in the recent FA Cup reply against Blackburn Rovers in January. But with City scouring the world and spending big to attract nothing but the finished article, Huws was initially loaned-out to Northampton Town for some senior football experience in 2012, and his FA Cup cameo has now been followed by another spell away from the club with Lee Clark's Birmingham City. However, far from being a step backwards in his development, one consistent to come from his two loan spells as been the praise he has received from his adopted managers. Clark, a combative midfielder who played alongside Chris Coleman at Fulham, has spoken positively to his former team-mate about the talent that he has at his disposal, and his opinion is one that his shared by those with an interest in the fortunes of the Welsh national team.

"If you can break through into Manchester City's first team, I would say he deserves a chance at international level," said former Wales striker Malcolm Allen. "Now we know what group we're in, every single player will want to come and play in these friendlies. We know the quality Manchester City possess in their squad, so he's got some ability. I've seen him play more than once. He's very, very tidy, doesn't give the ball away and doesn't mind getting his foot in at times. For me, for a young lad he reads the game very well and starts off attacks. I think he would fit into the style Wales are playing very, very well." But while the outsiders have their say on the latest exciting Welsh talent to emerge, the proof of Huws' potential will come only from his performances for club and country. An unused substitute in the last friendly against Finland following a late call-up, Huws already now seems set to make his first senior international appearance for Wales against Iceland, and with it he will become the latest precocious young talent to emerge under Chris Coleman's reign.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Honeymooning Laudrup searches for next football bride

2014-02-05T18:49:38Z

Swansea City have parted company with manager Michael Laudrup and his backroom staff after a whirlwind tenure that has seen the Welsh club reach unparalleled highs in both domestic and European competition. A 300-word statement on the club's official website suggested that the Dane had become the first manager to be sacked by the club since Brian Flynn in 2004, and while the decision of the board divides opinion, his imminent departure appeared increasingly inevitable with each dropped Premier League point. Off the field issues had clouded Laudrup's on the field success since last summer, and while sacking managers is an uncharacteristic but welcome trait at Swansea City, the need for change dictated that Laudrup should be relieved of his duties as the club heads into the business end of the current campaign. For Laudrup, the decision will be a disappointing one, but not one that he will lose any sleep over. His calm, cool exterior has been criticised by those who read too much into dugout behaviour, but having experienced similar problems in his last appointment with Spanish club Mallorca, the limitations of his managerial acumen become apparent in their consistency.

A name synonymous with both style and success from a playing career that included spells at Lazio and Juventus in Italy as well as with Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, Michael Laudrup announced his arrival in the English Premier League as the new manager of Swansea City in June 2012. Laudrup became a high-profile appointment for the traditionally prudent board at the Liberty Stadium, and his status in the game confirmed the clubs ambition to continue their consistent chain of progress. In his first season, Laudrup guided Swansea City to a convincing 5-0 victory at Wembley over Bradford City in the Carling Cup final, while also comfortably retaining their place in the Premier League with an impressive ninth-place finish. Laudrup had succeeded in his first season by staying true to the club's footballing philosophy, a pass-and-move style that mirrored his own elegance as a player, and he showed his acumen in the transfer market with the signing of Michu who arrived at the club from Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano for a reported fee of just £2m. Michu subsequently rewarded Laudrup's faith in him by scoring 20 goals in his debut campaign.

]]> A place in the UEFA Europa League was the reward for Carling Cup success and European football brought its own challenges for both Laudrup and the club's board. A string of new arrivals were brought in to cope with the increased demands of a busy fixture schedule, headlined by £12m record-signing Wilfried Bony from Dutch club Vitesse. A powerful Ivorian with a proven track record in Europe, Swansea City went into the new campaign with a number of new arrivals. With Bony responsible for a significant chunk of the available kitty, Laudrup was forced to finish his summer shopping at the bargain bin of the transfer market, but another Michu was never to be found as quantity eventually replaced quality in the club's recruitment policy. Domestic results proved to be inconsistent as the side struggled with injuries, but midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, recruited from Liverpool, provided a new attacking dimension in midfield and the club cruised into the group stages of the UEFA Europa League having comfortably disposed of Malmo and Petrolul Ploiesti in the qualifying rounds.

However, it would take a trip to the Mestalla in September for Swansea City to mark their arrival in the UEFA Europa League, as goals from Bony, Michu and Jonathan De Guzman earned the club a famous 3-0 win in Valencia. Victory over St Gallen followed, but points were dropped against Kuban Krasnador and the group stage ended with a 1-0 home reverse to Valencia and a surprise 1-0 defeat at St Gallen. However, early European form had proved sufficient to earn the club a place in the last 32, but Swansea City now take on Napoli in the knock-out stages later this month without the man who has guided them this far. Concernedly, the dip in European form had infested itself into domestic affairs, with the FA Cup victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United in January serving only to paper over the growing cracks as the club dropped closer to a relegation battle at the bottom of the Premier League. Earlier in the week of his departure, it was clear that Laudrup was set to be undermined with changes to his backroom staff. It was the same scenario had forced him out of Mallorca in 2011.

Michael Laudrup departs Swansea City after one full season of success

But while his eventual departure came in February, Laudrup was rumoured to be heading for the exit door back last summer when a row between his agent, Bayram Tutumlu, and Swansea City Chairman, Huw Jenkins, caused an irreparable split between the very two people that Laudrup would need to professionally confide in the most. More recently, as results dipped miserably, a training ground spat between defenders Garry Monk and Chico Flores served only to support the rumour of a growing split between the foreign and home-grown players in the squad. Laudrup shrugged away suggestions of discontent within his squad with his familiar raised-shoulder reaction, an action that would be increasingly repeated as the press conference questions became more and more difficult with each passing defeat. In addition, the loan departure of Ki Sung-Yueng to relegation-rivals Sunderland became all the more bizarre when he failed to recall him in the January transfer window, despite the midfielder becoming an inspirational figure for one of their relegation rivals.

A lacklustre performance in a 2-0 defeat at relegation-rivals West Ham United would prove to be Laudrup's last match as Swansea City manager. The club currently remain in both the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League, while a recent home victory over Fulham has helped alleviate their relegation fears in the short-term. Laudrup can look back at his time at Swansea City with pride in what he achieved in his first season, but equally with regret over the unfinished elements of domestic and European cup business that he leaves behind. In time, and providing the club retain their Premier League status this season, the Laudrup era should be remembered by the club's fans as a positive period of unparalleled success. But for the present, survival is paramount, and the disappointment of how one of the most successful seasons in the club's chequered history was not improved upon by the man who made it a reality is still a raw emotion.

Huw Jenkins and the Swansea City board have reacted by taking a back-to-basics approach with the appointment of Laudrup's immediate successor. Like the appointment of Tim Sherwood to succeed Andre Villas-Boas at Tottenham Hotspur, Garry Monk, flanked by Alan Curtis, will take the opposite approach to Laudrup's in order to get the desired reaction from the under-performing squad. With South Wales rivals Cardiff City visiting the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, there could be no better time for Monk to kick-start his tenure with a win, and if he can instil his own passion for the club into his inherited players then there is every reason to believe his side can claim three crucial, and memorable, points. Jenkins has stated that Monk is in charge for the 'foreseeable future', and that should be taken to mean he has until the summer to stake his claim for the job on a permanent basis. As for Laudrup, his managerial stock is not as high as it was last summer, but his name still yields enough weight to suggest that he will soon be another club's paladin on arrival, but another club's problem once the success of the inevitable honeymoon season wears off.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

Jones and Morgan are taking the mic

2014-01-16T19:20:38Z

The current Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League has reached a crucial stage of the season as a handful of clubs play-out their remaining first-phase fixtures to decide who will compete in the top half and bottom half for the remainder of the campaign. The respective fate of the league's two in-form sides, Port Talbot Town and Airbus UK Broughton, has already been decided, but the real in-form duo of the Welsh Premier League have become one of the most talked about topics amongst supporters of the domestic top-flight. Mark Jones and Tomi Morgan have taken the English-language commentary on S4/C's weekly live Sgorio broadcast to a new level in terms of alternative entertainment, and the duo have picked-up something of a cult following in the process. While the two former managers assess the performances of the league's twelve teams every Saturday afternoon, a committed television audience wait impatiently for the latest disagreement between the former managerial rivals, and they were not left disappointed by last weekend's disappointing cup final between Carmarthen Town and Bala Town.

While the match provided little entertainment on the field, Jones and Morgan had their broadcasting tactics spot-on. From debates over tackles to Morgan's concern about extra-time interfering with his plans to watch Swansea City take on Manchester United, it was another master-class from the duo in 'two men sitting in a pub' punditry. By far the most entertaining aspect of the afternoon, questions should now be asked if playing the cup final in January is really conducive to good football, and for a match that attracts increased attention surely the best available playing surface and stadium should be considered over a neutral venue that is an equal distance between the two competing clubs. The league have a responsibility to a number of stakeholders, especially the sponsors, to provide the best possible stage and to raise the profile of the competition as much as possible. This is not to discredit Aberystwyth Town, a club well-experienced in successfully hosting cup finals, but heavy rain had left the surface in a delicate condition, and this only strengthens the call for the show-piece event to be moved back to its original end of season home.

]]> But as Carmarthen Town and Bala Town slogged out a goalless draw, Jones and Morgan made the best of a bad situation. It is difficult to decide if it was luck, judgement or a bit of both that inspired the Sgorio team to combine the two, but whatever the reason, it has proved to be a winning formula. The English-language option is a very welcome addition to the broadcast and it is surprising how many people outside of Wales have sampled the live Saturday afternoon offering as an alternative to Jeff Stelling and his Sky studio colleagues. Sky Sports' 'Soccer Saturday' is considered the original home of live commentary banter, but S4/C appear to have bought into this idea this season, and Jones and Morgan could hold their own against any of the former English Premier League stars who have opted for the secure football management alternative of the media as their route to stay involved in the game. The difference is that Jones and Morgan are both also considered established managers in the Welsh Premier League, while Jones' Cardiffian wit would out-smart any of the Soccer Saturday panel in a head-to-head.

Mark Jones made his name in the Welsh football circuit as a player, and later manager, of Maesteg Park Athletic. A successful Welsh Cup run during the late 1990's brought Jones to the attention of South Wales' top-flight clubs, and in 2001 he was appointed manager of Port Talbot Town. Jones built a solid foundation at the club during his three-year tenure, taking the club to the semi-finals of both the League Cup and Welsh Cup, in addition to making consistent progress each season in the Welsh Premier League. In 2004 he took control of Carmarthen Town and enjoyed his most successful period in management, as the club competed in the UEFA Cup, pulling-off one of the most memorable European results by a Welsh Premier League club in 2005 when they defeated Irish side Longford Town 5-3 on aggregate to progress through the opening round. During his time at Richmond Park, Jones also lifted the Welsh Cup in 2007 before surprisingly being replaced. Jones dropped down to the Welsh League with Dinas Powys for a short-period, but returned to Port Talbot Town in 2008, taking the club to the Welsh Cup final and into the UEFA Europa League in 2010.

Mark Jones has swapped the Welsh Premier League dugout for the commentary box

Tomi Morgan earned himself a place in the Welsh Premier League Hall of Fame with his performances as a striker with 72 goals in 230 appearances for six different clubs, although his only appearance for Porthmadog came as a substitute in April 2010 at the age of 53 years and 7 months. This record of being the oldest player ever to feature in a Welsh Premier League match still stands, but it was not the first time that Morgan's age had made headlines. In 1996, Morgan played an integral part in Llansantffraid's surprise Welsh Cup final win over Barry Town at Cardiff Arms Park. I was in attendance to witness Morgan score the opening goal in the 3-3 draw and subsequently convert his penalty in the victorious shoot-out, but his performance was also witnessed further afield, and rumours of interest from a club in the Chinese league were apparently cooled once they were advised that the in-form striker was 38 years-old at the time. Morgan has also twice managed Carmarthen Town and Aberystwyth Town, as well as holding the reigns at Rhayader Town, Welshpool Town and Porthmadog in the Welsh Premier League. Neither Jones or Morgan would rule out a return to management, while Morgan has probably not yet ruled out a return to playing.

The coverage of the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League offered by S4/C Sgorio is well-deserving of the praise that it attracts from supporters of the league. From the live Saturday afternoon action to the Monday night highlights show, the broadcasters have a clear passion for promoting the Welsh Premier and bring a professional edge to a league striving to shake-off the amateur perception felt by other media outlets. Between them, Jones and Morgan know the league and its players better than any other outsider, and have grown into their new roles behind the microphone. Before the end of the current campaign, expect Jones to compare a few more Welsh Premier League players with random English Premier League players from the last decade, and for Morgan to inevitably disagree with him. The Welsh Premier League may have lost two characters when the duo left their last respective management jobs, but S4/C have brought them back with vengeance with the best double-signing of the summer, and the league has become more a more entertaining product for it.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.

War and Peace - Cradoc Golf Club

2013-12-15T10:21:51Z

Rhys ap Tewdwr, born 1065, was a descendant of Capell ap Rhodri, King of Seisyllwg, son of Rhodri the Great. He lived a short but eventful life. He seized the throne of Deheubarth in 1078. It was not an easy time however as he had continual political unrest - alliances and battles with Caradog ap Gruffudd ap Rhydderch and Gruffydd ap Cynan . In 1088 he was forced into exile in Ireland but returned for more coalition and chaos with fellow Welsh princes and eventually the Normans.

Rhys was slain in the Battle of Brecon by Bernard de Neufmarche in April 1093. One can only imagine the fear, noise and bloodshed of the battle over 800 years ago. The site of the encounter was the village now called Battle, a few miles from Brecon and a mile from the golf course of Cradoc.

Walking around the tranquil, beautiful course it is impossible to image that 800 years before there would once have been armies, mayhem and destruction. The Battle of Brecon was an important event in Welsh history and for many at the time seemed to indicate the end of the reign of Welsh princes and the capitulation of Wales to their of Norman conquerors.

Rhigyfarch al Sulien, a monk who later wrote a life of St David, wrote a long poem, 'Lament' at Llanbadarn Fawr. The opening few lines captures the fear of the time;

"Alas! that the present time led us into this state of things,

where a cruel power threatens to drive away by its authority

those who are duly reading this poem.

Why have the blind fates not let us die?"

This dire pessimism, however, was not warranted and by the turn of the century most of the territories belonging to the Normans had been reclaimed by a resurgence from the Welsh.

The stark contrast between this period and a round of golf at a parkland course such a Cradoc could not be greater even though the land is the same. The course at Cradoc is so quiet, so tranquil. The tree-lined fairways let you believe you are the only players on the course for a good deal of time as it winds along the valley floor and up and across the hills.

It is a remarkable golf course in a remarkable setting. It was designed and build in 1967with the drive and commitment of local members especially John Morrell and Les Watkins.

The Scottish course architect CK Cotton has been responsible for designing and remodelling a number of amazing courses, amongst them Royal Lytham and St. Annes, Pennard near Swansea, St Pierre in Chepstow as well as many in his native land. The courses all share similar characteristics ; they all use the land effectively. At Cradoc he used the changes in elevation to form spectacular views and some challenging holes. There are stunning views across the valley from many of the holes.

Another feature of Cotton is the par 3s. These short holes on each course are all unique and each has a different challenge.

Cradoc is a nicely balanced course with 2 par 3s on the front nine and 2 on the back. The first short hole you encounter, the 3rd , is only 125 yards. There is however a pond in front of the green waiting for you. The hole is played from an elevated tee and looks spectacular, and dangerous. The 7th hole looks deceptively straightforward with its large green. However it can be difficult to 2 putt if you're on the wrong level. The 12th hole down the hill is a par 3 with bunkers to the left and right and a steep drop over the back. The final short hole, the 17th is the longest. You need a straight long iron to ensure your round stays on track. If you can survive the par3s the chances are you are playing well and will be having a decent round. They test your skill and iron play and if the wind blows can be a really challenge.

The journey around the course takes you from the undulating. tree-lined, opening holes to the middle mountain section and then back again on to the valley floor. Along your path you will encounter different views of the of the Brecon Beacons National Park, a variety of views of Pen- y-fan the largest peak in South Wales, and some surprises; the fourth green is set in front of the mansion that once belonged to the owners here at Penoyre Park; a number of the holes are laid out as dog legs where you have to decide if you want to risk cutting the corner or playing safe.

The course is immaculately kept and incredibly peaceful. The greens are green, fast and true. This is only half the charm of the day though. The organisation and running of the club are as immaculate as the layout and maintenance of the course. There are superb practice facilities - large driving range, warm up nets and good sized practice putting green. The pro shop is well stocked and the clubhouse has amazing views of the 1st tee and fairway and the 18th green set against the backdrop of the mountains.

The atmosphere of the club is welcoming, caring and professional and little wonder it was Welsh Golf Club of the year in 2005.

The past decade or so have been difficult for golf clubs across Wales and beyond. The recession bites hard on recreational activities in these times. Fortunately the manager of the club, Richard Southcott has been proactive and instrumental in developing a creative programme for a number of years to help generate interest in golf in the area. The Heart of Wales consortium comprises the golf clubs Cradoc, Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells. The idea is to encourage golfers to visit this area and play all three unspoiled, quality golf courses at a reduced rate. It seemed to have worked well and has generated a lot of interest in the area.

The serenity of the course is reflected in the relative serenity of the area, even in the traditional market town of Brecon. The town is situated at the confluence of the rivers Usk and Honddu in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons National park. With a population of just under 8,000 Brecon is the focal point of the area. It has established itself as a place for tourism, arts and culture in recent years. Visitors enjoy the activities in the area as well as the peace and quiet.

The cathedral in Brecon has a history tracing back to the year 1093 where Bernard de Neufmarche ordered a priority to be built after his victory. The priority was destroyed in the reign of Henry VIII and became the site of a parish church and in the 1920s was designated a cathedral.

For a short period each year Brecon loses its tranquil nature as it becomes the centre for music fans from around the world as it hosts the Brecon Jazz Festival. Since its inception in 1984 it has grown and developed into a genuine world-wide phenomena.

Practically all the leading jazz artists in the world have performed at the festival including George Melly, who lived locally, Courtney Pine, Humphrey Littleton, Amy Winehouse, Van Morrison, Joan Armitrading and Hugh Masekela.

The site of Cradoc golf course has seen a great deal of gory history over the centuries but there are few more peaceful places to enjoy a relaxing (well as relaxing as golf can be) game with superb scenery and delightful facilities.

Carmarthen on course for league and cup success

2013-11-20T18:32:21Z

Say something loud enough, people will hear it. Say something often enough, people will believe it. Do both, and you start to understand how Mark Aizlewood has masterminded another successful season for Carmarthen Town in the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League. Although only thirteen league games into the campaign, the Richmond Park side have not only opened-up a four point gap in third-place, but are closing in on title-challengers Airbus UK Broughton and even champions The New Saints. In addition, this impressive form is not restricted just to the league, as on Tuesday night they reached the final of 'theWord' Cup for the second successive season. But it was the manner of their 3-2 victory over Welsh League side Cambrian & Clydach that displayed all the attributes of the teams character, and showed how the recent under-achievers have rediscovered their glory days under the guidance of the former Wales defender.

Mark Aizlewood is one of the Welsh Premier League's more outspoken managers, and while opinion is divided over his popularity, he wouldn't have it any other way. A controversial figure both on and off the field, Aizlewood has never shirked a challenge either in the tackle or on the television, but his knowledge, experience and psychological input on his current crop of players has had the desired effect. His calculated comments in the press infuriate and inspire their intended audiences with equal effect, but while his opponents react negatively to his tongue-in-cheek interest in their financial affairs, his own players have reacted with the performances and results that have put the club on-course for a UEFA Europa League challenge in the second part of the season.

]]> In Christian Doidge and Liam Thomas, Aizlewood has uncovered and moulded two exciting young players who have scored 20 goals in all competitions between them this season. But while his talented attacking youngsters thrive on his guidance, it is the blend of youth and experience that served Carmarthen Town successfully well since the former Leeds and Cardiff City defender returned to the club for a third time in January 2011. A slow start to his current tenure was blamed on the legacy left behind by his predecessor Tomi Morgan, but consistent progress followed, and last year the club lifted the League Cup with a memorable penalty shoot-out victory over The New Saints. The challenge of Welsh Premier League rivals Bala Town now faces the Old Gold as they look to defend their trophy in the new year, and with their opponents struggling to find the form that saw them qualify for the UEFA Europa League last season, Aizlewood and his side will be quietly confident of repeating last season's success. Unfortunately, 'theWord' cup offers only financial incentives for the winner, and a return to Europe for Carmarthen Town will need to come through sustaining their run of form in the league, or from repeating their Welsh Cup triumph of 2007.

To reach the final of the League Cup, Carmarthen Town had the potentially difficult task of disposing of Welsh League side Cambrian & Clydach. The Rhondda side reached the semi-final with memorable victories over a quarter of the clubs that make up the Welsh Premier League, with the scalps of Aberystwyth Town, Afan Lido and Port Talbot Town already making it a memorable season for manager Jarred Harvey and his side. At half-time Cambrian & Clydach were 2-0 ahead, but the character and resilience of Aizlewood's Carmarthen Town was never more apparent than in the second-half when a goal from Liam McCreesh between a brace from Liam Thomas edged Carmarthen into the final in dramatic fashion. However, one significant issue surrounding the match was the venue for the fixture, as Carmarthen Town were forced to lose the advantage of playing at their own Richmond Park stadium, and switched the game to Llanelli's Stebonheath.

Mark Aizlewood has enjoyed a successful start to the season at Carmarthen Town

The finals UEFA Women's Under-19 tournament were expected to have a positive effect on Carmarthen Town after they were chosen as one of the host clubs. Substantial funding for ground improvements made plans for new changing rooms a reality, but a new playing surface proved to be a less than successful venture for the club. Opinions vary on the reasons for the problems that have dogged the surface since it was laid in the summer, and the disruption caused to the Under-19 tournament as a result has carried on into the current domestic campaign for the club. Due to the number of games scheduled to be played at Richmond Park in the coming weeks, the match against Cambrian & Clydach was switched to Llanelli, and further switches are likely over the coming winter months. While Aizlewood must ensure his side adapt to losing the benefits of home advantage, the club must adapt to the lost revenue and hire costs of playing their home fixtures at alternative venues.

Having assembled a squad of big-name players, Aizlewood, together with his backroom staff of Neil Smothers and Kevin Morris, have attracted some equally big personalities to Richmond Park in the process. Success has a natural positive influence, and it is a drug that the squad are currently high on at the present time. A 6-0 thrashing at The New Saints in September could have highlighted vulnerabilities within the squad, but Aizlewood again took to the stage to divert the attention away from his players, and his post-match comments were made to firmly adhere any blame to himself. The side are undefeated in all competitions since that uncharacteristic reverse, averaging no-less than three goals per game in the process. Again, their reaction is testament to the character of the squad, and it is this mannerism that makes Carmarthen Town a smart choice to achieve success at the end of the season.

But while success for Carmarthen Town is great news for the club, it also offers salvation for football in south Wales as a whole. One of only three clubs from the area now competing in the top-flight, poor results and performances from Port Talbot Town and Afan Lido have left the other two clubs struggling at the bottom of the table ahead of the mid-season split. Neither have any realistic chance of joining Carmarthen Town in the top-six for the second-half of the campaign, and the fact that both clubs have recently lost players to Carmarthen only adds to their frustration. Carmarthen Town take on Port Talbot Town in the Welsh Cup next month in one of the more intriguing ties, but with a cup final and top-six place for Mark Aizlewood's side already assured, there appears a memorable campaign ahead of Carmarthen regardless of the result. The only concern now will be how much, or how little of it, is actually played at their Richmond Park ground.

Mark Pitman is a Welsh football columnist and blogger. Visit www.markpitman1.com.
You can also follow Mark Pitman on facebook and twitter.