Season to get underway this weekend Sunday 5th August Aberdare Town get their Welsh League Division 2 season underway on Saturday as they visit Caerau (Ely). Caerau were relegated last season from Division 1 and will no doubt be looking to put a solid foundation in place aiming to bounce straight back but, as Aberdare themselves found out when they suffered a simiar fate a couple of years ago, it is a tough and uncompromising league to get out of. Aberdare have had a tough summer with all but one of last years squad departing and the Club deciding to go in a new direction. Chairman Garry Williams is realistic in terms of the aims for the immediate future: It is tough going out there for all Clubs at the moment and the most important aim for us is that Aberdare Town have a Club that can continue for years to come. There is a realism within the Committee that the way we have operated for many years is no longer viable and we have to go in a different direction - not an easy choice to make but one that we had no option but to pursue". The summer saw the appointment of Simon Jones as the new Manager which Garry was pleased he accepted the offer: "Simon knows the Club and knows our current limitations as well as agreeing that this is the road we need to go down.  The squad he has assembled has the full backing of the Committee and they are under no pressure at all form us.  All we asked for was a team that wll give everything they have for the badge and we are asking no more than that". There have been plenty of changes off the pitch as well with admission prices being cut to £3 for all adults and a £1 charge for a new look 48 page matchday programme.  The Club have also now announced that season ticket holders of Swansea City, Newport County, Cardiff City and Merthyr Town all able to get entry in their home league games for just £1 on production of their valid and current season ticket.  The Club house and refreshment outlet have also undergone a complete facelift. Looking ahead to the season Simon has had to look after a complete overhaul of the squad: "Apart from Levi (Jones) all of last years squad have decided to move on so it has been a complete rebuild.  We know that a new squad is going to take some time to settle in together but as pre-season has progressed our peformances have improved with each game.  There is no hiding from the fact that it is going to be a hard season but I have confidence that a squad made up of boys from the valley can prove people wrong and play in the Welsh League.  As long as everybody sticks together and works hard we will eventually get the rewards.  Everybody who has signed wants to be at the Club and I include my backroom staff in that.  This isn't an overnight project and it will take a couple of years to see the hard work pay off but the Club knows that and is backing it". Abers first home game will be on Wednesday 15th August when they face AFC Llwydcoed (ko 7.30pm) and then will play newly promoted Swansea University on Saturday 18th. Calling all Swans, Bluebirds, Martyrs and Exiles Saturday 4th August Aberdare Town have launched another initative ahead of the new season to encourage more people to attend their games. All existing season ticket holders of Swansea City, Cardiff City, Merthyr Town and Newport County will all be able to attend Aberdare home games in the league at Aberaman Park for only £1 on production of their season ticket. While all four teams operate in the English leagues we are hoping to be able to attract local football fans to come and watch Welsh League football when they aren’t watching their normal team. The first game fans will be able to use this new scheme is on Wednesday 15th August when Aberdare host AFC Llwydcoed in a local derby. The Club are using the hashtag #footballfamily on twitter for this idea. AGM for Ladies on 12.08.18 Saturday 4th August Aberdare Town Ladies and Girls section will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Sunday 12th August. The meeting will be held at Aberaman Park and will start promptly at 7.00pm.  Nominations for positions on the Committee or any rule changes should be notified to Ladies Secretary Ellie Gunson by emailing bookings@aberdaretownfc.co.uk Ladies start with Sudbrook Thursday 2nd August The fixtures for the South Wales Womens and Girls League have been announced and Aberdare will start with a home game against Sudbrook Girls. The league gets underway on Sunday 2nd September and after the visit to Aberaman Park of Sudbrook on the opening weekend the ladies will then face two away games against Rhiwbina and Ponty Panthers. For this season the league has been re-organised and with two divisions now added together to form the new Division One this means there are now 11 teams in the league giving far more games.  The new division is set to be wrapped up on the 17th March away to Goytre United. A full fixture list can be found on our website by clicking HERE Merthyr friendly cancelled Friday 27th July Aberdare Town have made the tough decision to cancel our home pre-season friendly with Merthyr Town. With the weeks of hot weather the work that was carried out by RCT Council has not taken effect leaving the Aberaman Park pitch in an unplayable state.  The Club took the option of informing Merthyr early so they could find an alternative opponent and did not want them playing on an unfit and potentially dangerous surface. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by a situation that was out of our control. Thomas, Williams and Pinch all sign forms Wednesday 18th July Aberdare Town have added another 3 players to their ever expanding squad as boss Simon Jones looks to add as many options as possible. Rejoining the Club is striker Cory Thomas who played four times last season for Aber scoring once after stepping up from the Reserves and central defender David Pinch who previously played for Aber when it was known as Ento and adds experience to the group. Also putting pen to paper is Craig Williams who played last season for Hirwaun Sports after his return to the Country after a spell at a high level in Australia. We welcome all three to the Club and hope they enjoy their time at Aberaman Park.  If you would like to sponsor any of the players you can do so by emailing website@aberdaretownfc.co.uk Former Exiles youngster signs for Town Tuesday 17th July 2018 Aberdare Town are pleased to announce the signing of former Newport County player Simon Morgan. Simon rose through the ranks with Newport County playing for their academy and upon his release attracted interest from Truro City where he spent pre-season.  He eventually signed for Aberdare Town before leaving the Club but has returned now since the appointment of Simon Jones as manager. We welcome Simon back to the Club and hope he has an enjoyable and successful time with Aber. You can sponsor Simon, or any of the other available players, by emailing website@aberdaretownfc.co.uk ‘1892 Club’ a huge success with 43 entries Monday 9th July 2018 The inaugural ‘1982 Club’ has been deemed a massive success after an impressive 43 entries were received from businesses and individuals. The main part of the Club was all the entries being placed into a draw with the first name pulled out of the hat being named as the new front of shirt sponsor for the new season. The Club are pleased to announce that PERTHCELYN FOOD MARKET were the winners of the draw and they will now be on the front of the new Macron playing kit.  Meanwhile second place went to SACRED SPIRIT AND WELLNESS CENTRE who will appear on the playing shorts. A full list of the winners and all those who entered the Club can be found by clicking HERE. We would like to sincerley thank all those who took part and we look forward to welcoming them to a specially designated fixture during the season. Aber start away to Caerau (Ely) Sunday 8th July 2018 The Welsh Football League Division 2 fixtures have now been confirmed and the new look Aberdare Town side will start their new season with a tough away trip to relegated Caerau (Ely). There is a double header local derby in the opening month with two fixtures against AFC Llwydcoed, now managed by former Aberdare Town personnel Lewis Holder and Matt Driscoll. A full fixture list is now online and can be found by clicking HERE.  Each game is available to sponsor both the match and the ball so please get in touch if you are interested in sponsoring a specific match. Town get bye in 1st round of League Cup Saturday 30th June 2018 At the Welsh League Annual General Meeting held in Cardiff today Aberdare were handed a bye in the first round draw of the league cup. In total there are 16 ties in the 1st round meaning that Aberdare will enter in the second round, or the last 32! Assistant Manager and coach agree to join Thursday 21st June 2018 Simon Jones has added to his backroom staff with the confirmation of his new assistant manager and coach. Terry Fitzpatrick has joined as Simon’s number 2 and is currently working towards his UEFA B Licence as well as undertaking a Level 1 course in Sports Psychology.  He has coached at Academy Development Centres  of both Newport County and Cardiff City while also having experience with Risca Academy and Caephilly Schools where they provided opposition to Jayne Ludlow and the senior Welsh Ladies team in their World Cup preparation games against England and Russia.

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