Newport YMCA A.F.C.

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Newport YMCA are a football team based in the city of Newport. They currently play in the Welsh Football League First Division.

Newport YMCA Football Club was formed in 1973 when the Newport Central YMCA and Newport Pill YMCA sides merged to form one club.

The merger took place as a result of a decision made by ‘The Board of Management’ who were responsible for running the affairs of the YMCA in Newport at that time. They believed that it would be in the best interests of both clubs for them to merge and share facilities. After many months of negotiation the two sides, usually fierce rivals on the park, merged to form the one Club, Newport YMCA.

Prior to the merger both sides were successful teams in their own right. Pill YMCA playing in the higher standard Gwent Premier League and Central YMCA in the Newport & District League Premier X Division.

Pill YMCA who had moved onto an 8 acre ground at Mendalgief Road in 1955, boasted two football pitches and a rugby pitch, but suffered from poor changing facilities, whilst Central YMCA situated in the Town Centre, had better changing facilities, but no ground of its’ own. At the time of the merger Central YMCA ran five senior sides and Pill YMCA ran two senior sides and a range of junior sides.

The merger proved an instant success with the club running 5 senior teams plus junior teams from under 12’s to under 18’s. Cups and trophies came the clubs way on an annual basis. In 1978 after winning the Gwent Premier League 4 times in succession they gained election to the Welsh Football League.

Over the next few years the club worked its’ way up to the Premier Division, which at that time was the highest level of football in South Wales. In 1980-81 the club made it to the final of the Welsh Intermediate Cup (formerly known as the Welsh Amateur Cup) only to lose the game 1-0 to Connahs Quay Nomads.

The pinnacle of success came when the side finished in 3rd place in the Premier Division in 1982-83, their highest ever finish in the Welsh Football Pyramid. Despite this high finish the creation of the ‘National Division’ for season 1983-84 effectively demoted the YM, their lack of facilities costing them a place in the newly created division.

In 1990 ‘The Board of Management’ at the YMCA decided to sell off the Central YMCA building and half of the land at Mendalgief Road, using the money to finance a new purpose built facility in Pill. For one season the club were forced to play their home games at Somerton Park, home of Newport County, as uncertainty over the sale of the land and building work meant the club needed to find an alternative venue for home games.

After spending the 1990–91 season at Somerton Park the YM returned to their home at Mendalgief Road as the sale of the land failed to materialise, causing building work to be delayed. Unfortunately the uncertainty over events off the field transmitted itself to the Football Club and the retirement of older players plus the inability to attract new ones caused the club to suffer relegation at the end of the 1992-93 season.

The new building that was planned for 1991 eventually opened in January 2000 and this marked an upturn in the fortunes of the club. In season 2001-2002 the YMCA started their comeback back by winning the Division 3 Championship. Two seasons later the club finished just one place below a promotion spot, but in season 2004 - 005 they secured a return to the top division of Welsh League football by finishing runners-up to Pontardawe in Division 2.

1 Honours
2 External links
3 Directions
4 Players
5 Past Seasons

[edit] Honours

Welsh Football League Second Division Champions 1979 – Promoted to Division 1
Welsh Football League First Division 3rd place 1981 - Promoted to Welsh League Premier Division
Welsh Football League Premier Division 3rd place 1983 (Highest ever finish)
Welsh Football League Third Division Champions 2002 – Promoted to Second Division
Welsh Football League Second Division Runners-up 2005 – Promoted to Division 1
Welsh Football League Reserve Division Cup Winners 2005
Monmouthshire/Gwent Senior Cup winners 1975, 1976, 1978; runners-up 1977, 2004

[edit] External links

Official site

http://www.newportymcafc.com/forum Forum

[edit] Directions

Leave M4 motorway at junction 28 and take A48 signposted Newport. Tredegar Park will be on your left hand side and at next roundabout, which is the entrance to that park, take the 2nd exit - signposted Docks and Industrial Area (A48).
Follow that road through the next roundabout until you come to another roundabout with Woolworth’s Superstore Store in front of you.
Take the first exit off the roundabout - signed South Dock (North Side) and Maesglas Industrial Area. Woolworth’s will be on your right hand side as you follow the road. KFC, Comet and a large green gas holder will all be on your right hand side. You will then pass under an old railway bridge and come to another small roundabout. Go straight through this roundabout and on to the next road junction, where Halfords will be on your left hand side.
At the junction turn right into Mendalgief Road and the clubhouse is approximately 100M along this road on the right hand side. There is limited parking within the ground but plenty of unrestricted off street parking.

[edit] Players

Gareth Yeoman

Another product of the club’s youth team. He is big lad with surprisingly good reflexes.

Louis Walsh

Louis is in his second spell at the club having played in the Welsh League several seasons ago before leaving to play Gwent County football. He is a hard tackling full back that likes to get forward at every opportunity.

Gareth Lynch

Gareth rejoined the club during the close season after taking a year out to play rugby. He is strong in the tackle, good in the air and has good distribution skills.

Darren Porretta

Darren is the Player/Coach and brings an air of stability to the defence. He can count Newport County amongst his former clubs and he has been one of the cornerstones of the YM defence since signing four years ago.

Jay Kent

Was a Farnborough Town Youth player and last year was involved in the Youth Team set up at city rivals, Newport County AFC. When he was 10 he also experienced a trial with Queens Park Rangers. At 17 he still has alot of growing up to do, is a good Right Back who likes to run up the wings.

Shaun Pearce

Shaun is a skillful player who likes to get forward and create opportunities for his team-mates An unfortunate injury ruled him out for all of last season but he is back in training and looking forward to staking a claim for regular inclusion.

Robbie Painter

Robbie is 34 years of age and is in his second season with the club. He has a wealth of experience and an ability to play anywhere in the back line. Robbie’s versatility is a major asset to the club.

Craig James

Club captain for the past few years but forced to sit out all of last season with a serious knee injury. Craig’s on field presence has been greatly missed by the rest of the side and his return to fitness is a big boost to the squad.

Daniel Heath

Daniel is a centre back with surprisingly good ball skills. Daniel got his first team chance last season and has improved with every game. He is now an important part of the first team set up.

Craig Ford

Craig joined the club midway through last season from Newport County’s Academy side and has quickly settled in. He is a strong tackling player with a good engine. He can play in defence or midfield and enjoys being in the thick of the action.

Kristian Avery

Kristian is in his third season with the club. This versatile 28 year old can play full back, midfield or up front and always gives a wholehearted performance.

Stephen Edwards

Steve was voted ‘Players Player of the Year’ during season 2004 – 2005 but work commitments prevented him from playing regularly last season. He is 24 years old and is now in his fourth season at the club.

John Pardue

This 23 year old is in his 4th season with the club after signing from Gwent County football. He is was captain of the side last season and led by example.

Leon Spargo

Leon has played wing back and midfield in recent seasons. He is a tough tackling player that is always prepared to shoot on sight.

Faraz Yafai

Faraz is in his second spell at the club. He broke into the first side last season as a right wing back and has been a regular member of the squad ever since. He is equally at home in defence or attack.

Aaron Stewart

Aaron has been the clubs top scorer for the past five years. He is in his seventh season at the club and is a quick forward with an eye for goal.

Lewis Sommers

Lewis rejoined the club this summer after a season at Merthyr Tydfil. He suffered an injury towards the end of last season whilst on loan to Cwmbran Town but has thankfully recovered and will be looking to get back on the goal trail. He scored 20 times in 40 appearances during his last season with us.

Daniel Cueto

Daniel is a product of the clubs youth team. He came into the side last season and quickly made himself a regular member of the first team squad. He is good in the air and has plenty of pace.