Garden Village A.F.C.
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| Full name | Garden Village Association Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Village, The Canaries | ||
| Founded | 1922 | ||
| Ground | Stafford Common, Kingsbridge | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 - 75 seats | ||
| Chairman | Lynn Jones | ||
| Manager | Paul Lewis | ||
| League | Welsh Football League Division Two | ||
| 2011-12 |
Welsh Football League Division Two, 8th (of 16) pattern_la1=_white_stripes2 | ||
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Garden Village Association Football Club is a football club, based in Swansea, south west Wales and currently playing in the Welsh Football League Division Two. The club is affiliated to the Football Association of Wales (FAW), West Wales Football Association (WWFA), Welsh Football League and the Carmarthenshire Association Football League.
Form since joining the Welsh League
| Season | League | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-00 | Welsh League Division 3 | 28 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 57 | 28 | 55 | 3rd |
| 2000-01 | Welsh League Division 2 | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 50 | 54 | 41 | 8th |
| 2001-02 | Welsh League Division 2 | 30 | 21 | 2 | 7 | 69 | 38 | 65 | 1st |
| 2002-03 | Welsh League Division 1 | 34 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 39 | 65 | 34 | 16th |
| 2003-04 | Welsh League Division 2 | 32 | 13 | 4 | 15 | 55 | 56 | 43 | 8th |
| 2004-05 | Welsh League Division 2 | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 60 | 55 | 59 | 6th |
| 2005-06 | Welsh League Division 2 | 34 | 18 | 6 | 10 | 58 | 40 | 60 | 5th |
| 2006-07 | Welsh League Division 2 | 34 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 64 | 64 | 45 | 9th |
| 2007-08 | Welsh League Division 2 | 34 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 70 | 59 | 56 | 6th |
| 2008-09 | Welsh League Division 2 | 34 | 21 | 6 | 7 | 90 | 55 | 69 | 3rd |
| 2009-10 | Welsh League Division 1 | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 46 | 52 | 42 | 13th |
| 2010-11 | Welsh League Division 1 | 30 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 41 | 75 | 25 | 15th |
| 2011-12 | Welsh League Division 2 | 30 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 57 | 50 | 41 | 8th |
| 2012-13 | Welsh League Division 2 | 30 | 13 | 6 | 11 | 42 | 44 | 45 | 7th |
| 2013-14 | Welsh League Division 2 | 30 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 93 | 34 | 64 | 3rd |
| 2014-15 | Welsh League Division 1 | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 49 | 61 | 34 | 12th |
History
Garden Village A.F.C. was founded in 1922 and started playing football at Swansea League level before joining the Carmarthenshire Football League mid-way through the 20th century. After numerous league and cup successes over the years, Garden Village gained promotion into the Welsh Football League at the end of the 1998/99 season after finishing second in the Premier Division of the Carmarthenshire League, and successfully beating Neath League team Cwmamman United in the Welsh League promotion play-off to become the West Wales representative in the Pyramid system.
In only our first season of Welsh League football, the club secured promotion by finishing third in Division 3 behind Garw and Ely Rangers - one point ahead of fourth-placed AFC Llwydcoed - and also fared well in the Welsh Cup; a run that saw them dispose of Pontyclun and Ely Rangers before being knocked out by the then Welsh Cup holder &League of Wales side Inter Cardiff.
The Second Division proved to be a much tougher test for Village but managed to finish a respectable eighth in our first season. We did, however, manage to secure promotion in our second season winning the final game of the season at Chepstow Town and become Division Two Champions.Village had just one short spell in the top flight of Welsh League football before they were relegated at the first attempt. An excellent run of form towards the end of the season, which almost kept them up, but unfortunately this co-in sided with other teams hit similar form and Village narrowly missed out on survival, finishing two points adrift of Ely Rangers.
After a number of seasons in Division Two, where the club never finished outside of the top 8 positions, the club regained Division One status when they finished third in season 2008/09. We remained in top division for two seasons but, unfortunately, a poor season in 2010/11 saw us relegated back into Division Two.
In the summer of 2013 the club made a decision to appoint a management team from outside of the club, something that had not been done since the early 90’s. Steve Price was appointed manager and with his newly formed team gained promotion at their first attempt finishing a creditable third. The outcome of our season going into the last game away to Briton Ferry Llansawel where victory would get us being named as Division Two Champions, unfortunately, we lost 2-1 to a last minute penalty moving us down to third and victory for Briton Ferry gained them runners-up and promotion.
Recently the club has shown its commitment into developing our own young players by introducing an Under 18 team in the West Wales Youth League as well as an Under 19 team in the Welsh National Youth League. Working together with our junior section this will now give our younger players a ladder to work their way into senior football from junior levels.
Club honours
- West Wales Senior Cup : Runners-Up (2006/07)
- Welsh League Cup : Semi-Final (2005/06), Semi-Final (2013/14)
- Welsh League Division 2 : Champions (2001/02), Third Place (2013/14)
- Welsh League Division 3 : Third Place (1999/00)
- Welsh League Reserve Cup : Runners-Up (2001/02)
- Welsh League Reserve Division West : Winners (2007/08)
- Welsh League Reserve Division West : Runners-Up (2005/06)
- Carmarthenshire League Premier : Runners-Up (1989/90), (1997/98), (1998/99)
- Carmarthenshire League Division 1 : Champions (1988/89) / Runners-Up (1977/78)
- Carmarthenshire League Division 2 : Champions (2001/02), (2004/05)
- Carmarthenshire League Division 3 : Runners-Up (1999/00)
- Carmarthenshire League Reserve Division 1 : Champions (2005/06)
- Carmarthenshire League Reserve Division 2 : Champions (1990/91), (1998/99)
- Carmarthenshire League Reserve Division 3 : Champions (1989/90), (1996/97)
- Carmarthenshire League Senior Cup : Winners (1989/90), (1994/95), (1996/96), (1996/97) / Runners-Up (1990/91), (1992/93)
- Carmarthenshire League TG Davies Premier Cup : Runners-Up (1998/99)
- Carmarthenshire League Challenge Cup : Winners (1988/89)
- Carmarthenshire League Darch Reserve Cup : Winners (1993/94), (1999/00), (2000/01) / Runners-Up (1981/82), (1990/91), (1991/92), (1996/97), (1997/98)
- Krisyln Summer Cup : Winners (1978/79), (1990/91), (1992/93), (1994/95), (1997/98), (1998/99), (1999/00) / Runners-Up (1979/80), (1989/90), (1991/92), (2010/11), (2013/14), (2014/15)
- Swansea League Investiture Cup : Runners-Up (1968/69)
- Swansea League Gwalia Cup : Runners-Up (1938/39)
- West Wales Youth Cup : Winners (2003/04)
- West Wales Youth League Cup : Winners (2014/15)
- West Wales Youth League Division B : Winners (2014/15)
- West Wales Youth League Championship Playoffs : Winners (2014/15)
FAW Welsh Cup Record
| Season | Opposition |
|---|---|
| 1999-00 | Round 1: Pontyclun (H) Won 3-0 |
| Round 2: Ely Rangers (A) Won 2-1 | |
| Round 3: UWIC Inter Cardiff (A) Lost 5-0 | |
| 2000-01 | Round 1: Pontardawe Town (A) Lost 2-0 |
| 2001-02 | Round 1: Seven Sisters (H) Won 3-1 |
| Round 2: Newport YMCA (A) Drew 4-4 AET Lost 5-3 on penalties | |
| 2002-03 | Round 1: Merthyr Saints (H) Won 5-3 |
| Round 2: Porth Tywyn Suburbs (A) Lost 3-0 | |
| 2003-04 | Round 1: Bridgend Town (A) Drew 0-0 AET Lost 6-5 on penalties |
| 2004-05 | Round 1: Llantwit Fardre (A) Won 1-0 |
| Round 2: Briton Ferry (A) Won 2-1 | |
| Round 3: Barry Town (A) Lost 2-1 | |
| 2005-06 | Round 1: Croesyceiliog (A) Lost 2-1 |
| 2006-07 | Round 1: AFC Llwydcoed (H) Won 6-0 |
| Round 2: Bridgend Town (A) Lost 5-2 | |
| 2007-8 | Round 1: Bridgend Town (A) Lost 3-1 |
| 2008-9 | Round 1: West End (A) Won 3-2 |
| Round 2: Risca United (H) Won 2-0 | |
| Round 3: Bangor City (A) Lost 4-0 | |
| 2009-10 | Round 1: Corus Steel (A) Won 1-0 |
| Round 2: Caldicot Town (H) Lost 1-0 | |
| 2010-11 | Round 1: Croesyceiliog (A) Won 2-0 |
| Round 2: Aberamman Athletic (H) Lost 6-1 | |
| 2011-12 | Did not Qualify |
| 2012-13 | Did not Qualify |
| 2013-14 | Round 1: Rhoose FC (H) Lost 2-1 |
| 2014-15 | Round 1: AFC Porth (H) Won 9-0 |
| Round 2: Risca United (A) Won 2-1 | |
| Round 3: Bangor City (A) Lost 1-0 | |
Current Players
Welsh League First Division (1st Team)
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Welsh League Reserve Division West (2nd Team)
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Carmarthenshire League First Division (3rd Team)
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Youth Team (U19's & U18's)
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Transfers In/Out (2014/15)
IN
- Anargyros Poutachidis (DF) - Signed from West End,
- Chris Curtis (GK) - Signed from Penybont,
- Jack Britton (MF) - Signed from Haverfordwest County,
- Jak Shannon (MF) - Signed from Llanelli Town,
- Matthew Thompson (MF) - Signed from Unattached (Previously with Afan Lido),
- Scott McCoubrey (FW) - Signed from Philadelphia Fury (Loan until 1 March 2015),
- Rhys Whitelock (DF) - Signed from Penybont
OUT
- Anthony Finselbach - Transferred to Cwmamman United
- Rikki Hayden - Transferred to West End
- Ashley Thomas - Transferred to Loughor Rovers
- Jamie Rano - Transferred to Ammanford
- Owen James - Transferred to Llandeilo Town
Backroom Staff
Club Officials
- President: Jack Thomas
- Chairman: Lynn Jones
- Football Vice-Chairman: Robert Lloyd
- Vice-Chairman: Phil James
- General Secretary: Clive Williams
- Treasurer: Brian Matthews
- Football Secretary: Nick Elias
- Asst Football Secretary: Clive Greenfield
- Head Groundsman: Elwyn 'Pikey' Gibbon
Management
- 1st Team Manager: Steve Price
- 1st Team Assistant Manager: Lee Brown
- 1st Team Coach: Paul Arnold
- 1st Team Coach: Andrew Birch
- 1st Team Coach: David Rimmer
- 2nd Team Manager: Kevin Lewis
- 2nd Team Assistant Manager: Nicky Romanello
- 2nd Team Coach: Gerry Neal
- 3rd Team Manager: Lee Matthews
- 3rd Team Asstistant Manager: Steven Wright
- Under 19's Manager: David Rimmer
- Under 19's Assistant Manager: Kevin Lewis
- Under 18's Manager: Nick Elias
- Under 18's Assistant Manager: Dave Hodson
Teams
The club run five senior teams in:
- Welsh League First Division (First Team)
- Welsh League Reserve Division West (Second Team)
- Carmarthenshire League First Division (Third Team)
- Welsh League Youth Division West (U19's)
- West Wales Youth League (U18's)
The club also run a number of Junior sides, including:
- Under-6s & Under-7s (Friendly Mini Football)
- Under-8s to Under-11s (Swansea Junior League Mini Football)
- Under-12s to Under-14s (Swansea Junior League)
- Under-15s & Under-16s (Carmarthenshire League)
- Under-12 Girls (West Wales Women & Girls League)
- Under-14 Girls (West Wales Women & Girls League)
Notable former players
Players to have played for Garden Village and in the Football League include
- Alex Davies (Swansea City)
- Jamie Davies (Swansea City)
- Craig Draper (Swansea City)
- Robert Duffy (Rushden & Diamonds)
- Richard Evans (Plymouth Argyle, Yeovil Town & Newport County)
- Andy Mumford (Swansea City)
- Anthony Wright (Oxford United).
- Adam Matthews (Celtic)
- Stephen Healey (Swansea City)
External links
- Map of Stafford Common, home of Garden Village Football Club
- Official Junior Website
- Garden Village Junior Girls Teams Website
- Welsh Football League
- West Wales FA
- Football Association of Wales
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