‘We wanted to be involved in something special’: Caerphilly Athletic over-35s to host Ukrainian side

Caerphilly Athletic’s over-35s will take on a football team made up of Ukrainian refugees from across Wales in a celebratory friendly match.

The side will welcome FC Tryzub to Ystrad Mynach’s Centre for Sporting Excellence at 2pm on Sunday July 12.

To mark the occasion, Caerphilly Athletic’s junior setup will help with match preparations, while their Under-8s side will be mascots on the day and play a match at half-time.

Craig Williams, manager of Caerphilly Athletic’s over-35s, said: “We wanted to be involved in something special, as a team and as a club. We wanted to create a day where FC Tryzub can forget about all troubles and be comfortable and enjoy themselves.”

Discussing how the fixture came about, Williams told Caerphilly Observer: “I saw a post online about a football club doing a similar thing, then I searched for something comparable in our area and found FC Tryzub.

“The game will show what the club is all about, and how much it does for the local community, bringing everyone together and helping one another,” he said.

Caerphilly Athletic has also supported FC Tryzub by getting them a brand new kit ahead of the game.
“To my knowledge, this is the first time that the club is doing a game like this, and it has been received extremely well, so we are hoping, as a club, to do a lot more things like this,” Williams explained.

FC Tryzub was started by Yuliia Bond, a Ukrainian who has lived in Caerphilly since 2022 following the outbreak of war.

She said: “Our players come from completely different parts of Ukraine. Today, they live in completely different parts of Wales. Some travel for hours every week just to put on the same shirt and stand under the same flag.

“But this team is about more than football. It is about keeping Ukraine visible. It is about reminding people that the war has not ended, that millions of Ukrainians are still living with its consequences, and that our country is still fighting for its future every single day.

I couldn’t be prouder of the guys. Different ages, different backgrounds, different parts of Wales – but one team, one flag and one purpose.”

She continued: “A special thank you to Craig Williams for his support from day one, and to everyone who shared, supported, connected us with people and helped make this happen.”

Discussing the game with Caerphilly Athletic, Ms Bond said: “We would love to see as many people there as possible. Bring your families, bring your friends, bring your flags, and come support the Ukrainian team in Wales.”