Football club nominated for community award

Aber Valley Football Club has been nominated for the FAW Community Club of the Year Award.

The Abertridwr-based club, which plays in the South Wales Alliance League Premier Division – the fourth tier of Welsh football – is one of six clubs from across Wales up for the award.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the club has been running foodbanks at the Aber Hotel, after being inspired by the work of England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, who has been a vocal campaigner against child hunger.

The foodbank has been running every Saturday since November, while a boot donation scheme has also been set up, where old unused football boots are donated to children in the village.

First team manager Dean Wood said: “We were all shocked when we found out we’d been nominated.

“We don’t do this for recognition, we just want to build a club that engages with the community.”

He added: “The club has grown from having very few kids’ teams to having youth teams, senior teams and now a women’s team.”

Club committee member Andrew Hart, who helps run the club’s foodbank, said: “It’s brilliant. This achievement is what the club is all about.

“Someone nominated us but we have no idea who. We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved.”

Meanwhile, the club is celebrating success on the pitch too.

The club beat Porthcawl 2-0 away from home on August 14 to book a glamour tie with top flight outfit Aberystwyth Town in the second round of the Welsh Cup.

The clash is set to be played in Aberystwyth on September 3.

Manager Wood said: “This is like non-league Wrexham being drawn away to Tottenham, Arsenal or Manchester United in the FA Cup.

“We’re expecting to take around 400 people to the game.”

Mr Hart said: “The way this club is bringing the community together is like nothing I’ve seen in 30 years.”

To vote for Aber Valley FC to win the Community Club of the Year Award, visit the FAW’s website before voting ends on August 31.