‘Days like this are part of the answer – they remind us that we still belong somewhere’

Caerphilly Athletic’s over-35s hosted a team of displaced Ukrainians in a friendly football match celebrating a community’s hospitality and a nation’s spirit.

The match, played at Ystrad Mynach’s Centre for Sporting Excellence on Sunday July 12, saw FC Tryzub clinch a 6-4 win in a thrilling encounter in front of a rapturous crowd.

It was end-to-end football in the sweltering summer heat, with more than 120 spectators in attendance – including many Ukrainians passionately chanting their country’s name – with Welsh and Ukrainian flags alike flying proudly.

The event formed part of Caerphilly Athletic’s pre-season, but it was more than just 90 minutes of football.

Nearly £300 was raised at the game, which will go towards a Starlink system and other communications equipment in Ukraine.

FC Tryzub manager Yuliia Bond, a Ukrainian community organiser in Caerphilly, founded the team to bring together Ukrainians from across Wales.

Highlighting just how significant the fixture was for the Ukrainian community across Wales, she said: “For many people, Sunday was 90 minutes of football.

“For our community, it was parents watching their children laugh without thinking about war, children growing up far away from the homes they still dream about waving Ukrainian and Welsh flags together, and families simply enjoying being together.

“Sometimes people ask what displaced people need. Days like this are part of the answer – they remind us that we still belong somewhere.

“We are proudly giving Caerphilly Athletic Over-35s the unofficial title of Ukraine’s Club of Solidarity.”

Ms Bond, who moved to Caerphilly in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of her country, singled out Craig Williams, manager of the over-35s team, for praise – and also thanked the players and everyone involved in the event.

“We started our team with almost nothing, and over the last few weeks Craig was in touch with us almost every day, helping us with kits, thinking about every little match detail,” said Ms Bond. “I don’t think he realised what he was really organising. He thought it was a football match, but what he gave our community was something far bigger.”

Williams told Caerphilly Observer: “You could see everyone enjoyed themselves, and that was the real aim.

“It really was a great day, everyone came together and provided a real display. You could see it was more than just a football match.”

Williams said he wants his side to get involved in more events like this, and said: “We want to make this an annual fixture, and we have already agreed a game for next year.

“As a club, we want to keep on driving our exposure and widening our reach, so we are more than happy to be involved in similar games like this.”

Caerphilly Athletic’s junior sides were also involved on the day, serving as ball boys and playing mini games during the half-time break.

The over-35s will begin their season on September 6, competing in the inaugural Wales Vets Over 35’s league.

A number of local representatives were in attendance at the match, including Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle, and councillors Shayne Cook, Charlotte Bishop, Teresa Parry, and Alan Angel, as well as council leader Jamie Pritchard.

Cllr Pritchard praised the atmosphere on the day and said: “Shout out to Craig Williams for his support in bringing everyone together. Same to Yuliia Bond who does the same thing, day in, day out.

“It was a pleasure to join several speakers before the game to briefly say why events like this are important to the community.”