Hard work and community spirit has seen interest in a local football club, which previously suffered from financial hardship, flourish once again.
Thanks to the work of a group of passionate parents, Bedwas Trethomas Machen (BTM) United are back on the path to glory, having nearly folded five years ago.
The club has seen a surge in local youngsters signing up to play in the wake of the Welsh national team’s historic Euro 2016 campaign.
Player numbers have increased by around a half since the end of last season, with nearly 200 youngsters having registered their interest across BTM’s under-6 to under-11 levels.
Nicola Johns, club secretary and treasurer, said: “Wales’ performances had a huge impact on us.
“From the first game we started getting enquiries and that increased as the tournament went on. It kicked-off again once the World Cup qualifiers started.”
At the first full training session of the new season, 150 eager youngsters turned up to the club’s Bryn Field, in Bedwas, to impress their new coaches.
The local community is embedded within BTM United, both on the pitch and off it, and the dedicated work of those involved serves as its lifeblood.
Kerry Ford, whose sons Jaydon, eight, and Callum, five, both play for the club, recently took on the role of mini-football coordinator.
BTM United is a family affair, as Kerry’s husband, David, also coaches the under-9s, and she said: “It’s hard work, but I do it for the kids. I love seeing them have fun and listening to the stories they tell me.
“They learn new skills which aren’t just great for their football futures, but for their lives too.”
That sentiment is echoed by Emma Salmoni, who is the under-11s team administrator, and whose husband Michael and son Dylan are both involved with the club.
She said: “My son keeps calling the players his brothers. During the school holidays he wanted to play with his friends from football.
“Their friendships are growing on and off the pitch. We’re not just teaching them to dribble a ball, we’re teaching them life skills.
“They shake hands at the end of each game and they see all the work that goes into building a club.”
The ethos and mindset at work at BTM has become a telling factor in the rise of player numbers.
Helen Jenkins runs the under-8s team – for whom her son Tyler plays – and has registered seven new players for her group.
She said: “Both of my boys live for football and I wanted to get involved in something they love.
“Tyler had a lack of confidence and was shy when he first came along.
“Finding BTM and the great coaches has given him a load of friends and so much confidence.”
But with an increase in demand comes the need to be able to supply. Welsh football’s renaissance, whilst welcome, has also provided a headache at BTM United.
Mrs Johns added: “It’s simple. We need more helpers, because if we had all the resources required we could be looking at 200 players this season.”