Football club closes due to a “generational shift in attitude and desire”

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Formed in 2015, Trecenydd FC has announced that after seven successful years in the Rhymney Valley League, it has made the difficult decision to fold.

As the club was run “self sufficiently”, co-chairman of Trecenydd FC, Darren Hanmer, told Caerphilly Observer how the reason for the closure had nothing to do with finances.

He said: “The game has changed. The commitment levels from the players just aren’t there anymore and it left us no option but to fold.

“We lost a load of boys to rival clubs at the end of last season and although we rallied around to get a few players in, it wasn’t enough.”

Mr Hanmer went on to voice his concerns for the grassroots game more generally, and how each generation is becoming more and more obsessed with competing on a gaming console instead of the pitch.

“It’s a real shame”, he said. “There were some boys on that team that we’ve had since they were kids. It’s them I feel sorry for right now”, Mr Hanmer added.

Described as a “fledgling club” by the co-chairman, he said how the club found it “difficult to compete for players” against some of the more established clubs in the area.

He continued: “In my opinion, there are too many clubs in Caerphilly. We are all trying to get the same players and the typically ‘bigger clubs’ keep growing.

“I’d also say that if we had an established Welsh League club in the area that would benefit the growth of the game as youngsters would aspire to play for them. There are too many teams struggling to get to the top.”

It isn’t all bad news however, Mr Hanmer said that while the club and players were “gutted” they had to close, they will remember the good times.

He said: “Our best achievement has to be gaining promotion to the top division in the 2018/19 season and then remaining there.

“For such a young club, that’s something we can be proud of.”

Asked if Trecenydd FC would have done anything different if it had another chance, Mr Hanmer said: “Perhaps push more on recruitment. But at the end of the day you can’t make people want to go out there every week and win.”

Looking to the future, Mr Hanmer said the club will look to “keep up the comradery” with some Christmas drinks to sign off on a sad, but memorable run.