Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in
Become a Member - no adverts
Menu
  • News
    • Business
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

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

News, Sport | Tom Hicks | Published: 19:38, Tuesday November 22nd, 2022.
Last updated: 19:39, Tuesday November 22nd, 2022

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

Trecenydd Football Club has folded
Trecenydd Football Club has folded

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.

Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.

Become a member today

Trecenydd FC

Latest News

  • Rhymney school receives “glowing” Estyn reportThursday, September 21, 2023
  • Jack Lis' mum, Emma Whitfield at the launch of LEAD
    “Jack’s legacy”: How Caerphilly is looking to tackle the threat of dangerous dogsThursday, September 21, 2023
  • New employability hub opens to help improve localised support for job seekers and employersThursday, September 21, 2023
  • Blackwood drink driver jailed for Christmas crashThursday, September 21, 2023
  • Direct rail services to Newport on the Ebbw Valley line will begin in DecemberThursday, September 21, 2023
  • Caerphilly tattooist accused of inking 16-year-old in exchange for sexThursday, September 21, 2023
© 2009-2022 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Britannia House, Caerphilly Business Park, Van Road, Caerphilly, CF83 3GG. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.