Meet the community club still run by one of its founding members 40 years on

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Nelson Cavaliers AFC are one of the true community football clubs in Caerphilly County Borough, still run by one of their founding members some 40 years after its formation.

Boasting more than 70 members, the Cavaliers have multiple sides, including their firsts who play in Division One East of the South Wales Alliance League.

The man who has helped guide the club to so much success over the years is Rod Powell. He spoke to Caerphilly Observer: “Well this will be my 40th year at the club and in that time I’ve held every title you can imagine; player, captain, vice captain, chairman, and now secretary.

“The club was originally called Nelson Social Club, but we changed that to Cavaliers sometime in the early 90s. We won the league-cup double the following season so it was a good omen.

“I always think ‘this season will be my last’, but then I see some 16-year-old wonder kid and I think well, one more season can’t hurt.”

As well as their first team, the club also has a reserves, an over-45s and an over-50s. Mr Powell added that he hopes an over-40s side will be ready to go next season too.

On the season ahead, he added: “We’ve got a new manager, Matt Dixon, in this season and we’re really excited.

“We finished mid-table last year but we’re an ambitious club and we’ll be looking for promotion as well as improving off the field too.”

When it comes to activity off the field, Mr Powell explained that they’re looking to get a new stand for their home pitch on Wern Park soon, which will help them gain league approval if they were to be promoted in the future.

As well as that, the club is also seeking a local charity to become a kit sponsor.

“It’s something we’ve done in the past, we buy the kit then put a charity on the front with a percentage going back to them”, Mr Powell said. “It’s a nice gesture and we should be announcing who it is soon”.

Nelson Cavaliers open their season away to Penygraig United FC on Saturday August 12.