Football club given boost ahead of twinning trip to Brittany

Llanbradach AFC have been given £450 to help fund their upcoming trip to Brittany this summer.

Each year, the club plays a match against French side AS Servel, as part of the village’s twinning arrangement with Ploubezre.

Last year, Llanbradach hosted AS Servel to celebrate 25 years of the twinning arrangement. This summer, they will head across the English Channel for two more fixtures against the side.

Caerphilly has been twinned with Lannion, Brittany, since 1991, while Llanbradach has been twinned with Ploubezre, which is about two miles from Lannion, since 1994.

The arrangement was created by the Caerphilly and District Twinning Association, whose members visit Brittany bi-annually, while their Breton counterparts come to Wales on alternate years.

Llanbradach AFC president Kenny Ball was recently presented with a £250 cheque by Llanbradach community councillor Norma Cabble to go towards the trip. A further £200 was presented by Cllr Colin Mann, raised through sales of the village’s annual calendar.

Speaking about the trip, Mr Ball said: “To date, hundreds of youngsters have enjoyed the experience of visiting another country and culture.

“We really appreciate the help we get locally. There are too many to mention, I would like to personally thank Colin Mann for his help and support over the past 26 years.

“We do everything we can to keep the costs down for the young people. It would be very difficult to cover the expense of the visits without the help we get locally.”