Fact Finding Mission To Merthyr

Representatives of Hereford FC and HUST traveled to Merthyr Town today to talk to their Board about their experiences running their own club.

Merthyr Tydfil FC went bust in 2010 as a Southern League Premier side, reforming in the Western League and playing away from their Penydarren Park home. The new club currently sit on top of the Southern League Div 1 South/West, back at Penydarren Park, nine points clear of second place Taunton Town. More on Merthyr's journey through collapse and rebuild can be read at http://issuu.com/mikedonovan3/docs/trust

Today they play at Penydarren Park on a 3G surface with a £1.8m redevelopment, funded by European development money, set to rebuild the clubhouse and modernise the stadium. The pitch is used seven days a week, bringing in a regular income stream, as well as being largely maintenance free.

Having never watched a game on a newer 3G surface before, you quickly forgot it was not grass - except for the lack of muddy goalmouths. It played as a very good grass surface would.

Several ex-Bulls were at the club with Steve Jenkins managing, and Gavin Williams and Ryan Green on the pitch. Guillem Bauza was suspended.

Gavin Williams in Black and White

Former Bulls trialist Kayne McLaggon netted both of Merthyr's goals in a 2-1 win over Fleet Town.

Programmes were £2. Chips, curry sauce, and two sausages were £2.50. And their weekly lottery Soccalot - the blueprint for HUST's Prize Bull - carried a rollover jackpot of £9,500 such was the support for the competition.

And the veteran fanzine Dial M For Merthyr was also on sale outside the ground for £1.

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