Football Focus Issue 71 | Page 62

Merthyr
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“ Without a doubt the biggest challenge of my role is balancing the books and making the club sustainable . The general public reading of all the money involved in football think it ’ s a mega rich sport , unfortunately very little of the money filters down to grass root level .
“ At the moment the mood at the club is really upbeat with the team finishing in 3rd position in the league and playing really well . The season has been a really good one with the side having only lost one match at home and really going for it . We ’ re hoping to keep the momentum going in order to finish the season on a high .
“ As a club we place great importance on our Academy set up ; we have teams
from 8 years of age up to 16 along with a development squad . Our coaches and Academy Director work hard to help players transition into the senior game and I have to say that they are doing a great job .
“ We are definitely a community club ; as well as our Academy we have a disabled team , a girls team and a special needs group . We also employ a Community Manager whose job it is to get really involved in all aspects of the Community .
“ Our main ambition as a club is ensuring that we are sustainable and whatever success comes along we will be sure to embrace and enjoy it .”
Football Focus Magazine recently caught up with Welsh Assembly Member Dawn Bowden to find out more about her positive association with the club .
FF : How did you first become involved with the club ?
FF : Do you get down to see many games ?
DB : Even though I am a season ticket holder I don ’ t ’ make it to as many games as I would like due to my constituency commitments , but I always try to factor the fixture list in to my diary .
Southern Premier League , getting into the play offs . Whatever the outcome , I hope that the club will build on this success and continue to develop as it has over recent years .
FF : Is there anything you ’ d like to say to the club ?
DB : As a lifelong football fan , and formerly a season ticket holder with my hometown club Bristol City , it was a natural step for me to want to support the club of what is not only my constituency but is also now my hometown .
FF : What first attracted you to the set up ?
DB : Merthyr Town Football Club has a proud tradition – in September it will be 30 years since the club ’ s famous victory over Italian giants Atalanta in the European Cup Winners Cup - and has developed excellent facilities at its Penydarren Park ground .
FF : What is it that makes Merthyr Town a special club to you ?
DB : What attracts me most about the club is the level of engagement with the local community , and I am particularly impressed with the involvement in supporting local business through the “ Martyr ’ s Business Network ”. I am also pleased that the club is run as a mutual which locks in its engagement with the local community .
FF : Where would you like to see them five years from now ?
DB : I have been a football fan for too many years to get carried away with predicting the future given the ups and downs which are an integral part of supporting any football team . Merthyr Town FC have enjoyed a successful season having finished 3rd in the
DB : As a member and season ticket holder I naturally wish the club every success on the field but add , that with such success , the club should never lose sight of the important role it has in the local community and should strive to maintain this , whatever happens on the field in the years ahead .

Dawn Bowden AM / AC

Assembly Member for Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney
Tel : 01685 386 672 Address : 110 High Street , Merthyr Tydfil , CF47 8AP Email : Dawn . Bowden @ assembly . wales Web : www . dawnbowdenam . co . uk Twitter : www . twitter . com / DawnBowden
As the Assembly Member for Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney , I am here to support my constituents and ensure that you have a strong voice in the National Assembly for Wales .
I hold regular advice surgeries around the Constituency . Please feel free to get in touch with my office at any time .
62 Issue 71