Football brings Cardiff communities together

Forget the Six Nations and the FA Cup final, the sporting event of the season is the Cardiff Cohesion Community Cup (CCCC’15), to be held at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on April 30 2015.  

Yemeni players celebrate their victory 

The community initiative, created by local community organisation, the Horn Development Association (HDA) and supported by South Wales Police, has brought together six Cardiff-based black and minority ethnic (BME) communities to battle it out in a series of football matches for the opportunity to play against a team of local community police officers and ex professional footballers. 

The objective of the CCCC’15 tournament is to encourage stronger relationships and build closer communities amongst key ethnic minority groups across the city. 

Gareth Evans, Deputy to the Local Policing Inspector, South Wales Police said: “A sporting occasion such as this provides a great opportunity for us to interact with local BME communities and forge good relations with them. Furthermore it also serves to enhance the wider community cohesion by bringing together a number of differing nationalities who will compete on friendly terms on the field of play.”

A number of local businesses and charities, including Brace’s Bread and Sported are working with the HDA and South Wales Police in supporting CCCC’15, with the goal of showing cultural clashes the red card. 

Scott Richardson, Brace’s Bread, said; “Brace’s Bread prides itself on working in the heart of the community, therefore this project is a match made in heaven. The Semi Finals were very exciting and we are anticipating that the final match on the 30^th of April will be even more so. Each team has put their all into the tournament and we want the people of Cardiff to come along on the day and show their support.”

Richard Thomas, Wales Manager at Sport for Development charity, Sported, said: “What’s so fantastic about the Cardiff Community Cohesion Cup is that it celebrates the city’s diversity. Few things can break down social and cultural barriers as well as sport, so the fact that this competition will bring together young people of different nationalities is going to be brilliant to see. It’s a great initiative and one that Sported is proud to support.”

Teams from the Yemeni and Kurdish community competed in the Cohesion Cup finals on April 14 with Yemeni taking the title with a 6-1 win. They will now play in the super cup at the Millennium Stadium against a team of ex-professional footballers which include Lee Trundle, Derek Brazil, Lee Jarman, Damon Searle and Roger Gibbins and key members of the South Wales Police.

Mohamed Molibany of HDA, said: “As part of HDA’s everyday role, we offer support and create opportunities for people from BME groups across Cardiff to better their lives - this event is just one of these ways and the sense of community spirit amongst the players has been tremendous.”

To find out more about CCCC’15 and how to get free tickets to the final at the Millennium Stadium, like Cardiff Community Cohesion Cup on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cardiffcommunitycohesioncup.

And if you are a local business interested in helping fund the event, visit www.spacehive.com/cardiffcommunitycohesioncup

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Welsh Football League preview

Reigning Welsh League champions Monmouth Town begin the defence of their Division One title with a home clash against newly promoted Cardiff Met University tomorrow, WRITES CARL FIELD.

It is also the start of a new era for Town, who are now based at Pen-y-Pound Stadium in Abergavenny, with manager Andrew Smith beginning his second spell in charge of the Kingfishers.

He took over following Steve Jenkins’ departure to Merthyr Town, while Adam Davies, Corey Jenkins and prolific marksman Dan MacDonald have all followed Jenkins to Penydarren Park.

One team who will be looking to wrestle the title away from Monmouth this season are Goytre United who, despite finishing ninth last season, have set out their intention to challenge at the top end of the table this term.

United open their campaign at home against last season’s seventh-place finishers Caerau (Ely).

Goytre, meanwhile, will hope to put the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the top three last season behind them when they kick off their season at AFC Porth.

All eyes will also be on Afan Lido – relegated from the Welsh Premier League – as they begin life in Division One of the Welsh League with a home fixture against Ton Pentre.

However director of football Mark Robinson has stated this week that the club’s aim is to consolidate - rather than going all out for an immediate return to the Welsh Premier.

Other Promoted sides Garden Village and Briton Ferry Llansawel both begin their campaigns on the road at Aberdare Town and Taffs Well respectively, while Penybont start at home against Haverfordwest County.

The first Division One fixture of the season is this evening, with Cambrian & Clydach hosting last season’s League Cup finalists Pontardawe Town.

In Division Two tomorrow, all three of the clubs relegated from Division One last season are all on the road.

Tata Steel visit Chepstow Town, West End are at Ely Rangers while Aberbargoed Buds make the trip to Undy Athletic.

Division Three champions Barry Town United open their Division Two campaign against Dinas Powys.

Follow Carl Field on Twitter: @mrcarlfield

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TNS put six past Cefn

The New Saints beat Cefn Druids by six goals to one in a friendly match at Park Hall Stadium last night.

The Saints opened the scoring in the 36th minute thanks to Sam Finley. The TNS number eight was able to beat Dave Roberts from a free kick despite the tight angle.

A minute later and Scott Quigley doubled The Saints’ advantage. The powerful winger cut in on his right foot and fired in from 12 yards out.

The third goal of the game came in the 42nd minute after Matty Williams found space on the edge of the box. The former Notts County forward found the bottom corner of Roberts’ goal with an excellent left footed strike.

Six minutes into the second half, Kai Edwards made it four nil to Craig Harrison’s side. The defender was left unmarked at the  back post and slotted in from two yards out.

The visitors pulled a goal back a minute after the hour mark. The Druids number 15 found the bottom corner from just inside the box to reduce the deficit.

However, substitute Jamie Mullan headed in a fifth goal with only ten minutes left. The winger was picked out by fellow substitute Simon Spender and made no mistake from two yards out.

In what turned out to be the last kick of the game, substitute Ryan Fraughan expertly found the top corner to ensure a six one victory.

Full time: TNS 6-1 Cefn Druids.

The New Saints – Chris Mullock, Scott Ruscoe, Phil Baker, Kai Edwards, Chris Marriott, Sam Finley, Ryan Kershaw, Scott Quigley, Matty Williams, Levi Fernandez (trialist) and Greg Draper.

Cefn Druids – Dave Roberts, Peter Hoy, Ian Edmunds, Robbie James, Chris Rimmer, Tom Donegan, Peter Doran, Chris King, Jason Carey, Alan Bull and Josh McAuley.

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TNS draw Slovak Champs in Euro qualifier

The New Saints have been drawn against SK Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League Second Qualifying Round.

The Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League Champions will take on the Slovakian Champions after being drawn with them in yesterday’s UEFA Champions League draw.

The first leg will be played at the Pasienky Stadium on either the 16th or 17th of July and the New Saints confirmed that the second leg match again SK Slovan Bratislava will take place on Tuesday the 22nd of July.

The match between the Welsh Champions and the Slovak Champions will be played at Rhyl’s Corbett Sports Stadium and will kick off at 19:30pm.

Tickets will be priced at £20.00, however, tickets can be purchased for only £10.00 by either club members or season ticket holders.

Meanwhile, the Europa League draw sees both Bangor City and Airbus UK drawing UEFA competition debutants in Stjarnan from Iceland and FK Haugesund from Norway respectively.

Aberystwyth Town will face Northern Ireland-based Derry City, who play in the Southern Ireland League. The first game will be at Brandywell on July the 3rd with the return leg at Park Avenue on the 10th.

Airbus UK Broughton and Bangor City are both due to play at the Bookpeople Stadium - home of Bangor City and it has been confirmed that the Wingmakers will host Haugesund on the 3rd of July while the Citizens will welcome their Icelandic opponents on the 10th.

If Bangor City can progress from their first qualifying round, they will face Scottish Premier League side Motherwell.

Aberystwyth Town would face FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus and Airbus would face a difficult trip to FK Sarajevo.

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Welsh Cup Second Round Northern Section Round Up

In the Northern Section of the Welsh Cup Second Round, Conwy Borough produced a fantastic second half performance at home to knock out Flint Town 3-2.

Chris Herbert’s side went in at the break trailing 2-0 but a Mike Jukes header and a double from Ellis Healing ensured a remarkable turnaround.

The hosts also had defender Teddy Whelan sent off for two yellow cards but still managed to pull through.

Bodedern Athletic were the big winners in the North as they slammed Tywyn Bryncrug 5-1 at home

Goals from Ryan Taylor, Chris Evans, James Burgess, Iwan Jones and an own goal from a Tywyn Bryncrug defender gave Boded a ticket to round three in a comfortable afternoon’s work.

Rhydymwyn also ran out easy winners as they disposed of a lacklustre FC Nomads side 4-1.

Conor Kendrick, Gary McConell, Chris Guy and Richard Griffiths all scored for the home side whilst Mark Ellis got a consolation goal for the Nomads.

Holywell Town are into the third round after a 3-0 home defeat of Penycae in awful conditions at Halkyn Road.

Sam Jones and Graham Boylan both struck for Holywell as well as a Penycae own goal from Tim Manuel.

Llanidloes Town knocked out Llandudno 2-0 thanks to goals from Tom Evans and a penalty from striker Will Thomas.

Chris Gethin bagged a brace for Llanfair United to beat Guilsfield 2-1 and Nick Wood, Scott Quigley and Steve Blenkinsop all scored for Cefn Druids in their 3-1 defeat Barmouth & Dyffryn United.

In the remaining ties, Buckley Town beat Rhayader Town 1-0, Caernarvon Town lost 2-1 to Portnmadog Town and Caersws beat Nefyn United 3-1.

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WELSH CUP SECOND ROUND SOUTHERN SECTION ROUND UP

Sully Sports produced the shock of the day in the Welsh Cup as they ran out deserved 1-0 winners over Welsh League Division One side Ton Pentre.

The South Wales Senior League Division Two outfit were superb throughout as they never let their opponents settle at any time during the game.

Striker Daniel Lawlor struck just before the hour mark to give his side the shock win and send them through to the next round.

The Bulldogs will be the first to admit that it was not their day and performed nowhere near the level they are capable of as they were beaten by the better side.

Monmouth Town steamrolled their way into the third round with a 7-1 thrashing of Treharris Athletic Western.

Striker Elliot Ford tormented the Treharris all afternoon with his pace, movement and directness and was rewarded for his troubles by helping himself to a sublime hat-trick.

Elliot Evans scored twice for The Kingfishers as well as a Rob Laurie strike and a Matty Selleck own goal.

Jason Bertorelli and Kieran Lewis both scored for Cambrian and Clydach to knock Pontardawe Town packing.

A brace from Gareth Jones was not enough for Briton Ferry Llansawel as they were knocked out by Aberdare Town losing 3-2.

In the remaining game of the Southern Section, Jason Thorne scored in the 89^th minute for Chepstow Town to break Goytre United’s hearts and end the match 1-0.

The remaining four fixtures were postponed due to the weather.

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Word Cup Second Round Preview

The second round of the Word Cup takes place tonight with a few old friends ready to be reunited.

The Aberdare v Port Talbot Town fixture will see former Cardiff City defensive partners Lee Phillips and Scott Young pitting their managerial wits against each other.

Scott Young and Lee Phillips spent four years together as central defenders at Cardiff City before going their separate ways.

Phillips captained Llanelli to victory in the old League Cup in 2007/08

Both ex-players are now managers and this Tuesday night’s Word Cup second round match brings both men together again as Phillips’ Aberdare Town host Port Talbot.

“Lee’s been on the phone already and it’s been nice to catch up – and while I’m really looking forward to a bit of banter during the game it’s a great chance for us to prove how good we are,” said Young, who is forever adorned by Bluebirds fans for that famous winning goal in the 3^rd Round of the FA Cup against Leeds United back in 2002.

“We were together for at least four years and will have some great banter on the touchline on Tuesday night.”

“We haven’t started as well as we’d have liked in the League so the Word Cup gives us a chance to grow stronger and show what we can do.

Their players will have a point to prove against a Welsh Premier side but I know one thing for certain – it’s Lee’s round when we get to the bar after the game whatever the result.”

The remaining fixture in the Southern section of the draw has Cambrian & Clydach taking on Afan Lido.

The Northern section has Conwy Borough host Bala Town with Gap Connah’s Quay travelling to Rhyl.

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Welsh League Football Round Up

Airbus UK comfortably saw off Port Talbot’s best efforts as they ran out 3-0 winners to remain top of the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League.

The Wingmakers continued their fine start to the season with goals from Mike Pearson, Chris Simm and Sam Hart to keep their undefeated record so far intact.

The New Saints currently occupy second place after a battling 2-0 win over Bangor City.

Only a string of saves from Lee Idzi, on his 200^th appearance kept TNS in check.

Michael Wilde put Saints in front with a close-range header before Aeron Edwards’ half-volley doubled the score 90 seconds later.

Carmarthen Town were held to a 1-1 draw away at Prestatyn.

Late goals from Lee Hunt and Kyle Bassett cancelled each other out as both teams had to settle for a point.

Rhyl beat Bala Town on Friday night thanks to a 15^th minute strike from Mark Cadwallader.

Elsewhere Aberystwyth drew 3-3 in a thriller with Connah’s Quay and Newtown and Afan Lido produced the same result at Latham Park.

Goytre are still top of the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League after an impressive 2-0 victory away at Ton Pentre.

Despite being unbeaten so far this season, Haverfordwest County remain second after a superb 5-1 drubbing of Tata Steel.

In Division Two, Croesyciliog were the big winners after they trounced Caerau 14-1 while Briton Ferry Llansawel remain top after a comprehensive 4-0 victory away at Cardiff Corinthians.

Risca United are top of Division Three but were made to work hard on Saturday after coming through a hard fought battle at Pontypridd Town.

Cefn Druids surrendered their 100 percent Huws Gray Alliance record as they were held 0-0 at home by Guilsfield rivals Caernarfon Town to close the gap as they were convincing in their 5-2 win over visitors Flint Town United.

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Welsh League Driving Onwards With New Sponsors

Nathaniel Cars were today announced as the new sponsors of the Welsh Football League in a three-year deal.

The Bridgend based car dealership is also the current sponsors of the Welsh League Cup but have added to that by replacing MacWhirter as the league’s main sponsor.

The linkup between both parties will be full of incentives to members of the league.

This includes the club throughout all divisions with the best disciplinary record at the end of the season, as judged by the FAW Fair Play awards, being awarded a 16-seater Minibus for a whole season.

It will be taxed and insured as well as having the club’s name printed on the side of the vehicle.

There will be Manager of the Month awards handed out throughout the leagues as well as a Manager of the Year award given at the end of the season.

The recipient of the Manager of the Year award will get a prize of any Mitsubishi car from Nathaniel, taxed and insured, for a fortnight during the close season.

Every player and committee member registered to the league will also be given a free MOT.

And finally, every car purchased by members will receive six months free road tax, one full tank of petrol and their next service will be free of charge.

Wayne Griffiths, Managing Director of Nathaniel Cars was delighted with the ‘unique’ partnership.

“With the economic climate the way it is today, I think it is a great benefit in helping clubs survive,” said Mr Griffiths.

“It is unique for Welsh Football and gives an incentive to each club in each league that they can reap the benefits at the end of the season.

“For example, the club showing the best conduct by having the best disciplinary record will earn the Minibus.

“This could help a club from the kid’s teams to the senior sides and will give all involved a tremendous boost.

“We have a great enthusiasm for this partnership and hope it benefits Welsh League football.”

League Secretary Ken Tucker was also optimistic.

“We have agreed a three-year deal with the option of a further three years,” said Mr Tucker. 

“We hope it has more of a positive impact locally within the league which will lead to potentially greater things for all involved in the future.”

The Nathaniel Cars Welsh Football League, as it will now be known, continues tonight with Division One’s Taffs Well hosting West End at the Rhiw Dda’r stadium and Division Three’s Cardiff Grange Quins hosting Tredegar Town tomorrow evening.

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Welsh Cup Second Round Review

Splott Albion caused an upset in the Southern section of the Welsh Cup second round by beating Croesyciliog 1-0 over the weekend.

The South Wales Amateur League side are currently bottom of Division One thanks to one draw from their five league games this season.

But a James Hexter goal ensured they would be in the draw for the next round at the expense of their opponents who have started brightly in Division Two of the Welsh League.

The result of the day goes to Trefelin BGC who netted 11 goals without reply against a hapless Caerau side.

Welsh League Division Two outfit Llantwit Major won comfortably at home to Trelewis 6-2 thanks to goals from Lee Pratt, Gethin Jennings, Stuart Lynsey, Paul Macgrath and a double from Luke Dawes. Paul Duncan scored a brace of his own for the visitors but it was not enough to help them progress.

A late Chris Vardon penalty helped AFC Llwydcoed to a dramatic 2-1 over Penrhiwceiber Rangers.

Stephen Thomas had put Llwydcoed ahead before Craig Mason equalised for the Rangers. But Vardon’s 87^th minute winner sent his side through to round 3.

Fairfield United and Cefn Fforest played out a 12 goal thriller which hosts Fairfield won 8-4.

In the Central section, Llanfair United trounced Builth Wells 7-3.

Berriew were also big winners over Llansantffraid Village winning 5-1 whilst Llandridnod Wells and Aberaeron also booked their places in round 3 by defeating Waterloo Rovers and Bow Street respectively.

The Northern section brought about some crackers including Coedpoeth United’s penalty win over Gresford Athletic.

As extra time could not bring a winner after the game had finished 2-2, Coedpoeth held their nerve to win 4-2 on penalties.

Llanrug United thrashed St. Asaph 5-0 and Nefyn United conquered Blaenau Ffestiniog 7-3 to ensure a safe passage into round 3.

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Caton calls on experienced campaigners to lead club in to Europe

Bala Town manager Colin Caton labelled his side’s European debut this week as “phenomenal”, and has called on experienced footballers like Kenny Lunt to lead the squad in to the unknown.

The Lakesiders have been drawn to play Estonian club FC Levadia Talinn in the Europa League first qualifying round, playing the home leg at Rhyl’s Belle Vue Stadium on Tuesday and the return fixture in Talinn on July 11.

Their qualification for Europe came on the back of a stunning 13-match winning streak that culminated with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Port Talbot Town in the Europa League Play-off final.

Caton said: “Many players will be playing in Europe for the first time, and Kenny has said playing in Europe will be a career highlight for him despite playing more than 500 games in the Football League. We will rely on him massively – his composure, his ability and his experience.

“But we do have other lads with European experience who won’t be fazed by it.”

Despite the short break since that famous win at the GenQuip Stadium in May, Caton believes his squad are in “great” shape going in to Europe, adding: “They are looking sharp, the fitness levels are great for this time of year and the lads have trained hard and are looking forward to it. To be in the Europa League is phenomenal because we’ve only been in the WPL for four years.”

While their Estonian foes may not be household names in this country, Caton says his side are well prepared to face them. He continued: “We know quite a bit about them as people are helping us out with scouting, which is great. We have DVDs arriving including individual run-downs.

“We were unsure of the smaller teams in the draw and wanted either a big name or an easy tie. If we can do well at home we might have a chance going in to the second game.

“We have to give the players a structure and shape and they have to be patient and stick to it. We don’t want to be out of it by half-time.”

They are not the only debutants. Airbus UK Broughton and Prestatyn Town will also make their first tentative steps in to mainland Europe this week.

Airbus, the surprise package of last season who edged Welsh Premier titans Bangor City in to third place, face tough opposition in Latvia’s FK Ventspils whom their management team travelled to watch this week in preparation, while Prestatyn also face a Latvian club in FK Liepajas Metalurgs – the side Ventspils were playing during the spying mission.

Airbus will play their home tie at Wrexham’s Racecourse ground on Thursday, while Prestatyn will also play at Rhyl on Thursday.

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WPL set for explosive return

The Welsh Premier League is set for an action-packed return over the August Bank Holiday weekend with clubs set to play two gruelling rounds of matches in just three days.

The league kicks off a week later than usual with first-time European qualifiers Prestatyn and Bala Town squaring up on August 23, and the rest of the teams in action on Saturday, including defending champions TNS welcoming Scott Young’s Port Talbot Town to Park Hall in front of the live S4C cameras on August 24.

Completing the August bank holiday weekend, all 12 teams are in action again on the August 26.

Rhyl are back in the top flight after a three year absence, gaining promotion by remaining unbeaten throughout the last league campaign, winning 24 games and scoring more than 100 goals to become the first team to achieve that feat. They kick off their season with a home fixture against Aberystwyth, who finished 10^th last season.

Another team with a home fixture as their first game is last year’s surprise package Airbus UK, who finished in second place ahead of WPL stalwarts Bangor City last time out, gaining a place in this year’s UEFA Europa League first qualifying round. They start their season against Carmarthen, who earned qualification to the UEFA Europa League play-offs last time out by finishing sixth.

Afan Lido finished last season bottom of the league by nine points, but due to Llanelli’s liquidation, they stayed in the WPL as the Reds were demoted. They will look to get some early points on the board with an away clash against Gap Connah’s Quay.

The other opening day fixture is contested between Newtown and Bangor City, which will take place at Newtown’s Latham Park.

The last games of the season before the league splits promise to be a great spectacle as last season’s top two go head to head at TNS. Other key matches include Bangor making the trip to Aberstwyth, while Rhyl face Port Talbot in a home fixture.

Other key dates include TNS travelling to Rhyl on October 12, Airbus taking on Bangor in a home tie on the November 15 and Prestatyn taking on Port Talbot at their home ground Bastion Road on October 19.

S4C will cover several fixtures throughout the season, the first five being:

24/08/2013: TNS v Port Talbot (15:45)

26/08/2013: Bangor v Rhyl (14:45)

31/08/2013: Afan Lido v Airbus UK (15:45)

07/09/2013: Prestatyn v Gap Connah’s Quay (15:45)

14/09/2013: Bala v Newtown (15:45)

Opening fixtures:

23/08/2013:

Prestatyn v Bala

24/08/2013:

Airbus UK v Carmarthen

Gap Connah’s Quay v Afan Lido

Newtown v Bangor

Rhyl v Aberystwyth

TNS v Port Talbot

26/08/2013:

Aberystwyth v Afan Lido

Bala v Airbus UK

Bangor v Rhyl

Newtown v Carmarthen

Port Talbot v Gap Connah’s Quay

Prestatyn v TNS

30/08/2013:

Aberystwyth v TNS

Bangor v Prestatyn

Carmarthen v Port Talbot

Gap Connah’s Quay v Bala

Rhyl v Newtown

31/08/2013:

Afan Lido v Airbus UK

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What does the future hold for Ashley Williams?

Ashley Williams has been a true revelation in South Wales, as the Swansea skipper has lead the club to a top half finish in the Premier League, cup glory in the Capital One Cup and Europa League football next season.

The Swansea captain has since been heavily linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium, with Arsenal rumoured to be his club of choice.

Just a few weeks ago, Williams was reportedly very close to finalising a deal to join the Gunners though the transfer has seemingly stumbled in recent weeks.

Despite this, the speculation surrounding Ashley Williams’ future has been on-going with several newspapers publishing articles claiming that the Swansea and Wales captain is ready to quit the club in search of a new challenge.

Although the main club that look to be chasing Williams’ signature is Arsenal, both Merseyside clubs - Liverpool and Everton - have also been linked with moves for the man who completed 86% of his passes last season in the Premier League.

Liverpool, and manager Brendan Rodgers in particular, are reportedly keen to link up with Rodgers' former defensive star, Ashley Williams, as a replacement for Martin Skrtel, who has been heavily rumoured with a move away from Anfield.

Everton have also emerged as a destination for Williams since the appointment of former Swans’ boss Roberto Martinez as the club’s new manager. Martinez was the manager to first notice Williams’ talent as he spent around £400,000 on the former Stockport centre-half.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Ashley Williams as a replacement for an outgoing centre-half that is currently on the Arsenal books.

The two players who may be heading for the exit door at the Emirates are Thomas Vermaelen - who is said to be keen to push a move through after falling out of favour with manager Arsene Wenger towards the end of the season - and Laurent Koscielny, to whom Barcelona and Bayern Munich are said to be interested.

Williams would undoubtedly be a good fit for Arsenal should he decide to move to the North London club. He has won more aerial duels than Per Mertersacker, made over 100 more accurate passes than Vermaelen, and has also won more ground 50-50s than Laurent Koscielny.

With Swansea’s style of play being similar to the style of play that Arsenal are famous for, Williams looks a perfect replacement for either Laurent Koscielny or Thomas Vermaelen.

However, Swansea will not let one of their prized assets go for anything less than £10 million, while Chairman Huw Jenkins has reiterated the fact that the club are in no rush to sell their best players. This reluctance to sell seems to have put off Arsenal from purchasing the man who has 41 international caps, and is most likely the reason why the deal has stalled recently.

The Swans are of course used to seeing players come and go, with former stars such as Joe Allen, Gylfi Sigurdson and Scott Sinclair all top performers who have recently left the club.

If Williams did leave the Liberty Stadium outfit, the on field captaincy would more than likely go to club stalwart and midfield maestro Leon Britton, with Gary Monk remaining as Club captain.

The current Champions, Manchester United, are heading to the Liberty on the opening weekend of the season and it is not yet clear whether Williams will still be playing for Wales’ top footballing side. If he did go, who does Laudrup see as his successor at the back?

Sevilla defender Alberto Botia looks the likely candidate to fill Williams’ boots with Michael Laudrup confirming interest in the player, and Botia himself claims that Swansea did make a bid for him in the January transfer window.

Espanyol defender Jordi Amat has also been rumoured with a £2 million switch to the Principality as Laudrup once again looks to the good value Spanish market to replenish his squad. 

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Newport, Swansea and Cardiff supporters pull out their maps for the new season

Fans of Welsh football clubs in the English pyramid were rushing to their computers at 9am this morning as the fixtures for this season were released.

Newport and Cardiff diehards in particular would have been beaming to see a host of new names on the list after achieving respective promotions last season, while Swansea fanatics would have been anxious to discover who they could be playing so soon after potentially long mid-week trips in the Europa League.

Newport’s return to the Football League after an absence of a quarter of a century sees them given a home fixture first against Accrington Stanley as part of the Football League’s 125^th anniversary celebrations.

The League’s newest club (and newest ground) will host one of its founding members as part of the festivities, which gives Exiles fans the chance to welcome the club back in to the Football League with a vociferous backing.

Just three days later, they travel to Brighton in the Capital One Cup or League Cup first round, a competition many young fans won’t ever have seen them play in before. Parallels can be drawn between the two sides’ nomadic recent existence, and the County hierarchy may be dreaming of emulating Brighton’s climb up the divisions.

They then travel to Northampton and face Severnside rivals Bristol Rovers at home in what could be a tough opening month.

Boxing Day sees the Exiles travel to Wycombe before a game at Burton just three days later, while they close their campaign by going to York on April 26 before facing Rochdale at Rodney Parade on May 4.

Cardiff City will begin their first top flight campaign in over half a century with a trip to West Ham United, where Malky Mackay had his first game in charge two seasons ago in the Championship when Kenny Miller sent the travelling fans in to hysterics with a last minute winner.

They then face dethroned champions Manchester City in the Welsh capital on August 24, and welcome Roberto Martinez’s Everton to the Cardiff City Stadium on August 31, which will be big tests for both those club’s new managers.

Boxing Day sees Southampton come up to South Wales, while Cardiff’s end to the season is equally tough should they require results as they make the long trip to Newcastle on May 3 before Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea roll in to town for the season’s climax on May 11.

For Swansea the start couldn’t be more difficult, as they welcome Premier League champions Manchester United under new boss David Moyes to the Liberty, before travelling to take on a Gareth Bale-inspired Tottenham Hotspur in their second fixture.

The Swans face a difficult Christmas and New Year period where they take on Everton, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City, United and then Spurs in just under a month, but the end to the season looks a little easier with home games against Aston Villa and Southampton before going to Sunderland on the final day.

They will also learn their Europa League qualifying round opponents when UEFA make the draw on Monday.

Meanwhile, Wrexham are awaiting the release of the Conference fixtures on July 5 as they prepare for another season at that level after play-off final defeat to Newport at Wembley last month – their third successive play-off defeat.

All fixtures are of course subject to change when TV commitments, Cup runs and European commitments come in to consideration.

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Respect- what football can learn from rugby

Now that’s how you gain respect for referees. 

Football constantly casts an envious eye at rugby players' behaviour towards referees, wondering how officials escape relatively unmolested by players when making decisions they disagree with.

Well, Northampton Saints hooker Dylan Hartley’s swift and severe suspension, which cost him a dream place in the current Lions tour, should provide them with the answer they are looking for.

Hartley had been named in Warren Gatland's squad to take on Australia this summer. But that counted for nothing when he allegedly called referee Wayne Barnes a cheat.

Rugby's powers that be would not tolerate such behaviour against one of their referees. Lion in waiting or not, Hartley was banned for 11 weeks and is now watching the Lions tour from afar.

Meanwhile, the FA's Respect Campaign has over the past few years enlisted high profile players and dished out T-shirts left right and centre to try and get the message across - largely to no avail.

Professional footballers still seem to launch into phlegm-specked, foul-mouthed rants almost every time a ref places a whistle to their lips.

Administrators scratch their heads and furrow their brows as they “try to do everything in their power” to protect referees. Nonsense.

There is one simple solution, the same as there is for shirt-pulling and diving: Punish them properly. 
For years I have advocated a zero tolerance approach to dissent and foul language aimed at the referee on a football pitch. 

It’s simple: Send the offenders off and ban them. 

You can almost hear throats being cleared to yell the chorus of disapproval. 

“But if you do that, we’ll end up playing five-a-side!” cry the dissenters. 

Yes, of course, for the first couple of weeks there will be a flurry of red cards.

But then it will stop, or at least be reduced to a trickle. 

Footballers may not be the brightest, but their managers and club owners are . . . well, most of them. 

When they see their prized and extremely expensive centre forward sitting out a three-match ban for dissent, warnings will be issued, fines will be threatened and clubs will police their players.

Respect will be due. 

I remember hearing a story years ago about a referee who officiated on rugby and football matches. 

He was asked what was the main difference between reffing the two sports. "The rugby players call me 'Sir'," he replied.

If a system as strict as rugby’s is enforced, players will learn. Granted, perhaps not all of them, but then not all of them have learned their lessons in rugby – Hartley, for example, perhaps will never learn given his "previous" for various other misdemeanours.

In time, the vast majority will learn and they will set a far better example to younger players who look up to them. 

The knock-on effects will be felt throughout the game, right down to the park matches on Sunday mornings where unpaid volunteer refs also endure intolerable abuse.

It may be hugely unfortunate on a personal level for Hartley to miss out on the pinnacle of a professional rugby player's career.

However, for rugby itself, it is a huge credit to the sport that it is prepared to take this stance against a player who has disobeyed one of the sport’s golden rules.

If football is serious about instilling discipline into its players then it must follow rugby’s excellent example.

BY MOGZ

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Colwyn Bay earn the respect of their peers

Blue Square Bet North side Colwyn Bay have been rewarded by their fellow clubs for the welcome offered to opposition sides throughout last season.

The club picked up the ‘Respect’ Team of the Year award at the league’s annual bash held at Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort for their relationships with officials, opposition clubs and their community, the welcome offered on match days and the behaviour of their supporters at away grounds. It was voted for by their fellow clubs.

It continues a magical couple of months for the club who on the field secured their status in the division for another season with a miraculous ‘Great Escape’ that saw them win their final six games.

Chairman Bob Paton expressed his surprise at The Seagulls getting such recognition, saying: “It came as quite a shock when the award was announced as we are not used to winning things!

“When the significance of the award was explained it meant a lot to us. It seems people have been impressed with the reception and welcome they received at the Red Lion Foods Stadium last season.

“We pride ourselves on being a family club at Colwyn Bay. The club would not have won this award without the efforts of our officials, staff and volunteers who work hard to ensure matchdays run smoothly. I would like to thank them for their continued support.”

On the pitch, things are also progressing nicely towards the new season. Of those who participated in the ‘Great Escape’, 11 have signed on for the new campaign. Chris Sanna, Danny Taylor, Danny Meadowcroft, Tom Smyth, Mike Lea, Gaz Evans, John McKenna, Jamie Crowther, Rob Hopley, Paul Ennis and James Ellison will all turn out again next term.

Sinclair also has verbal agreements with three new players he expects to sign on when pre-season training starts in a few weeks’ time.

Goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw (22), released by Oldham this summer, is expected to provide competition for Sanna between the sticks, while Rhyl-born striker Luke Wandless (18), also at Oldham with Ollerenshaw, should also be joining the club.

The third is former Everton wide midfielder Steve Connor (24), who spent last term with Conwy Borough and helped them win the Cymru Alliance League Cup. While at Everton, he won four England Under-17 caps, while he has subsequently turned out for TNS, Bangor City and Airbus UK Broughton in the Welsh Premier League.

Sinclair has also been building on his own experience by studying for his UEFA ‘B’ license in Cardiff as he continues his journey in to full-time management.

He wants a squad of around 18 players for the new campaign, meaning up to seven signings in total, including the three named above, could be coming in before the big kick off.

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County bring two in to start summer recruitment

Newport County have snapped up free agent Chris Zebroski and Oxford midfielder Adam Chapman.

Manager Justin Edinburgh started his club’s preparations for the Football League by bringing in two players with huge experience at that level, and hinted that more may be on the way.

The Exiles boss returned from a family holiday to put the final touches to the deals and make them his first signings since County’s magical play-off victory over Wrexham at Wembley that saw the club seal promotion.

Zebroski (26) started at Plymouth Argyle and subsequently turned out for Millwall, Torquay United and Bristol Rovers.

He spent the first half of last season at Cheltenham Town before leaving due to disciplinary problems, and finished it at Eastleigh Town in the Blue Square Bet Conference South, scoring three goals in four appearances.

He signs a one-year deal at Rodney Parade, and paid tribute to his new team-mates for negotiating their way out of a “hard league” over the past 10 months.

“Any team coming out of that league last season must be good,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to playing here.

“The boss has put a lot of faith in me and I want to repay him with performances and goals and give him 100 per cent. I can’t wait for the season to start.

“I know a few of the players that played at Bristol which obviously helps me to settle in to the club and they are a good bunch of lads as well.”

Chapman (23) previously spent a month on loan at County during 2012 and fans will know what to expect from the talented midfielder. He has been handed a two-year contract, with the option of a third on the table after County paid a five-figure fee for him.

He has spent most of his career at Oxford United, where he spent time in a young offenders’ institute on a death by dangerous driving charge, but spent the second half of last season on loan at Blue Square Bet Premier winners Mansfield Town, starring as The Stags sealed their own return to the Football League.

Chapman also indicated Edinburgh had been instrumental in the Yorkshire-born playmaker coming to South Wales, as Mansfield had also wanted him permanently, and he can’t wait to bring his young family down to the area.

He said: “The manager was a massive part of it. Me and him stayed in contact since I was last here and he got in touch after the play-off final and seemed really keen. I was really interested from then on.

“You could see he had plans to move this place forward in the month I was last here and I genuinely believed it. Now, 18 months down the line the proof is here.

“Me and my girlfriend are looking at houses. With the length of the contract it allows me to settle down and bring my boy up.”

Edinburgh was delighted to seal the deals, saying the two had been “on top of the list” with regards to his Football League plans.

He said: “Adam and Chris were number one targets in the positions that we were looking for and I am more than pleased to acquire both their signatures.”

He also hinted that a third deal, possibly for a defender, was close to completion and could be in place over the next week, but added there was “no magic number” when it came to their summer recruitment plans, and they would seek the right players when are where they became available.

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Backlash over shorts colour, so why not the shirts?

Cardiff City revealed their new Premier League strip last week to widespread furore on the internet and in local press.

Shocked supporters voiced their disapproval at the club’s attempts to make themselves “stand out” among the competition next term – a two-tone red number.

Such was the outrage that the club quickly backtracked and gave supporters the chance to vote on the shorts colour for this season. The choices were the original darker red, the same shade of red as the shirt, black or white.

Quickly, mock ups appeared on internet forums giving supporters a fifth choice – the traditional blue shirt and white shorts worn by the club before last year’s controversial rebrand by Malaysian owner Vincent Tan.

Even Cardiff City left back Andrew Taylor, who captained the side on occasion last term, mocked lightly the choice of colour scheme on his Twitter account.

For the record, black won through, which of course matches the kit worn during this season’s title-winning Championship campaign that put the club back in to English football’s top flight for the first time in 51 years.

This raised one question - if so much fuss could be made to force the club in to a change of mind over this, why did a similar action not occur last summer?

Firstly, of course, people will point to the fact that the colour of a pair of shorts is not the same as changing a club’s image, dispensing of their badge and, according to many, destroying their history.

This is true. It is not. But this time around the vote offered showed a willingness by the club to listen to supporters, which is what did not occur on any level 12 months ago.

There were supporters who turned their back on the club last summer, saying it was no longer the one they had fallen in love with. An interview with Tan earlier this year enraged these further by describing ‘supporters’ as ‘customers’, and claiming that up to 25 per cent could be lost as long as they had the majority behind them.

Cardiff continued to attract large crowds as they marched towards promotion, showing that either Tan was correct, or some of those dissenters had returned. The feet will always march to see a successful team, and it would have been interesting to see what the reaction would have been if Cardiff sat 12^th and without a win in six matches.

The evidence points, then, to the fact a large number of fans accepted what happened, either reluctantly or with open arms, as the club soared to the top of the league.

Most Cardiff supporters are thankful to Tan and the board for bankrolling the club through financially difficult times and laying the foundations for Premier League promotion. So it seems strange they would voice their disapproval more vociferously over a faux-pas relating to the colour of the shorts rather than a complete overhaul of the club’s image.

Was it a case of one step too far? Too much tinkering? Or is it a sign that those who have at varying volumes been calling for a return to blue over the past year are starting to be noticed more?

Another issue of note is how strong social media has become in broadcasting a timely reaction to an announcement, either positive or negative, and how this backs up Joanna Lumley's recent claims in a TV interview that such tools have turned us in to a world of reactionary thinkers rather than proactive ones.

Whatever the thinking behind the row, the club have started the season off on the wrong foot by bringing up another opportunity for rivals to sneer and point derogatory fingers. Besides, some pessimists may ask what does it matter about the colour of the shorts when we are 5-0 down every weekend?

Boss Malky Mackay would shoot those thoughts down straight away of course as he goes about preparing for life at the top table. But it would be interesting to know what the playing and coaching staff thought of such bickering before their big season, if they had any thoughts at all of course.

It seems only Cardiff City could row so openly with each other going in to their biggest season of the past half a century.

Those who have vociferously been calling for a return to blue will be heartened by the latest row as a sign they may well get their wish if they push harder and louder.

But the majority that have stuck with them this far will be praying that stability isn’t lost as the Premiership season kicks off, and Cardiff can give a good account of themselves whatever colour they emerge from the tunnel wearing on day one.

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Bala tie two key men down as they prepare for Europe

Defender Tony Davies and midfielder Kenny Lunt have put pen to paper on new contracts at Europa League newcomers Bala Town.

The news is welcome at the Lakesiders, who lost play-off hero John Irving earlier this week as he decided to pursue a new life playing professionally in New Zealand.

Former Crewe Alexandra and Hereford United star Lunt, 33, took a while to settle in North Wales after signing in the summer, before starring alongside captain Mark Jones in midfield as the club put together a remarkable 13-match winning streak after the mid-season split to secure their place in European competition next term.

Davies, 28, was also a new signing last season and cemented his place at the heart of the defence, making 36 appearances and contributing two goals.

Caton said of Lunt’s renewal: “Kenny has had an incredible second half of the season and is probably one of the top three midfielders in the league alongside Mark Jones. He took a while to settle into the Welsh Premier, but since the split he has been outstanding.”

The club were disappointed to lose Irving, but did not want to stand in his way of emigrating. Their longest serving player, he has signed an agreement that he will re-join the club on his return to the country and will not join another team in the UK or Ireland without their consent.

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Monmouth Town continue spate of Welsh League managerial appointments

Welsh League side Monmouth Town have named former Wales international Steve Jenkins as their new manager, with chairman Lee Robson stating the club have to match his ambitions.

He said: “I could do the usual flannel about being sure Steve will take us up a notch, but I think that’s self-evident. The challenge for us is to match his ambitions. We’ve got great people around the club who can and will step up to the plate.

“We stated in 2003 we’d be a Welsh League club in five years, and in 2005 said we’d be a Welsh Premier League side in 15 years. We know he can deliver his part, now it’s up to us to match that.”

He added that over the next couple of years the club aim to do a lot of work to make them eligible for a domestic licence to take their place in the WPL.

“It’s a question of whether we can pull it off and we are in discussions with a number of parties over new facilities. The short term aim is to win the Welsh League next year and have a good old crack at the Welsh Cup. South East Wales is crying out for a WPL side and we’d like to think we’d be it.”

Jenkins (40) has more than 500 Football League appearances to his name, starting his career at Swansea City and playing more than 150 games for the club. He then moved to Huddersfield where he played more than 250 games in seven seasons, becoming their captain and a fans’ favourite.

A short spell at Cardiff City followed, before taking in varied stints at English league clubs and then three years at Newport County. His playing career finished as player/assistant manager to former Cardiff team-mate Andy Legg at Llanelli, where he helped them to the Welsh Cup in 2011.

He also earned 16 caps for Wales between 1995 and 2001, where he featured alongside current Wales boss Chris Coleman.

Jenkins will replace the management duo of Barry Burns and Robin Pick who resigned recently, with assistant manager Gareth Blackburn still currently with the club.

The appointment continues a flurry of new managers in the Welsh League. Former Neath striker Andy Hill has taken the reins at fellow first division club Goytre United following Robert Cooke’s dismissal, while at Tata Steel, former players Francis Doyle and Rogan Matthews have taken over the reins.

Treowen Stars in Division Three have appointed Mark Giffard, Alan Naylor and Kirk Ansell to manage the first team with Carl and Simon Evans and Ritchie Molyneux staying at the club in other capacities, with Steve Price taking over at Garden Village, also in Division Two.

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