MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Kris Hames
(Aberdare)
Assistants: Ashley Davis
(Caerphilly)
& Darren Hales
(Grangetown)
Acve & Passive Safety Technology Proud Sponsors Of The Match Day Programme Prinng
CWMBRAN CELTIC
Home Squad
Lewis Watkins (GK)
Iwan Hooper (GK)
Andrew Larcombe ©
Joshua Rippon
Harrison Lewis
Callum Hodges
Lewis Iles
Tyler Broom
Kian Bodenham
Joshua Hinwood
Dominic Connor
Charlie Taylor
Shaun Moss
Alex Bonthron
Thomas Meechan
Alex McDowell
Cole Doolan
Adrian Maguire
Lewis McCauley
Callum Wakeham
Manager: James Kinsella
Assistant: Conor James
Coach: Matthew Williams
GK Coach: Sam Lewis
First Aider: Conor James
Colours: Yellow Blue Yellow
LLANELLI TOWN
Away Squad
1 Scott Coughlin (GK)
2 Miles John
3 James Parry
4 Sean Cronin
5 Jamie Baker
6 Owen Bancroft
7 Matthew Delaney
8 Kurtis Rees
9 Ethan Cann
10 Josef Hopkins (C)
11 Thomas Hillman
12 Dylan Austin
13 Henri Phillips (GK)
14 Joshua Allen
15 Danny Birch
16 Shivo Hinds
17 Joe Hunt
18 Curtis Hutson
19 Danny Williams
Manager: Lee John
Assistant: Dr Dylan Blain
Coach: Matthew Rees
GK Coach: David Redfern
First Aider: Gareth Jones
Colours: Green/White Green Green
CWMBRAN CELTIC FC
www.cwmbranceltic.com
Season 2023/24 Official Match Day Programme £1
TODAY’S SPONSORS
CWMBRAN CELTIC v LLANELLI TOWN
Wednesday 13th March 2024 K.O. 7:30pm
PEN-Y-POUND STADIUM
2
LEAGUE TABLE 2023/24
CWMBRAN CELTIC
HOME/AWAY
P W D L F A
+/-
Pts
HOME
10 4 3 3 19 17 2 15
AWAY
12 4 1 7 28 33 -5 13
TOTAL
22 8 4 10 47 50 -3 28
JD CYMRU SOUTH
P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Llanelli Town
24 17 4 3 67 29 38 55
2 Briton Ferry Llansawel 23 16 2 5 66 33 33 50
3 Ammanford 24 15 5 4 46 29 17 50
4 Carmarthen Town 25 11 9 5 44 32 12 42
5 Cambrian and Clydach 25 11 6 8 48 33 15 39
6 Afan Lido 24 11 4 9 49 43 6 37
7 Baglan Dragons 26 10 6 10 41 37 4 36
8 Caerau Ely 22 10 2 10 51 43 8 32
9 Goytre United 23 9 5 9 43 46 -3 32
10 Trefelin BGC 24 8 6 10 38 52 -14 30
11 Cwmbran Celtic 22 8 4 10 47 50 -3 28
12 Taffs Well 24 6 8 10 35 39 -4 26
13 Pontardawe Town 22 7 5 10 45 53 -8 26
14 Llantwit Major 23 7 4 12 34 50 -16 25
15 Abertillery Bluebirds 24 3 6 15 24 65 -41 15
16 Abergavenny Town 25 2 2 21 19 63 -44 8
RESERVE (SOUTH EAST)
P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Risca United
13 10 1 2 42 22 20 31
2 Cwmbran Celtic 16 10 0 6 47 35 12 30
3 Undy 17 9 0 8 35 30 5 27
4 Lliswerry 13 8 1 4 36 25 11 25
5 Caldicot Town 12 7 1 4 37 30 7 22
6 Blaenavon Blues 11 6 2 3 25 21 4 20
7 Tredegar Town 12 6 1 5 28 26 2 19
8 Abercarn United 14 5 3 6 31 36 -5 18
9 Abertillery Bluebirds 14 5 0 9 29 32 -3 15
11 Chepstow Town 11 3 2 6 21 27 -6 11
12 Goytre 14 3 1 10 20 41 -21 10
13 Abergavenny Town 10 3 0 7 21 26 -5 9
14 Treowen Stars 7 1 0 6 10 31 -21 3
3
WELCOME TO PEN-Y-POUND
Tonight we welcome league leaders Llanelli Town to Pen y Pound, Abergavenny for this
floodlit midweek game. We have been obliged to transfer this fixture to our Gwent
neighbours because we do not have any more Saturday dates to fulfil the fixture before
the closing date for the league. It is not the first me we have played a “home” game at
Pen y Pound. In December 2014 we lost 3-1 to Goytre in the 2
nd
round of the Gwent Cup.
Tonight will be a tough game, Town are on the back of a 10 match run of 8 wins & 2
draws.
Llanelli Town, rose from the ashes of the Welsh Premier club which disbanded at the end
of 2012/13. The brand new club joined the Welsh League & In 2014/15 the teams met in
both cup compeons. In the Welsh Cup at Celc Park 3
rd
Division Town arrived on the
back of a 100% 6 match winning streak but 2
nd
Division Celc won 2-1 with goals from
Andrew Larcombe & Sean Feeley. The teams then met in the League Cup. Celc were
drawn at home but reversed the fixture. Llanelli won 3-2, Celc’s goals by Lewis Grant &
a penalty by Rakesh Patel.
Llanelli gained promoon to the 2
nd
Division in 2015/16 & Celc did the double. In
September Llanelli again arrived at Celc Park with a 100% 6 match winning record but
Celc dispatched them 2-0 with goals from Owen Cook & Owen Llewellyn to set
themselves on an 8 match winning run of their own. Celc went into the return game the
following April on the back of a mini-crisis having lost 2 successive games which had
stalled their promoon bid & their woes connued as they were 1-0 down at half me.
However they fought back to win 3-1 thanks to a Chris Ham hat-trick including 2
successful spot kicks. This victory sparked a 10 game 40 goals winning streak which
secured 2
nd
place & promoon for Celc back into the 1st Division.
Llanelli were promoted the following season & in 2017/18 the teams met 4 mes. In the
2
nd
round of the Welsh Cup at Celc Park we came from behind to win 2-1 with goals
from Lloyd Kinsella & a last minute penalty by Chris Ham. In the league at Stebonheath
Park we were 2-0 down in the first half with 3 players off the field seriously injured but
we fought back to 2-2 through goals by Ham and Callum Wakeham. Despite a third goal
by Owen Cook Llanelli won 5-3. The following month at Afan Lido in the semi-final of the
League Cup, Town were easy 3-0 winners, 41 year old ex-Swansea City pro Lee Trundle
scoring twice. In May at Celc Park Llanelli, who had gained promoon to the Welsh
Premier, won 3-1, Luke Jones scoring Celc’s goal.
In 2018/19 Llanelli were back in the Welsh Premier but they were relegated aer only
one season. In 2019/20, in the new Cymru South League, Town beat Celc at
Stebonheath 1-0. The return at Celc Park in January 2020 was a 9-goal thriller. Celc
were 4-2 up through goals from Jordan Meaney, Tom Meechan, Louis Feeley & Tom
Neville but Town rallied to snatch the win with three more 2
nd
half goals. In 2021/22
Llanelli did the double. They won 4-2 at Celc Park, Tom Meechan & Lewis Iles scoring
for Celc, & they won at home 2-0. Llanelli have won the last 8 games between the sides.
Last season Llanelli won 1-0 at Stebonheath but the teams drew 3-3 at Celc Park, Celc
thereby ending a run of 8 successive defeats against the Reds, Meechan 2 & Iles scored
for Celc. Last month Llanelli beat Celc 3-2 at Stebonheath. Meechan & Alex Bonthron
(penalty) scored for Celc.
4
Cwmbran Celc football club was formed in
1925. In the early years the club was known as
CYMS (Catholic Young Men's Society). Aer the
immediate success of winning the Newport &
District Division 2 Secon A tle in 1925/6 there
was then a 25 year gap before the next trophy,
the Premier Division tle in 1950/1. The club
disbanded in the late 1950’s largely as a
consequence of naonal service call-ups but a
large influx of junior and youth players brought
about the reforming of the club in 1964 under
the new name of Cwmbran Catholics. In 1970/1
Celc won the Gwent Senior Cup. In 1972/3
with playing membership open to all
denominaons the club dropped the catholic
tle and re-named as Cwmbran Celc winning
the Gwent Amateur Cup and finishing runners-
up in the Gwent Premier League.
In 1979 the club bought its own premises at
Oak Street, Old Cwmbran, the club's present
headquarters. The club's ground was in
Cwmbran Park but around 1995 they moved to
the grounds outside Cwmbran Stadium which
were shared with Cwmbran Cricket club. The
cricket club later moved to Caerleon and Celc
obtained the lease from Torfaen Council.
Celc played in the Gwent County League in the
1980s and 1990s and aer gaining promoon as
champions of Division 2 in 1986/7 remained in
the 1st division for the next 10 seasons.
However a disastrous slide found the club
languishing in the 3rd division when Paul
"Dishy" Richardson became manager in 1999.
He transformed the side bringing in
experienced ex-Cwmbran Town stalwarts
Mickey Copeman and Kevin Payne alongside
teenage striker Shane Williamson who for a
dozen seasons was top scorer. The side was
later bolstered by the return of ex-professionals
Ben Graham and Mark Parfi who had started
their careers with Celc as juniors. There were
successive promoons from the 3rd to 1st
division between 1999 and 2001 and in
1999/2000 Celc won the Gwent County league
cup.
In 2004/5 under new player-manager Mickey
Copeman, the club were runners-up to Clydach
Wasps who applied for membership of the
Welsh Football League but their ground was
adjudged to be not of the required standard.
Celc applied instead. Their ground was also
not up to standard but they were able to share
Cwmbran Stadium with Cwmbran Town and the
Welsh League accepted the club's applicaon.
In their first season in the WFL, 2005/6, Celc
struggled near the boom of the 3rd division all
season. In April Celc travelled to Chepstow
Town needing a win to stay in the league. They
went 1-0 down. With minutes of normal me
remaining substute Jason Price equalised but
a draw was not enough. In the 9th minute of
me added on player manager Mickey
Copeman went up for a corner. The ball was
cleared off the goal-line by a Chepstow
defender, it hit Copeman on the back and
rebounded into the net. Celc had achieved a
last gasp win and, by winning their final match
against Seven Sisters, Celc escaped relegaon
on goal difference.
The following season, 2006/7, Celc now back
at their upgraded and newly named ground,
Celc Park, were transformed. They only lost 2
games and enjoyed a 24 match unbeaten run.
They went to Risca for their last match already
promoted but needed to win to secure the
Championship ahead of Llanwern. With 3
minutes le Celc were 1-0 down playing with
10 men aer a red card for Kevin Payne. Then
Sammy Winter equalised with a speculave
long range shot and in the last minute a Risca
clearance found full back Ben Graham outside
the box.
He hit a perfect looping volley over the
goalkeeper's head and into the net. Celc were
champions.
In Division 2 Celc consolidated their posion in
2007/8 and 2008/9 during which they
introduced a number of players from their new
partnership with Fairwater High School Football
Academy in Cwmbran managed by Celc coach
Della Cheedy.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CWMBRAN CELTIC 1925-2023
5
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CWMBRAN CELTIC 1925-2023 (connued)
In 2009/10 Celc were front runners desned
to win the Championship. However they lost
two key defenders at a crucial me and vital
points were dropped. Nevertheless Celc
finished their games in 1st place and would win
the tle if Penrhiwceiber failed to win at
Newcastle Emlyn. The home side was 2-0 up at
one stage but Ceiber clawed their way back to
win 3-2 and deny Celc the championship. At
the end of the season Mickey Copeman stood
down aer 7 years during which he secured 3
promoons which took the club from Gwent
County League to the top division of the Welsh
League.
In their first season in the 1st division, 2010/11
under new manager Ben Graham, Celc
struggled for much of the season and were
firmly planted in the relegaon zone but a
superb run-in during which they won 7 and
drew 3 of 14 games earned them 12th place out
of 16. In 2011/12 a good start was made under
Alan Dibble who stepped down in September
with the team in 5th place, to be replaced by
Gareth Morgan. Either side of Christmas, Celc
were 2nd but they had a dismal end of season
run and again finished 12th.
In 2012/13 with head coach Della Cheedy at the
helm, Celc started brightly with some fine
performances including a 4-2 win versus
reigning champions Cambrian & Clydach but
they lost their way in the New year and at one
stage were in last place. However, with
characterisc determinaon they dragged
themselves up the table and sealed another
season in the top division with a resounding 5
-1 win against Haverfordwest County. Under
Steve Morgan in 2013/14 Celc
underperformed finishing 4th from boom and
with Afan Lido relegated from the Welsh
Premier League, Celc were relegated despite
appealing to an FAW arbitraon. With Della
Cheedy back as manager in 2014/15 Celc
finished 7th in Division 2.
In 2015/16 Nicky Church started as manager
but he resigned mid-season. Ex Ton Pentre boss
Dean Morris took over, won two manager of
the month awards, and guided Celc to the
runners-up posion and promoon on the back
of 10 straight wins. The club also reached the
quarter finals of the Welsh Cup, going down 2-1
aer a brave fight at home to WPL side Port
Talbot. Josh Bull was the Welsh League’s top
scorer with 32 league goals.
In 2016/17, back in the 1st Division, Celc went
top of the league early in the season. Dean
Morris resigned in March 2017 and first teamer
Lee Challenger took over, winning his first 5
games in charge as the team ended in 6th
place, their best posion in 5 seasons in the top
er.
In 2017/18 Celc finished 8th in the league and
enjoyed their best ever league cup run,
reaching the semi-final before losing to Llanelli
Town3-0. Chris Ham was Welsh Division1 player
of the season and top scorer with 28 league
goals.
In 2018/19 Celc finished a disappoinng 10th
in the League with Lee Challenger resigning in
March 2019.
In 2019/20, for the inaugural season of the
Cymru League South, Celc installed Nicky
Morgan and Simon Truman as the management
team. With 9 new signings there was a lot of
opmism for a successful season but the team
never got going and aer a 6-1 drubbing at
Pontypridd in January the club regreully
dismissed the management duo.
Development team manager James Kinsella
took over with Mahew Williams as assistant,
the team finishing 13th in a curtailed season
due to the pandemic.
In 2020/21 only one game was played, in
December 2020/21, a 2-0 defeat at Pontypridd
Town in the Nathaniel MG League cup.
In 2021/22 having lost key players, Celc were
involved in a basement bale to avoid
relegaon. Four successive wins late on took
them out of the boom 3 and in the final
analysis an equaliser in me added on by
Andrew Hewi saved Celc and took
opponents Risca United down into the Ardal
League. Last season Celtic finished a creditable
8th in the table.
6
The game of Associaon Football was introduced to the town’s people of Llanelly when workers
from the Staffordshire area of England migrated to the town to work in the ‘newest’ of the
town industries - the Poery works from 1892 to 1920.
The club inially played in the Swansea & District League playing their first matches at Cae
Blake, Furnace, then the People’s Park before moving to Tunnel Road and then at Penyfan
Fields.
In 1912-13 the club decided to become fully professional and applied for membership of both
the Southern and Welsh League. They also moved to a new ground, Halfway Park, a former
Cycle Stadium, which was situated two miles from the town centre. Their first season 1912-13
was an immediate success finishing in sixth posion in the Southern League and third in the
Welsh League. The following season they entered into the Welsh Cup and reached the final at
their first aempt before losing to Wrexham in a replay at Oswestry aer the team had inially
drawn 0-0 at Swansea Town Vetch Field.
Aer the First World War the club connued to parcipate in the Southern League and in the
Welsh League with moderate success. They had ambions of reaching the Football League and
as a first step they moved to a new ground in Stebonheath in 1922 Toenham Hotspur were
the FA Cup winners of the previous season were invited to make the occasion of opening the
new ground by playing the local team and the Londoners were given a rude awakening when
they lost 2-1 on the day. For the next three years Llanelli built up a reputaon of being one of
the leading non-league clubs in the country, and in 1925 become the only club to contest every
round in the FA Cup from Preliminary to Qualifying rounds and on to the equivalent Third
Round of today when they met Fulham at Craven Coage before losing by the odd goal in a
highly emoonal game.
At the end of World War II with league football returning back to normality, Llanelly AFC in
common with other Welsh clubs returned to the Welsh League fold and again gained a place in
the Southern League succeeding Colchester United who had gained a place in the Football
League. This was another venture into a league blessed with exFootball League players coming
to the end of their careers. The manager of the me long servant Jack Goldsborough who had
been a fixture in Stebo circles since 1923 as a player, trainer, coach, groundsman and secretary/
manager assembled a team blessed in the main by ex Scosh League players including one
John (Jock) Stein who was to find fame with Glasgow Celc and Scotland in a managerial
capacity aer his playing days were over, but had made history in the FA Cup with the Reds in
50-51, before the club lost to Bristol Rovers aer a 2nd replay at Ninian Park.
Even he and a succession of worthy managers could not prevent the indifferent seasons the
club suffered which meant a lack of people through the turnsles and by 1958 they had to seek
re-elecon to both Southern and Welsh Leagues. They were granted a stay in the Southern
League whilst had to be relegated in the Welsh League Division II (West). But worse was to
follow when the Welsh FA refused to sancon their stay in the Southern League.Llanelli were
le in limbo with an all me low for their future for the 1958-59 season But under the astute
managership of Wilf Grant an England B Internaonal, promoon was gained to Division One of
the Welsh League. But when Wilf Grant went on to other climes Doug Wallace and Des Palmer
became managers in succession without gaining honours. For the 1967-68 season brought
Gwyn Grant (who had been a backroom boy for years aer a playing career) to the hot seat and
his achievements were noteworthy. Three Welsh League Championship tles in 1970-71, 1976-
77 and 1977-78 inspired by Gilbert Lloyd followed, but the club’s ambions of a higher grade of
football were always denied.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF LLANELLI TOWN
7
A BRIEF HISTORY OF LLANELLI TOWN
(connued)
With the advent of the League of Wales in 1992-93 season when they became founder
members. Aer an inial successful season the club fell away once more, and again due to
financial constraints they were relegated in season 1995-96. However, the advent of Robert
Jones to the club as owner and Chairman saw the club take on a new lease of life. First Dudley
Lewis as player/manager set the seeds in moon and Robbie James took over in consecuve
years but in February 1988 Robbie James tragically died at Stebonheath playing against
Porthcawl.
His place was taken over by Leighton James who gained promoon for the club once more to
the League of Wales by virtue of their ending as runners-up to Champions Ton Pentre who had
declined promoon. Aer one season when the club ended in a creditable fih posion he
suddenly resigned and it all turned sour by 2002-03 when the club was relegated to the Welsh
Division 1 once more. In season 2003-04 saw the club regain their righul place in the Welsh
Premier League under the management of ex/players of yester year Neil O’Brien and Lee
Randall. Season 2004-05 saw firstly Eddie May followed by Nick Tucker took over the helm and
he managed to stave off relegaon at the end of the season.
During the close season the club which had been ‘up for sale’ was taken over by the Jesco
Group, who decided that the club needed to turn fully professional once again aer half a
century of lack lustre compeon except for the Welsh League Championships of 1970-71, 76-
77, 77-78 seasons. Spaniard Luca Cazorla become Director of Football and six Spanish players
arrived at Stebonheath Park. But by Christmas something was adri and Luca Cazorla le by
mutual agreement with Peter Nicholas assuming control, achieving for the club for the first
me in their history a posion in the UEFA Cup aer gaining 2nd spot. The following season
2007- 08 was one of success becoming League Champions and winning the League Cup. In
season 2008-09 their Championship hopes were high but they ended in the runners up spot the
biggest shock was to come before the season’s end when the tenure of Peter Nicholas was
ended aer five years at the helm, his contract was not renewed and Andy Legg was appointed
to the ‘hot seat’. Season 2010-11 Legg saw his Reds side li the coveted Welsh Cup with an
emphac 4- 1 win against League Champions Bangor City at Parc y Scarlets and won the play-
offs in 2011-12 beang Bala 2-1 in the final. This proved the last game for prolific striker Rhys
Griffiths, who had scored 280 goals in 281 games. The club has also enjoyed extraordinary
success on the European frontnbeang Gefle, FK Vetra, Ventspils, Motherwell and Dinamo
Tbilisi, although only the win against Gefle saw the club progress over two legs.
Season 2012-13, started with the club coming agonisinlgy close to reaching the second round of
the Europa Cup, losing 3-2 to Kups. Financial trouble then hit, with Andy Legg leaving in October
2012 and Bob Jeffrey taking over in a vast cost cung exercise. However the club was unable to
stave off HMRC and were sadly liquated in the High Court in London on 22nd April 2013, before
reforming as Llanelli Town AFC this summer and joining Welsh League Division Three for season
2013-14.
In the 2013-14 season, Llanelli Town finished 6th in Welsh League Div. 3, the following season
they finished as Champions being promoted to Division 2 for season 2015-16 which they
finished 7th.
For the 2016-17 season Andy Hill returned to the club as Manager and they won the double Div
2 and League Cup winners.2017-18 they won the Div. 1 Championship which saw them
promoted to the Welsh Premier League for the 2018- 19 which unfortunately they finished
boom of the league and were relegated back to the new Cymru South League for the 2019-20
season.
07946 759 145
shedyourpooch@gmail.com
8 9
CWMBRAN CELTIC 2023/24 PLAYERS STATISTICS
10
CWMBRAN CELTIC PLAYER SPONSORS
Being a player sponsor for Cwmbran Celc First Team will see you receive the below:
* Included in matchday programme both digital and hard copy
* Promoted on Social Media
* Free Complimentary Tickets to a game of your choice
Other sponsorship opportunies are also available please contact
CWMBRAN CELTIC PLAYER SPONSORS
11
Being a player sponsor for Cwmbran Celc First Team will see you receive the below:
* Included in matchday programme both digital and hard copy
* Free Complimentary Tickets to a game of your choice
Other sponsorship opportunies are also available please contact
12
Your chance to win big AND support Cwmbran Celc Football Club. Follow the link below to
enter into the weekly draw by seng up your weekly direct debit. You must be in it to win
it! WWW.CWMBRANCELTIC.COM/LOTTO
For just £8 a month – all players get 2 chances every week to Win the Jackpot – all players
will get 4 free weeks over the year!! Enter 4 numbers – match those 4 against the first 3
numbers out of the naonal loery main draw on a Saturday to win.
MUST BE WON WEEKS!
A must-be-won week will be triggered when the Jackpot reaches a predetermined amount.
The player or players that week who match 2 numbers (not 3) that week will win or share
that jackpot. If no players match 2 numbers, the Must-be-Won week will roll-over to the
next week and so on.
Winning Numbers On 9th March 2024
53 - 17 - 33
THIS WEEK: NO WINNERS NEXT WEEK PRIZE: £1,860
CWMBRAN CELTIC SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Keep up to date with all the news and acon at Cwmbran Celc football club.
CLUB WEBSITE: cwmbrancelc.com
Contains the latest news and dedicated secons for each of the club’s teams containing
current and past facts and figures. There is also a gallery featuring photos of the club’s
current and past games and social acvies.
TWITTER: Men: @CwmbranCelc1; Women: @CwmbranCeltLFC
Instant access to all the news, chat and banter as it happens.
FACEBOOK: CWMBRAN CELTIC FC MEDIABOX:
Maintained by club photographer Steve Roberts. Mainly photographs, but access to news,
chat and banter for those who prefer Facebook.
OTHER FOOTBALL LINKS OF INTEREST
Unofficial Welsh League Message Board: hp://welshleague.proboards.com/posts/
Welsh League website: hps://wfleague.co.uk
All Wales fixtures, results, tables: hp://www.allwalessport.co.uk/football
13
John Stockwell, FQSi
W
E
J.W. Stockwell Limited
Quantity Surveyor
Construction Consultant
Tel: 07968 869071
E-mail: jw.stockwell@btinternet.com
10 Rusper Green
County View
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU2 8RS
14
JD CYMRU SOUTH FIXTURES (15-Mar & 16-Mar)
15
16
Ages are at 21-Jul-23
Goalkeepers
Lewis Watkins: goalkeeper, age 31. Celtic’s longest serving player. Joined from Newport
County youth.. No 2 keeper during his early years but has shown great dedication &
continuous improvement to see off all previous incumbents between the sticks. Captain in
2021/22. Debut: Caldicot Town Aug 10. Sponsor: Crossfords (Mark Hurford).
Iwan Hooper: goalkeeper, age 21. Joined this season from Wesields. Previously with
Hereford FC, Cheltenham Town, Chippenham Town. Sponsor: Central Group Roofing.
Defenders
Sam Powell: right back, age 26. Came through Celtic juniors. Son of former Cwmbran Town
player & Celtic youth coach John Powell, elder brother of midfielder Isaac. Joint club vice
captain. Debut: Cwmmaman U Aug 19. Sponsor: M2 Flooring.
Tyler Broom: right back, age 25. Product of Torfaen Academy. Played for Fairfield juniors &
seniors, Cwmffrwdoer seniors, Monmouth & Risca Academies. Gwent County U16 cap
2014. Son of U19 Development manager, Mark Broom. Debut Ammanford Aug 21. Sponsor:
Total Body Defence.
Joshua Rippon: defender, age 19. Former Celtic junior, Cardiff City Academy/U23s. Debut
Taffs Well Jul 22.
Dominic Connor: left wing back, age 36. Signed from Caldicot Town in 2011/12. Formerly
with Garden City juniors, Chepstow Town. Top scorer in 2014/15 with 14 goals. Debut AFC
Porth Oct 11 scoring the only goal. Sponsor: Ziko Chan.
Andrew Larcombe: centre back, age 35. Joined 2014/15. Can also play midfield & striker.
Stand-in goalkeeper. Previously with Eveswell juniors, Newport YM youth, Liswerry Gwent
County, Welsh League for Llanwern (2010-13) & Undy Athletic (2013-14). Supporter’s Player
of Season 2021/22. Club Captain. Debut: Blaenavon Blues Sep 14. Sponsor: Crossfords
(Kenny Hurford).
Kian Bodenham: right back, age 18. Joined this season from Barry Town United. Formerly
with Goytre. Brother Jack plays professional for South Shields. Father Paul played for Celtic
Juniors & 1
st
team Gwent County. Debut Cambrian & Clydach Aug 22. Sponsor: Hornbeam
Workplace Wellbeing & Cymru Glass.
Callum Hodges: centre back, age 25. Recently back from playing in a title winning season in
Australia. Previous clubs in Wales include Risca, Croesyceiliog, Panteg and Monmouth.
Josh Hinwood: left wing back, age 25. Product of Celtic juniors. Debut: Briton Ferry Apr
2018. Also played for Cwmbran Town & youth football at Lucas Girling, Croesyceiliog,
Panteg. Sponsor: NU Staff.
Harrison Lewis: centre back, age 19. Recently joined from Pontypridd Town. Sponsor:
Magdek Ltd.
Midfielders
Elliot Jones: midfield, age 22. Product of Torfaen Academy. Played for Griffithstown juniors,
Panteg seniors Debut Pontypridd Town Dec 20. Sponsor: MIPA Carpentry.
Alex McDowell: midfield, age 26. Product of Celtic juniors & Academy Graduated from
Leeds Beckett University where he was captain in final year. Futsal for Cardiff University &
Wales. Debut Caerau (Ely) Mar 14 age 17. Sponsor: Construction Law Consultant - J.W.
Stockwell.
CWMBRAN CELTIC PEN PICTURES 2023/2024 CWMBRAN CELTIC PEN PICTURES 2023/2024 (connued)
17
Lewis Watkins Sam Powell Tyler Broom
Dominic Connor
Elliot Jones
Andrew Larcombe
Alex McDowell
Kian Bodenham Harrison Lewis Josh Hinwood
Iwan Hooper
Joshua Rippon
Callum Hodges
18
Red
Card
Yellow
Card
Subs Not
Used
Man of the
Match *
KEY:
19
FIXTURES, RESULTS & TEAM INFORMATION 2023/2024
20
CWMBRAN CELTIC PEN PICTURES 2023/2024 (connued)
Lewis McCauley Jack Marn
Shaun Moss Lewis Iles
James Kinsella Mahew Williams Conor James
Tom Meechan
Sam Lewis
Adrian Maguire
Alex Bonthron
Charlie Taylor
Adrian Maguire, forward, age 31. Back in 1st team squad after 4 seasons absence. Previous
club Panteg Debut Risca United Aug 12. Sponsor: Tredegar Torpedoes.
Lewis McCauley: midfield, age 18. Product of Celtic juniors & Celtic Academy, formerly with
Cwmbran Town juniors. Celtic’s youngest ever outfield player age 16 years 99 days. Debut:
Afan Lido Jul 22. Young player of Season 2021/22. Sponsor: LM Carpentry.
Jack Martin: midfield. age 21. Signed last season from Goytre. Played youth football for
Albion Rovers. Debut Penydarren Aug 21. Sponsor: SRK Scaffolding.
Charlie Taylor: midfield, age 20: Joined in the transfer window from Llantwit Major;
previously with Penybont Development.
Shaun Moss: midfield, age 30. signed this season from Pontyclun. Debut Taffs Well Jul 22
Sponsor: Cian Willis.
Forwards
Tom Meechan: striker, age 32. Joined Jan 20 from Merthyr Town. Prolific scorer in Eastern
Counties football scoring 106 goals in 4 seasons before moving at age 25 from St Neots
Town to Newport County on professional contract where he made 3 appearances for 1
st
team. Debut Undy Jan 20. Sponsor: RWR Recuritment.
Lewis Iles: striker, age 27. Can also play central defence. Missed 2019/20 season with
serious ligament injury, Formerly with Celtic juniors & Panteg. Left club last season in
transfer window for Pontypridd Town but returned this season. Debut Cambrian & Clydach
Mar 18. Played half a season 2021/22 at Pontypridd Town. Returned last season and was
top scorer with 22 goals. Sponsor: CLIC.
Alex Bonthron: striker, age 28. Joined last season from Gwent County Wattsville for whom
he scored over 200 goals with a best season of 55 goals in 2014/15. Ex- Newport County
juniors & Cardiff City Academy. Also played for Abergavenny Town & Croesyceiliog. Debut:
Afan Lido Feb 2022. Played at Merthyr Town 2022/23 but returns to Celc this season.
Sponsor: MIPA Carpentry.
Management Team Sponsor: Avondale Storage.
James Kinsella: Manager, age 29. Stepped up from Development team manager in Jan 2020
age 26 for 5 matches before pandemic halted season. Product of Celtic juniors. Former
youth manager at Lucas Cwmbran & Croesyceiliog, goalkeeper coach at Celtic. Had spell
coaching in USA. Won Welsh League Reserve East title 2017/18 in first season as manager.
Debut Ton Pentre Apr 18 in goal.
Matthew Williams: Assistant manager. Club vice chairman. Joined club from Girlings
1999/2000 playing centre back in promoted teams in Gwent County Divisions 3 & 2.
Assistant manager of Newport & District sides which won 3 league titles & the Senior Cup in
6 seasons. This is his 3rd spell as 1st team assistant having previously worked with Della
Cheedy & Dean Morris.
Conor James: Physio, age 22. Ex Celtic junior & youth. USW student. Celtic Academy coach.
Sam (The Trucker) Lewis: GK Coach, age 29. Product of Newport & District football. Debut
Goytre U Aug 22.
21
CWMBRAN CELTIC PEN PICTURES 2023/2024 (connued)
22
CYMRU LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES & RESULTS 2023/2024
23
CYMRU LEAGUE SOUTH FIXTURES & RESULTS 2023/2024
24
CWMBRAN CELTIC PLAYER SPONSORS
25
CWMBRAN CELTIC FIXTURES & RESULTS 2023/2024
26
CWMBRAN CELTIC REVIE W FOR WEEK ENDING 10-Mar
With the weather at last relenng, most of Celc’s teams were in acon last weekend. The 1
st
team
looked as though they were heading for another defeat at Celc Park when Baglan Dragons took an
interval lead and then held Celc at bay unl 90+3 minutes when Callum Hodges rescued Celc – his
1
st
goal for the club. Celc remain in 11
th
place only 3 points ahead of the drop. They have two crical
games this week – against league leaders Llanelli at Abergavenny on Wednesday and a 6-pointer at
Llantwit Major who, aer a shocking early season run of 2 points from 10 games have pulled them-
selves up the table with 16 points from their last 8 games.
In midweek the Reserves won 1-0 at Goytre, Oscar Balkwill scoring the winner in the 87
th
minute. It
was good to see George Jenkins back aer a 6 month injury lay-off. On Saturday we lost 3-1 at Undy,
ending our run of 6 successive wins. Jack Prosser scored to reduce the arrears to 2-1 and then Celc
missed a penalty which would have put them level before Undy seled the match with their 3
rd
goal
late on. Celc remain in 2
nd
place in the table.
The 3
rd
team went down 4-1 at 100% league leaders Croesyceiliog Reserves. Jacob Pritchard scored
Celc’s goal from the penalty spot. Celc are 6
th
in the table.
On Sunday the Womens 1
st
team were given a tough game at boom team Pontardawe Town who
have only won one game this season. They were again indebted to striker Jade Cros who scored her
3
rd
hat-trick of the season in a 3-2 win. Teenage goalkeeper Teagen Ely is a late convert to playing
between the scks. Normally a striker with 11 goals this season for the Development team she played
2 games in goal for the Development and so impressed that she was promoted to the 1st team for the
last 2 games.
The Womens Development team lost 3-1 at Pontarddulais Town – a creditable performance against a
team placed 2
nd
in the higher Combined league especially as we took the lead aer 3 minutes through
Nataile Rostron. Another recruit from Coed Duon, Sarah Ollosson, made her Celc debut.
Celc Girls Under 12s just lost out 1-0 at home to Tredegar Town at Celc Park.
Celc Vets 45s lost 0-8 at home to Briton Ferry Llansawel. JOHN STOCKWELL
27
28
Match-Day Programme Advertising
We sell in excess of 1,000 programmes each
season to our supporters and those of visiting
clubs. These are also made available in our
Social Club/WEB Site for all our members to
read. This can, therefore, be a very effective
way of advertising.
COST: £50 PER SEASON-FULL PAGE
£25 PER SEASON-HALF PAGE
CWMBRAN CELTIC 1st TEAM STATISTICS
League P W D L F A Pts Posion
2005/06 Div 3 34 11 3 20 43 60 36 15th (18)
2006/07 Div 3 32 20 10 2 68 35 70 1st (17) Champions
2007/08 Div 2 34 12 8 14 52 60 44 9th (18)
2008/09 Div 2 34 17 7 10 69 51 58 6th (18)
2009/10 Div 2 34 21 6 7 75 33 69 2nd (18) Promoted
2010/11 Div 1 30 10 7 13 45 50 37 12th (16)
2011/12 Div 1 30 12 2 16 32 54 38 12th (16)
2012/13 Div 1 28 9 5 14 41 52 32 12th (15)
2013/14 Div 1 30 7 5 18 40 58 26 13th (16) Relegated
2014/15 Div 2 30 11 14 5 53 31 47 7th (16)
2015/16 Div 2 30 24 0 6 89 33 72 2nd (16) Promoted
2016/17 Div 1 30 14 3 13 60 50 45 6th (16)
2017/18 Div 1 30 14 4 12 67 51 46 8th (16)
2018/19 Div 1 30 10 6 14 49 57 36 10th (16)
2019/20 Cymru (S) 22 6 4 12 29 44 22 13th (16)
2021/22 Cymru (S) 30 10 4 16 43 74 34 13th (16)
2022/23 Cymru (S) 30 10 8 12 62 53 38 8th (16)
2023/24 Cymru (S) 22 8 4 10 47 50 28 11th (16)
Total 540 226 100 214 964 896 778
29
MATCH REPORT: CWMBRAN CELTIC 1 - 1 BAGLAN DRAGONS (09-Mar)
Celc welcomed Baglan Dragons to the Avondale Motor Park Arena last Saturday for their
first ever visit to the ground, having been promoted to the Cymru (South) Division this sea-
son.
Celc Team Manager, James Kinsella, who has nofied the club of his intenon to step
down from his role at the end of the season, was taking charge in his 100
th
game for the
club.
Celc were without a few key players for the game. Both first choice goalkeepers were una-
vailable so ulity player Andrew Larcombe depused between the scks. Cole Doolan depu-
sed in Andrew’s usual midfield slot. Captain Sean Moss was suspended so youngster Lewis
McCauley stepped into his midfield role. In defence Harrison Lewis was injured with Josh
Rippon taking his place.
With so many changes, Celc found it difficult to get into their stride and create any mean-
ingful chances, but Baglan didn’t really take advantage of this and Larcombe wasn’t really
troubled in the first half hour which passed without any real incident. However, in the 38
th
minute he was forced into a save from Davies and could only parry the shot into the path of
striker Marenghi who side-footed it into the net from close range. The game connued to
ebb and flow unl half me but neither side really threatened to add to the score.
Celc stepped up the pace a lile in the second half and began to make some real chances.
Stanton in the visitor’s goal was called upon to make a few excellent saves from Alex
Bonthron in parcular who was unlucky not to add to the nineteen goals he’s scored al-
ready this season. Larcombe was also called upon to make an excellent diving save late in
the game.
It looked very much like Baglan were going home with the three points but Celc kept
baling unl the end and, in the 93rd minute, they got their reward. Substute Charlie Tay-
lor won a ball in the air and his towering header unluckily hit the far post with Stanton well
beaten. The ball rebounded back into the six yard area where centre back Callum Hodges
was on hand to guide it into the net for what, in the end, was a well-deserved equaliser.
The game ended 1-1 was probably a fair result on the day. MALCOLM JARRETT
CARS Avondale Road, Cwmbran,
VAN South Wales NP44 1TT
MINIBUSES Tel: 01633 483612
Email: info@avondale-hire.co.uk
30
CYMRU LEAGUES’ HER GAME TOO
31
32
President John Stockwell
Chairman Barrie Desmond
Director of Football Micky Copeman
Vice Chair Matthew Williams
General Secretary Karen Robinson
Football Secretary Tony Strange
Treasurer Sue Perrett
Honorary Life Vice Presidents Brian Stanley; Malcolm Jarrett
Safeguarding Officer Karen Robinson
Newport & District Secretary Matthew Hewkins
Media Officer Neil Jones
First Team Manager James Kinsella
First Team Assistant Manager Matthew Williams
Second Team Manager Neil Jones
Third Team Manager Barrie Desmond
Third Team Assistant Managers Alex Pritchard; Matthew Hewkins
Women’s Team Manager Andrew Meaney
Women’s Coach James Kinsella/Jordan Davies
Women’s Secretary Lydia Meaney
Fund Raising Co-Ordinator Justine Desmond
Transport Manager Tony Strange
Ground Maintenance Squad Patrick Murphy; Malcolm Jarrett; Steve Roberts; Tony Strange
Programme Editors John Stockwell; Tony Strange
Club Photographers Steve Roberts; Jaide Enea
Kit Co-ordinator Sue Perrett
Match Day Announcer Malcolm Jarrett
Match Day Shop Karen Robinson; Stephen Perkins; Tony Strange
Match Day Catering Karen Robinson
Match Day Gateman Andrew Bown
Match Reporter Spencer Taylor/John Stockwell
Club Kit Information
Colours Yellow shirts, blue shorts & yellow socks
Alternative Colours Green shirts, green shorts & green socks
Cwmbran Celtic FC Headquarters
Cwmbran Celtic Sports & Social Club
Oak Street
Cwmbran
Torfaen NP44 3LT
Tel;: 01633 774019
Cwmbran Celtic Ground
Celtic Park
Henllys Way
Cwmbran
Torfaen NP44 3FS
Affiliations
Football Association of Wales Limited, Gwent County Football
Association & South Wales Football Association
33
CLUB OFFICIALS SEASON 2023/2024
CWMBRAN CELTIC HONOURS
Welsh League:
Division 2 Runners-up (2) 2009/10, 2015/16
Division 3 Winners 2006/7
Reserve Division (East) Winners (3) 2009/10, 2010/11, 2016/17, 2018/19; Runners up 2012/13, 2017/2018
Gwent County:
Division 1 Runners-up 2004/5
Division 2 Winners 1986/7; Runners-up 2000/1
Division 3 Runners-up 1999/2000
Premier League Runners-up 1972/3
Senior Cup Winners 1970/1; Runners-up (2) 2007/8, 2008/9
Amateur Cup Winners 1972/3
Challenge Cup Winners 2000/1
Newport & District League:
Premier Division Winners (6) Premier 1950/1, Premier A 1969/70, Premier Y 2000/1, 2006/7, 2009/10, 2010/11
2022/23; Runners-up (3) Premier 1956/7, Premier Y 2005/6, 2016/17
Premier B Winners 1968/9; Runners-up (2) 1972/3, 1979/80
Division 1R & 3 Winners 2000/1
Division 2 Winners Section A 1925/6
Division 2B Winners 1969/70; Runners-up (2) 1972/3, 1979/80
Senior Bowl Winners 2005/6; Runners-up (2) 1968/9, 2010/11, 2021/22
Junior Bowl Winners 1950/1; Runners-up 2005/6 3rd Division Cup Winners 1956/7
Welsh Youth League:
Youth Division (East) U19 Winners (4): 2007/8, 2008/9, 2009/10, 2010/11; Runners up (2) 2012/13, 2013/14
Youth League Cup: Runners up 2014/15
Newport Youth League:
Under 16 Division Winners 1970/1, Cup Winners 1970/1; Runners-up 1966/7
Under 18 Division Winners 1967/8
Gwent County:
Under 14 Cup Winners 2011/12; Runners up 2012/13
Under 16 Division Winners (3) 1990/1, 1994/5, 1998/9; Runners-up 2000/1
Under 16 Cup Winners (4) 1993/4*, 1994/5, 1998/9, 2000/1 (*U15 team)
Under 18 Division Winners 2013/14, 2014/15; Runners-up (6) 1999/2000, 2000/1, 2004/5, 2007/8
(Div 2), 2009/10, 2010/11
Under 18 Cup Winners (2) 1967/8 (Mon Youth cup) 1990/1, Runners-up 1991/2
Under 19 Cup Runners-up 1973/4 (Mon Youth Cup) 1989/90
Cwmbran Junior League:
Under 12 Division Runners-up 1973/4
Under 13 Division Winners (2) 1967/8, 1968/9; Runners-up 1966/7
Under 13 Cup Winners (3) 1966/7, 1967/8, 1968/9
Under 15 Cup Winners (2) 1968/9, 1970/1
Torfaen Junior & Youth League:
Under 10 Division Winners (4) 1984/5, 1988/9, 1989/90, 1990/1; Runners-up (2) 1987/8, 1992/3
Under 10 Cup Winners (4) 1984/5, 1988/9, 1989/90, 1990/1
Under 12 Division Winners (12) 1986/7, 1987/8, 1989/90, 1990/1, 1991/2, 1992/3, 1994/5,
2003/4, 2004/5, 2005/6, 2007/8, 2008/9
Runners-up (4) 1990/1*, 2000/2, 2009/10, 2010/11 (*U11 team)
Under 12 Cup Winners (9) 1986/7, 1989/90, 1991/2, 1992/3, 1994/5, 1996/7, 2001/2, 2008/9, 2015/16
Runners-up (6) 1987/8, 1990/1, 2000/1, 2003/4, 2004/5, 2010/11, 2021/22
Under 13 Division Winners (2) 2021/22, 2022/23
Under 14 Division Winners (10) 1976/7, 1988/9, 1992/3, 1996/7, 2003/4, 2005/6, 2009/10, 2010/11,
2011/12, 2012/13
Runners-up (3) 1989/90, 2004/5, 2006/7
Under 14 Cup Winners (9) 1976/7, 1983/4 , 1992/3, 1996/7, 1998/9, 2006/7, 2010/11, 2012/13, 2022/23
Runners-up (1) 2004/5
Under 15 Division Runners-up (1) 2021/22
Under 16 Division Winners (14) 1976/7, 1978/9, 1990/1, 1993/4, 1998/9, 2000/1, 2001/2,
2007/8, 2008/9, 2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13 2014/15, 2022/23
Runners-up 2010/11
Under 16 Cup Winners (10) 1979/80, 1985/6, 1990/1, 1993/4, 1998/9, 2000/1, 2001/2, 2007/8, 2008/9, 2022/3
Runners-up (7) 1994/5, 2000/1*, 2002/3, 2006/7*, 2007/8* (*U15 team), 2013/14, 2014/15
Womens South Wales Women's League Winners 2013/14; Runners up (2) 2012/13, 2016/17, 2022/23
South Wale FA Cup Runners-up 2022/23
League Cup winners 2012/13, 2021/22; League Plate Winners 2016/17, 2022/23
34 35
