For every football club, there will be a player that supporters, players and chairmen remember and for Ton & Gelli that could be their very own Dorian Sweet.
Before embarking on an incredible adventure for the Ton, Sweet was banging the goals away for Rhondda League side Treorchy. In the 2009/2010 season, he was brought to Ton & Gelli where over the last eight seasons bar spells with Ton Pentre and Cambrian, he has scored goal after goal after goal.
In the clubs 53 year history, Sweet could be considered in the same ilk as club record appearance holder Clive Carter who scored 147 goals in 528 appearances for the Ton in his career. It was the former Cambrian man who broke the the record, most notably scoring 6 in a 6-1 demolishing of Butetown towards the seasons end, before adding another 4 to reach 202 goals in 212 games against Brecon Corries.
Club captain and best-friend Jarrad Hill described Dorian as a player and how as a midfielder, his best-friend has made things easier for him when he knows how to find Sweet in space.
“I’ve played football with Dorian since the age of 7. Whether it was for a club, in the streets or over Pentre Astro turf. He’s certainly the best striker I’ve ever played with.
He’s quick, sharp, intelligent with his movement and very clinical in front of the sticks from all angles. When he’s up top it makes my life easier as a midfielder to pick out a pass. He’s also versatile as he can play wide left and he has one of the ‘sweetest’ left foots in the business. He’s a pleasure to play with, also a great friend.”
His manager Richard Taylor who also played alongside Sweet has praised his years of service to the club and says despite having the record, Sweet will continue to go on for more.
“Having played in the same team for a few years and now managing Dorian I know what a great finisher he is. Half a chance he’s taking it and it ends up in the net. I would say around 90% of these goals are from open play as he doesn’t get the chance for many penalties.
He’s a good example to the younger boys, always trains hard and first to match days, in fact if training or football is off he’s always the first to moan as all he wants to do is play football.
To break such a long standing record in a difficult league is a great achievement and I know he won’t let it rest at that, with a good few years left in him he could well get 300.”
(Featured Image: Into The Heart SW)
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