(Image: Ashleigh Griffiths)
Blaenrhondda manager Matthew Howells and his team are “really looking forward to the challenges” that will be posed when they compete in the South Wales Alliance League Premier Division this season.
The club secured back-to-back promotions after finishing as runners-up in Division One last season, having romped to the Division Two title in the 2017/18 campaign.
A former Welsh League outfit in their heyday, Blaen dropped out of the league in 2005/06, and have competed in the South Wales Leagues ever since.
There are, however, reasons to be positive as the Rhondda side look to consolidate their place in the Premier Division.
Howells, who took over from Liam Williams following the club’s promotion to Division One, struggled to hide his excitement as the season draws ever closer.
“Not just personally, but as a group we are really looking forward to the challenges this really difficult division brings.
“Being one (promotion) away from the Welsh League is an exciting position to be in, and we can’t wait to get going.
“There are so many strong teams all chasing that title to become a Welsh league outfit. That’s why it’s one of the hardest leagues to be part of throughout Welsh football.”
A fourth consecutive promotion would see Blaen return to the Welsh Football League for the first time in 15 years, something which Howells says “has to be” the aim.
Blaenrhondda celebrate winning the W. John Owen Cup in 2017/18. (Image: Ashleigh Griffiths)
“When the Rob Griffiths (Chairman) came to me ahead of the 2016/2017 season, when our journey began, he asked if I thought I could get the club back to the Alliance Leagues as a first step.
“All I could say was that I would give it my all, and we have gone on a great run of success since!
“Knowing how amateur football tends to work, once you get that promotion from the local league you tend to have the momentum behind you, so as long as you can add talent to refresh areas of the team then you’re always in with a real chance of climbing the leagues.
“Similar to the Welsh League, many teams get out of the Alliance Premier Division and most certainly get out of Welsh League Division 3 (now Division 2) at the first time of asking.
“Once we got the group together in the Rhondda League, there was nothing else in mind except getting to the Premier Division without delay.”
Howells is in no doubt that the good times are on their way back to a club which has such Welsh League pedigree.
“I think our success shows that this is certainly the case. I don’t think people understand just how much hunger there is from Rob Griffiths to return the club back to the Welsh League and the group of coaches and players are no different.
Blaenrhondda vs. AFC Butetown in 2018/19 South Wales Alliance League. (Image: Andy Nunn)
“I think we have set high standards for the majority of the three seasons, we’ve had many compliments for the way we play our football but last year the principles of hard work and commitment left us at times.
“We have addressed this and we are excited to see what this next chapter brings.”
A number of players have committed their futures to the club, as well as a few returnees, and Howells sees this as as a sign of everyone buying in to what he wants to try and achieve.
‘We have been fortunate to have secured almost all of the squad from last season and added a few new faces, so we must be doing something right.
“If truth be told, we have a lot saying they would love to be part of it but, due to their personal reasons, be it family, work commitments etc they don’t feel they can give us what is needed to compete in this league.
“It’s been hard to keep hold of our players, not just after our recent success but when you play and do well against Welsh league opposition in friendlies, they then tend to come after the players.
“The fact they have chosen to stick with us, I think shows that buy-in and that despite not being there, we set our standards to match that of the Welsh League clubs as much as possible.
“Now we are only one promotion away!”
Blaenrhondda begin their season with an away trip to face fellow new boys FC Cwmaman this Tuesday (August 14th).
(Featured image: Ashleigh Griffiths)
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