STM Sports: How Sunday League club became MG Cup semi-finalists

STM Sports have risen through the Welsh Leagues at a pace that club president Darren Campbell showed throughout his sprinting career.

The Mellons – formed in 2007 after an amalgamation of Cardiff Cosmos Porto’s and Sunday League side Willows FC – have climbed through the multiple tiers of the Welsh system to reach their current position in the Cymru South.

“I wake up every day and something new seems to be happening at the club,” admits manager Dale Gardiner. 

“It’s just growing so fast and people are finally starting to stand up and take note a little bit of us now.

A change in mentality in the players is the secret to the success of a club riding the wave of multiple success.

“It was the attitude within the club which was a lot different from what it is now. The professionalism that we brought into the club is better.

“I’ve been in this changing room for quite a while as a player as a coach, as a manager, it’s come a long way.

“We had no other choice. We couldn’t allow the club to continue to be run like that.

“We had to stamp down our authority and we’ve reaped the rewards as a result.

Despite their growth, the players have continued to play for free, with the club working on an amateur basis.

This is something that has shocked their long-serving coach.

“I’m absolutely astounded that someone with money hasn’t approached us yet. We’re the fastest-growing club in Cardiff. We don’t get paid, maybe that’s why it’s working.

“We’ve just got to keep growing one step at a time. Maybe it’ll all change and come crashing down one day. We don’t know. We just got a ride by the wave at the moment.”

A benefit of competing in the Cymru South is the automatic participation in the Nathaniel MG Cup. Debutants in the competition for the first time, Nana Baah’s side have embraced it by reaching the semi-finals.

The Cardiff club navigated past Pontypridd Town, Cwmbran Celtic, Haverfordwest County and Cymru Premier outfit Aberystwyth Town to reach the semi-final stage.

STM Sports are in unfamiliar territory, playing mainly South Walian opposition in a regionalised league. Aberystwyth Town will prove a tough test for the Mellons.

Though they will unable to call upon a host of players including striker Ben Ahmun, Marcus Jones and Riccardo Mackenzie.

One of the defining games in their history was a play-off clinching match at the Cardiff City Stadium. The Mellons defeated Pontlottyn 4-1 to reach the Welsh League. STM will be hoping to replicate such a performance on Saturday.

“Taking it back a few years now, but to get into the Welsh League, we had a playoff on the Cardiff City stadium to get into the Welsh League, it was a great achievement for the club and everybody involved.

“Going into Saturday to get a win, which for me naturally everything, especially when we’re not expected to but in terms of achievements for the club.

“We’re such a small club like us and hopefully, we can go one further with a little bit of luck.

“We’re obviously the underdogs but we’ve continued to surprise people over the years. We believe in our own ability and we may cause an upset on Saturday.

And if they were to beat Aberystwyth on Saturday? “I’d say it will probably be number one, I think considering our the size of this club compared to the last the other three left in the competition, it’s massive. It’s fairytale stuff.”

Through their growth as a club, they’ve been able to attract players from a higher level.

Former Cardiff City youngster Tom Burridge joined the club last season alongside Marcus Jones – who scored in the Cymru Premier for Barry – last season. 

They’ve also signed their first foreign-based signings this season, having seen players like Benjamin Boyer and Thoma Frick feature for the club.

In relation to the club growing in stature to attract such players, Gardiner said: “It’s grown way beyond our wildest dreams.

“I can remember having a conversation with the both of them and saying, you’ve got nothing to lose.

“If you don’t enjoy it you can go we won’t hold you to that.

“We look around our changing room now and see some of the talent on show they could easily go on to play at a higher level.

“They want to stay within this family-oriented club. They like the changing room.

“I played for many Welsh League clubs. I’ve travelled to all different types of clubs to play football. 

“Nothing feels as good as this one. I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d stop playing for these clubs to come back to play for my local club.”

One of the masterminds behind the club is club chairman Nigel Bircham. 

Bircham has been a consistent factor in STM Sport’s rise through the league and has faced a number of battles off-the-field to help the club reach the Cymru South, by battling rejected applications for promotion. 

Bircham alongside Geza Hajgato have earned praise from their manager. 

“Without Nigel, there is no STM Sports, that’s the facts,” admitted manager Dale Gardiner.

“If Nigel would have downed the tools a few years back we wouldn’t be speaking now.

“The two of work so tirelessly behind the scenes. It’s incredible what the both of them has done for the club. 

“We’ve had our barriers. It just shows the fight in the club from the players to the people outside. 

“We just never ever give up and they’ve shown that on-the-field and off-the-field. We’ve got that never-give-up attitude and we don’t know when we’re beaten.”

(Featured Image: Mike James)