Welsh Cup returns to spiritual home as Ruabon gear up for Saltney clash
The Welsh Cup will return to its birthplace this weekend when Ruabon Rovers take on Saltney Town.
Llewellyn Kenrick, a founding member of the Football Association of Wales, discussed the idea of a Challenge Cup for Welsh teams.
144 years later and the birthplace of both the FAW and Llewellyn, will play host to a match in the same competition that he founded.
The small suburb of Wrexham, with an estimated population of just under 5000 people, hosts a team hoping to rise like a phoenix from the ashes.
Formed back in January 2020 by Callum Edwards has overseen with a hard-working team of contributors; a polished social media feed, a home ground, sponsors, and a place in Welsh football’s fifth tiers. All of this whilst dealing with the pandemic.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is that work that Ruabon Rovers has been able to attract the interest of many, including Wrexham native Mark Hughes and some other star names, including Bryn Law.
The former Wales manager, who has also been a pundit for the Welsh national team at EURO 2020, is an honorary president of his hometown team.
As well as off-the-pitch, they will also be boosted this week by the addition of former Wrexham and Wales midfielder Mark Jones, who has been persuaded to end a playing hiatus and play football again once more.
Jones, who played for two times for Wales and made over 150 appearances for the Red Dragons adds some star power to a youthful side.
However, as well as the star names who have attached themselves to the club, there is also a family affair too, hoping to play their own part in the Ruabon story.
Cliff Bennion, who represented local clubs Ruabon St Mary’s and Ruabon Villa is the club’s manager and is supported by his son Chris.
Chris Bennion, who captains the side, scored the winning goal in their first game as a competitive club last week, beating Brymbo Lodge 2-1 at their Recreation Ground home.
But this is the first time the pair have worked together, reveals Cliff: “I and Chris have never worked together in regards to football but I’ve watched him playing much time when he was at Chirk AAA and Ruabon Villa.
The older of the Bennion’s Cliff reminisces of the magic of the Cup when he was younger: “I remember when I a teenager watching Wrexham in the Welsh cup when it was a gateway into Europe which provided some of the greatest nights on the Racecourse.
“When I was playing my highlight was beating Oswestry town when they were playing in the Northern Premier.
“It’s great to have a team back in the village, and if it wasn’t for the likes of Chris Callum and others this game on Saturday wouldn’t be happening.
“Saltney will be a very tough game and we will have to work hard to get anything out of it but it’s the cup and anything is possible.”
