Cardiff City star lands at Penybont as Newport County snap up Haverfordwest talisman
James Crole has joined Penybont after leaving Cardiff City. (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)
Former Cardiff City academy prospect James Crole has found a new home with Cymru Premier club Penybont.
Kai Whitmore’s move from Haverfordwest to League Two side Newport County also attracted large social media traction with fans curious to see how the midfielder would cope with the step up to professional football.
Crole made the move to Penybont from Cardiff City’s setup after making a single appearance for the Bluebirds in last season’s Carabao Cup against Blackburn.
Crole’s time with Cardiff City entailed two loan moves to Torquay United and Scottish Championship side Queen’s Park.
The first loan move was cut short by an injury which saw him return to the Bluebirds early and his move to Queens Park culminated in just a single minute played. He will now hope to build his way back up by taking the step to Penybont. It was reported by WalesOnline that Crole turned down moves to Barry Town and Swansea City to make the deal happen.
Crole wasn’t Penybont’s only move confirmed with last season’s European play-off final runners-up bolstering their squad with several moves.
Alongside Crole, Penybont has added former Pontypridd United skipper Clayton Green to their ranks on a free transfer after Pontypridd was relegated last season the 30-year-old would’ve been nigh on impossible for the Dragons to keep a hold of.
Penybont continued adding former professional team players to their squad with the signing of Joe Woodiwiss from Merthyr Town.
The versatile defender has experience playing in the Cymru premier after a loan move to Pontypridd United during his time at the Exiles.
Woodiwiss was an academy graduate of Newport County and although only made one appearance for the club his knowledge and experience from being around a professional football environment should have Penybont fans excited.
Penybont’s last announced signing was 35-year-old shot-stopper Mike Lewis from Barry Town.
The vastly experienced Goalkeeper started his career at Swansea City graduating from their under-18’s and joining on a free transfer after an eight-year stint at Barry Town.
Haverfordwest midfielder Kai Whitmore’s transfer to Newport County was also announced recently with the 23-year-old making the step up to professional football after a brief stint in the Cymru premier.
A season of four goals and one assist in twenty-seven games last season sees the Welshman Join the Exiles in a move that has plenty of Cymru Premier fans talking on social media.
Rhys Davies has made the move from Barry Town to Aberystwyth Town after two years in the South the 23-year-old defender will be moving away from Barry who themselves have been active in this summer window.
Barry Town has snapped up 32-year-old midfielder Eliot Richards from Penybont with the vastly experienced midfielder who has played in Wales, England, and even a stint over the pond in America.
Being the mainstay of Barry Town’s four confirmed summer moves, Richards who enjoyed five goal involvements in nineteen games last season with Penybont will bring an abundance of attacking prowess as well as a wealth of knowledge.
Ben Margetson and Liam Armstrong were also confirmed by Barry Town for the 24/25 season.
Margetson joins Barry Town from Pontypridd United and the 23-year-old defender formerly of Swansea and Cardiff will join forces with the signing of 24-year-old goalkeeper Liam Armstrong who was without a club following the end of his time at Gloucester City.
