Cwmbran Celtic have been dealt a major blow after their top scorer Alex Bonthron departed for an English non-league club.
Cinderford Town announced the arrival of the 31-year-old striker on Wednesday afternoon. It was added that Bonthron had received offers from Cwmbran’s Cymru South rivals and the Cymru Premier and had stayed with the Torfaen club, but has now departed.term.
In a post shared on Cinderford’s several social media channels, manager Matt Driscoll said: “Absolutely delighted to get this over the line. Alex had several offers within the Cymru South and Welsh Premier League this year but opted to come to The Causeway instead.
“It’s clear to see we’ve been lacking firepower up top, and bringing someone of Bon’s quality in is massive for us! A proven goal scorer who’s had Southern League experience with Merthyr Town.
“Hopefully, the international clearance will pass smoothly and he’ll be involved for Saturday coming.”
Bonthron’s new club ‘The Foresters’ play in the Southern League Division One South, which is the eighth tier of English football. Their manager is Matt Driscoll, who was previously in charge of AFC Llwydboed, and Aberbargoed Buds.
Their squad has several players with a Welsh football background including former Undy Athletic goalkeeper James Smallcombe, and Ismail Yakubu who was at Penybont. Myles Corson, who shined for the Cardiff Dracs in the Ardal South West last season.
In his parting statement to Cwmbran Celtic, Bonthron in a tweet said: “New challenge👊 Thank you @CwmbranCeltic for everything, great club even better people💛.”
Alex Bonthron’s record at Cwmbran Celtic and Wales
In another blow, manager Simon Berry, will be unable to replace Bonthron until January. Second-tier clubs are bound by a transfer window, and can only sign unattached players.
Bonthron registered five goals and an assist in nine games this season. His last game for the club was as a substitute, where he was brought on for 35 minutes in the 5-0 defeat to Cambrian United on September 28.
Since the formation of the Cymru South in 2019, Bonthron has scored 50 goals in 57 games. Last season he won the Golden Boot by racking up an impressive 30 goals and 10 assists in 28 games.
His goalscoring exploits with the Celtic Park club saw him earn a call-up to the Tim Rhanbarthol y De squad, which is mainly made up of Cymru South players.
Bonthron helped put the South on their way to Regions Cup qualification as he netted against Tîm Rhanbarthol Cymru Y Gogledd in May.
In September, he headed out to Serbia and netted in all three of their games, as they finished in third consisting of a group of West Slovakia (Slovakia), Vojvodina (Serbia) and North Macedonia (Macedonia).
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
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