The Welsh Cup giant-killers with a 21-year-old chairman, teenage captain and a father-son scoring partnership

For many clubs, a Welsh Cup run is about creating memories. For Llanyrafon AFC, it is becoming something much bigger.

The Cwmbran-based side, competing in the Newport & District Football League Premier X — the seventh tier of the Welsh football pyramid — produced one of the shocks of the first qualifying round by defeating Pencoed, a side three divisions above them.

A dramatic late victory sparked huge celebrations and proved exactly why the Welsh Cup remains so special: on the right day, the gap between the divisions can disappear.

And Llanyrafon believe they can do it again.

Their next challenge is Tongwynlais, who sit one level above them. Assistant manager Rhys Stokes, who will take charge with manager Ward Griffiths away, insists the Pencoed result has only strengthened the club’s belief.

“The Pencoed result doesn’t change our view that, on our day, we can go toe-to-toe with anyone,” Stokes said. “It was a tough game against Pencoed, but our lads never gave up, and we expect the same against Tongwynlais.”

There is respect for their opponents, but certainly no fear. “Of course, we respect the fact they are a league above us,” Stokes added, “but what we can promise is that, win or lose, we will put up a good showing and put everything on the line to get the result.”

Llanyrafon AFC – A club rebuilt for the future

This cup run means even more because of what Llanyrafon have been through.

The club underwent a major refresh last season, at a time when there were genuine concerns about whether it would survive. Rather than simply looking for short-term success, the committee decided to build for the next decade.

“When the club lost a lot of its players and refreshed, we decided as a committee that we needed to look long term and think of Llanyrafon AFC over the next 10 years, not just the next season,” Stokes explained.

Their young chairman has been central to that vision. At just 21, he has helped drive a new sense of ambition around the club, supported by more experienced figures.

“The desire to make this club fulfil its potential is driven by our chairman, and this infectious belief is then shared by the players,” Stokes said.

That philosophy runs through the entire club. The captain, Matthew Grinham, is only 19 and was named Player of the Year last season — something Stokes sees as symbolic of where Llanyrafon are heading.

“Having such a young captain echoes that,” he said. “We are about the future and fulfilling the potential of the club and its players for years to come.”

The culture they have created is built around three simple principles: hard work, desire and togetherness.

“We want a club that works together and a set of players who give everything for each other,” Stokes said. “Regardless of results, however good or bad, that continues every match and every week.”

And the ambition goes well beyond this season.

“The legacy we want is to put our club on the map,” Stokes said. “We know we are punching below where we could and should, but the end goal is to move up the levels and become better and better.”

There is perhaps no better time to make people take notice either, with 2026 marking Llanyrafon AFC’s 60th anniversary.

Father and son at the heart of it

There is also a more personal story running through Llanyrafon’s cup adventure.

Assistant manager Rhys Stokes and his son Dylan have both played an important role in the club’s recent journey.

Dylan, 20, was the club’s leading scorer last season with 29 goals and also found the net in the famous Pencoed victory.

For Rhys, watching his son succeed is about far more than football.

“Dylan is a pivotal part of our squad,” he said. “For me, I love watching and coaching him on a Saturday; it’s the reason why I got back involved in football after a few years of not playing myself.”

The pair have even shared the pitch and the scoresheet.

“I am lucky enough to have played in the same team as him several times over the last two seasons and even managed for both of us to score in the same game,” Stokes said. “A very proud moment.”

And, as any footballing dad might admit, there is still plenty of banter between the two.

“I’m sure I give him more of a hard time than the other boys,” Stokes joked, “but he’s used to me now and just ignores me most of the time.”

Dylan is also one of several players who have progressed from Stokes’ U18S squad into Llanyrafon’s first team — another sign of the club’s commitment to developing its own future.