Inside Llysfaen’s famous ‘Bananabeu’ as Welsh Cup’s fairytale story dream of facing Cymru Premier giants TNS

Llysfaen player-chairman Ashley Black says his side are ready to embrace the challenge of facing Mochdre Sports in the Welsh Cup as the fifth-tier outfit look to continue their remarkable run in the competition.

The Colwyn Bay-based club have already enjoyed a series of memorable cup victories, knocking out Barmouth & Dyffryn in dramatic fashion thanks to a stoppage-time winner, as well as progressing past Bethesda Rovers and Towyn.

Now, with Mochdre standing between them and another step forward, Llysfaen are determined to keep their giant-killing adventure alive.

Founded in 2013, the club have grown considerably in recent years, with Black crediting the hard work of those behind the scenes, the determination of the players and the backing of the local community for their progress.

And with the prospect of facing some of Welsh football’s biggest names becoming increasingly realistic, the chairman believes his side have every reason to be excited about what lies ahead.

Llysfaen chairman Ashley Black reveals how he balances his role on and off the pitch

Black occupies a distinctive position at Llysfaen, combining his responsibilities as chairman with his role as a player. However, he admits learning to separate the two has not always been straightforward.

The chairman explained that conversations with vice-captain Josh and the management team helped him establish clear boundaries between running the club and competing on the pitch.

“It took me a while, because obviously I’ve got to be in two different frames of mind,” Black said.

“I had to really take a step back and go, right, training sessions and matchdays, I’m a player. I’m not this, I’m not that. I’m just a player. And that’s it. I’ve got no more rights than anyone else who steps foot on that pitch.

“So it took a while. Glad to say it’s worked. I think it’s helped my game and it’s helped my experience on matchdays. But as soon as the whistle’s gone, chairman mode straight back on.”

Black insists his position at the club does not give him any special treatment when it comes to team selection, with competition for places helping to drive standards across the squad.

He revealed there have already been occasions this season when he has missed out or started on the bench, but believes those experiences demonstrate the strength of the relationship between himself and the management team.

“There have been games I’ve missed out on, or I’ve been on the bench, and it’s been good conversations,” he said.

“They’ve told me what I’ve needed to do. I’ve then gone out and tried to do it.

“Just because of what I do behind the scenes doesn’t mean I deserve anything on the pitch more than anyone else that’s working their socks off out there.”

With Llysfaen still competing in multiple cup competitions, Black also highlighted the importance of squad rotation and maintaining competition for places.

He believes the approach is paying dividends, with players pushing one another to improve and ensuring the team can maintain its intensity throughout a demanding schedule.

The secret behind Llysfaen’s remarkable Welsh Cup run and famous Bananabeu ground

Llysfaen’s cup exploits have captured attention across North Wales, with victories over Barmouth & Dyffryn, Bethesda Rovers and Towyn helping the fifth-tier side make their mark.

For Black, the defining characteristic of the team has been the determination shown by the players, particularly when facing opponents with greater experience at higher levels.

He pointed to the response of the squad during their recent FAW Amateur Trophy match against Conwy Borough as an example of the mentality that has helped transform the club.

“The fight from the lads,” he said. “The fight and determination the lads are putting on when they step foot on the pitch, it’s just unreal to see.

“They’re all fighting for each other, working with each other, not giving up. But they’re coming off that pitch absolutely blowing.

“It’s what’s been missing from Llysfaen for a few years. To have it back now, it just shows how good of a club we could be if we have that week in, week out.”

That spirit has been matched by growing support at their distinctive home ground, affectionately known as the ‘Bananabeu’.

The nickname comes from the unusual shape of the pitch, which Black describes as one of the most recognisable grassroots football venues in the region.

Surrounded by trees and bushes, with players entering via a small pathway, the ground offers an intimate atmosphere that can make a big difference on cup days.

“Simply put, it’s called the Bananabeu because it’s shaped like a banana,” Black explained.

“It’s a famous pitch up in North Wales. I’d say most grassroots players up here have either played on it or heard of it, especially in the Conwy area.”

He believes the ground’s distinctive surroundings make a packed crowd feel even closer to the action, creating an atmosphere that can inspire the home side.

“We had 100 people up there against Barmouth in the last round, and it felt like 1,000,” he said.

“All you could see was people surrounding the pitch. So we’re really grateful and thankful for the community for getting behind us.”

Black hopes that support will continue beyond the cup, with more young people attending games and becoming involved in the club’s journey.

Llysfaen dream of bigger Welsh Cup ties

The meeting with Mochdre Sports brings another challenge for Llysfaen, with the two clubs separated by around 15 minutes.

However, Black stopped short of describing the fixture as a full-blown derby, insisting his side’s priority is to deliver a disciplined performance and take another step forward in the competition.

“We haven’t crossed paths with any of the players or the coaching staff,” he said, although he noted that Mochdre’s development side had featured in a recent match.

“It doesn’t have a derby feel, in my opinion. We want to go ahead and win the game.

“We think we’re capable of doing so if we stick to the game plan and work our socks off.

“Will it be a bonus knocking out a local team? Absolutely. We want that challenge. We want those bragging rights within North Wales, because North Wales is quite a small place.”

Beyond the immediate fixture, the Welsh Cup has allowed Llysfaen to raise their profile and dream of facing teams they have previously watched from the stands.

Black acknowledged that winning the competition would be an enormous challenge for a club at their level, but believes their progress so far has already exceeded expectations.

“We’re not naive. We know winning the Welsh Cup is pretty damn near impossible for a little club like us,” he said.

“Have stranger things happened? Yeah. Is there a bit of cup magic feeling around the squad? Absolutely.

“So we’re just going to go as far as we can. It means the world to us, but we’re realistic in our approach. All we’re focused on is the next round.”

The prospect of a future tie against Cymru Premier opposition is particularly exciting, with Black naming the likes of The New Saints, Caernarfon Town, Porthmadog and Bangor among the clubs that would make an unforgettable opponent.

He described the possibility of sharing a pitch with those sides as a ‘pinch-me moment’, highlighting the significance of such an occasion for players who have spent years following local football.

“If we were to be successful and draw someone like a TNS, a Caernarfon, Porthmadog, a Bangor, it would be an unforgettable experience,” he said.

“Just being there, being on the same pitch as them, playing at those level of facilities, playing those calibre of players, it’d be something no one would forget from the club.”

Welsh Cup run has grown Llysfaen’s exposure

Black also believes the cup run has already delivered lasting memories, from the dramatic late winner against Barmouth & Dyffryn to the growing exposure Llysfaen have received through Welsh football media and the Football Association of Wales.

He credited the people working behind the scenes for helping to create the conditions for that success, highlighting vice-chairman Gav Evans and club treasurer Deborah Ashton among those driving the club forward.

“The rise of the club has been down to the people behind the scenes working. We’ve got the right people in place,” he said.

“Absolutely, even if I look at the last rounds of the Welsh Cup, I don’t think we’ve ever had linesmen at the Bananabeu. I don’t think we’ve had 100 people there in the last four years,” he said.

“I don’t think the lads have ever had a moment like scoring such a late winner and loads of people just running onto the pitch, celebrating.

“Everyone’s seen the photos of Ryan Watts, who really scored the winner. We’re getting featured on FAW websites, we’re getting featured in the Mundial Magazine, and we’ve got these kind of talks happening with Clwb Pêl Droed.

“It’s really surreal, and the exposure we’re getting online is kind of laughable in a way, that a little Tier 5 club has shot up enormously and we’re getting talked about, we’re getting noticed.

“I feel like we deserve to be noticed because of everything we’ve been through in recent years, the determination and the heart of the club. It’s a really big thing for me.

“To get to this level and just to have these memories, it is an unforgettable experience, and hopefully it’s an experience that pioneers the club even further forward in years to come.”

He added that keeping football alive in the village remained central to the club’s ambitions, with strong organisation off the pitch helping attract players, sponsors and wider support.

For a club founded just over a decade ago, the progress has been significant. Black believes the current cup run can help push Llysfaen forward for years to come, regardless of how far they ultimately progress.

“We’ve made history, we’ve got this far,” he said. “Let’s just go and have a crack at anyone.”

With Mochdre Sports next on the agenda, Llysfaen will have another opportunity to show that their remarkable Welsh Cup story is far from finished.