Cymru South: Newport City sign 33 G/A star, Manchester 62 gets move and ex-Newport County youngster joins Cardiff Dracs
Rio Booth has signed with Newport City after playing for Llanelli Town last season. (Pic by Jamie Edwards/FAW)
The fixtures are out, the league has a new sponsor, and attention is now firmly turning towards the start of the Novira Cymru South season.
Clubs across the division now know the schedule that awaits them, with the campaign getting underway at the end of August before concluding in mid-April. The later-than-usual start, coupled with the removal of the Nathaniel MG Cup, means league action will take centre stage from the outset.
There is also even greater emphasis on every point this season. With only one guaranteed promotion place available, which is the league title, the margin for error has become even smaller, ensuring another fiercely competitive campaign is on the horizon.
Despite the changes, ambition has been in no short supply during the summer transfer window. From proven Cymru South performers and experienced campaigners to exciting young prospects stepping up from the regional leagues, clubs across the division have been busy strengthening their squads ahead of what promises to be another intriguing season.
Pure Swansea land prolific Kyle Copp
Pure Swansea have pulled off one of the standout signings by landing Kyle Copp from Pontardawe Town. Copp leaves after playing a key role in Pontardawe’s promotion-winning campaign, making 30 league appearances and featuring in the play-off final victory over Cwmbran Town.
The midfielder arrives with an outstanding record over the past two seasons. He scored 25 league goals and provided eight assists in 29 appearances last season, having previously enjoyed a remarkable spell with St Joseph’s, where he produced an incredible 47 goals and 16 assists in just 22 West Wales Premier League matches.
Llanelli continue defensive rebuild
Llanelli Town have continued their rebuild with further additions at Stebonheath Park.
Defender Jack Cooper has joined from Cardiff Dracs after making 12 appearances during the second half of last season, having previously featured for Cambrian United across the last two campaigns.
Experience has also arrived in the form of Jackson Hall, who joins from Afan Lido. A respected figure with three spells at Lido and previous Cymru Premier experience, Hall adds leadership and defensive quality to a squad that has already welcomed Lee Bevan and former Cwmamman United man Osian Dillon this summer.
There have been further additions at Stebonheath Park, with Keane Whitmore, Charlie Hardiman and Mikey Morgan also joining the Reds ahead of the new campaign.
Morgan returns to Llanelli having previously spent time at the club in 2021 following his development in Newport County’s academy. Since then, he has represented Cwmamman United, Port Talbot Town and Ynystawe Athletic before a spell in Australia with Melville. He returned to Wales last season with Porthcawl Town Athletic, where he contributed seven goals and three assists in the South Wales Premier League.
Whitmore, a product of Penybont’s academy, brings recent Cymru South experience after featuring for both Ammanford and Carmarthen Town last season. The 19-year-old made 11 league appearances across the two clubs as he continued his development.
Midfielder Charlie Hardiman arrives with experience from both England and overseas. The 22-year-old was previously part of Cheltenham Town’s academy before a spell in Scotland with Bonnyrigg Rose. More recently, Hardman has played in Gibraltar for Europa Point, FC Hound Dogs and Manchester 62.
Cardiff Dracs and Pontardawe Town strengthen
Cardiff Dracs have added midfielder Tom McCallum to their squad ahead of the new campaign.
The former Newport County academy player featured for both Goytre United and Taffs Well in the Ardal South West last season, making 15 appearances, while also boasting previous experience with Canton.
Goalkeeper Scott Williams has joined Pontardawe Town from National League South side Chippenham Town, becoming the club’s latest summer addition. He will provide competition for fellow new goalkeeper Isaac Dudding as Pontardawe strengthen their options between the posts ahead of the new season.
Newport City lead the recruitment drive
It has been an especially busy transfer window for Newport City, who have responded to several departures by assembling an exciting group of largely local talent.
The Steelmen first secured experienced defender James Parry from Llanelli Town. The versatile 31-year-old arrives after four years at Stebonheath Park, adding leadership and extensive Cymru South experience following spells with Carmarthen Town, Afan Lido and Goytre United.
Attacking reinforcements have followed with the signing of Rio Booth from Llanelli Town. Capable of playing out wide or in midfield, Booth made 30 Cymru Premier appearances last season, scoring the winner against Briton Ferry, and also brings previous experience with Pontardawe Town and Carmarthen Town.
Newport have also recruited several players from across the local game. Mallachi Graham joins after an impressive campaign at Goytre, contributing 11 assists and two goals in 30 league appearances. Tyrell Kenton arrives fresh from helping Newport Corinthians lift the Gwent Premier League title, producing an outstanding return of 14 goals and 19 assists in 28 matches.
Defender Kian Bodenham makes the switch from Cwmbran Celtic, bringing 71 Cymru South appearances despite still being only 22 years old.
Ellis Quarterly has also arrived from Goytre after making 22 league appearances last season, while goalkeeper Alex Harris adds further quality between the posts. Harris previously featured 15 times for Penybont during the 2023/24 campaign, keeping six clean sheets and gaining valuable UEFA Conference League experience.
Ynyshir Albions sign up Cambrian United quartet
Ynyshir Albions have opted to invest in youth, signing four promising academy graduates from Cambrian United.
Midfielders Lucas Johns and Adam Cartwright, defender Kai Crossley and left-back Cole Baker have all made the move to the Ynyshir Oval. Baker was the only member of the quartet to feature for Cambrian’s first team last season, while all four impressed for the club’s Development side competing in the Rhondda & District League Championship.
Baker contributed seven goals and five assists during the academy season, Johns added three goals and an assist across 27 appearances, Crossley chipped in with six goals and five assists from defence, while Cartwright scored eight goals in just four Development League and Rhondda League appearances, highlighting the potential arriving at the Buns.
