STM Sports boss Dale Gardiner says he ‘pinches’ himself sometimes over the clubs rise through the Welsh pyramid system.
The Cardiff based club have gone from the Cardiff Combinations Leagues to potentially playing in the first ever FAW Championship South, all in the space of a decade.
STM Sports have been able to attract former Welsh Premier League midfielder Marcus Jones, as well as former Cardiff City defender Tom Burridge.
Coupled with signings from around the Welsh League, STM Sports have been able to retain key players like Lamin Conteh, who has spearheaded numerous promotions with the club.
Gardiner who has been a long-serving servant to the club said: “It’s been magical. I really don’t think the club gets the credit it deserves.
“We’ve done it on a shoestring, nobody gets paid at the club and nobody ever has been. We’ve still got boys at the club from the very first game.
“It’s almost fairytale. A lot of local boys are still involved. I pinch my self sometimes wondering about the progress that has been made.
“We’ve surpassed a lot of Cardiff clubs who have been around 50 years longer than we have.
“The promotion was just a brilliant moment for this club and hopefully, things will get better and we’ll push on.”
Promotion will hinge for STM Sports on whether they obtain their Tier Two Licence.
Last season, the club passed the Tier Two licence on the basis of playing their home games at Taffs Well. However this season, the club are attempting to continue playing their home games at Llanrumney University, as they try and fall in line with the criteria.
However, on Wednesday, their initial appeal was turned down. Gardiner is optimistic though that the club can get the licence on an appeal which would secure multiple promotions in as many years for the Mellons.
“We had a quick chat before the game, they heard an hour before kick off.
“We’ve got the confidence we could lodge an appeal and so it isn’t dead and buried as yet.”
(Featured Image: Mike James)
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