Aberystwyth Town Football Club

Black and Greens Score an Astonishing Six Million Online Views in Twelve Months

31/5/2017

Club Marketing Officer Martin Smith reveals that Aberystwyth Town’s online media platforms have received an incredible six million online views during 2016/7.

Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce that the club’s online media platforms have received an jaw dropping six million views during the 2016/17 season, along with over one million visitors, an increase of 35% and 43.5% respectively.

Club Marketing Officer Mart Smith, who has been keeping a check over our digital media channels throughout the season, has produced a report on our progress:

"After another rollercoaster season on and off the pitch for Aberystwyth Town, it’s always nice to end the season on a high. Therefore, to see such a dramatic increase in readership of our online media offering is definitely a fantastic thing to see. This time last year we announced our delight at recording four million views and over half a million visitors, so to see over six million views and welcome over one million visitors is absolutely staggering."

For those unaware of the terminology, a ‘view’ represents the number of times an article or page is looked at and ‘visitors’ represents a period of time spent within the online platform. Users may of course make more than one visit during a period of time.

During the season we had a number of memorable moments, with the arguably the best being the unveiling of the fantastic 3G pitch at Park Avenue after years of hard work by former Chairman Tony Bates. We witnessed some memorable Black and Green performances, most notably at home against Rhyl and away at Llandudno and Carmarthen. We also became the proud owners of a ‘blue tick’ having had our Twitter account @AberystwythTown verified, which is awarded to high profile individuals and organisations.

The most visited pages on our website were again our first team fixtures, squad profiles and the 3G booking page. The most read articles were the announcements of signing fan favourites Dan Alfei and Malcolm Melvin, along with new first team manager Tony Pennock joining the club from then English Premier League club Hull City first as Assistant Manager and then as Manager.

Club Marketing Director Thomas Crockett said, “Mart's reports gives us hard evidence that online interest in Aberystwyth Town and the Welsh Premier League is huge, and growing very quickly. Our Media Team is working hard every single day of the year to develop our online presence in response to a huge demand both within Wales, the UK and overseas.”

It is clear that supporters like to experience their football fix not just in person, but also online, and this is a desire we will continue to satisfy, using ever more platforms and outlets.

We will also be looking to recruit a Social Media Sponsor over the summer, who will benefit from direct access to our one million visitors and six million views.

It is notable that in the absence of any meaningful coverage from some national media agencies the WPL and its Clubs have moved to create their own media output, and we hope that these stats will give some Sports Editors serious food for thought when they are considering which sports stories to cover. They may be missing a trick.”

All of the media success would not be possible without our talented team of media and marketing volunteers. Therefore, Aberystwyth Town Football Club would like to publicly thank Tom Bates, Matthew Wallace, Owain Evans, Chris Hefferan, Tomos Ings, Mart Smith, Chris Howells, Dilwyn and Llinos Roberts-Young, Jordan Payne and Adam Bitchell for all their effort, support and dedication throughout the season.

Anyone interested in enquiring about Social Media Sponsorship Packages or in joining the Marketing Committee as a volunteer for the new season can contact Club Marketing Director Thomas Crockett by email at tcrockettinterlinkrct@hotmail.co.uk.

Black and Greens To Face Old Friends in Pre Season Schedule

25/5/2017

Aberystwyth Town can announce a number pre season fixtures, all of which are encounters with sides featuring ex Black and Greens Players in South Wales.

As part of their preparations for the 2017/8 season, Tony Pennock's side will face host Welsh League Division Two Champions Llanelli, who feature Joe Clarke, Kurtis March, Jordan Follows, Anthony Finselbach and Craig Morris, not to mention the incomparable Lee Trundle of course. The following weekend the Bluebirds of Haverfordwest County visit Ceredigion, with Chris O'Sullivan, Stefano Antoniazzi, Greg Walters and Ricky Watts likely to be involved. Town's next encounter is at the Llandarcy Sports Park against Welsh League Division Three side Ynysygerwyn, managed by ex Aber boss David Burrows. The following day the Black and Greens visit Briton Ferry Athletic whom Steve Cann helped to promotion back into Welsh League Division One at the First attempt last term.

With one more slot to fill, Aber's pre season fixture schedule to date is as follows:
Saturday 15th July (ko 2.30pm) Aberystwyth Town v Llanelli
Saturday 22rd July (ko 2.30pm) Aberystwyth Town v Haverfordwest County
Friday 28th July (ko 7.30pm) Ynysygerwyn v Aberystwyth Town
Saturday 29th July (ko 2.30pm) Briton Ferry Athletic v Aberystwyth Town

Pens Takes over as First Team Manager, Wolvesey Back in as Assistant

21/5/2017

Aberystwyth Town have appointed Tony Pennock as their First Team Manager, with Wayne Jones as his Assistant Manager, while previous Manager Matthew Bishop has left the Club.

Tony, a Pro Licence holder, took over as Assistant Manager in April 2017 and with Wayne Jones oversaw a dramatic late season upsurge in form as two enormous wins at Llandudno and at home to Rhyl ensured the Black and Greens' WPL Status with a game to spare.

Wayne Jones, known throughout Welsh Football as Wolvesey, was forced to stand down as Club Assistant Manager in April but the Club is delighted to confirm that the FAW Trust last week re-admitted him to their A Licence course, meaning he can resume the role he carried out for the majority of last season.

Matthew Bishop, who has been on gardening leave from his role as First Team Manager since March, has left the Club with immediate effect.

Chairman Donald Kane said: "After a season of transition it was important to us to have some continuity, to ensure that the spirit the side showed in late March and April is carried through to next season. Tony's vast experience within the game, and his relationship with Wayne and the Players, made him the standout candidate and we are delighted to confirm him in the role of First Team Manager."

"Wayne also made a huge contribution to the Team's improvement at the end of the season and it was only right that he should be reinstated as Assistant Manager."

"On behalf of the Board of Directors I'd like to express my gratitude to Matthew Bishop for his hard work at the Club over the past year and sincerely wish him all the best in his future career."

Details of Aberystwyth Town's first pre-season friendlies will be released in the next few days.

Nathaniel MG Cup 1st Round Draw

20/5/2017

At today's Dafabet Welsh Premier League Annual General Meeting, FAW President Dai Griffiths and Dafabet WPL Officials made the draw for the 2017/18 Nathaniel MG Cup First Round. Aberystwyth Town have been drawn away at Caersws, managed by former Black and Green fan favourite, Graham Evans. The game is to be held on either the 29th or 30th of August 2017. The season may have only just finished but eyes are now firmly set on next season and what the 2017/18 season has in store!

Find the full 1st round draw below.

Central Region Ties
Bala Town FC v Newtown AFC
Caersws FC v Aberystwyth Town FC

North-Eastern Region Ties
Airbus UK Broughton FC v Cefn Druids
Holywell Town v Prestatyn Town
Rhyl FC v Flint Town United

North-Western Region Ties
Bangor City FC v Denbigh Town FC
Llandudno FC v Caernarfon Town FC
Porthmadog FC v Holyhead Hotspur

South-Western Region Ties
Haverfordwest County v Goytre United
Afan Lido v Penybont FC

South-Eastern Region Ties
Goytre FC v Cardiff Metropolitan FC
Pontypridd Town v Taff's Well

All ties are to be played on the 29th/30th of August, with last season's four semi-finalists being given a bye to Round Two.

Club Chairman Tony Bates Steps Aside, Replaced by Donald Kane

17/5/2017

After Seven Years as Club Chairman, Tony Bates stepped aside at last night's Club AGM, and was replaced in the role by Donald Kane.

Tony Bates explained his decision thus: “I became Board Chairman and Managing Director of this great Club in 1999 and have been Club Chairman since 2010. As a company lawyer, I knew when taking on these roles that the needs of a busy Limited Company, particularly one involving a wide spectrum of football related activities, would test my mettle! During this time, the Club has been blessed with a very pro-active Board of Directors and a dedicated group of volunteers, without whom the Club would be unable to function.

I believe that the provision of the 3G pitch and the additional works recently carried out at Park Avenue, combined with the infrastructure already in place, have created a stadium of which the Club can be extremely proud. Nevertheless, in my view, the Club now needs to concentrate fully on the sporting side of the Club. Thanks largely to our excellent coaches and administrators, we have first class Development and/or Academy sides from years 7 to 19, together, of course, with our Ladies and Disability teams, but given our geographical position, there is no doubt in my mind that the Club needs to put greater emphasis on fostering local talent particularly if we wish to continue to represent the town and the wider area in the Welsh Premier League. I also passionately believe that Aberystwyth Town Football Club should, to an even greater extent than at present, constitute a “Community Hub” for the youth of the area and the provision of the 3G pitch has obviously taken a great leap towards that goal.

While I am proud of the Club’s achievements during my time serving the Club since 1999, I am convinced that now is the right time for me to step aside, not only for a younger person but, more importantly, for a person whose knowledge of the game of football is second to none and, in my view, Donald Kane’s appointment last night was an important step in the future of the Club. My own role will change significantly but Donald knows that he will continue to have my full support as a Director”.

New Chairman Donald Kane paid tribute to Tony's contribution as follows: "On behalf of all the Directors I would like to thank Tony for the incredible work he has done (and continues to do) for the Club as Chairman. Tony has been there at the start for David Evans and myself in his position as Club Solicitor. From successfully negotiating the Safeway deal along with Dai his responsibilities rapidly expanded culminating in taking over as Chairman in 2010.

As Directors we did not want Tony to step down but we also understand that the work, time and effort he put into securing a 3G pitch for Aberystwyth Town has left him pleading for "time off". This was a personal journey for him producing a lasting legacy for the Club and Town. Thank you Anthony."

Tony will remain on the Board of Directors, all of whom were re-elected last night, as follows: Tony Bates, Donald Kane, David Evans, Emyr James, Jimmy Edwards, Kevin Morrison, Thomas Crockett, Tomi Lewis and Rob Berner.

Revd J D Lawrence of St Anne's Penparcau and Llanerchaearn was appointed Club Chaplain, to replace Keith Jones who was awarded the honorary position of Chaplain Emeritus.

Membership of Aberystwyth Town FC Ltd is limited to Vice Presidents and Vice President Season Tickets are available for £150, providing access to every League & League Cup home game, free match day programmes for each game and an official Aberystwyth Town Football Club tie, Scarf or Hat. Please email the Club at abertownfc@live.co.uk if you would like to join.

Footy Stars of the Future Awarded at Aber Town Academy Annual Supper

13/5/2017

Aberystwyth Town FC's Academy held its end of season ‘Academy Supper’ over the weekend, where Players at the various age groups received Awards, writes Academy Director Russell Hughes-Pickering.

The Academy has sides at Under 12, 13, 14 and 16 levels with equal representation from the South and the North of Ceredigion. At the presentations awards were given as follows:

Under 12s:
Player’s Player of the Season:    Euros Lloyd (Llanilar)
Coach’s Player of the Season:    Cameron Allen (Penrhyncoch)

Under 13s:
Player’s Player of the Season:    Courtney Perkins (Padarn)
Coach’s Player of the Season:    Courtney Perkins (Padarn)

Under 14s:
Player’s Player of the Season:    George Thurston (Penrhyncoch)
Coach’s Player of the Season:    George Thurston (Penrhyncoch)

Under 16s:
Player’s Player of the Season:    Lee Jenkins (Aberaeron)
Coach’s Player of the Season:    Lee Jenkins (Aberaeron)

Please find below photos of the various Awards Winners, with their age group coaches and Marco Pretto and Bob Beckett from McDonalds who kindly sponsored the Awards.

Aberystwyth Town FC would like to congratulate its Academy Staff and Players on an excellent season which bodes well for football in Ceredigion and West Wales. Da iawn a llongyfarchiadau i bawb.