Fans of Aberystwyth Town have an extra reason to get behind the national team at the current Euro 2020 Championship, as the Wales squad includes a former Aberystwyth Town Academy starlet in Rhys Norrington-Davies.
 
Rhys, who made his international debut last October against Bulgaria, starred for the Academy for around 3 years from the Under 11 age group after being spotted at a trial by ATFC legend and current First Team Coach Gari Lewis.
 
Gari told ATFC’s Media Team about the first time he saw Rhys play:
“This kid picked up the ball in his own half, beat three or four players and had a shot which the keeper saved. The keeper then played the ball out of his hands and the opposition attacked, Rhys made a recovery run and made a block tackle at the other end of the pitch to stop the opposition scoring. He was selected for the academy within 25 seconds!”.
 
Gari also commented on Rhys attitude to the game:
“He was a tremendous kid. He had an incredible engine and was fearless. I remember him being selected for a Cymru tournament in Newport and that’s where he first really started getting noticed”.
 
From ATFC’s Academy, Rhys then progressed to Swansea City’s Academy before joining Sheffield United in 2018. He has since had four loan spells away from Bramall Lane; at Barrow, Rochdale, Luton Town and then finally Stoke City earlier this year.
 
His International journey has taken him from the Under 19’s to the Under 21’s, for whom he appeared 14 times, before making his senior bow away to Bulgaria in the Nations League – the first of five caps to date. He was handed the no.17 shirt for Euro 2020 by Rob Page and although he has yet to appear in the tournament, he still has the opportunity to do so tomorrow as Wales begin the knock-out phase in Amsterdam against Denmark.
 
Rhys still keeps in touch with the club and kindly met with the current ATFC Academy players on a Zoom call back in February during the lockdown. He reflected on his time with the Academy and told the players that he absolutely loved his experience with ATFC.
 
Rhys explained how it was his Grandad who first inspired him to play football and how he still watches all his games to this day. He then gave an insight into what goes on in an international camp in the days leading up to matchday, playing alongside world class players such as Gareth Bale and playing for Ryan Giggs – his favourite player growing up.

Rhys then reflected on his time playing Junior Football in Ceredigion for Bow Street as well as ATFC’s Academy, before moving on to discuss his move to Sheffield United and his subsequent loan spells, which included appearing at Old Trafford for Rochdale, where he walked out alongside another Euro 2020 star in Paul Pogba! He offered some good advice to the youngsters on the call – advising them to “be patient and learn the game”.
 
Aberystwyth Town would like to wish Rhys and his teammates the very best of their luck for tomorrow’s match and the rest of their Euro 2020 adventure! We’re all behind you – pob lwc bois!

Aberystwyth Town are pleased to announce a further two retentions as local defensive duo Lee Jenkins and Jack Rimmer commit to the club for another season.

Still just 19-years-old, centre-back Lee has been a regular starter for Town for three full seasons since making his first-team debut in December 2017 at the age of 16. Coined the "Welsh Prem James Collins" by the Green Army, he has tallied 67 league appearances and 3 goals to date and is undoubtedly one of the league’s best prospects at his position. Lee displays maturity beyond his years having been handed the armband on four occasions last season, securing 7 points from 12 as captain.

A standout performance last season came vs Haverfordwest County in March for Town’s 2nd game back after the Winter lockdown, where he provided an assist for Jamie Reed to go ahead before scoring a dramatic last-second winner from a corner to secure Town’s first win in 11.

Lee commented:
"To captain the club last season on a personal level was something I didn’t think would happen but it was an amazing feeling!

I'm looking to help the club climb up the table to where it should be. I can't wait to meet the new squad and get going again very soon. I hope to keep progressing on my game and help the club achieve its goals."

22-year-old Jack signs on for his sixth season in Black and Green having re-joined the club last summer from Penrhyncoch after an 18-month spell at Cae Baker.

Now plying his trade at full-back having began his senior career in central midfield, Jack has made 65 first-team appearances for Town with one spectacular goal back in December 2015, away at Haverfordwest County. Last season saw Jack start 20 matches, appearing 4 times from the bench – his highest season total to date.

Jack said:
“Last season was obviously a disappointing one and I felt we underperformed massively. However, we showed what we could do in a number of games and so I’m excited to fulfil our expectations this season.

Personally, I’d like to play every minute I can next year and contribute with a few more goals and assists. As a team, I’m looking forward to pushing towards the Top 6 next year to position ourselves best we can for the end of the season.” 

Croeso nol / Welcome back to both!

Aberystwyth Town are pleased to announce a further three retentions for the 2021/22 JD Cymru Premier season, as defender Rhys Davies and forwards Richy Ricketts and Jonathan Evans commit to the club for another term.

20-year-old Rhys joined us last summer from Hereford FC having completed a 2-year scholarship at Shrewsbury Town between 2017-19, enjoying loan spells with Nuneaton, South Chippenham Town, and Merthyr Town.

Rhys made 19 appearances last season, scoring both his goals at Park Avenue – one vs Cardiff Met in the season opener and the 2nd vs Bala Town in December. Rhys featured primarily as a left-back but filled in well at centre-half when called upon, demonstrating his flexibility on the pitch.

Rhys told us:
“I’m looking forward to getting back to show everyone what I personally and we, as a team, can do. I think we have a good chance to progress and build on the positives of last season to get the club into the Top 6 where it belongs”.

18-year-old Richy joined the first team in 2019 following an impressive pre-season after scoring and providing an assist vs Llanidloes Town. He was rewarded with a 20-month contract in October 2019, committing him to the club until the end of 2020/21.

In 2019/20, Richy made six starts and appeared four times from the bench before joining Penrhyncoch for a short-term loan in January 2020, though opportunities were limited given season curtailment in March 2020. Last season, the youngster made five appearances and provided one assist after a surging run down the left flank, supplying Jack Thorn with a tap-in for a 4-0 away trouncing of Cefn Druids in October.

Richy said:
“I’m very happy to have signed for another season – I hope to prove myself and get more First Team action this coming season. As a local boy, I’m pleased to have come through the academy and progress into the First Team squad. I can’t wait for the season to begin now and push for that Top 6 place!”

28-year-old Jonathan signs on for a 4th season in Black and Green over three spells since 2011. A Town academy product who represented Welsh Schoolboys and U16 sides in his early career, Jonny made 25 appearances last season scoring four times from both wing spots and centre forward.

A particularly memorable strike came in October, with a weak-footed equaliser vs Flint Town finding the top corner, right in front of his dad Mel on the famous Mid Wales Travel double-decker! Highlights of that game can be seen HERE.

Jonny commented:
“I jumped at the opportunity to sign with Aber last season purely because I felt that there was unfinished business from my previous spells at the club. Since then, I’ve met some fantastic players and it’s great to see so many local boys involved.

We finished last season well and I was really happy to contribute with some goals and graft! This year I believe we can push the Top 6 if we fulfil our potential – with Corbs, Bari, and Gari in charge anything is possible as they are the best in the business. I’m buzzing to get going and see what this season brings, and I will be very proud to put on the shirt in front of the Green Army and hopefully give them lots to cheer!”

Welcome back to all three!

Park Avenue to Host Champions League Football in July

Aberystwyth Town FC are delighted to announce that Park Avenue will host Connah’s Quay Nomads’ UEFA Champions League First Round Qualifier, as well as a subsequent Second Round Qualifier in either the UEFA Champions League or the UEFA Europa Conference League, in July 2021.

Following a site visit in May 2021 by UEFA Stadium Inspector Scott Struthers from Hamilton Academical in Scotland, Park Avenue was designated as a UEFA Category 2 Stadium, pending some infrastructure upgrades, most notably the instillation of 400 seats between the Dias Stand and the Gantry, and this work will commence immediately.

Only two Cymru Premier grounds are designated as Category 2, Park Avenue and TNS’s ground Park Hall, and a major stumbling block to the status was overcome when Aber Town’s 3G pitch was awarded FIFA Quality Pro status in September 2020.

Club Secretary Thomas Crockett said: “We are delighted and honoured to offer Park Avenue to our friends at Connah’s Quay for their first two European matches this season. Hosting Champions League football in particular is a major coup for the Club, and this in itself will fund ground improvements which will ensure Park Avenue can host European matches for years to come. We extend our thanks to Scott Struthers and to Andrew Howard and Steve Jones from the FAW, who have been very supportive of our efforts to upgrade Park Avenue Stadium to the required standard”.

The matches will be played on two midweek dates in July, to be decided by the draw which will be streamed live on uefa.com next Tuesday 15th June at 11am.

Potential visitors to the Ceredigion Coast include European powerhouses Dinamo Zagreb from Croatia, Ludogorets Razgrad from Bulgaria and Polish Champions Legia Warsaw. Please see the full list of participating Clubs below, courtesy of Bert Kassies’ European football website here: https://kassiesa.net/uefa/.
 
CL-Q1: 1st Qualifying Round for Champions (32 clubs)
Seeded clubs                   coef.             Unseeded clubs                 coef.
------------------------ --- ----------------    ------------------------ --- -------------
Dinamo Zagreb            Cro  44.500             Riga FC                  Lat   5.500
Ludogorets Razgrad       Bul  28.000             HJK Helsinki             Fin   5.500
Malmö FF                 Swe  18.500             Linfield Belfast         Nir   5.250
CFR Cluj                 Rom  16.500             CS Fola Esch             Lux   5.250
Legia Warsaw             Pol  16.500             Shakhtior Saligorsk      Bls   5.250
Sheriff Tiraspol         Mol  14.500             Neftchi Baku             Azb   5.000
Ferencváros              Hun  13.500             Maccabi Haifa            Isr   4.875
Shkendija Tetovo         Mac   9.000             Shamrock Rovers          Irl   4.750
Slovan Bratislava        Svk   7.500             Connah's Quay            Wal   4.750
Dinamo Tbilisi           Geo   6.500             Valur Reykjavik          Isl   4.250
Zalgiris Vilnius         Lit   6.500             Bodø/Glimt               Nor   4.200
Alashkert FC             Arm   6.500             Mura Murska Sobota       Slo   3.000
Flora Tallinn            Est   6.250             Teuta Durrës             Alb   2.750
Buducnost Podgorica      Mon   6.000             CL-PR *p                       2.250
Kairat Almaty            Kaz   6.000             FK Borac Banja Luka      Bos   1.600
Lincoln Red Imps         Gib   5.750             Hamrun Spartans          Mlt   1.275
 
CL-Q2: 2nd Qualifying Round for Champions (20 clubs)
Seeded clubs                   coef.             Unseeded clubs                 coef.
------------------------ --- ----------------    ------------------------ --- -------------
Dinamo Zagreb *          Cro  44.500             Shkendija Tetovo *       Mac   9.000
Olympiakos Piraeus       Gre  43.000             Slovan Bratislava *      Svk   7.500
Young Boys               Sui  35.000             Dinamo Tbilisi *         Geo   6.500
Red Star Belgrade        Srb  32.500             Zalgiris Vilnius *       Lit   6.500
Ludogorets Razgrad *     Bul  28.000             Alashkert FC *           Arm   6.500
Malmö FF *               Swe  18.500             Flora Tallinn *          Est   6.250
CFR Cluj *               Rom  16.500             Buducnost Podgorica *    Mon   6.000
Legia Warsaw *           Pol  16.500             Kairat Almaty *          Kaz   6.000
Sheriff Tiraspol *       Mol  14.500             Lincoln Red Imps *       Gib   5.750
Ferencváros *            Hun  13.500             Omonia Nicosia           Cyp   5.550

Aberystwyth Town are delighted to announce our first two retentions ahead of the 2021/22 JD Cymru Premier, as Jack Thorn and Mathew Jones commit to the club for another season.

20-year-old Jack joined us last summer after his release from Wrexham AFC, following a spell on loan with Newtown during the 2019/20 campaign. He made 23 first-team appearances last season in Black & Green, finding the net on one occasion at The Rock in a 4-0 away win vs Cefn Druids in October. Despite his youth, Jack isn't afraid of a physical battle and is still honing his craft in central midfield after impressing last season with several excellent performances.

Jack commented: "Since I signed last season, Aber has been a great club not just on the pitch but off it as well, so when Corbs rang me and said he wants to re-sign me it was a no brainer. I can’t wait to get going again and push for that top 6 and more - we’re a young team and we’re always improving".

A stranger to nobody at Park Avenue, Mathew Jones returns for a fifth season in Black & Green having already amassed well over 100 club appearances. A consistent starter throughout his four years with us, Matty made 26 appearances in 2020/21, finding the net 3 times as chief penalty taker. Having now completed his 3-year Aberystwyth University Scholarship, Matty can't wait to push himself and the club forwards.

He told us: "Overall, last season was definitely an underachievement for the team but with a season full of ups and downs on and off the pitch, personally and as a team, it was a good feeling to not finish in the bottom 2.

Having spoken to Corbs, I was always keen to sign back as I want to see the club back in the top 6. My ambition is to see us go to Europe given I have amazing memories of watching the club compete at that level as a young fan.

After three years completing the Aber Uni scholarship, I really want to push on and help get Aber to where we should be - competing with every team in the league".

A very warm welcome back to both - Green Army, keep an eye out for more retentions and some new faces arriving for the 2021/22 campaign!