Antonio Corbisiero was appointed as Manager in June 2021, following a spell as Assistant Manager in 2020/21.
Antonio joined Aberystwyth Town in January 2013, having won the Welsh Premier League, the Welsh Cup and the League Cup during his seven years with Llanelli. He also played in the Champions League, UEFA Cup and the Europa League with the club he skippered and in total, scored 15 goals from 206 (+10) Welsh Premier appearances. Antonio moved to Ceredigion before signing, and his calmness and quality on the ball helped Aber to safety in his first season. In the Summer of 2013 Corbs was made first team Coach, alongside running the U16 Academy squad, and in two and a half seasons in Black and Green went on to play in the Welsh Cup Final in May 2014, and the UEFA Europa League in 2014/5.
Corbs made 64 WPL appearances for the Black and Greens, scoring once, and 280 WPL appearances in all (including 16 goals) since joining Llanelli in 2005. He has also played for Newport County. Primarily a midfielder who could also play at right back or on the wing, Antonio's work rate on the pitch was second to none, and he is an excellent example to the Young Players he has coached at the Academy and through to the First Team.
First Team Coach: Bari Morgan
Aberystwyth Town confirmed the appointment of Bari Morgan as a First Team Coach ahead of the 2020/21 season following his role as Under 19s Manager. Bari needed no introduction to anyone at Park Avenue, having made over 300 appearances in Central Midfield for the Club between 2001-14, before moving on to Coach at Penrhyncoch and at Aber Town's Academy.
Morgan spent 14 seasons as a Player at Park Avenue after joining from Swansea City, where he made five first-team appearances between 1999-2001. An Aberaeron secondary school pupil from Plwmp, now working at a Llanon computing firm, Welsh speaking Bari was a Club Captain and a tenacious midfielder who gave everything for the team. He won the 2003/04 Supporters' Player of the Year Award and was a Wales Semi Pro International in 2004. He captained the side in the InterToto Cup against FC Dinaburg in 2004 and also played in the Europa League for Town ten years later against Derry City. Overall he made 309 WPL Appearances, all in Black and Green.
Bari managed Aber's Black and Green Under 19s which won back to back Welsh Premier Development League titles in 2017/8 and 2018/9. A number of the players involved have now joined the First Team Squad, and Bari was appointed as First Team Coach in June 2020.
First Team Coach: Gari Lewis
Aberystwyth Town announced the addition of Gari Lewis to the first-team coaching staff in March 2021. Having served as club captain in his playing days and later as Head of Youth Development with ATFC Academy, Gari made his first move into a senior coaching role at the club.
Making 429 total appearances for the club between 1992 and 2007, scoring 19 times, Gari became a stalwart on the hallowed Park Avenue turf. Serving as captain for a period and featuring in some of Town’s most memorable games, including our 1999 Intertoto Cup tie with Floriana FC, Gari is one of the region’s most well-known and well-liked footballing figures. A leader on the pitch, Gari took up coaching roles while still playing, amassing 18 years as academy coach and later Head of Youth Development at the club.
Alongside his duties at ATFC, Gari was appointed Penrhyncoch manager in 2011 and oversaw the club’s most successful period of recent times, headlined by a league and cup double in 2016, gaining promotion to the JD Cymru North. Gari established the club in the second tier since their ascension, including a dramatic final day survival in 2018/19 with a 3-2 win vs Conwy Borough, at the expense of Holywell Town. In his final year at Cae Baker, Gari led The Roosters to a mid-table finish before stepping down from his role after nine years at the helm, replaced by fellow Town greats Aneurin Thomas and Sion James in the dugout.
Ahead of his return, Gari told us: “I’m immensely proud to be back at Park Avenue after serving this great club as a player, academy coach, and Head of Youth Development for 18 years. I promise the Aber faithful that I will give everything in my power to push this club forward!”
First Team Coach: Stuart Jones
Aberystwyth-born Stuart joined the Black & Green coaching team for the 2021/22 campaign having returned to Park Avenue for a final season on the pitch in 2019/20. After a hugely successful three year spell at Bala Town, which included two UEFA Europa League campaigns and a Welsh Cup Final win, Stuart previously had a four year spell with Aber which also included a Europa League campaign, a Welsh Cup Final and a Top Four finish in 2014/5.
He began his career at Swansea City, and although he made over 30 appearances for the Swans between 2003 and 2005, moved on at the end of the 2004/05 season. Llanelli made no hesitation in making Stuart their first full time signing for over 50 years, and over the next 7 years made almost 200 appearances for the side and in that time at the club won the League, League Cup and Welsh Cup and qualified for Europe on several occasions. Stuart has also earned caps for both the Wales Under 21’s and the Welsh Semi Pro squads, and was named in the Welsh Premier Team of the Year on no less than 4 occasions.
GK Coach: Dave Owen
Formerly a GK coach at Neath and Swansea City among others, Dave joined the coaching team in 2018 as 1st Team GK Coach. A resident of Llanrhystud, Dave holds a FAW Goalkeeper B License holder and is a UEFA B License candidate.
Physiotherapist: Megan Meredith
Aberystwyth based Megan completed a degree at Birmingham University and joined the club as Matchday Physiotherapist in August 2018.
Physiotherapist: Gwion Pugh-Jones
An ex-pupil at Ysgol Penglais, Gwion joined the club in 2020 having graduated from Keele University. Gwion represented Town at academy level and played for our U19s before university, now playing for Penrhyncoch in the JD Cymru North.
Football Consultant: Matthew Bishop
UEFA Pro License holder Matthew moved from his position as First Team Manager to a new role as Football Consultant in June 2020. Bish previously was Assistant Manager at Hereford FC when they reached a Wembley FA Vase Final and won the Midland Football League Premier Division, League Cup and Herefordshire Challenge Cup in 2015/6. Prior to that he coached Newport County to promotion into the Blue Square Premier in 2009/10 with a record points total, and has also worked with Aldershot Town, Wales Under 16s, 17s and England Under 20s sides. Bish played eight games for the Black and Greens in their first two WPL seasons (1992-4) before moving to Bangor City, Conwy United and Rhayader, making a total of 61 WPL appearances, scoring once.
Players
Name: Gregor Zabret Squad Number: 1 Position: Goalkeeper
Aberystwyth Town announced the signing of ex-Swansea City Academy goalkeeper Gregor Zabret ahead of the 2021/22 JD Cymru Premier season. The 26-year-old Slovenian international joined Town after six-and-a-half years with the Swans.
Spending his youth career primarily with Domžale in his native Slovenia, Ljubljana-born Gregor joined Michael Laudrup’s Swansea City in July 2013 at 17 years old and featured on the bench for several Premier League matches. Progressing through the ranks in South Wales from then on, Gregor featured during the Swans’ 2016/17 double-winning season alongside stars such as Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon and Oli McBurnie. A six-month spell at League 2 Oldham Athletic between July and December 2019 followed before Gregor decided to leave the Swans in February 2020.
Between 2010 to 2016, Gregor made 25 appearances for his country from age groups U16-U21.
Manager Antonio Corbisiero commented: “We’re very excited to secure Gregor’s signature. He’s a guy with bags of experience having come through the ranks at Swansea. We’ve spoken to many people who have praised Gregor very highly though he was unlucky with the keepers ahead of him at Swansea. We’re looking forward to getting him in for training on Tuesday before we welcome Barry Town on Saturday. A big welcome to Gregor from everybody at Aberystwyth Town!”
Name: Alex Pennock Squad Number: 13 Position: Goalkeeper
Local lad and Aberystwyth University Scholarship holder Pennock returns to this year's squad, having provided backup to Connor Roberts in 2020/21, making 7 first-team appearances.
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.
Academy Product Jack first joined the First Team Squad for 2015/16. A former pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig, he has an impeccable sporting background, having been invited to join Liverpool's Academy at age 10, Birmingham City's Academy at 11, and having trials at Stoke City at 14. Jack represented Central Wales in the Cymru Cup of 2013 and the Welsh National/Regional Development Squads in 2012 and 2013. He has also played for Penweddig and Ceredigion Schools throughout his School Years, and played for Central Wales Boys 2014 and again in 2015 where Jack captained the side. Jack captained the Aber Town U19 side who won back-to-back Welsh Premier Development League, scoring the winning goal vs TNS in 2017/18.
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.
Name:Rhys Davies Squad Number: 3 Position: Defender 20-year-old Rhys joined us ahead of the 2020/21 season 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.
Name: Louis Bradford Squad Number: 4 Position: Defender
Aberystwyth Town were delighted to announce the Deadline Day return of defender Louis Bradford from The New Saints on loan until the end of January 2022. The 19-year-old re-joined Town following an impressive season in Black & Green during the 2020/21 campaign.
Wolverhampton-born Louis joined TNS Academy at U15 level following time with Shrewsbury Town, where he impressed at youth level enough so to secure himself a loan move in the JD Cymru Premier last season. A tall and agile defender, Louis showed his proficiency through the middle or as a right-back throughout the campaign, making 25 starts for Town, scoring twice and assisting thrice.
Louis gained invaluable experience featuring on the bench for both legs of TNS’ 2nd and 3rd Round Europa Conference League qualifiers against Kauno Zalgiris and Viktoria Plzen respectively in August. Louis later played every minute of The Saints’ first three league matches against Newtown, Caernarfon Town, and Haverfordwest County, scoring in their second outing and keeping a clean sheet in their third. Louis now returns to Park Avenue to secure further first-team football.
Name: Lee Jenkins Squad Number: 5 Position: Defender
Aberystwyth Town announced that young starlet Lee Jenkins had signed a one year contract extension with the Black and Greens in June 2021, and will remain at Park Avenue for the 2021/22 season. Still just 20-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.
20-year-old Jack joined Town ahead of the 2020/21 campaign after his release from Wrexham AFC, following a spell on loan with Newtown during the 2019/20 season. 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. His leadership on and off the pitch did not go unnoticed by the management team, who gave Jack the armband ahead of the 2021/22 season.
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".
Name:Mathew Jones Squad Number: 7 Position: Defender / Midfielder 22-year-old local lad Mathew Jones joined the club in August 2017, now returning 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 is eager to push himself and the club forwards.
Matty grew up in Black & Green as son of Richie "Gas" Jones - who played for and managed Town's Reserve side for many years - and grandson to Town legend Bryan Pugh-Jones who made 574 first team appearances for the club, later serving as groundsman and being appointed patron of the club in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Aberystwyth Town Football Club.
He was a key member of Shrewsbury Town's Youth Team which enjoyed a good FA Youth Cup run, reaching the fourth round before being knocked out by Premier League side Sunderland, and joined Aber on his release from the Shrews in 2017. Matty was selected for the Wales Semi Pro side which drew 2-2 with England C at Salford City in March 2019.
24-year-old Jamie is a tenacious midfielder who joined Cardiff City at a young age and worked his way through the City Academy. He signed a professional contract at the age of 17, spending four years as a professional, captaining Cardiff City’s Under-23 team before moving to his hometown club Merthyr Town in January 2019.
Jamie joined the Seasiders in June 2020, making 29 appearances, finding the net twice and providing seven assists in his first season. The most memorable of his two strikes of course coming at The Oval with a peach of a free kick in the final minute of the game to secure an invaluable away point. Highlights of that game can be seen HERE!
Manager Antonio Corbisiero commented: “We’re very pleased to retain Jamie – he’s an exciting player with exceptional energy levels and a great character in and around the dressing room. His talent is incredible – his passing into the final third for our attackers was excellent last season and he’s the one who really makes us tick. I’m delighted to have him back onboard!”
Name:John Owen Squad Number: 9 Position: Forward
Forward Jon Owen re-joined the Seasiders in January 2021 from Porthmadog for a second spell in Black & Green.
Affectionately known as “John y Cigydd” (the Butcher) by certain factions of the Green Army, John makes his return to Park Avenue for a second spell. Formerly of Bangor City, Llangefni Town, Caersws, Rhyl, Llandudno, and Cefn Druids, the 29-year-old Welsh-speaking attacker spent 18-months in Black & Green, becoming a regular starter after joining in January 2017. Known for his pace, power, and ability to make something out of nothing, Jon gives Town an experienced option in attack.
Name:Harry Franklin Squad Number: 10 Position: Midfielder
Born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, 21-year-old Harry plied his trade from youth to senior level with Hereford FC of the National League North, spending time on loan at Merthyr Town. Departing the Bulls in 2018, a season and a half at Redditch United followed before Harry joined county rivals Evesham United in October 2019 where he quickly impressed at Jubilee Stadium. Harry was put on contract terms in February 2020 as he went on to make 22 appearances, scoring thrice before season curtailment in March 2020.
Joining Town on Deadline Day in January 2021, Harry immediately impressed once play was resumed in March, amassing 15 appearances, finding the net on four occasions and providing two assists. An excellent finisher, Harry’s finest effort was a chipped winner vs Newtown at Park Avenue, which won the club’s Goal of the Month for March following a fan vote. Re-live that deft finish HERE!
Manager Antonio Corbisiero commented: “We’re extremely lucky to get Harry back given a lot of clubs were after him following his move to us in January. He’s a very exciting young talent who’s energetic, physically strong, and a great finisher – shown by the vital goals he scored for us last term. He’s another important character in our dressing room so we’re delighted to welcome him back!”
Name: Sam Phillips Squad Number: 11 Position: Midfielder
22-year-old midfielder Sam joins Town with plenty of Cymru Premier experience having played for both Newtown and most recently Cefn Druids, totalling 48 league appearances across both clubs between 2018 and 2021.
A former Wolverhampton Wanderers youth player, Montgomeryshire-born Sam has also enjoyed a taste of football abroad having spent the end of the 2017/18 season with Swedish side IFK Ostersund before joining Newtown in 2018. Corbisiero commented: “Sam is a young talent that we’ve admired for a long time as every time we’d faced him at Cefn Druids he was a real threat against us. He’s a player that the whole coaching staff was ecstatic to bring onboard. He’ll bring us pace, skill, and excitement, and hopefully he’ll be creating plenty of chances for us going forward and bagging himself a fair few goals this season too.”
Aberystwyth Town announced the arrival of striker Steff Davies from Penrhyncoch in July 2020. A former Bow Street striker, Steff joined Penrhyn during the summer of 2017 having previously represented Haverfordwest County and Caersws. A physical and strong forward who teaches in local Ysgol Plascrug, Steff scored 11 goals in the Roosters’ final two Cymru Alliance seasons, and continued to score during the 2019/20 season in the Cymru North, notching five more strikes including a match winning double against Buckley in October 2019.
Steff made 15 appearances during the 2020/21 season, finding the net three times and notching three assists.
Name: Jonathan Evans Squad Number: 15 Position: Forward
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.
Name:Owain Jones Squad Number: 20 Position: Forward
Aberystwyth Town announced the arrival of former Wales Under 21 International Owain Jones in June 2020.Owain made 23 appearances during the 2020/21 season and hit a fine run of form late in the season as he notched five goals and one assist through Town's final six matches.
24 year old Welsh speaker Owain, who features as a winger or a striker, was born in Swansea and played junior football for Pontardawe Town Juniors AFC before signing for Swansea City at the age of 10. Jones scored 16 goals in 20 appearances for Swansea City’s U18s team and was offered his first professional contract in 2014. Owain was named as Swansea City Under 18s Player of the Year in 2014-15. In January 2017, Jones signed for Yeovil Town on loan and made his English Football League debut for Yeovil against Hartlepool United, on 4 February 2017. Owain then moved from Swansea to Merthyr Town, had a spell with National league North side Nuneaton Borough and was loaned back to Merthyr Town in September 2018, where he scored 8 goals from 57 appearances.
On the International field Jones has represented Wales at U16 level at a triangular tournament in Belgium involving the hosts, Wales and Switzerland. In 2012–13 he was called up into the Wales U17 squad in the European Championship Qualification Group stage against England, Northern Ireland and Estonia. Jones was selected for the Wales U19s squad the following season for their European Championship Qualification Group stage in Georgia scoring the first goal in a 6–0 victory in their final game against Moldova - a win which ensured qualification for the Elite Round in Portugal where Jones made 2 further appearances. In 2014–15, Jones was again selected for the U19s quad U19 European Championship Qualification Group campaign and started in all 3 games in Portugal. Still aged 18, Jones was called into the U21 squad for the European Championship fixture against Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium on 31 March 2015. He was an unused substitute in a 3–1 win. Later in the qualification campaign, Jones made his debut in a 2–1 win over Armenia.
Name: Owen Orford Squad Number: 24 Position: Defender Aberystwyth Town announced the signing of defender Owen Orford ahead of the 2021/22 JD Cymru Premier season.
Hailing from Mountain Ash, 19-year-old Owen joins the Seasiders having completed a two-year scholarship at Forest Green Rovers in May 2020 following seven years at Cardiff City Academy. Predominantly a right-back, Owen is a versatile piece to Antonio Corbisiero’s puzzle who has shown his value to the squad already in pre-season as a trialist.
Manager Antonio Corbisiero said: “Owen is a young lad at just 19-years-old who’s played a lot of games at Cardiff Academy and during his spell with Forest Green. He’s proven to be a versatile player that can contribute across the defence and midfield who’s a very hard-worker and grafter, keen to make an impression with us at the senior level."
Aberystwyth Town Football Club announced the signing of Cymru Premier veteran and centurion goalscorer Alex Darlington in August 2021. A seven-time league champion, the 32-year-old bolsters Town’s midfield and attacking options for the 2021/22 campaign.
Beginning his footballing career with Wrexham as a seven-year-old, Alex completed a 2-year scholarship with The Dragons before spending a season on professional terms at The Racecourse. Alex joined The New Saints as a nineteen-year-old, spending nine-and-a-half-years at Park Hall, amassing 234 total appearances and 94 league goals as TNS lifted seven league titles, four Welsh Cups and five League Cups during his spell. Alex was also on target in Europe for The Saints, netting twice against Midtjylland and once against Cliftonville to aid the Oswestry side’s continental efforts.
The striker was also capped at international level in 2011 and 2012, making two appearances for Wales’ U23 Semi-Pro side against Estonia U23 and Norway U23. Alex joined Bangor City for a 12-month spell in January 2018 before joining Maltese First Tier side Mosta FC for a six-month spell in January 2019. Alex returned to Wales for the 2019/20 season with Airbus UK before joining Cefn Druids for the 2020/21 campaign.
Manager Antonio Corbisiero commented: "Alex is a huge signing for the club given his wealth of experience and knowledge of the league. I'm looking for him to be an example to our younger lads and a calming presence in matches when we're ahead or to motivate the boys when behind. He still has plenty to offer the league and he can't wait to get going again, so we're very happy to have Darlo at the club. We're looking forward to seeing him in action on Friday night against Penybont at Park Avenue!"
The following players have left the club since the beginning of the 2021/22 season:
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, before extending further for the 2021/22 campaign.
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.
Richie joined Bow Street FC on loan in January 2022 for the remainder of the season.
Aberystwyth Town announced the arrival of 27-year-old centre-forward Raul Correia from JD Cymru Premier rivals Bala Town in August 2021. The imposing front man joined Town with a wealth of National League experience as well as familiarity with Wales’ top flight having spent the 2020/21 campaign with The Lakesiders.
Born in Luanda, Angola, Raul is a Portuguese citizen who moved to England at the age of nine. He played his youth football in Sheffield before kick-starting his senior career with Cheadle Heath Nomads, Radcliffe Borough, and Chorley. It was at Radcliffe where Raul impressed Football League scouts with his goal-scoring exploits in the lower divisions, enough so to earn himself a move to League Two Blackpool, signing an 18-month contract at Bloomfield Road in January 2017. He made his professional debut for The Tangerines in January 2018 against Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Trophy following separate loan spells with Guiseley and York City during the 2017/18 season.
After release from Blackpool, Raul spent time with Barrow, Radcliffe, Mossley, and Southport before making the move across the border, joining Bala Town for the 2020/21 season where he featured in both Europa League qualifying ties vs Valetta and Standard Liege before making 23 appearances for The Lakesiders in the league, scoring twice and providing two assists.
Name: Joe Saunders Squad Number: 21 Position: Midfielder
Academy product Joe joined the first-team squad for the 2020/21 season.
He is yet to make his senior debut but has featured regularly on the bench since joining the squad.