Mardy launch third team into league (From Free Press Series)

Mardy launch third team into league

MARDY Football Club are set to launch a new third team to compete in the Gwent Central League.

It's another big step forward for one of Monmouthshire's biggest football clubs that started life with just one junior side captained by a young Kyle Holmes - now a player-coach with Abergavenny Thursdays.

Club secretary Malcolm Skinner was one of the men who steered that young side forward laying the foundations of what is now Mardy AFC.

In that first season the side won just one game, but with players like John Williams, Noel Thomas, Franco Passrillo, Chris Jones, Paul James, Richard Jones, Andy Hill, Keith Wilson, Anthony Goggin, Steve Robinson, Garth Woodcock and Neil Martin it wasn't long before they started winning trophies.

Over the least 30 years the junior section has continued to thrive and feed the senior sides that have done so well in the Gwent County and Central Leagues.

And it is because of the juniors success a new third team will be launched. They will compete in Division Two of the Gwent Central League.

Training begins for all senior sides at the Mardy Playing Fields on July 6 at 6.30pm and all old and new players are welcome. The juniors under the guidance of new committee head Ian Turner begin training in September.

Abergavenny Thursdays are still on the look out for new players ahead of the start of the new season in August.

Training under the eyes of Kyle Holmes, Phil Hem-mings, Jeff Hayden, and manager Billy Mainwaring kicks off at the Pen-y-Pound Stadium Wednesdays 6.30pm.

Contrary to recent reports the body that runs the club - The Abergavenny Thursdays Trust - has not be awarded the lease to the stadium by Monmouthshire County Council.

Up until now a decision has only been made recommending the trust be awarded the lease to the ground. That still has to be rubber-stamped by the council's director Steve Greenslade who is expected to make a decision soon.

"A final decision on the lease has not yet been made. The recommendation has been put out for consultation and is now in the hands of the director who will make the final decision," said recreation officer Tim Bradfield.

Govilon Football Club has been thrown out of the Gwent County League despite plans for a new ground at the club pushing ahead.

Strict league rules mean a side playing in the Gwent County has to meet certain ground criteria. Because Govilon's doesn't, they have been playing their football at nearby Crickhowell's ground after agreeing a deal with the club.

County officials agreed to the move on the understanding Govilon would have their own ground ready in time for the forthcoming season. Work on the ground is expected to start later this year - too late to save the Division Three club from expulsion.

"The club will now play in the Gwent Central Division Two,' said Gwent Central League secretary Ray Griffiths.

The Gwent Central League's AGM is this Thursday at Pontypool Town Hall. All cubs are urged that they must attend. The AGM starts at 7pm. For further information contact secretary Ray Griffiths on 01495 756405.

New sides to note ahead of the new Gwent Central season in August are: Crickhowell II, Llanarth II, Mardy III, and Pandy.

Because last year's Division One champions Sebastopol have been promoted to the Gwent County League, Usk Town will represent the Gwent Central League in the new Inter-League Champions Cup, which replaces the old Inter-League Cup.

Other sides in the competition include Caerleon Town and Caldicot Town.