GWENT County League clubs Newport YMCA and Pill AFC have announced that they are to merge next season.

Division One club Newport YMCA and Division Two side Pill AFC will join forces and be known as Pill YMCA.

They will stage their home games at Newport YMCA’s Mendalgief Road and play in Gwent County League Division One.

Current Newport YMCA boss Alex Stewart has been handed the managerial reigns.

The two clubs are separated by just under a mile, with both celebrating their end of season awards at the same venue.

“Next year we are starting a new partnership and exciting adventure along with Pill AFC,” said Newport YMCA, ahead of the merger.

“We look forward to the promising future that will hopefully bring success.”

Newport YMCA previously played in the Welsh League, up until their relegation in 2015/2016 and reached the semi-final of the JD Welsh Cup a decade ago, as well as reaching the quarter-finals a year later.

Their last game in their original guise was a 1-1 draw with Blaenavon Blues.

Pill had a six-year exile from the Gwent County League, before being promoted from the Newport & District League back in 2009.

They won the Division Three title in 2010/2011, before winning the Division Two title a year later.

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Pill then finished second in their first season back in Division One, before claiming the title a year later in the 2013/2014 season (above).

A break of a merger has happened in the same Division, when Malpas Civil Service reverted back to Newport Civil Service following a board meeting.

Gwent Central League side Ebbw Vale Town FC announced this week that they are to cease to exit.

“It is with regret that Ebbw Vale Town are no longer,” said a club statement. “We’ve tried our best to keep the club alive but to no avail.”