I've been labelled an idiot and an eccentric for supporting Bashley Football Club. "Why would you support them, they're rubbish?". "Why can't you be normal and support someone like Manchester City?". I love Bashley FC, that's why. I don't subscribe to the belief that you have to support a Premier League team, that's just not who I am.
Now, you may call me stupid, or you may call me brave, but when Merthyr Town lost in the Southern League South & West play-off final against Paulton Rovers at the back end of last season, I jumped for joy. Not because I have some deep hatred for the club, or an affection for Paulton that I've been keeping secret (no disrespect Rovers fans!), but because it meant I was going to a ground in the 2014/15 season with Bashley that I'd heard so much about.
Penydarren Park has been the spiritual home of football in Merthyr for a very long time, and has seen the highs and lows of the football club over nearly 100 years of existence. It's hosted European fixtures, as well as losing its tenants not so many years ago when Merthyr Tydfil FC hit the wall. The Merthyr area also happens to be the birthplace of the brilliant Matt Harrison, but I'll let him dazzle you in his blog over on LostBoyos.
Now, you may call me stupid, or you may call me brave, but when Merthyr Town lost in the Southern League South & West play-off final against Paulton Rovers at the back end of last season, I jumped for joy. Not because I have some deep hatred for the club, or an affection for Paulton that I've been keeping secret (no disrespect Rovers fans!), but because it meant I was going to a ground in the 2014/15 season with Bashley that I'd heard so much about.
Penydarren Park has been the spiritual home of football in Merthyr for a very long time, and has seen the highs and lows of the football club over nearly 100 years of existence. It's hosted European fixtures, as well as losing its tenants not so many years ago when Merthyr Tydfil FC hit the wall. The Merthyr area also happens to be the birthplace of the brilliant Matt Harrison, but I'll let him dazzle you in his blog over on LostBoyos.
Due to a combination of work commitments, and a number of other obstacles, going away with Bash this season has been almost impossible. I wasn't going to pass up on a European away day though, and so time off work was granted and my seat on the coach promptly booked. The mighty Bashley were going into Europe. We left Bashley Road at just gone nine, and started making our way further north, reaching Merthyr in good time having managed to avoid any road problems.
Arriving at the ground (having just about managed to negotiate our transport through a series of back streets), I noted one thing very quickly. Penydarren Park is full of character. With the main stand containing the clubhouse, club shop, boardroom and so on straddling the changing rooms, there's further terracing on the opposite touchline, as well as standing terracing behind both goals. The people around the place were very friendly, and greeted us as we mooched about sporting our gold and black scarves.
There was a time when Merthyr Town played in the Football League, but that time has sadly long since gone. The original club (formed in 1909) was wound up in 1934, and din't return as Merthyr Tydfil FC until 1945. I recall Bashley beating that very club just a few seasons ago, but in 2010, it all went wrong for a second time as the club lost out and went bust once more. They were booted out of Penydarren Park, and when Merthyr Town returned as a newly formed club that very same year, there came a time when home games were being played in nearby Cinderford. Having been favourites for the S&W title the past couple of seasons, it came as a surprise to note that dropped out in the play-offs on both occasions. Perhaps it's third time lucky this year lads?
With chip butty in hand, and programme bought (I picked up a scarf too as the ground is based outside of England - personal agenda), I headed round to find my standing for kick off. I spent the first half chatting with a Merthyr fan named Phil, and he was excellent company. Spoke a lot of the history of the club, and was generally an all-round friendly bloke. He certainly provided distraction from the game being contested on Merthyr's artificial surface out in front of me, with the hosts leading 4-0 at the break.
Arriving at the ground (having just about managed to negotiate our transport through a series of back streets), I noted one thing very quickly. Penydarren Park is full of character. With the main stand containing the clubhouse, club shop, boardroom and so on straddling the changing rooms, there's further terracing on the opposite touchline, as well as standing terracing behind both goals. The people around the place were very friendly, and greeted us as we mooched about sporting our gold and black scarves.
There was a time when Merthyr Town played in the Football League, but that time has sadly long since gone. The original club (formed in 1909) was wound up in 1934, and din't return as Merthyr Tydfil FC until 1945. I recall Bashley beating that very club just a few seasons ago, but in 2010, it all went wrong for a second time as the club lost out and went bust once more. They were booted out of Penydarren Park, and when Merthyr Town returned as a newly formed club that very same year, there came a time when home games were being played in nearby Cinderford. Having been favourites for the S&W title the past couple of seasons, it came as a surprise to note that dropped out in the play-offs on both occasions. Perhaps it's third time lucky this year lads?
With chip butty in hand, and programme bought (I picked up a scarf too as the ground is based outside of England - personal agenda), I headed round to find my standing for kick off. I spent the first half chatting with a Merthyr fan named Phil, and he was excellent company. Spoke a lot of the history of the club, and was generally an all-round friendly bloke. He certainly provided distraction from the game being contested on Merthyr's artificial surface out in front of me, with the hosts leading 4-0 at the break.
The second half wasn't altogether much better, with Town adding another couple of goals to round off a comfortable 6-0 victory. In truth, they fully deserved the win. Controlling the centre of midfield and playing with a width and tempo that we simply couldn't deal with, maybe 6-0 isn't such a bad result. It hurts, but I can't say I didn't see it coming. In gold and black, I felt new signing Jack Hoey put in a very good performance, but so did the whole side, keeping their heads up and looking to play football for the full 90 minutes.
Penydarren Park is truly an excellent place to watch a game of football. The pitch is excellent, and the atmosphere is welcoming too. That being said, a few of the kids seemed to watch Arsenal too, as we were on the receiving end of a couple of 'What do we think of Bashley...' chants. With my European away day ticked off, I headed home on the coach contented. I'm still awaiting our next win though...
Cheers Merthyr!
Sheridan
Cheers Merthyr!
Sheridan