Crawling back to accept the 6 million on offerQuote:
Originally Posted by splott parker
Newport and Merthyr should both be in the Wesh league
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Crawling back to accept the 6 million on offerQuote:
Originally Posted by splott parker
Newport and Merthyr should both be in the Wesh league
I don’t agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBirchgrovePub
In the same argument so should us, Swansea and Wrexham.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBirchgrovePub
Wouldn’t disagree but I think there is something extremely poor in a no mark club that haven’t ever been in the football league and haven’t even been in the conference since 1994 choosing to play in the 7th tier of English football over the Welsh league.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
Often see people on this board wishing them well but I’ve no idea why
They were in the football league briefly, back in the glory days of the 1920s, but once they failed to get re-elected, that was it. It's such a long time ago that it has no relevance today.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBirchgrovePub
I've asked a similar question in this thread and no-one has given a reply. I can only think it is the prospect of being able to join the football league that is the reason for staying where they are.
I think you might benefit from reading up a little on the reasons why Welsh clubs originally entered into the same football league system as English clubs.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBirchgrovePub
Btw clubs such as Scunthorpe Utd and Hereford currently play at tier 6 - a drop down to that level can happen to anyone
If it happened to CCFC would you suggest a switch to the Welsh league system where we can start off against Aberbargoed Buds?
You're displaying a lack of knowledge of Welsh football history, BP.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBirchgrovePub
In fact, Merthyr joined the Football League in 1920 (the same year as Cardiff City). They were one of the founding members of the Third Division. In their first season they finished 8th in the table above the likes of Brentford, Brighton, Luton, Norwich and Portsmouth.
Merthyr played in the Football League for ten seasons until their application for re-election failed in 1930.
My uncle played for Merthyr in the Football League and scored goals against some decent clubs. Those of us in my family with an interest in football are quite proud of that fact - a Sugarman played and scored goals in the Football League. He also played in the Welsh League, but there are no records of his appearances or goals there.
However unrealistic, that sense of maybe making it back to the Coference or even Football League? Even if it’s just a dream, and what do football fans love to do about their club? Matter of perspective I guess, but just think of all that “bigger than Barca” tosh in the Hammam-era. Sure plenty still think of the city as that sleeping giant waiting to conquer the Prem and Champions League… Now transpose that to a much lower level.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
I’m not knocking the Cymru Prem but I don’t think it gives you that sense. It is also a relatively stale and static league with a small number of clubs and, particularly in the south, feeder leagues where clubs often can’t, or even don’t want to, get promoted to the top flight.
Playing in Europe has some of that appeal but I don’t think the lure is as compelling nowadays with all the rounds etc. involved. Hell, a lot of English clubs feel like they can’t be arsed often if they’re playing in the Europa League etc. Appreciate TNS got to play Fiorentina recently but how many decades has that taken for a Welsh club to reach that stage, millions and millions spent, and it took a change in format at UEFA to bring about too.
Don’t think most Merthyr fans would delude themselves about any of this though, it’s just what they’re used to and I’d wager majority of their fans like the status quo. More importantly, they’re fan owned so whatever the decision it’ll at least be their choice.
I think all things are relative. For us, getting to play in the Europa conference league against hardly-heard-of clubs in far off European countries hasn't a great deal of appeal. However, TNS certainly take their Champions' League qualifiers against similar opposition far more seriously than we would and it would be a massive surprise to me if Merthyr fans would seriously prefer playing the likes of Totton and Havant and Waterlooville than potentially getting to the group stage in the Europa Conference. If City were in the fifth tier, I know which I'd rather.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kind of Blue
I also reckon TNS are more well-known than Merthyr across the rest of the UK and beyond. I'm not saying I'm for or against Merthyr doing either, I just don't sign up for the "Welsh league = crap" and that's the end of it.
How high can Merthyr get before they need to upgrade the ground and what level would require a total rebuild?
On the wider point, to anyone that thinks dropping into the Welsh League with the lure of winning titles and qualifying for Europe is a good thing, take a look at the leagues from the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia.
Big clubs that got to European finals like Red Star Belgrade, Dinamo Tbilisi, Dynamo Kyiv etc. now play in backwater leagues with attendances a fraction of what they were while occasionally popping up in Europe to get thrashed. After a decade in the Welsh League I reckon Cardiff would get about 5000 for league games not against the Jacks.
Excellent point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cardiff Ultra
When Cardiff City played away to Dinamo Tbilisi in the ECWC in 1976, the crowd was estimated to be more than 100,000.
Dinamo played a Europa Conference League qualifier against Mornar (whoever they are) in July of last year. Mornar won 3-2 on aggregate. The crowd for Dinamo's home leg was reported to be around the 4,000 mark (the crowd in Mornar's home leg was apparently 650).
The attendance was probably 90% military personnel back in 1976Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman
It was also the first match at their stadium
I dont think anyone connected with Merthyr Town owes you an explanation, Eric. :shrug:Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
Whether you are for or against it is of absolutely no relevance to Merthyr Town Football Club. It always seems to be fans of other clubs who get their knickers in a twist on the subject of Merthyr joining the Welsh set-up. Its bizarre. Whatever they decide it will be voted on by the owners - the fans. And if they prefer their trips to Swindon Supermarine and Plymouth Parkway over playing the likes of Barry Town and Bala 4 or 5 times a year then that is their prerogative. There are some decent sized clubs at the next level should Merthyr get promoted. Some decent trips. They have a good away following, by far the best at their level, and trips along the M4 and down South are probably more appealing then Penybont away and the odd European hammering.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee
Cardiff City are shit and stuck in a rut, why dont they join the the Welsh set up and become the Celtic of the Welsh Prem?
That isnt the rule though is it ? You cant beat a European football night out .If Cardiff played in Europe at any level the away support would be significant.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lone Gunman
If Merthyr join the Welsh League they wont be getting the 1600/1700 crowds (more like 2500) theyve been getting lately. It will be back to the 300 hardy souls who followed them pre-covid and half of them are probably dead now as it was a very old fanbase before the growth in support the last few seasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cardiff Ultra
I think the people running it would like to take the money and join from purely a financial perspective but there is no way the fans will vote it.
They would have to have work done on the ground to join the FAW. :hehe:Quote:
Originally Posted by PontBlue
Last years Merthyr League winners, Pant FC, joined the Welsh amateur league system last summer and they hire Penydarren Park for their home games. They had to get Merthyr to make adjustments to the dug out area before the FAW would approve their application to join the league. And that is the lowest level of Welsh amateur league football. :hehe:
When did you start supporting City, Jimmy? Genuine question.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy the Jock
One other point, I doubt they would be able to attract the players they currently do if they joined the Welsh set up. Not unless, and this is certainly no given, they started winning the title year on year.
Players released by football league clubs have joined Merthyr to use as a shop window to get back up the pyramid. Lewys Twamley released by Newport at 18/19, spent 18 months with Merthyr, played really well this season and has got a move back to Yeovil Town in the National Legaue and he becomes a proffesional footballer again. Ricardo Rees who has banged in all the goals last few years, he was released by Bristhe is leaving in the summer for a club further up the pyramid.
Both players could have been paid more if they dropped into the Welsh League as Merthyr cant compete with Welsh League for wages, but they choose not to as they wanted to play in the English pyramid in an effort to climb back up it, with Merthyr or with a move. Although Rees is rumoured to be on £7/800 a week this season as Gloucester offered that for his services in the summer so 30 or so fans chip in each week to help the club pay his wages.
I dont think players like that would want to drop into the Welsh League to keep themselves in the shop window for the English pyramid clubs.
I'm not sure that holds tbh, the Cymru Premier is filled with ex academy players (many of them ex-City) and several players have gone from there to the EFL in recent years and even one to Saudi (bizarrely). There's also the prospect of joining a fully professional team in TNS and staying in that leagueQuote:
Originally Posted by J R Hartley
The Wales C v England C games show the standard there is pretty solid as well
Merthyr should do whatever they like and I imagine they'll reject the proposal but I don't think anyone should blame the FAW for trying to get them involved, especially with the restructuring coming up in a couple of years, I'd guess people would whinge at them if they didn't at least give it a go
It’s completely understandable that the people in charge of Welsh football would try to expand and improve it by getting WELSH teams to compete in it…..the cheek.
If I had my way, I’d have us all competing in a welsh league. English league is not what it once was. All about the money now.
Not saying you cant get back to the EFL, as you say, theres been a few players go to football legaue last few years. Will Evans went to Newport than a move to League 1 club Mansfield. Obviously it depends on ability too, most players who drop down the pyramid or into the Welsh league system are never going to get a move back up the English pyramid so its just about making what you can as a semi-pro. Obviously if the players have self belief that they are good enough and want another crack at becoming a full time proffessional then they have to decide what they think is the best path and in my opinion thats staying in the English Pyarmid even if you have to drop to Tier 2 or 3 Non League to get a move back to Tier 1, where most teams are now full-time, or above.Quote:
Originally Posted by City123
I am only going on what ive been told by people close to the club and how they have managed to attract certain players because its certainly not wages. Theyve had players join for less money than they will get in the Cymru Prem because they want to stay in the English pyramid system. Jack Evans who was released by Swansea at 23, went to Penybont for half a season then joined Merthyr for less money.
After Covid Merthyr lost all of their best senior players to teams like Penybont and Aberystwyth, they couldnt even compete with them for wages at the time. Crowds are better now so budget is bigger but being a fan owned self sustainable football club they are never going to throw stupid money at it.
Fixed for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Divine Wright
And thank goodness you will never have your way.
:thumbup:
I'm surprised that Merthyr can't compete on wages with teams in the Cymru Premier - this season the average attendance is 395Quote:
Originally Posted by J R Hartley