CAERNARFON TOWN Principality Welsh Premier
 CARMARTHEN TOWN

W~P 
CLUB GUIDE
Caersws FC
W~P 
CLUB GUIDE


Caersws
 Manager:  Dave Taylor
Assistant:     
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Secretary:   Gwilym Lewis            TEL No:    01686 688586 (no calls after 9pm)
The Recreation Ground
Caersws
Powys
Ground Tel:  01686 688753		 From Newtown follow signs for A489 Caersws/Llanidloes, after six miles turn right for A470 Caersws, around quarter mile find ground down lane on left immediately before River Severn.  You can drive through that entry under the railway line!  Ample car park beyond, social club in village - not close to ground.
Capacity:  2500 Nickname:   The Bluebirds
Colours:  Blue/White
Colours:  Orange/Black		  INTERNET       CAERSWS
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  email contact:  

 
  Caersws FC
 History & Honours
   Until fairly recently it was generally believed that the Club was formed in the mid 1880s, no official records still existing. Recent research, however, has revealed that in 1879 Caersws played fixtures against, amongst others, Newtown, Druids and Llanidloes.    
   There are also records of matches between Caersws Red Rose and Newtown Blue Stars on 24th December 1877, and on Boxing Day Caersws British played Newtown Blue Stars sec- ond Xl. However it was not until the 1950s that the exploits of the Bluebirds began to match and indeed surpass those of their Mid Wales neighbours.
   Since then the Club has reached the final of 8 all-Wales cup competitions, including winning the Welsh Amateur Cup against Buckley Wanderers in 1961 and the Welsh Intermediate Cup against Aberystwyth in 1989. The honours list also includes 9 Welsh National League (Mid Wales Section) championship titles, 8 runners up and 6 League Cup wins. The Montgomeryshire Challenge Cup has been won 24 times. In the two seasons prior to the formation of the League of Wales the Club played in the Cymru Alliance, being runners-up in 1991 and Champions in 1992.
   In the inaugural season of the League of Wales the Club reached the final of the League Cup and finished in 1lth position. Subsequent positions have been l7th, l4th, 9th, l4th, llth, l0th, l2th, 5th, 4th, 8th, 5th and 10th. The Bluebirds won the Gibert League Cup for the second year in a row in 2002/2003 beating Cwmbran Town 2 - 1 in the final at Aberystwyth.
Having finished fourth in the League in 2001/2002, Caersws were entered into the UEFA Intertoto Cup and were drawn against PFC Marek of Dupnitsa, Bulgaria in the first round. The Bulgarian full timers won the home leg 2 – 0, but Caersws managed a creditable
1 - 1 draw in the home leg, played at Aberystwyth.
   Success on the field has been matched by equally impressive improvements at the Recreation Ground. Over £250,000 was spent on spacious modern dressing rooms, covered standing, floodlights and tarmacadamed parking area and access road. More recently the stand has been extended, new purpose built refreshment facilities have been added and the floodlights upgraded, and are now the best in the League. An outstanding achievement for a village club.
   The Club can boast several Welsh internationals, including the present Manager, Mickey Evans (Wrexham) and his assistant Barry Harding. The most famous Bluebird of all was Phil Woosnam (West Ham United, Aston Villa and USA). Older supporters will remember two amateur caps - Gareth Davies and Melvin Jones. More recently Kevin Lloyd (Hereford United and Cardiff City) gained a non-league cap, and now Graham Evans (Aston Villa) has played for his country.

 
 Caersws Playing Record 1991-2008
 
Season
 Competition
Pos
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
1
1990-91
 Manweb Cymru Alliance
2nd
26
19
3
4
66
26
60
2
1991-92
 Manweb Cymru Alliance
1st
30
15
10
5
65
27
55
3
1992-93
 League of Wales
11th
38
14
10
14
64
60
52
4
1993-94
 League of Wales
17th
38
9
12
17
39
56
39
5
1994-95
 League of Wales
14th
38
11
11
16
57
64
44
6
1995-96
 League of Wales
9th
40
15
9
16
81
91
54
7
1996-97
 League of Wales
14th
40
11
9
20
53
77
42
8
1997-98
 League of Wales
11th
38
14
4
20
64
71
46
9
1998-99
 League of Wales
10th
32
12
8
12
49
56
44
10
1999-00
 League of Wales
12th
34
11
8
15
49
50
41
11
2000-01
 League of Wales
5th
34
16
9
9
72
39
57
12
2001-02
 League of Wales
4th
34
18
4
12
65
44
58
13
2002-03
 Welsh Premier League
8th
34
15
6
13
57
52
51
14
2003-04
 Welsh Premier League
5th
32
15
10
7
63
41
55
15
 2004-05
 Welsh Premier League
 5th 34
 19
 5
 10
 67
 39
 62
16
 2005-06
 Welsh Premier League
10th
 34
 11
 12
 11
 44
 56
 45
17
 2006-07
 Welsh Premier League
14th
 32
 		6
 		9
 		17
 		34
 		59
 		27
18
 2007-08
 Welsh Premier League
17th
 34
 6
 8
 20
 37
 72
 26

 
Manager:  Dave Taylor

  Llay based manager Dave Taylor is best remembered as a prolific goalscorer with a host of Welsh sides and for netting the Golden Boot award for his exploits at Porthmadog.
  In management he impressed with Buckley Town, but after the Globe Way side refused promotion despite winning the Cymru Alliance he decided his future lay elsewhere.  Dave initially joined Caersws as assistant to Mike Barton but stayed on after his departure to steer the club away from relegation during the 2007-08 season.


     UPDATED AUGUST 2008


Caersws  Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2008-09
Andy Mulliner
       
     
       
 Goalkeeper who has uniquely won Welsh Cup Winners Medals with two different clubs, TNS and Bangor City.  Signed in October 2002 from Connahs Quay Nomads.  Andy is closing in on 400 Welsh Premier appearances, with more than 430 to his name in March 2007..
 (Dob:   03-01-1971)
John Rowley
 Goalkeeper who signed for The Bluebirds during the summer of 2008.  Made a couple of Welsh Premiership appearances for Oswestry Town during the 2002-03 season and added a further 44 outings for Newtown. Has also played for now defunct Queens Park and Welsh National side Brymbo.
(Dob:  09-03-1984)
Steve Hopkins
     

   
St Asaph born defender joined the club in the summer of 2004.  Spent four seasons with Connahs Quay following his release from Wrexham FC in 1999 and made 138 appearnances for the Nomads.  Joined Caersws during the summer of 2008.
(Dob:  12-04-1980)
Michael Sawtell
 A left footed defender, Michael moved into Welsh football with Buckley Town in the Cymru Alliance.  He joined newly promoted Llangefni during the summer of 2007 but moved to Caersws just before the September 2007 transfer deadline.  His previous clubs include Northwich and Burscough.
(Dob:   07-02-1984)
Mark Davies
 Left footed defender who became the first member of the TNS academy side to sign professional forms during the summer of 2006.  Shrewsbury born Mark lives in nearby Guilsfield and was with Rochdale before joining the scholarship programme. (Mark is on loan at Caersws until June 2008)
(Dob:  12-02-1988)
Steve Towers
 Promising young defender who was signed during the summer of 2007 from Cymru Alliance side Guilsfield.  Steve has represented Shropshire Under 18s.
(Dob:   09-01-1985)
Jack Bermingham
     
 Former Port Vale youth team player who joined The Bluebirds from local rivals Newtown.
 (Dob:  07-09-1984)
Aaron Edwards
   
   
 Young defender who caught the eye with Cymru Alliance side Buckley Town and switched to Caersws during the summer of 2007.
(Dob:  16-02-1988)
Jamie Haynes
     
   
Shrewsbury born winger who began his career with his home town side before appearing briefly for Unibond side Colwyn Bay and local Welsh Premier rivals Newtown.
(Dob:  04-03-1988)
Craig Stephens
     
Youngster who has graduated from the clubs reserves.
(Dob:  24-11-1981)
Sion Meredith
 A well travelled midfielder who joined Caersws just before the transfer window of September 2007.  Sion has previously played for Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Welshpool, plus Cymru Alliance side Penrhyncoch.
(Dob:   18-01-1978)
Martin Plant
   
   
   
A skilful, creativemidfielder Martin made a couple of substitute appearances for Welsh Premiership side Cefn Druids during the 2001-02 season and first signed for Caersws in November 2006.  He returned to The Rec under the management of Dave Taylor in July 2008.
(Dob:  03-03-1981)
Jamie Davies
     
 Youth Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year 2002-03, a very promising midfielder.
(Dob:  18-05-1984)
Nathan Prodger
     
     
     
Shrewbury born, but based in Llanfyllin, 18 year old Nathan was manager Mike Barton's first signing after taking over at Caersws.  Nathan caught the eye with his goalscoring performances with TNS reserves in the Spar Mid Wales.
(Dob:  20-10-1988)
Marcus Sharrad
 Ludlow born Marcus began his career on the academy of Cheltenham Town.  He signed for Caersws during the summer of 2007 having had experience with Shrewsbury Town and Newtown.
(Dob:  06-03-1989)
Chris Melia
     
     
   
Diminutive Chester born striker whose goalscoring for Winsford United in the Second Divison of the North West Counties attracted the attention of then Connahs Quay Nomads boss Neville Powell.  Signed for Caersws during the summer of 2008.
(Dob:  20-02-1981)
Stewart White
     
     
     
   
A former Wrexham trialist, Stewart has represented the Welsh Premier and Welsh Colleges at Under 19 level.  He made a dozen or so substitute appearances for Rhyl and enjoyed brief spells with Bangor City and Airbus.  He signed for Caersws from Connahs Quay during the summer of 2008, having made 20 or so WP appearances for The Nomads during the 2007-08 season.
(Dob:  31-01-1984)

Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2008-09


Caersws  Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2007-08
Andy Mulliner
       
     
       
 Goalkeeper who has uniquely won Welsh Cup Winners Medals with two different clubs, TNS and Bangor City.  Signed in October 2002 from Connahs Quay Nomads.  Andy is closing in on 400 Welsh Premier appearances, with more than 430 to his name in March 2007..
 (Dob:   03-01-1971)
Mike Barton
 Experienced goalkeeper whose career began at Shrewsbury Town where he gained English Football League experience before moving into the Welsh Premiership with Newtown.  After moves to Rhayader and Oswestry Town he took over as player manager at Guislfied in December 2002 and mvoed to Caersws during the summer of 2007.
(Dob:  23-09-1973)
Andrew Thomas
     

 

 Reliable defender who has progressed through the ranks from the club's junior sides, now in his tenth season with The Bluebirds.  Andy has more than 350 Welsh Premiership appearances to his name, all obtained whilst with Caersws.
 (Dob:   26-01-1975)
Michael Sawtell
 A left footed defender, Michael moved into Welsh football with Buckley Town in the Cymru Alliance.  He joined newly promoted Llangefni during the summer of 2007 but moved to Caersws just before the September 2007 transfer deadline.  His previous clubs include Northwich and Burscough.
(Dob:   07-02-1984)
Mark Davies
 Left footed defender who became the first member of the TNS academy side to sign professional forms during the summer of 2006.  Shrewsbury born Mark lives in nearby Guilsfield and was with Rochdale before joining the scholarship programme. (Mark is on loan at Caersws until June 2008)
(Dob:  12-02-1988)
Steve Towers
 Promising young defender who was signed during the summer of 2007 from Cymru Alliance side Guilsfield.  Steve has represented Shropshire Under 18s.
(Dob:   09-01-1985)
Jack Bermingham
     
 Former Port Vale youth team player who joined The Bluebirds from local rivals Newtown.
 (Dob:  07-09-1984)
Aaron Edwards
   
   
 Young defender who caught the eye with Cymru Alliance side Buckley Town and switched to Caersws during the summer of 2007.
(Dob:  16-02-1988)
Jamie Haynes
     
   
Shrewsbury born winger who began his career with his home town side before appearing briefly for Unibond side Colwyn Bay and local Welsh Premier rivals Newtown.
(Dob:  04-03-1988)
Craig Stephens
     
Youngster who has graduated from the clubs reserves.
(Dob:  24-11-1981)
Sion Meredith
 A well travelled midfielder who joined Caersws just before the transfer window of September 2007.  Sion has previously played for Aberystwyth, Carmarthen and Welshpool, plus Cymru Alliance side Penrhyncoch.
(Dob:   18-01-1978)
Dan Williams
   
Promising youngster, the son of 'Sws legend Gwyn "Rocker" Williams.
(Dob:  03-04-1979)
Jamie Davies
     
 Youth Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year 2002-03, a very promising midfielder.
(Dob:  18-05-1984)
Nathan Prodger
     
     
     
Shrewbury born, but based in Llanfyllin, 18 year old Nathan was manager Mike Barton's first signing after taking over at Caersws.  Nathan caught the eye with his goalscoring performances with TNS reserves in the Spar Mid Wales.
(Dob:  20-10-1988)
Marcus Sharrad
 Ludlow born Marcus began his career on the academy of Cheltenham Town.  He signed for Caersws during the summer of 2007 having had experience with Shrewsbury Town and Newtown.
(Dob:  06-03-1989)
Jon Slater
     
     
     
     
 A tall strong old fashioned centre forward. Jon was Llandyrnog's leading goalscorer in their three season's in the Cymru Alliance despite playing at centre half when needed.  Has also played for Rhyl reserves in the Welsh Alliance and Dyrni's local rivals Denbigh Town. Jon joined Caersws during the January 2008 transfer window.
(Dob:  31-10-1982)
Graham Evans
     
     
   
Pacey striker joined the club upon his release by Aston Villa in March 2000, son of former manager Mickey Evans.  The youngest player and scorer in the WP whilst 15 years of age Graham has more than 100 League goals to his name.
 (Dob:  16-06-1980)

Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2007-08


Caersws  Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2006-07
Andy Mulliner
       
     
       
 Goalkeeper who has uniquely won Welsh Cup Winners Medals with two different clubs, TNS and Bangor City.  Signed in October 2002 from Connahs