| Neath FC History & Honours |
| Neath
Athletic AFC is a club that
was formed between Neath and Skewen Athletic during the summer
of 2005. Skewen Athletic can trace their history back to the 1920s when they played as Garthmoor FC in the Swansea Gwalia League. In 1934/5 they won the Neath League Championship and Open Cup, reaching the final of the West Wales Amateur Cup in 1939. They joined the Welsh League Division 2 (West) after the war, moving to Cwrt Herbert. This was followed by a change of name to Neath Athletic but it was not until 1967/8 that they finally reached the top flight of the Welsh League. In order to meet the ground criteria they were forced to move to the Greyhound Stadium in Skewen and changed their name to Skewen Athletic But after struggling to survive in the First Division and to finance the rent for the stadium, they moved to Tennant Park, their home until the merger. Their last three years before linking-up with their neighbours were their most successful, winning successive promotions from Division 3 to Division 1. Neath is a recent incarnation of a club that can trace its origins back to 1922 when the UK's first oil refinery was opened at Llandarcy. They also played in the Gwalia League before becoming a founder member of the Neath League in 1931. Playing as National Oil Refineries, they appeared in the first two West Wales Amateur Cup Finals but lost on both occasions. However, they finally triumphed in 1951 by beating Plasmarl and won the trophy again four years later. By the late 1940s, NOR were also playing in Welsh League Division 2 (West) and there were plenty of derby games against their eventual partners. Following the acquisition of the refinery, the club became BP Llandarcy and stayed so for the next 45 years. In 1958 they left the Welsh League, returning in 1971 and won promotion in 1977 as Abacus League Division 1 champions to make it to the top flight for the first time. What is more Neath confounded their critics with a gritty first season in the Welsh Premier and achieved a creditable seventh placed finish. |
| Neath FC Playing Record
1991-2011 |
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Welsh
League (South) |
2nd |
34 |
24 |
5 |
5 |
71 |
29 |
77 |
|
|
|
Welsh
League (South) |
8th |
34 |
15 |
5 |
14 |
65 |
56 |
50 |
| 15 |
2004-05 |
Welsh
League (South) |
15th |
34 |
10 |
4 |
20 |
38 |
71 |
31 |
| 16 |
2005-06 |
Welsh League
(South) |
2nd |
34 |
22 |
7 |
5 |
76 |
32 |
73 |
| 17 |
2006-07 |
Welsh League (South) |
1st |
36 |
29 |
5 |
2 |
100 |
32 |
92 |
| 18 |
2007-08 |
Welsh Premier League |
7th |
34 |
15 |
9 |
10 |
57 |
52 |
54 |
| 19 |
2008-09 |
Welsh Premier League | 14th | 34 |
10 |
4 |
20 |
43 |
65 |
34 |
| 20 |
2009-10 |
Welsh Premier League | 9th | 34 |
12 |
11 |
11 |
41 |
38 |
47 |
| 21 |
2010-11 |
Welsh Premier League | 3rd |
32 |
16 |
10 |
6 |
62 |
41 |
58 |
|
|
| A
locally born midfielder Kristian stepped up to the role of manager in
November 2011 following the departure of high profile pair Terry Boyle
and Peter Nicholas. |
| UPDATED FEBRUARY 2012 |
| Neath FC | Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2011-12 |
| Lee
Kendall |
Goalkeeper
who joined Rhyl during
the summer of 2007 after four years with Haverfordwest, son of former
Welsh International stopper Mark Kendall. A very agile
'keeper and first rate shot stopper whose previous clubs include
Crystal Palace, Cardiff City, Shrewsbury and Barry. Signed for
Port Talbot during the summer of 2009. A Welsh
Under 21 International. (Dob: 08-01-1981) |
| Kerry Nicholas | Young
goalkeeper Kerry began the season as understudy to Lee Kendall. (Dob: 24-10-1992) |
| Kai
Edwards |
A former Wrexham
reserve defender Kai spent the 2010-11 season on loan at Prestatyn.
When his contract with The Racecourse club expired during the summer of
2011 he joined Neath. (Dob: 29-01-1991) |
| Jack
Lewis |
A
left
footed defender Jack joined Prestatyn in June 2008, having previously
played for Welsh Colleges and Rhyl Youths. After close on a
hundred
Welsh Premier appearances for the Bastion Gardens side he moved to
Neath during the summer of 2011. (Dob: 18-05-1988) |
| Ian
Hillier |
A
Neath born defender Ian returned to his home town club in April 2009.
He began his career as an apprentice with Totthenham and went on to
make sixty odd Football League appearances with Luton and Chester
before returning to Wales and notching up over a hundred starts for
Newport County. (Dob: 26-12-1979) |
| Luke
Cummings |
A right footed
defender Luke is a product of the Cardiff City youth system who signed
for Neath during the summer of 2010. (Dob: 25-10-1991) |
| Matthew
Rees |
One
time Swansea City defender who has
represented Wales Under 21s, Matthew has also played for Millwall -
where he was captain of the reserve side - and Dagenham &
Redbridge. A tall old fashioned centre half, Matthew has also
played for Crawley and Newport County. After some two hundred starts
for Port Talbot he joined Neath in January 2011. (Dob: 02-09-1982) |
| Sam
Gwynne |
A
product of the Hereford United academy with Pershore College, Sam made
seventy Football League appearances for his home town club during a
seven year stay at Edgar Street. He made sixteen loan appearances for
Telford United in 2011. Upon his release later that season he joined
Westfields, a local junior side, but was soon snapped up by Neath in
August 2011. (Dob: 17-12-1987) |
| Kristian
O'Leary |
A
Neath born midfielder who signed for his home town club in July 2010
after his release from Swansea City via a short spell with Conference
side Wrexham. Kristian made the bulk of his 300 League appearances for
The Swans, has also enjoyed loan spells with Cheltenham Town and Orient. (Dob: 30-08-1977) |
| Adie
Harris |
A Welsh Semi Pro
midfielder, Adie has considerable experience on both sides of the
border. He began his career as a Cardiff City apprentice and went on to
play for Bath City, Hornchurch, Merthyr Tydfil and Weston Supermare. In
Welsh Premier circles he has totalled more than eighty starts for
Llanelli, Haverfordwest and now Neath. (Dob: 21-02-1981) |
| Craig
Hughes |
A
much travelled striker Craig has previously played for Barry Town,
Inter Cardiff, Rhayader, Cwmbran, Port Talbot and Carmarthen. In that
time he has netted 65 goals from some 120 WP starts (September 2011).
Has also played for Newport County. (Dob: 18-12-1978) |
| Luke
Bowen |
A
Neath
born forward, Luke joined Port Talbot during the summer of 2010 after a
successful goal scoring season with Aberystwyth. A nephew of former
Wales defender Mark Bowen, Luke has previously played for Goytre United
and Haverfordwest County. Signed for his home town team during the
summer of 2011. (Dob: 07-03-1988) |
| Kerry
Morgan |
A
striker who came through the Swansea City youth set up Kerry has scored
roughly a goal every other game in thirty matches (as September 2011)
with Port Talbot and Neath. He has also played abroad twice
whilst with The Swans, enjoying loan spells in Sweden with Ostersunds
FC and Spain with CF Balaguer. Kerry has also played in the
Southern League with Clevedon and in the Conference South with Newport
County, also on loan. (Dob: 31-10-1988) |
| Toby
Jones |
A
promising young striker who caught they eye with Conwy United, Toby was
recruited by Neath during the summer of 2011. Previous clubs include
Llandudno. (Dob: 25-08-1992) |
| Lee
Trundle |
A
Liverpool born striker Lee first caught the eye with his goalscoring
exploits in the WP with Rhyl. He joined Wrexham and scored 30
goals from fewer than eighty starts before moving to Swansea City
before attracting a £1m move to Bristol City in 2007. Joined
Neath from Swansea in July 2010. (Dob: 10-10-1976) |
| Chris
Jones |
A
former Swansea City and Grimsby Town professional Chris joined Neath
from The Mariners in January 2010. He also spent a loan period in the
Conference with Cambridge United. (Dob: 12-09-1989) |
| Neath Athletic |
Pen
Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2011-12 |
| Neath FC | Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2010-11 |
| Craig
Morris |
Carmarthen
born goalkeeper
whose previous clubs include Troyste FC and Aberystwyth Town, although
he did not make a first team appearance for the Park Avenue side.
Joined
Llanelli from Neath Athletic during the summer of 2008 and returned to
The Gnoll in May 2010. (Dob: 27-07-1981) |
| Lee
Idzi |
Confident
young goalkeeper who came through the youth system at Merthyr Tydfil.
Lee has also played for Hereford United, Briton Ferry, Bridgend
Town and Haverfordwest County before joining Neath in January 2011. (Dob: 08-02-1988) |
| Wyn Walters |
A Swansea born goalkeeper Wyn joined
Neath in August 2008 and has since made some fifty first team
appearances for the club. His previous clubs include Carmarthen
Town, Afan Lido and AFC Hendy. (Dob: 28-02-1984) |
| Ian
Hillier |
A
Neath born defender Ian returned to his home town club in April 2009.
He began his career as an apprentice with Totthenham and went on to
make sixty odd Football League appearances with Luton and Chester
before returning to Wales and notching up over a hundred starts for
Newport County. (Dob: 26-12-1979) |
| Andrew
Fairbairn |
A well travelled
left footed defender, Andrew joined Neath in August 2010. His previous
clubs include not only local sides Ponardawe Town and Skewen, but
also Scottish side Ormiston FC. (Dob: 20-09-1983) |
| Matthew
Rees |
One
time Swansea City defender who has
represented Wales Under 21s, Matthew has also played for Millwall -
where he was captain of the reserve side - and Dagenham &
Redbridge. A tall old fashioned centre half, Matthew has also
played for Crawley and Newport County. After some two hundred starts
for Port Talbot he joined Neath in January 2011. (Dob: 02-09-1982) |
| Paul
Cochlin |
A
defender who joined Neath from Newport County in August 2010, Paul is a
well travelled former British Universities player whose previous clubs
include Team Bath and Bath City, Carmarthen Town, UWIC, Almondsbury and
Cwmbran Town. (Dob: 23-08-1983) |
| Kristian
O'Leary |
A
Neath born midfielder who signed for his home town club in July 2010
after his release from Swansea City via a short spell with Conference
side Wrexham. Kristian made the bulk of his 300 League appearances for
The Swans, has also enjoyed loan spells with Cheltenham Town and Orient. (Dob: 30-08-1977) |
| Paul
Fowler |
Cardiff
born striker or
attacking midfielder, Paul
joined Carmarthen from Cardiff based Bridgend Street in the Autumn of
2006. After more than three season and one hundred Welsh Premier
appearances for The Old Gold, Paul moved to Neath during the summer of
2010. (Dob: 02-08-1985) |
| Stephen
Davey |
A
midfielder who caught the eye of the Welsh selectors whilst with
Shrewsbury Town, Steve was capped at Under 17, Under 18 and Under 19
levels. Signed for Neath during the summer of 2009. (Dob: 26-01-1991) |
| Andy Hill |
A Neath born striker whose
previous clubs include Llanelli - where he made 90 WP appearances - and
Skewen Athletic, he scored his home town sides' first ever Welsh
Premier goals in an opening day defeat of Porthmadog. Andy
was capped by Wales at Under 18 level and is a former Welsh Youth cup
winner. (Dob: 18-10-1978) |
| Lee
Trundle |
A
Liverpool born striker Lee first caught the eye with his goalscoring
exploits in the WP with Rhyl. He joined Wrexham and scored 30
goals from fewer than eighty starts before moving to Swansea City
before attracting a £1m move to Bristol City in 2007. Joined
Neath from Swansea in July 2010. (Dob: 10-10-1976) |
| Chris
Jones |
A
former Swansea City and Grimsby Town professional Chris joined Neath
from The Mariners in January 2010. He also spent a loan period in the
Conference with Cambridge United. (Dob: 12-09-1989) |
| Neath Athletic |
Pen
Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2010-11 |
| Neath FC | Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2009-10 |
| Anthony
Williams |
An
experienced goalkeeper with more than 250 Football League appearances
to his name, Anthony has previously played for Carlisle, Hartlepool,
Bristol Rovers, Grimsby, Huddersfield, Bury, Swansea, Stockport County,
Gillingham, Macclesfield and Wrexham. He has represented Wales at Under
21 level and joined Neath during the summer of 2009. (Dob: 20-09-1977) |
| Wyn Walters |
A Swansea born goalkeeper Wyn joined
Neath in August 2008 and has since made some fifty first team
appearances for the club. His previous clubs include Carmarthen
Town, Afan Lido and AFC Hendy. (Dob: 28-02-1984) |
| Dale Evans |
Defender or midfielder who
began his football career with Bristol Rovers, Dale has also played for
Newport County and Cwmbran Town. (Dob: 26-03-1987) |
| Nicky Jones |
Now in his second spell at the club
originally played for Neath
AFC in the Welsh League. Nicky has Welsh Premier experience for
Afan Lido, Port Talbot and Newtown and within the English system with
Torquay. (Dob: 24-01-1982) |
| Carlos
Castan |
Spanish
defender who began his career with Real Zaragoza before moving to
Huesca, Jacetano and Andorra. Signed for Neath during the summer
of 2009. (Dob: 25-02-1985) |
| Liam Hancock |
Joined
Llanelli during
the summer of 2009 from Carmarthen. Previous clubs include Neath,
Port Talbot
Town. As a youngster Liam had trials with Nottingham Forest and West
Bromwich
Albion. (Dob: 29-07-1982) |
| Rob Folland |
A defender who began his
career with Oxford United, Rob made his first team debut against
Ipswich Town in 1997. Has
since played for Port Talbot, Aberystwyth Town and Pontardawe. (Dob: 16-09-1979) |
| Sean Cronin |
Defender signed from
Bryntiion Athletic during the summer of 2007. (Dob: 17-01-1986) |
| Matthew
Harris |
A
Welsh schoolboy International who joined Llanelli from Merthyr Tydfil
during the summer of 2009. (Dob: 24-09-1988) |
| Stephen Pocket |
Midfielder Stephen has experience with
local sides Swansea City and Port Talbot before joining Neath from
Skewen Athletic. (Dob: 11-02-1984) |
| Richard
Ingram |
A
Merthyr born midfielder Richard joined Neath from his home town side in
August 2008. His football career began with Cardiff City where he
made half a dozen first team appearances before moving on to Cwmbran
Town and then The Martyrs. (Dob: 15-02-1985) |
| Ashley
Evans |
Promising
young midfielder signed from Merthyr Tydfil during the summer of
2009. Ashley was previously with both Newport County and Swansea
City as a youth, other clubs include Ton Pentre. (Dob: 18-07-1989) |
| Stephen
Davey |
A
midfielder who caught the eye of the Welsh selectors whilst with
Shrewsbury Town, Steve was capped at Under 17, Under 18 and Under 19
levels. Signed for Neath during the summer of 2009. (Dob: 26-01-1991) |
| Andy Hill |
A Neath born striker whose
previous clubs include Llanelli - where he made 90 WP appearances - and
Skewen Athletic, he scored his home town sides' first ever Welsh
Premier goals in an opening day defeat of Porthmadog. Andy
was capped by Wales at Under 18 level and is a former Welsh Youth cup
winner. (Dob: 18-10-1978) |
| Chris
Llewellyn |
Experienced
striker who career began at Norwich City and took in spells at Bristol
Rovers and Wrexham. Chris joined Neath from Grimsby during the summer
of 2009. Capped at full International level for Wales. (Dob: 28-08-1979) |
| Craig
Steins |
Craig
began his career at Leeds United before moving to Merthyr via Swansea
City in 2004. He signed for Neath during the summer of2009. (Dob: 31-07-1984) |
| Neath Athletic |
Pen
Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2009-10 |
| Neath Athletic | Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2008-09 |
| Dave Jones |
Goalkeeper signed from Welsh League side
Taffs Well having also been on the
books of Mid Wales rivals Caersws. (Dob: 29-04-1984) |
| Dale Evans |
Defender or midfielder who
began his football career with Bristol Rovers, Dale has also played for
Newport County and Cwmbran Town. (Dob: 26-03-1987) |
| Jack Jenkins |
Locally based defender in
his second season with the club, Jack previously played for Briton
Ferry, Garden Village and Morriston. (Dob: 28-08-1986) |
| Nicky Jones |
Now in his second spell at the club
originally played for Neath
AFC in the Welsh League. Nicky has Welsh Premier experience for
Afan Lido, Port Talbot and Newtown and within the English system with
Torquay. (Dob: 24-01-1982) |
| David Burrows |
Well
respected former Aberystwyth Town manager, a composed defender who
joined Neath from Port Talbot during January 2008. Previous
clubs include Haverfordwest County, Briton Ferry and Cwmbran.
David was manager at Park Avenue
following the departure of Gary Finlay and stayed on after the arrival
of Brian
Coyne in November 2005. (Dob: 23-03-1972) |
| Rob Folland |
A defender who began his
career with Oxford United, Rob made his first team debut against
Ipswich Town in 1997. Has
since played for Port Talbot, Aberystwyth Town and Pontardawe. (Dob: 16-09-1979) |
| Lee Bevan |
Defender who has progressed
from the club's reserves and featured in the Championship and promotion
winning season of 2006-07. (Dob: 10-07-1987) |
| Sean Cronin |
Defender signed from
Bryntiion Athletic during the summer of 2007. (Dob: 17-01-1986) |
| Dave D'Auria |
Veteran midfielder who has Football
League experience with Swansea, Scarborough, Scunthorpe, Hull and
Chesterfield for whom he amassed around 250 League appearances. Dave
has Welsh Premier experience with Barry Town and Llanelli. (Dob: 26-03-1970) |
| Stephen Pocket |
Midfielder Stephen has experience with
local sides Swansea City and Port Talbot before joining Neath from
Skewen Athletic. (Dob: 11-02-1984) |
| Chris Pridham |
Robust
and fiercely competitive midfielder previously with Barry Town and
Haverfordwest. A former Manchester City youth Chris has also
played for local rivals Afan Lido and Port Talbot. (Dob: 11-08-1978) |
| Geraint Passmore |
Cardiff born midfielder who joined Neath during the
summer
of 2008. Gareth previously played for Cardiff Corries and
Penrhyncoch
as well as Aberystwyth University. Unfortunatley missed
much
of the 2006-07 season with a broken leg. (Dob: 18-02-1986) |
| Richard French |
Midfielder previously with Barry Town
and Port Talbot who joined the club during the summer of 2007. (Dob: 04-03-1984) |
| Matthew Rees |
Swansea born midfielder who
has graduated from the club's youths and reserve sides. (Dob: 02-04-1987) |
| Carl Jenkins |
Midfielder who has brief
Welsh Premier experience with Grange Quins, Carl has also played for
Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend. (Dob: 02-05-1982) |
| Andy Hill |
A Neath born striker whose
previous clubs include Llanelli - where he made 90 WP appearances - and
Skewen Athletic, he scored his home town sides' first ever Welsh
Premier goals in an opening day defeat of Porthmadog. Andy
was capped by Wales at Under 18 level and is a former Welsh Youth cup
winner. (Dob: 18-10-1978) |
| Jarrod Price |
Jarrod's previous clubs include AFC
Llwydcoed. He played an important part in Neath's promotion from
the Welsh League in 2007. (Dob: 09-08-1983) |
| Billy Timothy |
Billy has previous
experience at Haverfordwest County and Port Talbot Town before joining
Neath Athletic during the summer of 2007. (Dob: 30-01-1978) |
| Neath Athletic |
Pen
Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2008-09 |
| Neath Athletic | Pen Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2007-08 |
| Dave Jones |
Goalkeeper signed from Welsh League side
Taffs Well having also been on the
books of Mid Wales rivals Caersws. (Dob: 29-04-1984) |
| Craig Morris |
Carmarthen born goalkeeper whose
previous clubs include Troyste FC and Aberystwyth Town, although he did
not make a first team appearance for the Park Avenue side. (Dob: 27-07-1981) |
| Dale Evans |
Defender or midfielder who
began his football career with Bristol Rovers, Dale has also played for
Newport County and Cwmbran Town. (Dob: 26-03-1987) |
| Jack Jenkins |
Locally based defender in
his second season with the club, Jack previously played for Briton
Ferry, Garden Village and Morriston. (Dob: 28-08-1986) |
| Nicky Jones |
Now in his second spell at the club
originally played for Neath
AFC in the Welsh League. Nicky has Welsh Premier experience for
Afan Lido, Port Talbot and Newtown and within the English system with
Torquay. (Dob: 24-01-1982) |
| David Burrows |
Well
respected former Aberystwyth Town manager, a composed defender who
joined Neath from Port Talbot during January 2008. Previous
clubs include Haverfordwest County, Briton Ferry and Cwmbran.
David was manager at Park Avenue
following the departure of Gary Finlay and stayed on after the arrival
of Brian
Coyne in November 2005. (Dob: 23-03-1972) |
| Rob Folland |
A defender who began his
career with Oxford United, Rob made his first team debut against
Ipswich Town in 1997. Has
since played for Port Talbot, Aberystwyth Town and Pontardawe. (Dob: 16-09-1979) |
| Lee Bevan |
Defender who has progressed
from the club's reserves and featured in the Championship and promotion
winning season of 2006-07. (Dob: 10-07-1987) |
| Sean Cronin |
Defender signed from
Bryntiion Athletic during the summer of 2007. (Dob: 17-01-1986) |
| Dave D'Auria |
Veteran midfielder who has Football
League experience with Swansea, Scarborough, Scunthorpe, Hull and
Chesterfield for whom he amassed around 250 League appearances. Dave
has Welsh Premier experience with Barry Town and Llanelli. (Dob: 26-03-1970) |
| Stephen Pocket |
Midfielder Stephen has experience with
local sides Swansea City and Port Talbot before joining Neath from
Skewen Athletic. (Dob: 11-02-1984) |
| Chris Pridham |
Robust
and fiercely competitive midfielder previously with Barry Town and
Haverfordwest. A former Manchester City youth Chris has also
played for local rivals Afan Lido and Port Talbot. (Dob: 11-08-1978) |
| Richard French |
Midfielder previously with Barry Town
and Port Talbot who joined the club during the summer of 2007. (Dob: 04-03-1984) |
| Matthew Rees |
Swansea born midfielder who
has graduated from the club's youths and reserve sides. (Dob: 02-04-1987) |
| Carl Jenkins |
Midfielder who has brief
Welsh Premier experience with Grange Quins, Carl has also played for
Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend. (Dob: 02-05-1982) |
| Andy Hill |
A Neath born striker whose
previous clubs include Llanelli - where he made 90 WP appearances - and
Skewen Athletic, he scored his home town sides' first ever Welsh
Premier goals in an opening day defeat of Porthmadog. Andy
was capped by Wales at Under 18 level and is a former Welsh Youth cup
winner. (Dob: 18-10-1978) |
| Jarrod Price |
Jarrod's previous clubs include AFC
Llwydcoed. He played an important part in Neath's promotion from
the Welsh League in 2007. (Dob: 09-08-1983) |
| Billy Timothy |
Billy has previous
experience at Haverfordwest County and Port Talbot Town before joining
Neath Athletic during the summer of 2007. (Dob: 30-01-1978) |
| Neath Athletic |
Pen
Pictures Pen Pictures Pen Pictures 2007-08 |