
Ynysddu Welfare Football Club
I decided to go deep down the leagues, using a Wales Lower Leagues database I found a team that had a nice badge and a nice name and decided to give it a go.
Ynysddu is a small village and community in the Sirhowy valley of south-east Wales. It is part of the district of Caerphilly within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire. It lies between to Cwmfelinfach and Wyllie, 4.3 miles (6.9 km) north of the town of Risca and 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the market town of Blackwood. It is about 10 minutes by road from the M4 motorway and 20 minutes from the Second Severn Crossing. The population in 2008 was 2,905, increasing to 3,948 at the 2011 Census. Ynysddu comes from the Welsh descriptive words 'Ynys' ('island' or 'river meadow') and 'ddu' ('black'). 'Black river meadow' is appropriate for the landscape of the area.
After four seasons, I got promoted to the Cymru Premier. We're now a semi-pro club with an average attendance of around 550. Oh, and we're playing at Barry Town's Jenner Park because our stadium doesn't comply with the rules. I'll post something every season, but here is a rundown:
2021-22:
Gwent County League Premier Division: 1st
JD Welsh Cup: Knocked out in 3rd Round by Aberystwyth
FAW Trophy: Knocked out in 3rd Round by Rhuddlan Town
Gwent County League Senior Cup: Winners
Ticket Holders: 65
Average Attendance: 519
2022-23:
Welsh Ardal SE: 1st
FAW Trophy: Knocked out in 2nd Qualifying Round by Rhyl All Stars
Ardal Southern League Cup: Winners
18th March 2023: Club turns semi-professional
Ticket Holders: 68
Average Attendance: 544
2023-24:
JD Cymru South: 2nd
JD Welsh Cup: Knocked out in Semi Final by Knighton Town
Nathaniel MG Cup: Knocked out in 3rd Round by Newtown
Ticket Holders: 68
Average Attendance: 557
2024-25:
JD Cymru South: 1st
JD Welsh Cup: Knocked out in 2nd Round by Newport City
Nathaniel MG Cup: Knocked out in Semi Final by Cefn Druids
Ticket Holders: 71
Average Attendance: 574
UPDATE 01
2025-26:
JD Cymru Premier: 6th
JD Welsh Cup: Knocked out in 4th Round by Cornelly Utd
Nathaniel MG Cup: Knocked out in Semi Final by Knighton
Ticket Holders: 81
Average Attendance: 919
2026-27:
JD Cymru Premier: 2nd
JD Welsh Cup: Knocked out in 4th Round by Llantwit Major
Nathaniel MG Cup: Knocked out in Quarter Final by Knighton
Ticket Holders: 85
Average Attendance: 1,292
So we're currently at the 2027-28 season. At the end of the current season we're moving to a new 'almost 2000 capacity' (iirc) stadium, and we're playing in Europe for the first time ever. What's pissing me off is that we have some teams in the Cymru North/South leagues that have professional status, we're still semi-pro and the board refuses to turn professional. We can't get proper training and better players without turning professional, but they're still being stubborn and refusing my request. Hope they change their minds...
UPDATE 02
2027-28:
JD Cymru Premier: 1st
UEFA Europa Conference League: Knocked out in League Path 3rd Qualifying Round by Lechia Gdansk
JD Welsh Cup: Knocked out in Quarter Final by Gap Connah's Quay
Nathaniel MG Cup: Winner
Ticket Holders: 90
Average Attendance: 1,416
2028-29:
JD Cymru Premier: 1st
UEFA Champions League: Knocked out in Champions Path 3rd Qualifying Round by Slovan Bratislava
UEFA Europa League: Knocked out in Group Stage (Tottenham, Sporting CP and CFR Cluj)
JD Welsh Cup: Winner
Nathaniel MG Cup: Winner
Ticket Holders: 101
Average Attendance: 2,432 (that's due to the fact that we played most of our continental matches at Cardiff City Stadium)
And with that season done, we have a little more than 5 million in the bank. With that, the board finally accepted to turn the club professional!