Sport

Merlins Bridge say goodybe to The Racecourse after 41 years

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2022

MERLIN’S Bridge football club have played their last game at The Racecourse after announcing they will play at a new all-weather 4G pitch.

The Racecourse has been their home for 41 years but the club said the move will help them play a full season without having to call any home games off.

Clubs across Pembrokeshire have faced a number of issues over recent years after days of heavy rain have left some pitches unplayable.

Merlin’s Bridge entered the Pembrokeshire league back in 1963/64 when the home ground was in Merlin’s Bridge playing field.

The Bridge had 17 seasons in the playing fields before moving to the lower racecourse in September 1981.

The lower racecourse has brought the club a lot of success over the years, including league titles, cups including the West Wales Cup, senior cups and other division cups. Although it’s a sad time, leaving so many memories behind, there are very exciting times ahead.

This season all senior home games are going to be played at The Pembrokeshire Sports Village. This is the brand new custom built 4G pitch being built at Haverfordwest High and will be ready for the beginning of the season.

The club are absolutely delighted to be able to make use of such a great facility. This offers us a full season of home games not being called off, changing rooms, barrier around the pitch and hard standing for supporters.

The club would like personally thank Pembrokeshire County Council for their help and support during this time and accommodating the clubs needs.

Season 2023/24 all going well the club will be playing all their games back where it all started many a decade ago in Merlin’s Bridge.

To get to this point the club owe a lot of thanks to Councillor John Cole as well as both councils in Merlin’s Bridge for their time, support and funding towards this project. Kelly Ellis for sorting the paperwork side of things. Kevin Thomas our junior chairman / secretary for all his time and effort spent on this project. Kevin and his wife Karen have been running the junior section of this club for many years.

Over the past few seasons the club have produced some very talented footballers at senior level and this comes down to Kevin’s dedication towards junior football.

Once the clubhouse and pitch in Merlin’s Bridge is completed this will offer the club, 4 changing rooms, 2 home, 2 away, referees dressing room and a club room. A fenced in pitch will be laid to a very high standard. This is phase one. Phase two will see a second pitch added.

Chairman Jason Chapman: “As a club we are taking big steps in securing a great future for all our teams, from grassroots football right up to our senior teams. We as a club acknowledge how important our juniors are and can’t thank Kevin Thomas enough for his hard work over the years.

“To everyone involved in the project and making it possible for the club a massive thank you. Our current circumstances see us renting the pitch, changing rooms and looking forward to the day when we go back home and make it a fortress.

“The club will be looking for match day sponsors for this season coming and anybody wishing to sponsor a game please get in contact.”

This Tuesday night (12^th) sees the seniors start their pre-season training. Session to be held on the junior pitches at 19.00 (7pm) opposite Travis & Perkins in Portfield, everybody welcome.

Related Topics:Football Merlins Bridge pembrokeshire

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Free disability sports event heads to Pembroke Leisure Centre

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE Leisure Centre will play host to a free disability sports and physical event later this month with lots of sports and activities to try.

The insport series, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales, Sport Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure is an inclusive sport and physical activity event.

It offers opportunities for disabled young people (ages 5 years+) and adults across Pembrokeshire and friends and family are welcome.

On offer to try are: boxing, boccia, swimming (on a separate first come first serve booking basis), football, wheelchair rugby, target shooting, adaptive bikes, cricket, golf, multisport, and more.

The event takes place Pembroke Leisure Centre, on Wednesday May 29^th between 10am-2pm.

Booking for the event and swim places is required.

For more information please contact: Jess West from Sport Pembrokeshire byemail [email protected] or by calling 07795305871.

News

Two changes to Scarlets side for Zebre match-up

Published

4 days ago

May 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

HEAD coach Dwayne Peel has made two changes to his Scarlets starting XV for Friday’s BKT United Rugby Championship round 17 clash with Zebre Parma at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (19:35 BBC Wales).

Alex Craig has recovered from a hamstring issue to take his place in the second row, while behind the scrum Ioan Lloyd replaces fellow Wales international Sam Costelow at fly-half.

Ioan Nicholas, Tomi Lewis and Ryan Conbeer continue in the back three; Johnny Williams again partners Eddie James, while Lloyd links up with the experienced Gareth Davies at half-back.

In the pack, the front row of Kemsley Mathias, skipper Ryan Elias and Harri O’Connor get the nod to start again. Craig partners Morgan Jones at lock, while Taine Plumtree, Dan Davis and No. 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu are selected in the back row.

On the bench, Wales U20s centre Macs Page – part of Llandovery’s Indigo Premiership title-winning side last weekend – is set to make his URC debut.

Scarlets scrum and contact skills coach Emyr Phillips said: “We are looking to build some momentum in these last two games to fire us into pre-season. We are encouraging the boys to play high-tempo rugby and get the ball moving because that’s when we are at our best. We know Zebre will bring emotion to the game and we need to match that.”

Scarlets team to play Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Friday, May 17 (19:35; BBC Wales)

15 Ioan Nicholas; 14 Tomi Lewis, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Eddie James, 11 Ryan Conbeer; 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias (capt), 3 Harri O’Connor, 4 Alex Craig, 5 Morgan Jones, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Dan Davis, 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Reps: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Ben Williams, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Macs Page

Players unavailable because of injury

Tom Rogers, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Steff Evans, Joe Roberts, Josh Macleod, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Jac Davies.

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Charity football match scores big for mental health awareness

Published

1 week ago

May 11, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN an inspiring display of community spirit and sportsmanship on Friday (May 10), the Ogi Bridge Meadow stadium hosted a charity football match that saw local mental health charity, Give The Boys A Lift (GTBAL), triumph over 2Wish, with a final score of 5-1. The event drew a large crowd, who gathered to support both organizations dedicated to mental health and well-being.

GTBAL, a renowned Pembrokeshire charity known for its efforts in mental health advocacy, put on a strong performance, leading to a decisive victory that was met with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the spectators. The match not only provided an evening of thrilling sports action but also raised significant awareness and funds for the causes represented by the two teams.

Maria Elena Smith, a spectator and supporter, praised the event, commenting, “Amazing effort from everyone involved. As always, the charities that support so many families and individuals have come out in force. Well done all and thank you for all the support.”

Adrian Smith, another attendee, highlighted the importance of the charities’ work, stating, “Don’t underestimate what both these charities do. It was a fantastic evening raising awareness.”

The event served as a reminder of the vital role these organizations play in the community, offering support and resources to those facing mental health challenges. Congratulations to all involved for a successful event that went beyond just a game, fostering community unity and support for pivotal causes.