Cwmbran Celtic F.C.

History

Formed in 1925 Cwmbran Celtic are the town's oldest established football club. In the early years the club was known as CYMS (Catholic Young Men's Society). Initially the club played in the Newport & District League winning the Division 2 Section A title in 1925–26. Between 1930 and 1939 the club played in the Gwent Church League. After the war Celtic were back in the Newport & District League winning the Premier Division title in 1950–51. A few years later the seniors disbanded and only junior sides were run however club in the early 1960s the club was reformed under the new name of Cwmbran Catholics. In 1972 with playing membership open to all denominations the club dropped the catholic title and renamed as Cwmbran Celtic. In season 1972–73 Celtic won the Gwent Amateur Cup and were runners-up in the Gwent Premier League.

In 1979 the club bought its own premises at Oak Street, Old Cwmbran which is the club's present headquarters. The club's ground was in Cwmbran Park but over the seasons the drainage deteriorated and the club sought and was granted the use of the grounds outside Cwmbran Stadium which were shared with Cwmbran Cricket club. The cricket club later moved to Caerleon and Celtic were granted the lease.

Cwmbran Celtic played in the Gwent County League throughout the 1980s and 1990s and after gaining promotion as champions of Division 2 in 1986/7 they were comfortably placed in the 1st division for the next dozen or so seasons. However a disastrous slide found the club languishing in the 3rd division when Paul "Dishy" Richardson became manager in 1999. Richardson transformed the side bringing in experienced ex-Cwmbran Town stalwarts Mickey Copeman, Kevin Payne and Gary Sturch alongside teenage striker Shane Williamson. The side was later bolstered by the return of ex-professionals Ben Graham and Mark Parfitt. The side gained successive promotions from the 3rd to the 1st division between 1999 and 2001 and in season 1999–00 they won the Gwent County league cup.

In season 2004–05 under new player-manager Mickey Copeman, the club were runners-up to Clydach Wasps. The champions of the Gwent County League are eligible to apply for membership of the Welsh Football League. Clydach applied but their ground was adjudged not to be of the required standard. As runners-up Cwmbran Celtic applied for the place. Their own ground on the field outside Cwmbran Stadium was also not up to standard but Celtic were able to share Cwmbran Stadium with Cwmbran Town and so the Welsh League accepted the club's application.

In their first season, 2005–06, Celtic struggled near the bottom of the 3rd division all season. In April 2006 Celtic travelled to Chepstow Town knowing that they had to win this game to stay in the league. They went 1-0 down. With minutes of normal time remaining substitute Jason Price equalised but a draw was not enough. In the 9th minute of time added on player manager Mickey Copeman went up for a corner. The ball was cleared off the goal-line by a Chepstow defender, it hit Copeman on the back and rebounded into the net. Celtic had achieved a last gasp win and, after winning their final match against Seven Sisters, Celtic escaped relegation on goal difference.

The following season, 2006–07, Celtic, now back at their upgraded and newly named ground, Celtic Park, were transformed. They only lost 2 games all season and enjoyed a 24 match unbeaten run. When they went to Risca Town for their last match of the season they were already promoted but they had to beat the home side if they wanted to win the Championship ahead of Llanwern. Going into the last 3 minutes of normal time Celtic were 1–0 down and playing with 10 men when Sammy Winter scored with a speculative long range shot. A draw was not enough to win the league but in the last minute a Risca clearance found full back Ben Graham outside the box. Ben volleyed the ball hopefully towards goal and struck it so perfectly that it looped over the goalkeeper's head and into the net. Celtic were champions.

In Division 2 Celtic consolidated their position in seasons 2007–08 and 2008–09 during which they introduced a number of players from their new partnership with the Fairwater High School Football Academy in Cwmbran which was managed by Celtic coach Della Cheedy. In season 2009–10 they were front runners destined to win the Championship. However they lost two key defenders to a 1st Division club at a crucial time and vital points were dropped. Nevertheless, Celtic still finished their games in 1st place and would win the title if Penrhiwceiber failed to win at Newcastle Emlyn. The home side was 2–0 up at one stage but the visitors clawed their way back to win 3–2 and deny Celtic the championship. At the end of the season Mickey Copeman stood down after seven years in the role during which he secured three promotions for the club from the Gwent County League to the top division of the Welsh League.

In their first season in the 1st division, 2010–11, under new manager Ben Graham, Celtic struggled during the first half of the season and were firmly planted in the relegation zone but a superb run-in during which they won 7 and drew 3 of 14 games placed them safely in 12th place out of 16.

In 2011–12 the side made a good start to the season under Alan Dibble who stepped down in September 2011 with the team in 5th place in Division 1. In October 2011 the club appointed Gareth Morgan as the new manager. The team won 5 successive games pre-Christmas to go 2nd in the league but a second half slump saw them finish once again in 12th place. In May 2012 Gareth resigned his position. Della Cheedy took over the managerial reins as Head Coach for season 2012/13 and, despite beating champions Cambrian & Clydach 4–2 and securing their 1st Division status with a 5–1 win against Haverfordwest County, the team once again finished 12th. In 2013–14 under Steve Morgan the side once again struggled in the lower reaches, however they finished outside the bottom 3 in 13th place only to find themselves relegated as a consequence of Afan Lido coming down from the Welsh Premier League. Della Cheedy again took over the reins for season 2014-15, Celtic finishing 7th in the 2nd Division. In 2015/16 Nicky Church stepped up to take the manager's role and took Celtic to the Quarter final of the Welsh Cup - the club's best ever Welsh cup run. In February 2016 Church resigned and was replaced by ex-Ton Pentre manager Dean Morris. Dean guided Celtic to runners-up and promotion on the back of 10 straight wins at the end of the season.

Honours

Welsh League Division 2 Runners-up 2009–10, 2015–16

Welsh League Division 3 Champions 2006–07

Gwent Premier League Runners up 1972–73

Gwent County League Division 1 Runners-up 2004–05

Gwent County Senior Cup Winners 1970/1; Runners-up 2007–08, 2008–09

Gwent County Amateur Cup Winners 1972–73

Gwent County League Cup Winners 2000–01

Welsh League Reserve Division East Champions 2009–10, 2010–11; Runners-up 2012–13

Welsh League Youth U19 Division East Champions 2007/8, 2008/9, 2009/10, 2010/11; Runners-up 2012/13, 2013/14

Gwent County Youth U18 Winners 2013/14, 2014/15 Runners-up 1999/2000, 2000/1, 2004/5, 2007/8, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12

Newport & District League: Div 2 Section A: Winners 1925/6; Premier Div: Winners 1950/1, Runners-up 1956/7; Premier B: Winners 1968/9, Runners-up 1972/3; Premier A: Winners 1969/70; Div 2B: Winners 1969/70, Runners-up 1972/3,1979/80; Premier Y Winners 2000/1,2006/7,2009/10,2010/11, Runners-up 2005/6

Newport & District Cups: Senior Bowl: Winners 2005/6; Runners-up 1968/9, 2010/11; Junior Bowl: Winners 1950/1, Runners-up 2005/6; Div 3 Cup Winners 1956/7

South Wales Women's League Winners 2013/14, Runners-up 2012/13; League cup Winners 2012/13

Officers and team management

President: John Stockwell

Life Vice President: Terry Cunningham

Chairman: Tyrone Bourke

Vice chairman: Scott Kinsella

Welsh League Secretary: Tony Strange

Treasurer: Sue Perrett

1st team manager: Dean Morris; assistant manager: Matthew Williams; coach Rakesh Patel; captain Rhys Williams

Reserve team manager: Rhys Dalgleish; assistant Rhys Parry

3rd team manager: Neil Gilmore; assistant Dean Maguire.

Ladies team: Manager: Vicki Randall; assistant Su Young

Other Committee members and officials: Scott Kinsella (Vice chairman); Andrew Meaney (Asst Treasurer & Junior Secretary), John Stockwell (Disciplinary, Liaison & programme), Paul Robinson (Junior Secretary), Pat Murphy, Brian Stanley, Ian Jones (Newport & District Fixture secretary), Malcolm Jarrett (Grants & Special funding), Steve Roberts (Club photographer); Vicki Randall (Safeguarding officer), Mike Baugh (Ground manager)

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.