Neath F.C.

Neath

Full name	Neath Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Eagles
Founded	2005 as Neath Athletic
Ground	The Gnoll Neath Neath Port Talbot (Capacity: 6,000)
Manager	Terry Boyle
League	Welsh Premier League
2010–11	Welsh Premier League, 3rd of 12
Home colours Away colours

Neath Football Club are a Welsh professional association football club based in Neath, Neath Port Talbot and are currently playing in the Welsh Premier League.

The club was formed in 2005 following the merger between Neath and Skewen Athletic. Originally known as Neath Athletic A.F.C. they played their first two seasons Welsh Football League Division One before being promoted to the Welsh Premier League.

The president of the club is Peter Hain M.P., the life vice-president is David Maddock who has been associated with the club and its predecessors (as player, committeeman, and secretary) for over 56 years.

History

The club was founded in 2005, as Neath Athletic, after Neath F.C. and Skewen Athletic agreed to merge in an attempt to mount a better challenge to the Welsh Football League Division One title. Playing at the old ground of Neath F.C., Llandarcy Park, the new club proved a formidable force in the league, finishing Second to Goytre United at their first attempt. Goytre United declined to step-up into the Welsh Premier League, meaning Neath Athletic could take their place. However due to Llandarcy Park not meeting the required Welsh Premier League ground criteria, they were refused entry^[1].

During the 2006–07 season Neath Athletic bettered their second place, the previous season, by winning the Welsh Football League Division One. With this success and the improvements to Llandarcy Park, Neath Athletic were eligible to play in the Welsh Premier League. Success in the Welsh Football League was followed by an admirable placing of seventh in their first season in the Welsh Premier League.

During the summer of 2008 Neath RFC agreed to allow Neath Athletic to share their home ground The Gnoll^[2]. With the move to a new home, the club also decided to re-name themselves Neath F.C.. Following Neath's first match at The Gnoll against Swansea City, the two clubs announced a partnership that would enable the Swans to send players on loan to Neath to gain first team experience. The first players to join Neath being Kyle Graves, Dion Chambers and Kerry Morgan.

On 23 April 2009, just a couple of days before the end of the 2008–09 Welsh Premier League season, Neath announced plans to go full time for the 2009–10 season in order to challenge the likes of Llanelli AFC and Rhyl for the Welsh Premier League title.

On 13 July 2010, The Eagles pulled off a coup when they announced the double signing of two marquee players, in readiness for the 2010–11 season, in the shape of former Swansea City favourites Kristian O'Leary and Lee Trundle.^[3][4]

Several other key signings followed transforming Neath into title contenders with a minimum expectation for the clubs first European qualification. Attendances at The Gnoll have also doubled for the 2010/2011 season as a combination of high profile signings and good results appear to be paying dividends.

On the 21st of May Neath defeated Prestatyn Town 3–2 at The Gnoll in front of a club record 1,000 fans in the first ever Europa League Play Off. Chad Bond but the Eagles ahead after 12 seconds before two late goals from long serving Andy Hill booked Neath's debut in Europe.

League history

Season	League Contested	Tier	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	League Position	Avg. Home Attendance
2005–06	Welsh Football League Division One	2	34	22	7	5	076	32	0+44	73	2nd of 18	n/a
2006–07	Welsh Football League Division One	2	36	29	5	02	100	32	+68	92	1st of 19 Promoted	n/a
2007–08	Welsh Premier League	1	34	15	9	10	057	52	0+5	54	7th of 18	211
2008–09	Welsh Premier League	1	34	10	4	20	043	65	0-18	34	14th of 18	260
2009–10	Welsh Premier League	1	34	12	11	11	041	38	0+3	47	9th of 18	221
2010–11	Welsh Premier League	1	32	16	10	6	062	41	0+21	58	3rd of 12	569

Source: [1]
P = Position; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points;

Current squad

As of 31 August 2011.

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

No. Position Player GK Lee Kendall GK Kerry Nicholas DF Luke Cummings DF Kai Edwards DF Ian Hillier DF Jack Lewis DF Matthew Rees DF Matty Whatley MF Matthew Collins MF Paul Fowler MF Sam Gwynne MF Adie Harris

No. Position Player MF Laurie Marsh (on loan to Merthyr Town) MF Kerry Morgan MF Luke Horgan MF Kristian O'Leary MF Garyn Preen MF Liam Thomas FW Luke Bowen FW Rhydian Knox FW Chris Jones FW Toby Jones FW Lee Trundle

Stadium

Main articles: Llandarcy Park and The Gnoll

The Gnoll
Location	Dyfed Road, Neath, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
Broke ground	1848
Owner	Neath RFC
Operator	Neath RFC
Tenants
Neath RFC (Welsh Premier Division) (1871–present) Neath F.C. (2008–present)

When first formed, the club had a choice of both grounds of the merged clubs, Llandarcy Park of Neath F.C. and Tennant Park of Skewen Athletic F.C.. As Llandarcy Park was the better of the two Neath Athletic decided to call it home.

Honours

League

• Welsh Football League Division One
  • 2006–07

European record

UEFA Europa League:

Season	Round	Country	Club	Home	Away	Aggregate
2011–12	Q1		Aalesunds FK	0-2	1–4	1-6

References

1. ^ Neath FC club history welsh-premier.com
2. ^ "Rugby stadium makes soccer space". BBC News. 2008-05-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/7404410.stm. 
3. ^ "Neath add ex-swan Kristian O'Leary to squad". BBC Sport. 2010-07-13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/8810704.stm. Retrieved 2010-07-13. 
4. ^ "Lee Trundle completes a shock move to Neath". BBC Sport. 2010-07-13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/8805793.stm. Retrieved 2010-07-13. 

External links

• Neath FC Official Website