Garw SBGC enjoyed its’ most successful year since 2001 when Chris Wells’ team lifted the Welsh Football League Second Division trophy at Pontyclun in May (see photo). The First Team’s achievement was all the more remarkable as they had been cruelly denied promotion in 2006 because of an alleged ineligible player, having a massive 33-point deduction and ending what had been a wonderful season in mid-table. That the lads were able to pick themselves up after that disaster and win the Championship by a clear six points from runners-up Cambrian & Clydach was the mark of a truly great squad.
The side boasted 24 wins, 7 draws and only 3 defeats in 34 games during the season, picking up 79 points, scoring 74 goals and conceding a League-best 22 on the way. A goal difference of a massive plus 52 marked out the teams’ best qualities - conceding rarely and scoring freely. Jamie Morris led the scorers charts with 18, followed by Tom Hopper with 12 and David Truan with 10, but there were useful contributions from Vinnie Wattleworth (6), Christian Burge (6), David Thomas and Tom Donald (5 each), Martyn Davies and Adam Shields (3 each) and Lewis Williams (2). The side did League “doubles” over (home result first) Treharris (1-0, 2-1), Briton Ferry (2-0, 2-0), Penrhiwceiber (2-1, 2-0), Llwydcoed (9-0, 2-1), Ammanford (3-2, 2-0), Cambrian (1-0, 2-0), Merthyr Saints (6-0, 5-2) Tredegar Town (3-0, 3-0) and Bettws (1-0, 1-0). Home wins over Caerau Ely (5-1), Cardiff Corries (2-1), Troedyrhiw (3-1), Garden Village (2-0) and Pontyclun (4-0) helped us to an unbeaten home season, while an away win at Morriston (1-0) and draws at Troedyrhiw, Corries and Pontyclun were impressive indeed
Player of the Year was the midfield marvel David Truan, and the Players Player was Liam Williams, but in all honesty it was a team effort all round and the thanks of the Club go to all those who wore the shirt during the season. They were:
Ashley Britton, Ashley Burge, Christian Burge, Jon Chorley, Tudor Coates, Martyn Davies, Tom Donald, Ross Evans, Michael Flanagan, Tom Hopper, Derek James, Robert James, Paul Lilliwall, Ryan McCarley, Jamie Morris, Peter Osborne, David Penniket, Paul Penniket, Adam Shields, Mike Symonds, Matthew Thompson, David Truan, Chris Wells, Lewis Williams, Liam Williams, Vince Wattleworth.
Thank you all -and good luck wherever you are this season.
Michael Lambert
Chairman
