Merthyr Town fans turned out in force at the Loadlok Community Stadium this evening.
More than 150 people attended an owners meeting in Romans Bar to discuss the financial crisis which has rocked the Southern League club.
The Martyrs have launched a #PackThePark initiative before Saturday’s Premier Division home match against Dorchester Town.
Manager Gavin Williams attended the meeting along with seven first team players including Curtis McDonald, Ian Traylor, Ashley Evans and Jarrad Wright.
Former Cardiff City goalkeeper Cameron Clarke has returned to the Martyrs to help out, while former Wales and West Ham midfield player Williams is also set to play.
“I’ll have my boots on against Dorchester, no doubt about that,” says Williams, who still has coach Ashley Thomas by his side.
“We need anybody who has a feeling for Merthyr to come along this Saturday. Our club needs a show of strength from fans who want us to do well.
“This is a football town and Merthyr deserves a club in the Southern League at least.”
Merthyr Tydfil-born Williams is a lifelong Cardiff City fan who earned the wrath of Swansea City fans when he did the Bluebirds ’Ayatollah’ celebration after scoring against them for Yeovil Town at the Vetch Field.
“It would be fantastic if any Cardiff City fan who isn’t going to Nottingham Forest this weekend would come to our game against Dorchester,” says Williams. “We are a Welsh club who need a little help right now and everybody is welcome. We’d love to see fans from other clubs whose teams are playing away.
“Our playing budget has been cut by 70 per cent and it’s fantastic that a number of players are sticking with us and should be involved this Saturday.”
Those players who are staying – and Williams won’t know until later this week exactly how many there are – will be playing for free against Dorchester and are determined to put on a show.
Pontypridd-born Clarke, who began his career at Cardiff before moving on to Hereford United and Bristol Rovers, was in the Merthyr team who won the League Cup in 2015-16.
There were strong feelings at the Merthyr fans meeting when it was revealed the club are facing debts of around £40,000 including tax bills and plans were put in place for an interim board to take charge of the community-owned club.
A number of board members have resigned, although five are staying and names were taken for new directors willing to step up to the challenge.
Merthyr can have a maximum of 12 board members, while they can also co-opt three other people if needed.
Williams spoke to the owners and supporters in Romans Bar and was positive about the football side of the club, while the Martyrs are hoping fans will turn out in force and help their cause.
The key fixture is the Southern League home match against fierce rivals Hereford FC on Boxing Day at the Loadlok Community Stadium (1pm).
There was, though, a genuine feeling that Merthyr can come through their current crisis and make progress.
Merthyr’s remaining fixtures in 2017:
November: Saturday 25 v Dorchester Town home; Tuesday 28 v Tiverton Town away.
December: Saturday 2 v Biggleswade Town home; Saturday 9 v St Neots Town away; Saturday 16 v Kings Langley away; Saturday 23 v King’s Lynn Town home; Boxing Day, Tuesday 26 v Hereford home (1pm kick-off).
Admission: Adult £10; Concessions £8 (Over 65’s, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County season ticket holders); Merthyr RFC season ticket holders £5; Under 16 £1.
Admission: Adult £10; Concessions £8 (Over 65’s, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County season ticket holders); Merthyr RFC season ticket holders £5; Under 16 £1.
