1896BULLDOGS Meeting

There will be an 1896BULLDOGS meeting in the Ton Pentre AFC Clubhouse on 19 June at 7.15pm. 

There’s lots to discuss so we look forward to seeing you there.

If you’re not a member and would like to join, please pop along.

Up the Bulldogs!

The Bulldogs Have A New Colour

Ton Pentre Football Club have a new colour after the 1896BULLDOGS donated a new away/third kit to the Ynys Park outfit.

Ton Pentre AFC have a new colour.

Following much fundraising throughout the season by our members, the 1896BULLDOGS decided to provide Ton Pentre AFC with a new kit, which carries our logo across the shoulders.

It is a break from tradition for Ton Pentre who have almost always played in red at home and blue when away.

The 1896BULLDOGS decided on green as the colour for two reasons.

Firstly, it honours the support that Jill Evans MEP (whose logo appears on the front of the shirt) has provided to the Club over many years and secondly it was identified as a colour that is rarely worn by Ton Pentre’s opponents.

The kit was worn for the first time in the Rhondda Derby match that took place at AFC Porth on Saturday, 25th January 2014. The match finished AFC Porth 1-1 Ton Pentre.

Jaymie Wearn celebrates his goal against AFC Porth in the new kit donated by the 1896BULLDOGS.

 

1896BULLDOGS Publish Constitution

The 1896BULLDOGS are hoping to attract new members to the Ton Pentre AFC supporters movement throughout the 2013/2014 season. In an aim to achieve this, we have published our newly devised 1896BULLDOGS Constitution, which was agreed upon at a recent meeting.

It is our hope that the Constitution demonstrates our commitment to raising funds for Ton Pentre AFC in a bid to help football flourish at Ynys Park.

Please get in touch if you would like to join the 1896BULLDOGS by emailing 1896BULLDOGS@gmail.com for more details.

Please remember that we can also be found on Facebook and on Twitter.

The 1896BULLDOGS Constitution can also be viewed in PDF format here:

1896BULLDOGS – Constitution Ver

TITLE

1896BULLDOGS

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the 1896BULLDOGS shall be:

1. To improve fundraising.
2. To decide how the fundraising should be spent.
3. To assist all association in promoting the best interests of Ton Pentre AFC.

CONSTITUTION

1. The 1896BULLDOGS shall consist of members, who join through their affiliation to Ton Pentre AFC.
2. All Secretaries shall maintain a register of members.
3. Each member shall be a direct member and not as a member through a registration of one of the 1896BULLDOGS.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

1. All members should make subscriptions of £1 (one pound) every week.
2. All subscriptions shall be paid to the Treasurer or Officers of the 1896BULLDOGS.
3. If members become more than one month in arrears their membership will be reviewed.

FINANCE

1. All monies received are to be banked on behalf of the 1896BULLDOGS. They shall be paid in full into the 1896BULLDOGS’ bank account.
2. The 1896BULLDOGS Statement of Accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at every meeting.

QUORUM

For a meeting to take place, one third of the membership should be present with at least two (2) Officers in attendance.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1. Officers of the 1896BULLDOGS shall be appointed every year at the 1896BULLDOGS Annual General Meeting.
2. Any 1896BULLDOGS member can nominate themselves but must have a Seconder.

TERMS OF OFFICE

The Honorary: Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary shall retire annually but will be eligible for re-election.

EMERGENCY COMMITTEE

This is to consist of the three (3) elected Officers and a minimum of two (2) other members. They have the power to co-opt and take any action that they consider necessary, but must report back to the membership at the very next meeting of the 1896BULLDOGS.

MEETINGS

All meetings shall be called by the Officers. The Secretary will email all members of the 1896BULLDOGS, who are encouraged to attend.

The Wait for Football is Nearly Over

The wait for some football action is nearly over as Ton Pentre AFC begin their pre-season friendlies next Saturday (20th July).

Last season came to an abrupt end as Ton’s final two games of the season were cancelled after Barry Town were withdrawn from Welsh League Division One by their maniac owner. Everything since then has been well documented and the new fan owned Barry Town United have our full support. We hope they continue to fight.

Since then, news out of Ynys Park has been scarce. We know the committee has worked hard on touching up Ynys Park and we know our pre-season opponents (Check http://www.tonpentreafc.com for more).

However, there’s been very little news on new signings and which players will be staying at the club.

We’re aware that Dean Morris (Manager) has been working his squad hard over the last few weeks to get them fit for the friendly games and we’re all looking forward to seeing who he’s managed to attract to the Bulldogs on Saturday.

As always, Deano and his back room staff will have our full support, as will the squad of players that they have assembled.

We can’t wait for the action to return, so roll on Radstock Town and…

…UP THE BULLDOGS!

Rest in Peace Andrew Pring

We are so sad to hear the news regarding Andrew Pring. He was a founding member of the 1896BULLDOGS and did all that he could to help Ton Pentre AFC.

He will certainly be missed by all at the Club, in particular by his fellow fans.

Ton Pentre AFC have released a lovely tribute to Andrew on their official website and we have reproduced it below:

Once again it is with regret that we must inform you of sad news here on TonPentreAFC.com as the Club has been informed that Bulldogs fan and former committee member Andrew Pring has passed away.

Andrew Pring was a valued committee member and supporter.

Andrew, who was very popular around Ynys Park, had been battling illness for some time and the news has been met with sadness by Ton Pentre AFC officials and fans.

Until recently, Andrew was a committee member with the Bulldogs and would regularly be seen manning the main entrance to Ynys Park with a friendly smile.

Andrew enjoyed supporting the Bulldogs and attended the majority of home and away games, pacing back and forth during nervous match moments.

Andrew was also a founding member of the 1896BULLDOGS supporters group which funded tracksuits for the players at the start of the 2012/2013 season.

A club spokesperson said: “Andrew was a lovely and kind gentleman. He adored watching Ton Pentre and those around him at Ynys Park enjoyed his company.

“Andrew was also committed volunteer who always raised his hand when the Club was asking for assistance. He was a valued committee member and supporter. He will certainly be sorely missed by all at Ton Pentre Football Club. At this difficult time our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Weather is the Winner

It’s been a frustrating few months for fans of Ton Pentre AFC as the fixture schedule has been severely disrupted by bad weather.

Ton’s fixture problems to back to the Welsh Cup Round One match against Dinas Powys on 6th October, which was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. The game suffered the same fate a week later and was then switched to Ynys Park on 20th October.

The knock on effect of that saw League games cancelled and a League Cup match at Monmouth Town re-arranged for 27th October.

November wasn’t much better as after Ton’s 0-0 draw with Cambrian & Clydach Vale on the 2nd, the Bulldogs Welsh Cup game on the 10th was postponed by the referee after the teams had arrived at Pontardawe Town’s ground.

The Pontardawe game was played a week later on the 17th with the Bulldogs crashing out 2-0.

Due to other postponements Ton’s scheduled League match against West End on 24th November was postponed due to their involvement in the League Cup.

December was even worse for the Bulldogs as it started with a frozen Ynys Park pitch preventing Haverfordwest County’s visit on the 1st of the month.

The Bulldogs were fortunate to play at Bryntirion Athletic on 7th December where they achieved a fine 2-1 win. However, since then there’s been more fixture misery as matches against AFC Porth (14th) and Tata Steel (22nd) have fallen to rain.

Ton Pentre were due to play Pontardawe Town in the League on Saturday, 29th December but this match has already been cancelled. Pontardawe have been trying to play their Welsh Cup Round Three match against Goytre (Gwent) since 8th December and due to postponements the match is now scheduled for 29th December. It really is a case of bad luck for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs have played just five times in three months, that’s five games out of a possible thirteen match days.

Ken Jones, the Ton Pentre Secretary, has had his work cut out this season with all of these postponements and we don’t envy him.

UP THE BULLDOGS!

Bulldogs Win Against Odds

Ton Pentre achieved an excellent win on Friday night (7th December) with a 2-1 victory at Bryntirion Athletic.

We were afraid that our recent lack of football would see the Bulldogs underprepared for the test at Bryntirion Park, but what we saw was remarkable as following Joe Leahy’s red card Ton had to play over an hour with just ten men.

The players looked incredibly fit as they attempted to protect the two goals that were scored by Shane Brewer and Jaymie Wearn in the opening 10 minutes.

It was quite simply a committed performance by the squad and Dean Morris must be happy with what he saw.

When Bryntirion scored in the last five minutes, those of us spectating thought all of the good work was going to be unfairly undone.

However, the players stood strong and ensured that all three points were going on our Division One record.

Well done to all of the players on a super performance.

UP THE BULLDOGS!

Bulldogs Exit Welsh Cup

The dream of winning the FAW Welsh Cup (okay, we know that was a long shot, we can but dream) is over for another season following Ton Pentre’s exit in the Second Round at the hands of Pontardawe Town.

This was always going to be a tough match, particularly at Pontardawe’s Recreation Ground, which doesn’t lend itself to comfortable spectating.

In the first half the Bulldogs looked strong and likely to hit the back of the net but the fans had a feeling that having not made any chances count, the second half would throw up some disappointment.

Ton found themselves 2-0 down following the opening ten minutes of the second half after Pontardawe came out the changing rooms fired up and ready to give the Bulldogs a shock having struggled in the first period.

It’s such a shame to be out of the competition so early on as it would have been great to have had a go at getting past Goytre (Gwent) in Round Three before seeing the Bulldogs up against a crack Welsh Premier outfit.

That dream will have to wait until next season…again!

UP THE BULLDOGS!

Tributes Pour In For Ton Fan

Following the sad news that fellow Ton Pentre fan Mark Reynolds has passed away we would like to share the tribute that has been published on TonPentreAFC.com:

Ton Pentre Football Club has been been left in a state of shock following the sad and untimely passing of lifelong Bulldogs fan and volunteer, Mark Reynolds.

Mark Reynolds will be sorely missed.

Club Chairman Bryan Bees broke the sad news by saying: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the sudden and tragic death of Mark Reynolds. All our thoughts and condolences go to his brother Kevin. Rest in Peace.”

Mark, who was 38, had a vital role at Ynys Park volunteering his time on a match day to put up the nets, prepare the changing rooms and training equipment, perform ball boy duties and act as a steward around the ground amongst many other pivotal tasks.

All of these duties were performed alongside his brother Kevin, with both having carried on the Reynolds family link with the Bulldogs throughout a large part of the Clubs history.

Mark, who was born on the 24th September 1974, grew up with the Club at heart and enjoyed watching Ton Pentre achieve multiple Welsh League titles and had a wonderful experience travelling up and down Wales on the team bus during the Club’s League of Wales years giving numerous renditions of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” due to his fondness of Liverpool FC. In addition to this he witnessed the Bulldogs playing European football in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and saw them reach the First Round of the FA Cup.

Mark (right) and his brother Kevin celebrating Ton Pentre’s Welsh League Division Two title triumph in 2011.

Following the tragic news, tributes have poured into Ton Pentre Football Club via Twitter and Facebook with friends, fellow fans and past and present players leaving messages of remembrance and condolences.

Current Bulldogs Captain, Adam Lewis wrote: “I can’t believe this news, very sad! My thoughts go out to his family and also his brother Kevin! I think I speak on behalf of all the players in saying Mark will be sorely missed at the club.”

Brian McGrath commented upon the links between the Reynolds family and Ton Pentre: “Very sad news. Mark had continued the Reynolds family tradition of excellent service to Ton Pentre Football Club.”

Kevin Moon wrote: “RIP Mark, Bulldogs Legend” and Robert Voyle added: “Very sad news, known Mark since form 1, and always loved his football.”

Former Ton Pentre Captain and midfielder Andrew Hughes expressed his feelings: “Mark, having known you for well over 25 years, through the highs and lows of a great club, I know you’ll continue to follow from up above. I’m sure that if you were split in two, Ton Pentre would be flowing through your veins. It’s been a pleasure knowing you, R.I.P take care. Thoughts are with you Big Kev.”

Alyn Jones, a former Bulldogs striker, wrote the following tribute: “Totally shocked and gutted. Thoughts are with Kevin at this sad time. A true Bulldog and great ambassador for the club, will be sorely missed by all at Ynys Park. R.I.P Buddy. Kenny Bowen will take care of you fella. xxx”

If you would like to read the tributes or leave a message of remembrance please visit www.facebook.com/TonPentreAFC.

Everyone’s thoughts at Ton Pentre Football Club are with Mark’s brother Kevin at this sad time and the Club will look to support him through this difficult period.

Mark Reynolds. May You Rest In Peace.

Welsh Cup Excitement

It’s Welsh Cup day and the nerves have set in as Ton Pentre go to Pontardawe Town in Round Two of this fantastic competition attempting to put themselves in the hat with the big boys from the Welsh Premier League.

Welsh Cup matches are always exciting and the 1896BULLDOGS are dreaming of a Cup run and the prospect of someone like Bangor City away in the next round is a mouthwatering possibility (although we’re sure the Club officials would rather such a draw home for a bumper crowd!). There would even be a possibility of Ton Pentre being live on television!

However, it will be a difficult task as Pontardawe are a good team.

Quite rightly, TonPentreAFC.com states in their match preview that the west Wales club will be favourites for this game but we’re sure Deano’s men will be up for the challenge with the fans and the 1896BULLDOGS getting right behind them and showing our support.

The Welsh Cup is one of the oldest competitions in the world, check out Wikipedia for some brief history, and it’s been a while since Ton Pentre had a good run in it.

Our fingers will be crossed, lucky pants worn, along with any other superstitious thing we can think of to give the Bulldogs that little extra chance of reaching the Third Round.

UP THE BULLDOGS!