Bryntirion Athletic F.C.
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| Full name | Bryntirion Athletic Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Tirion |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Dissolved | 2013 |
| Ground | Bryntirion Park, Bridgend |
| Capacity | 1,200 (85 seated) |
| Chairman | Emlyn Phillips |
| Manager | Francis Ford |
| League | Welsh Football League Division One |
| 2012-13 | Welsh Football League Division One, 8th |
Bryntirion Athletic F.C. (Welsh: Clwb Pêl Droed Athletaidd Bryntirion) was a Welsh football team from the Bridgend suburb of Bryntirion. In 2013, they merged with local rivals Bridgend Town to form Pen-y-Bont.
Bryntirion Athletic football club was formed in 1956 by Mr Bill Rosewell with the help of Mr Tom Evans and Mr Percy Pudge. The club's first trophy, the Open Cup, was won in the 1959 season after drawing the first game 3–3 and winning the reply 3–0. Then, in 1964, Bryntirion entered the South Wales Amateur League. Mr Bill Shales then became extensively involved in the club and without his intervention the club, arguably, would not have survived.
In 1972 Ray Warner joined the club and was to serve Bryntirion for 25 years before handing over the reins to Vic Carpenter.
The early years were a struggle to survive with the club having to seek re-election due to poor playing performances. However, in 1981 the club won the 2nd division Championship. Life in Division 1 was to last just 3 seasons before relegation occurred after a huge battle was lost to survive the 1983–84 season.
In 1986–87, Bryntirion took the decision to ground share with Bridgend Town which was to be their 1st team home for the next 10 seasons. Promotion was won at the first time of asking and in 1988–89 season saw Bryntirion finish in 4th place, their highest ever placing in the 1st Division. However, between 1990 and 1994 they suffered a somewhat "yo-yo" existence between the two divisions, but then between 1994 and 1998 the club regained stability.
But, to progress further up the Pyramid System, Bryntirion would have to develop their own ground. in the 1996–97 season, land was acquired courtesy of Bridgend County Borough council and a local developer and Bryntirion Athletic formed a steering committee to embark upon a massive fund raising exercise. Lottery funding was obtained and further financial assistance was also gained in the form of a loan from Brains Brewery, but more importantly £120,000 was raised by donations and gifts from Dennis and Sally Evans of Regal Travel, Vic Carpenter of Ocean Construction, Dai Brett of Rapide Transport and Emlyn Phillips of Mid Glamorgan Provisions Ltd.
In 1997 the club returned to Bryntirion Park only to find the drainage system did not extend to the 1st team pitch. Further expenditure to rectify this resulted in the projects costs spiralling past the £400,000 mark. Despite this and major building costs, the doors of the clubhouse finally opened on 23 December 2000.
In 1998 Bryntirion recorded their first ever Corinthian Cup win with a 3–2 extra time victory over British Steel. In 2000 Bryntirion reached the final of the FAW Trophy, but were beaten by Trefelin Boys Club.
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