Emlyn on the verge

Newcastle Emlyn Football Club of the Costcutter League could be on the verge of a return to senior football in the Spar Mid Wales League Division Two.

One of the conditions for the Reds to be promoted was that they finish champions or runners-up in the Costcutter and this was achieved in midweek with a 5-1 win over visitors Crannog in a shootout to decide second place.

With Emlyn boasting first-rate facilities, including a good playing surface, grandstand and floodlights in addition to spacious changing rooms and other amenities which easily meet the criteria for membership of the Spar League, the only doubt has been the final league position and this has now been resolved.

The club was disbanded in the mid 1950s, resurrected in 1969 and promoted to senior football in the Welsh League Division Three prior to the start of season 2000-2001.

At that time club officials felt it was far easier to join the Welsh League and move towards Carmarthen and the M4 motorway than undertake long treks into mid Wales.

The Reds opened that campaign with a 1-0 away win over Seven Sisters and followed up with a 5-2 win over Abergavenny Thursdays during a momentous

occasion at Parc Emlyn.

Players and managers came and went and although at one stage the Teifisiders won promotion to the Second Division it was a brief stay and back in Division Three were relegated after 12 seasons and reverted to junior football once again.

Now there is a bit of a buzz among players and supporters at the prospect of playing at a higher level although some are reserving judgement because of the travelling involved.

The Spar Mid Wales League holds its annual general meeting at Llanidloes Golf Club on Monday, June 19, when Newcastle Emlyn is expected to

be accepted into Division Two.