Cefn Albion and Cefn Druids AFC Links Confirmed

We are delighted to announce that following successful talks between representatives from both clubs we will begin to work more closely with our local Welsh Premier League neighbours Cefn Druids AFC which will continue to grow the links between the two local clubs. Back In 1992 it was deemed as being in the best interest of everyone in the village when Cefn Albion and Druids United amalgamated to form as Cefn Druids. Although it’s not an amalgamation, twenty five years on the two clubs are set to strengthen connections which similarly will be in the best interest of everyone within the village. The community of Cefn Mawr is already very close knit but we believe that the decision for two fantastic clubs to form a closer working relationship will unite the community even more to which both clubs will benefit from. It really is big news for Cefn Mawr and for everyone connected to both clubs.

As part of the relationship, at an agreed hire price it has been confirmed that our first team will initially play nine of their home fixtures on the 3G pitch at the Rock next season. In addition, we will also play some of our arranged preseason friendlies and as we did last season, continue to train there during the winter months. The facilities and all round setup at the Rock is of a very high standard and the opportunity for our lads to utilise what is on offer was simply too good to turn down for them. Cefn Albion football club prides itself on providing the best we can for those who represent us and in terms of what is on offer at Cefn Druids AFC which is on our doorstep, it doesn’t come much better for a team at our current standard. It’s important to note that following games we will still head back to the Cefn Mawr Community Social Club (the legion) for post-match drinks and food and once the initial nine games have been completed the two clubs will meet and hold more talks to discuss progress and assess the situation.

We understand that the Muga is a popular venue amongst our players and supporters so we hope that everyone is fully behind the decision we have initially agreed with our neighbours. Our young but successful football club is continuing to grow quickly so we have to continue to think about the future and ensure we are moving in the right direction. The ultimate goal is to play at the highest possible standard and we have aspirations of emulating the success of last season WNL Champions Queens Park and their rise through the divisions. We feel that strengthening relations with Druids will benefit us as a football club moving forward. Although we are attempting to plan for the future and move forward we want to stress that we have NOT ended relations at the Muga and the legendary Muga bank. Over the past three seasons not only has the Muga been a much loved home ground it has become a fortress and we have had much success fulfilling our home fixtures there. It’s very close to the football clubs heart and will hopefully continue to be for the foreseeable future.  We have already contacted the people responsible for managing the Muga facility and we have expressed our desire to fully maintain our connection and use of the pitch on a regular basis. We have put in our application for the first team to continue to use it whenever it’s deemed necessary and for our reserves to play all their home fixtures there, this proposal will ensure that the organisation who manage the Muga will not lose out on pitch fees from the initial nine games that have agreed to be played at the Rock. Over the last three years we have always appreciated the hard work of the groundsman and the relationship we have had with the management at the Muga so we hope that our application is accepted especially with us being a football team from within the village. 

In addition to strengthening local community ties the decision to link up with a Cefn Druids may conjure up many different exciting pipelines for both clubs which is why it’s such good news all-round. For example, from a footballing aspect we have some excellent young local talent who in the future have the ability to play at a higher standard so there could be a stronger possibility that we could act as a feeder to our welsh premier league neighbours. We will always encourage and fully support any player who has the opportunity to better themselves and that could be locally with Cefn Druids. On the flip side, especially now we are using their home ground there could be a possibility of potential loan signings (i.e. those coming back from injury or reserve players who need games at a higher level than the reserve league) coming the other way which we of course would welcome given the standard of player they attract to both their senior teams. Obviously discussions need to happen regarding some of the possibilities but it’s an example of some of the exciting things that could happen from a footballing perspective.

We are pleased that it’s all been agreed and we can start planning and looking forward to getting on with the new season ahead. We would like to thank Cefn Druids for the opportunity and show our appreciation for the way everything was handled and put into place quickly. We are looking forward to seeing what this opportunity brings and the impact it has on our fantastic community. We urge all the supporters of both teams to fully appreciate what both clubs are trying to do and continue to support us as you do next season.

On the 26th July 2017 Cefn Druids welcome Cefn Albion for a preseason friendly at the Rock. This is a friendly fixture that has occurred over the past three seasons but let’s make this a special one and get a big crowd up to the rock to support both teams.

Image credit: Thanks to Cefn Druids

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