THE HOME OF CAMBRIAN AND CLYDACH VALE BGC

ABOUT THE #CAMARMY

Cambrian & Clydach Vale BGC is a football club nestled in the heart of the Rhondda Valley in small village called Clydach Vale. Formed in 2001, we have grown exponentially since that time and have become arguably the biggest and best football club in RCT. Within a decade we have had numerous successes including winning the Welsh League Division 1 title in 2011/2012, our highest accolade to date. Another huge milestone for the club happened within the decade also, with our Academy being formed in 2008 after the devolution of RCT Schools/Council Football. The Academy was set up with a sole purpose, to provide elite opportunities for young players within RCT. Starting with 1 team, the present day we have grown to 11 teams from u7 to u16s with the brand #CamArmy renowned within football circles all over Wales. Since the Academy’s inception, over 30 players have gone onto professional clubs in that time and over a dozen have since graduated and played senior football in the Welsh League for the club. Our model for player development is second to none and we are the only affiliated FAW Academy in RCT. Through our innovative thinking, we became the first club in RCT to have an artificial 3G pitch in 2013, which has helped propel our brand of football to new levels. We have also been loyal to our routes, keeping grassroots teams playing in the local leagues through our link with the ever present Boys & Girls Club.

THE HISTORY OF CAMBRIAN & CLYDACH VALE BGC

Cambrian United was formed in 1965, taking its name from the local colliery. After success in the Rhondda & District League, the club was elected to the South Wales Corinthian League in 1972. They won the second division championship at the first attempt and followed up the following season by winning the Corinthian Cup with a 5-2 extra time victory over Cardiff Corries.
 
In season 1977-78 the side were runners up in the first division losing out on goal difference to near neighbours Ton and Gelli. In 1980, the club joined with the very successful Clydach Vale Boys and Girls Club seniors but the merger was a spectacular failure and almost led to the club losing its Amateur League status after a number of poor seasons during the decade. 

The 1990’s saw the rebuilding process begin and the second division title was won for the second time in 1992. In 1994, manager Neil Foulkes joined the club and celebrated by winning the Corinthian cup a season later. In 1996-97, the club had a terrific year winning the FAW Trophy by defeating Rhyl Delta 2-1 at Jenner Park and won a second successive Corinthian Cup beating Cardiff Civil Service 4-2. In addition, they were league runners up to Ely Rangers. There then followed a run of four more runners up spots in six years and another Corinthian Cup triumph, this time by a 4-1 margin against Llantwit Fardre, before the Championship was finally won in 2004/5. In 2000, the club had re-merged with the Boys and Girls Club.

The club is also very active off the pitch working closely with the local Village Trust to develop facilities in the area. Two full time soccer coaches are employed to work with local schools and major improvements have taken place at the ground. An all weather, floodlit astroturf area has been built at a cost of £116,000 and a clubhouse facility opened in October 2005 after the club and the Trust successfully generated the £130,000 required. Floodlighting on the ground was completed at the start of August 2007.
 
The Club entered the Welsh League for the first time in season 2005/6 and a very successful year ended with the Third Division Championship being won after close rivals West End had been deducted three points. Season 2006/7 turned out to be even more memorable as promotion was gained to the top division of the Welsh League with a second placed finish behind champions Garw. In addition the Youth side won the MacWhirter Cup defeating Pontardawe Town 5-2 in the final as well as finishing runners up in their division. In the 2007/8 season, the clubs first ever in Division One began with an incredible 5 straight wins and although the small squad could not sustain this long term, a creditable ninth place was achieved. The club also embarked on a new venture, taking over and forming the new RCT UEFA Academy programme. This part of the club has gone from strength to strength.​

The Club entered the Welsh League for the first time in season 2005/6 and a very successful year ended with the Third Division Championship being won after close rivals West End had been deducted three points. Season 2006/7 turned out to be even more memorable as promotion was gained to the top division of the Welsh League with a second placed finish behind champions Garw. In addition the Youth side won the MacWhirter Cup defeating Pontardawe Town 5-2 in the final as well as finishing runners up in their division. In the 2007/8 season, the clubs first ever in Division One began with an incredible 5 straight wins and although the small squad could not sustain this long term, a creditable ninth place was achieved. The club also embarked on a new venture, taking over and forming the new RCT UEFA Academy programme. This has gone from strength to strength over the past few seasons and the club now runs age groups from 7 through to 19 at elite level. 

A major change also took place on the Management Committee in 2008, with former England Manager Terry Venables agreeing to become chairman of the club. Terry was already Patron of the highly successful Cambrian Village Trust and has close links with Clydach Vale, where his mother was born. Last season after challenging for the title over the last few seasons Cambrian & Clydach became champions of the Welsh League for the first time in its history