It’s 12 months since Merthyr Town agonisingly slipped out of the Pitching In Southern League Premier South play-off places on the final day of the season having been part of the leading pack throughout the campaign.
Rather than feel sorry for themselves and take the hangover into this season, they used the obvious disappointment to fuel a title challenge that has seen them lose just four of their 41 League games, which has included 105 goals scored and a record-breaking 32-game unbeaten run that stretched from the end of August to the beginning of April.
They held off a brave challenge from AFC Totton to confirm the title with a game to spare following a 3-0 victory over Hungerford Town on Bank Holiday Monday.
“To lift the title means everything to me,” Tom Handley told us. “We’ve put in so much work from pre-season right up until now and to see all that effort rewarded in this way really is something special.
“This is not just for us as players, it’s for the staff, the fans, and everyone involved at the club. Just incredible, it still hasn’t sunk in yet!
“There were a few defining moments along the way, but one that stands out for me was Noah’s last minute equalising header against Gloucester City. That result really gave us belief and momentum. After the draw away at AFC Totton, we knew the title was in our hands, but we just had to stay focused, and keep believing.
“Personally, I feel proud of the consistency and contributions that I have been able to make throughout the campaign, whether that’s goals, assists or just doing my job for the team. As a group, I think we’ve been relentless; a 32-game unbeaten streak is simply remarkable at any level of the game. Everyone bought into the same goal that we set out at the start of the season and I’m so pleased that our hard work has paid off.
“There have been some special moments for me; my two goals against Chertsey Town stand out and, of course, taking over the captain’s armband following Matty’s injury has given me so much pride; moments like this stay with you forever.
“The Premier South has been a really competitive division as always. There are no easy games and every team gave us a test. Credit to the other sides, especially AFC Totton, who pushed us all the way, and it made winning the title feel even more rewarding because of that competition they provided to us.
“This is as much for the fans as anyone else because they have been absolutely brilliant all year, home and away. They’ve backed us in good numbers and to celebrate this title with them was something to really cherish because the players appreciate their efforts to support us.
“Hopefully this is the start of some good times to come!”
A regular on the scoresheet has been Ricardo Rees whose goals have been a key ingredient, not just this season but over recent years too.
“All of the hard work of the past three years has come down to this moment,” Rees told us. “It’s paid off for us in a big way and it means so much to everyone associated with the club.
“We had a tough patch at the end of December and into January, but whilst we were drawing a lot of games at that time, we came through it without losing. That was huge for us and it’s what ultimately got us over the line.
“The season’s not done for me yet; there’s still a game to go and I want to end on as many goals as I can. It would be nice to end on another win and a few more goals to add to our tally. To collectively have 105 is a huge achievement, particularly as the standard of the Premier South is better than it has been over the four seasons that I have played at this level.
“Everyone has proved that they can beat anyone and the competition has been strong, so to go 32 games unbeaten like we did is a remarkable feat.
“To see what this means to the fans and volunteers here means so much. They are most certainly our 12th man and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts.”
The Welsh outfit end the season away at Basingstoke Town, who are still looking to secure their Premier South status, on Saturday.
IMAGE: John Smith
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