Some Good & Bad News for Martyrs Supporters

There was some good and bad news for supporters of Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South club Merthyr Town this week.

The good news was the signing of young defender Callum Ryan-Phillips after impressing as a triallist in pre-season.

The 18-year-old joins the Martyrs after recently being released by League Two neighbours Newport County.

Ryan-Phillips made his senior debut for Newport in October 2020 in an EFL Trophy defeat to Norwich City under-21s.

He made his second appearance a month later in the same competition against Plymouth Argyle.

The bad news is that fellow defender Nick Rhodes, who signed earlier this summer from league rivals Yate Town, has been forced to hang up his boots due to injury.

The experienced 34-year-old, who was a member of Cinderford Town`s 2015/16 Southern Division One South title-winning squad, has been forced to retire from football due to recurring ankle injuries, the latest injury picked up in the first friendly against Bristol Manor Farm and again against Treharris, which is worse than first thought.

Returning from these recurring injuries is taking its toll on Rhodes physically and mentally so he has decided to retire, also taking into consideration his level of ankle movement in later life.

Manager Paul Michael told his club’s website: "I know the Merthyr supporters never got to see Nick, but he was really excited to be joining the club and put retirement off to play here. However, understandably the latest injury is one too many and I understand his decision.

“The Merthyr supporters never got to see how good a player he is but having worked with him for a number of years I’d like to say a personal thanks for his top-quality commitment and dedication, simply a brilliant defender and a top-class person”.

Merthyr Town Web Site