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Beauty
& The Beast
To
be honest it wasnt a great game, even the locals apologised to me.
There was no need because I had thoroughly enjoyed my time for many
reasons. Chances were at a premium and even the new signing “The
Beast” chances were limited. The real enjoyment was found meeting
the people and learning what the Club is really all about.This was no Disney film as today i had seen with my own eyes 'The Beast' but more importantly 'The Beauty'.
The
first football club in Caernarfon, known as Caernarvon Athletic, was
formed in September 1876 and played at various grounds before moving
to the Oval in 1888. On 30 October 1886, Caernarfon was the first
team from north west Wales to enter the FA Cup and lost 10–1 away
to Stoke City. Five years later, however, that particular club went
out of existence but, in 1894, several former players began a new
team called Caernarvon Ironopolis. That club competed in the North
Wales Coast League, winning the championship on two occasions and
reaching the semi-final of the Welsh Cup in 1900 and again in 1902.
Unfortunately, following a dispute with the league, Ironopolis folded
in 1903. The demise of the club resulted in some of the players
forming the Caernarvon Colts while others affiliated to the
Caernarvon RWF (Royal Welsh Fusiliers), both clubs playing at the
Oval.
In
1906, the clubs amalgamated to form Caernarvon United and in 1909 the
new club won both the Welsh and North Wales Amateur Cups. After the
Great War, the demobbed United players formed a new club (Caernarvon
Athletic) which, until 1921, played in the North Wales Coast League
and thereafter the Welsh National League Division Two (West), with
mixed fortune. In 1926, however, a limited company was formed and a
full-time manager and professional team engaged. The club met with
immediate success, winning the Welsh National League Division One
championship in 1926–27, ahead of Bangor City and Rhyl, and
repeating the feat in 1929–30 having been pipped to the title by
Connah's Quay & Shotton 12 months earlier. Caernarvon Athletic
are still remembered for their FA Cup run in 1929 when they defeated
Darlington before going out to Bournemouth in a second round replay,
the first game at the Oval attracting a crowd of some 9,000. In 1930,
however, the club went into liquidation but two years later a
re-formed team won the Welsh Combination before quitting over
problems in using the Oval.
It's
never quiet at The Oval as in 2010 they came uncomfortably close to
folding completely. The tipping point came when they were served a
suspension notice from the Welsh Alliance League. But for the
determination of a group of supporters and a newly formed committee
they somehow were able to fulfill the remaining fixtures.
The
following season forward steps were made albeit baby steps. A better
financial position and better results on the pitch lead to a serious
attempt at gaining promotion to the second tier of the Welsh Pyramid.
The last part of the jigsaw was the right type of Team Manager to
lead them at a critical time in the club's renaissance. The 2012/3
season was a treble winning season on the pitch. But really it was a
'world cup' winning season off the pitch as the club had
finallyregained its dignity and pride and then some.
The day started with a brisk walk along the beach at Rhos-on-Sea in the crisp winter sunshine and well earned Full English Breakfast washed down with delicious brewed coffee. My day came to an end watching another game Llandudno Albion v Llandudno Athletic. A feircely contested local derby one might presume ..... final score was 17-1. As the evening chill had set in and the score was standing at 13-1, i decided that the home win was now secure and it was an appropriate moment to vacate the premisis. A perfect start to the day and an enjoyable finale but it was what was in the middle that will live longer in the memory .... Oval Stays are Enjoyable Days !
Oval Ways & Treble Days by Paul Evans
Tells of behind the scenes story of the club during possibly one of the most important periods in the clubs history. Written with humour and honesty, the author also has another story to tell – about home town heroes and life itself.
To
get your copy contact @OvalWays
on twitter
ISBN 978-1-784-61-072-1
Or leave a message on here and i will make contact.
With my son now at university in Bangor, this is one of his local grounds that I'm determined to get to over the next couple of years!
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew HAH ! When you go tell them you know OB , they will welcome you with open arms. Grab a copy of the book "Oval Ways' its a super read.
DeleteThere are no doubt still many hidden gems which i am yet to visit or even learn about.You will find some fantastic grounds to visit near Bangor as well as Caernarfon you must visit Llanfairfechan ,Penmaenmawr, and the jewel in the crown Blaenau Ffestiniog and dont forget to take the camera !
Enjoy the journey !