Season P W D L Goals Pts Pos

GWENT COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION 1

2002/3 30 15 6 9 67-47 51 5th

2003/4 26 15 8 3 71-39 53 3rd

2004/5 26 17 4 5 78-46 55 2nd RUNNERS-UP

WELSH LEAGUE DIVISION 3

2005/6 34 11 3 20 43-60 36 15th

2006/7 32 20 10 2 68-35 70 1st CHAMPIONS

CWMBRAN CELTIC 2006/7 – REVIEW OF THE SEASON - ROY OF THE ROVERS STUFF !!

This time last year Cwmbran Celtic went to Chepstow needing a win to stay up in the Welsh League. Celtic were a goal down when Jason Price equalised in the last minute of normal time. Nine minutes into stoppage time a goal-line clearance bounced off Mickey Copeman’s back into the net. Celtic won 2-1 and went on to preserve their Welsh League status.
Fast forward to Celtic’s last game this season at Risca. Ten men Celtic were a goal down when Sammy Winter hit a stunning equaliser with 2 minutes left. In the last minute of normal time up stepped Ben Graham to volley a superb winner and Celtic are champions of Division 3. This was Roy of the Rovers stuff and what a staggering transformation over 12 months.
Celtic started this season hoping to consolidate their position in the League. Ten goals from new striker Joey Carless prompted an excellent start with 7 wins, a draw and only one defeat in the opening 9 games. Celtic dumped holders Perhiwceiber out of the League cup and beat 2nd Division Caldicot in the Welsh Cup. However their fortunes quickly changed during the next month with a second league defeat and getting knocked out of both cup competitions.
A 6-3 win at Newcastle Emlyn in December was a hint of the capabilities of this team. Celtic continued to grind out wins and draws throughout January, February and March but as they approached their last 10 games they were outside the promotion spots in 4th place.
Defeat looked a certainty against Aberbargoed when the boys were 2-0 down with 10 minutes left but two goals from Keiron Porter and one from Daynor Thorpe sneaked a 3-2 win. Risca were dispatched 4-2 and Celtic were about to embark upon crucial double headers against fellow promotion chasers Pentwyn Dynamo and Llangeinor. At Pentwyn, Celtic went a goal down but a magnificent last minute strike from Shane Williamson to match his thunderous first half equaliser gave Celtic the points. There followed a 2-1 win in a bad-tempered game against Llangeinor. Celtic were now in the top three.
Celtic were 2-0 down against much improved Cwmamman but rescued a point with a magnificent late strike from Sammy Winter. Wins against Abertillery and Seven Sisters gave Celtic promotion. After a draw in the return against Pentwyn a win for Celtic at Llangeinor would give them the title. A Mark Parfitt free-kick gave Celtic a 1-0 interval lead and they were well in control of the game. However the controversial sending off of Craig Cheedy changed the game. Celtic were hanging on, Llangeinor snatched a late equaliser and it was down to the last game.
At Risca the tensions were high. Celtic had weathered the lashing rain in the first half and were starting to get on top. Kevin Payne ‘scored’ with a header. The referee disallowed the goal and sent Kevin off for his reaction. Celtic’s chance seemed to have gone. They pushed more players forward and with 10 minutes remaining Risca scored on the break. It looked like no championship for Celtic but up stepped Sammy and Ben to spark a pitch invasion from the delirious Celtic supporters. It was fitting that Ben, who had played for the club for 25 years, should score the winner.
What a run-in from Celtic. In their last 24 league games they won 16 and drew 8. The manner in which they snatched last gasp winners against Aberbargoed, Pentwyn and Risca and the draw at Cwmmaman was testament to their superb never-say-die attitude. They were worthy champions.
And what of the players. Nicky Church, the only ever-present was superb in goal. He made some breathtaking reaction saves at crucial moments in vital games. The venerable back four of Ben Graham, Mark Parfitt, Jason Price and Mickey Copeman, all players with Welsh Premier League experience, was usually rock-solid. Kevin Payne, Craig Cheedy, Nathan Beer and Sammy Winter relished the midfield battle and were always still going strong at the final whistle. Kevin’s return to top form at the age of 37 after his serious injury was remarkable. Sammy showed that extra bit of class with his two wonder strikes at Cwmmaman and Risca.
Joey Carless, a natural predator in the goal area, got the team off to a flying start and finished with 23 goals. When he faded late in the season up stepped Shane Williamson to put in some storming displays. He finished with 20 goals.
Teenagers Mike Marsh and Lloyd Davies showed immense promise when drafted into defence. Rhys Dalgleish was a regular in defence until injury curtailed his season. Nicky Villars in midfield also saw his season wrecked by injury. Daynor Thorpe showed good pace in his extended run in the team. Keiron Porter proved what a strong player he is in midfield and up front. Academy players Lee Challenger, Michael Traynor and Curtis Meaney showed their ability to play in a variety of positions when called upon.
Manager Mickey Copeman led by example on the pitch, except when he was locking horns with opponents to show them who was boss ! Captain Mark Parfitt was immense in the second half of the season. When Ben Graham came back after injury it was like having another manager on the field. His forceful personality ensured that there was no slacking in front of him. Such was the experience on the pitch coach Della Cheedy was unusually quiet during the run-in. However his influence on the playing style of the team was clear to see. The team was extremely difficult to break down - rock solid at the back and tenacious and workmanlike in midfield, Joey and Shane being given enough of the ball to show in their different styles what great strikers and match-winners they both are.
Cwmbran Celtic have been league runners-up so many times in the past in the Gwent County leagues. This year they have achieved the status of Champions in the Welsh League. This is undoubtedly their finest hour and so richly deserved. Congratulations to all the players, the management and the officers whose efforts have made this honour possible.