Merthyr Town v Darlington
Saturday 1st November 2025, 3pm
Enterprise National League North
| Merthyr Town FC Penydarren Park Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8RF Click for streetmap Tel: 01685 359074 History:
Merthyr Town have a very similar recent history to Darlington: a phoenix club, saved by the efforts of a supporters' trust, forced to re-start lower down the pyramid, a period spent out of town, and now run as a fans-owned community enterprise. The original club, liquidated in 2010, had its origins in 1909, when it joined the Southern League. It became part of the new Football League in 1920 but decline in the latter half of the decade led to Merthyr being voted out in 1930. Back in the Southern League, Merthyr folded in 1934. It was reformed as Merthyr Tydfil in 1945, still part of the English non-league pyramid. This period kicked off some terrific runs of success in the Southern League in the late 1940s and early 50s, but Merthyr were denied election to the Football League. The Martyrs clinched six titles in all and also won the Welsh Cup three times, as well as spending six seasons at Conference level in the late 80s and early 1990s. The 1987 Welsh Cup win enabled them to enter the European Cup Winners'
Cup, which produced their finest hour - a 2-1 first leg victory over Italian side Atalanta. The new Merthyr club have progressed well since reforming although now face some long trips as they were pooled in the Conference North after winning their league last season.
Ticket prices (2025/26):
Adults, £15 and concessions and students £12 - tickets can be bought online
Home fans generally use the open terrace behind the goal and the covered terrace alongside the pitch. There are seats in the main stand, while away fans tend to use the David Miles covered terrace behind the town-end goal. It was a friendly atmosphere on our visit and some fans swapped ends at half time a la the old days at Feethams. It's a 3G pitch..
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From
the North: (Darlington 287 miles, 4hrs 45 mins). It's the long trip down the A1 and M1, joining the M42 and then M5 south at junction 4a. Leave the motorway at junction 8, to join the M50 and then the A40 through Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth. Follow the A40 towards Abergavenny and south of the town, take the A465 heads of the Valleys road towards Brynmawr. Follow this dual carriageway and follow the signs for the A4060 and Merthyr Tydfil.
Parking: There is very little room in the club car park and the ground is in a residential area, where parking is discouraged or prohibited. Fans arriving by car are advised to park in the town centre. The nearest is in the Castle car park, a short walk away.
Coach Contact: Darlington FC Supporters Group, call 07376 368 553 to book a seat. Details of the supporters' group travel can be found here. Cefn Taxis
01685 388388
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Merthyr Tydfil railway station is 15-20 minutes walk from the stadium and is around an hour on Transport for Wales valleys services from Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street stations. To reach the ground, leave the station and walk through the Beacons shopping aracade (to the left of the Tesco store at the end of the platform). Turn right into the mostly pedestrianised High Street and head through the town centre, walking straight ahead. After passing the Tiger Inn on the right, at the very end of High Street, turn left at the roundabout and quickly cross the zebra crossing. Straight ahead of you is a flight of steps, next to the large, disused YMCA building. At the top of the steps, turn right into Park Terrace and at the end of this road is Penydarren Park and the stadium just up ahead of you. For more, go to National Rail planner
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There is a sizeable new clubhouse at the ground, which serves a range of beers, including Sharp IPA. Away fans were welcome.
There
is a very disappointing choice of real ale pubs in Merthyr. There was a short-lived micro craft bar which closed last year.
The best (only?) choice for a choice of beers, a reliable 'Spoons on two floors and an outside area if the weather is fine. Open from 8am. A decent pint on our visit. Named after Dic Penderyn, the Merthyr martyr of the town's uprising of 1831. Less than 10 minutes walk from the ground. 
The Winchester, 1a Castle St, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8SJ No real ale choice, sadly, but this is a smart pub, with an excellent terrace/garden and does good food. Found at the lower end of the High Street, close to the station. There are a number of other pubs in the town centre, so no shortage, if you're not fussy. If staying the weekend, in Cardiff, there is better choice of pubs and decent beer.
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At the ground, the catering kiosk in one corner has a bar (Coors, Madri beers), coffees and soft drinks, a range of jacket pototoes with different fillings, pies, burgers and hot dogs.There is an excellent choice of coffee bars and cafes in the town centre along the High Street. The Tiger Inn as well as being a hotel, does good coffee and cake, and also serves wine and Shipyard Pale ale.
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The official
website is pretty good.
We Love Merthyr is the local business/retail website.
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 Merthyr Tydfil has a long industrial history, in iron and coal which made it a pre-eminent town in early Victorian south Wales. There are various landmarks in the area reflecting this, and Cyfarthfa Castle - home of the Crawshay family on the outskirts of the town - is marking its 200th anniversary this year. If time, there are plenty of heritage sites to explore.
There is accommodationin Merthyr and in the nearby area, including a local Premier Inn and some town centre hotels. The area has become popular with mountain biker enthusiasts in recent years, due to the local trails and bike park attraction. |
