Merthyr Town have signed two former Cardiff City players in their quest for promotion from the EvoStik Southern League Premier.
Lively winger Jamie Bird and goalkeeper Cameron Clarke are the latest new boys who have committed to the Martyrs for 2019-20.
Manager Gavin Williams has strengthened his squad with five new signings with Bird and Clarke following full-back Lewis Binns, striker Gethyn Hill and goalkeeper Alex Harris.
The Martyrs have also snapped up former Manchester United and Cardiff City player Derek Brazil.
The Irish International will be guest speaker at the Met Coaches Stadium on Friday, August 30.
During his career Brazil made more 200 appearances in the Football League and represented Republic of Ireland at youth and B levels.
After being spotted playing football in his home country, Brazil joined the youth system at Manchester United, making two league appearances for the first-team.
He later captained United’s reserve side.
Brazil had loan spells at Oldham Athletic and Swansea City before leaving Old Trafford on a permanent basis in August 1992, joining Cardiff City for a fee of £85,000.
In his first season at Ninian Park, he helped the side win the Third Division title and the Welsh Cup and went on to make over 100 appearances for the club before moving into non-league football with Newport County.
Tickets for an evening with Derek Brazil cost £20. On the night there will be refreshments available which include chicken curry and chips. Tickets available from Wayne on 0785276947 or Richard on 07852950486.
https://twitter.com/MerthyrTownFC/status/1140920725160824833
Martyrs new boys:
Jamie Bird: Handed a professional contract by the Bluebirds when he was 17, but was then released by the then Premier League outfit in the summer of 2017, following a loan spell with Weston-Super-Mare.
Has played for Barry Town, Welsh League Croesyceiliog and Hereford. Cwmbran’s Jamie Bird is celebrating after signing his first professional contract with Championship club Cardiff City.
The 19-year-old forward was part of the Bluebirds youth structure for 11 years.
Bird arrives at the Martyrs with experience of winning the Southern League Premier as he was crowned a league champion with Hereford in 2017-18.
After finalising the deal, Bird said: “I’m very happy to be joining Merthyr Town football club and hopefully it will be a very successful season. I’m really excited to get started and looking forward to progressing with this club”.
“My ambition at the club is to secure a place in the squad and then hopefully cement a place in the starting XI.
“On a personal level feel like I have a point to prove. I’m a positive, forward-thinking player so hopefully I’ll add many goals and assists to help the team succeed in the Southern League Premier”.
Cameron Clarke (goalkeeper): Former Cardiff City youth team goalkeeper. From Rhondda Cynon Taf and was a pupil at Hawthorn High School, Pontypridd.
Was with Cardiff between the ages of eight and 16 before spending a year at Hereford and then joining Bristol Rovers. Has also had spells with Cinderford Town and Merthyr Town.
Represented Wales at under-16 and under-17 level.
Now aged 22, Clarke is starting a third spell with the Martyrs and says: ” I’m over the moon to be back at Merthyr Town. Hopefully it will be a great season with loads of success.
“With my previous spells with the club I feel I have unfinished business to do with how things ended before. Now I’m really focused and excited for the new season ahead and looking forward to re-working with Gavin Williams and his coaches.”
Lewis Binns: Former Cardiff City and Newport County youth player.
Chepstow-born Binns is a left-back who has played for England Schools, Gloucester City, Bishop’s Cleeve, Evesham and Cinderford Town.
Combines part-time football with his employment as a graduate sports therapist at Newport-based Pro12 rugby club Dragons.
Binns completed a degree at Hartpury College Gloucestershire, coming out with first class honours.
Alex Harris (goalkeeper): Former FC Hereford goalkeeper. Welshman Harris, who has earned two Southern League South and West titles, says: “It’s a great feeling joining Merthyr Town and being Welsh myself makes it even better.
“After just coming off the back of a great season with Cinderford, I cannot wait to get stuck into the next one and it’s always more exciting entering a new league season with a new club. I’m really looking forward to the new challenge that lies ahead.”
Harris, 27, played for Cinderford Town last season and helped the Forest of Dean club finish fifth to qualify for the play-offs. They defeated Cirencester in the semi-finals before being edged out 3-1 in the final.
The Martyrs have had a variety of goalkeepers over the last few seasons and at one stage defender Jarrad Wright took the gloves because of an injury crisis.
Joe Perry, teenager Ed Hewitson, Glyn Garner, Cameron Clarke, Scott Reed and Oliver Davies are among other goalies to have played – and Clarke has returned for the new season.
Gethyn Hill: Former Cardiff City Youth and Wales under-19 international striker.
Pontypool-born centre-forward, aged 24, who has played for Hereford FC, Weston-super-Mare and Cinderford Town.
Hill, from Garndiffaith, Torfaen, was a pupil at Ysgol Bryn Onnon and started playing football at the age of six for Griffithstown.
At the age of 11, he moved on to Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw and started playing for Race and won two league titles, the league cup and also represented Wales at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
He joined Cardiff City’s Academy at 13-years-old.
Merthyr Town pre-season fixtures:
July
Saturday 6 v Swansea City Under-23s (Home, 3pm)
Saturday 13 v Abercwmboi (Home, 3pm). Alzheimer’s charity match
Tuesday 16 v Cwmbran Celtic (Home, 7.30pm)
Saturday 20 v Cardiff Met (Away, 2pm)
Tuesday 23 v Newport County (Home, 7.30pm)
Thursday 25 v Penydarren BGC (Home, 7.30pm)
Saturday, 27 v Harborough Town (Away, 3pm)
Wednesday 31 v Aberfan (Away, kick-off TBC)
August
Friday 2 v Penybont FC (Home, 7.30pm)
EvoStik Southern League Premier clubs:
Beaconsfield Town
Blackfield & Langley
Chesham United
Dorchester Town
Farnborough
Gosport Borough
Harrow Borough
Hartley Wintney
Hayes & Yeading United
Hendon
Merthyr Town
Metropolitan Police
Poole Town
Salisbury
Swindon Supermarine
Taunton Town
Tiverton Town
Truro City
Walton Casuals
Weston-super-Mare
Wimborne Town
Yate Town