Welsh Premier League Football - End of the line for Maesteg?

FOUNDER members of the League of Wales in 1992, Maesteg Park look set to withdraw from the Welsh League at the next league management committee meeting on June 14.
Current Maesteg manager Lee Bridgeman and the playing staff have been told of the club’s plight and the only hope now is that a group comes forward to save the club, but they have little time to prevent closure.
One of the longest reigns as club secretary will also come to an end on Tuesday night when Maesteg Park host Porthcawl Town in Division Two - as league chairman David Griffiths (pictured) - who became club secretary back in 1965 - is standing down.
Only Aberaman stalwart Brian Fear has held office longer than him, but his departure will almost spell the demise of the Tudor Park club.
Three years ago they almost folded, but an 11th-hour rescue package saved it from oblivion.
The latest crisis to hit the club has come from the long-serving Griffiths family all deciding to call it a day.
The club became Welsh League members in 1963-64 - and a year after Dai Griff - as he is known on the Welsh League circuit - took over as secretary.
His wife Dawn is treasurer and catering manageress while son Neil also helps to run the club.
Down the years Dai Griff has become a respected administrator, and currently holds four high-ranking positions.
He is Welsh FA treasurer and also a board member of the Welsh grounds improvement company, a Welsh Premier board member and Welsh League vice-president and chairman.
"Having held secretarial duties for 45 years, you could say I have served a useful apprenticeship, but running the club has gradually become too much of a burden," explained Dai Griff.
"Recently, we as a family have been left holding the baby, and the time is now right for us to stand down.
"Time is not on the side of a group wishing to take the club over, as they will have to raise a substantial amount of money to cover seasonal operating costs.
"It would be a great shame if Maesteg Park had to withdraw from the league, as down the years some fine players and managers have served the club well.
"But in recent times too much work has fallen on the shoulders of too few people."
During the Eighties, former Cardiff City striker Brian Clark was one of the club’s high-profile managers.
Striker Chris Pike played for Maesteg, ahead of a career with Cardiff City and Fulham, as did defender Nathan Jones (Southend and Yeovil Town), while current Port Talbot Town boss Mark Jones has also held the reins.
Maesteg played four seasons in the top flight of Welsh domestic football - from 1992 until their relegation in 1995 - and would become the second founder member to fold.
Ebbw Vale closed down before the start of the 1998/9 season.

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