By James Dow

Ahead of this evening’s encounter at Old Road, we’ve taken a closer look at Briton Ferry Llansawel with Meet the Opposition!

The history

Britton Ferry Llansawel were founded in 2009 following a merger between Briton Ferry Athletic and Llansawel. Their first season saw them join Division Three of the then-Welsh Football League, before being promoted to Division Two during the 2011-12 season. The Ferry spent two seasons in Division Two, before being promoted to Division One as runners-up during the 2013-14 season. The club spent two seasons in the top division before finishing in the bottom four on goal difference. They made a quick return to the top division a season later, finishing second behind undefeated Llanelli Town. Ferry had two seasons in Division One before becoming founding members of the JD Cymru South in 2019-20. They had three very good seasons, finishing third back-to-back-to-back before winning the league last season, which earned them promotion to the JD Cymru Premier for the first time in their history.

The form

The Ferry lost their first six league matches in their debut top-flight campaign, conceding 18 goals. Their form has picked up in the last six matches, where they have only tasted defeat once in the 3-1 reverse to Barry Town United on Saturday. They also picked up a memorable victory in September when they shocked league leaders Penybont to run out 1-0 winners at the SDM Glass Stadium. The club currently find themselves in 11^th place in the league, six points behind 10^th place Flint Town United with two games in hand over the Silkmen.

The manager

Andy Dyer was appointed head coach of Briton Ferry Llansawel in October 2023, replacing Andy Hill. The 48-year-old has previously managed Neath, Afan Lido and Port Talbot over a 10-year spell, before taking a break from management in 2016. Dyer had a four-year break from football before taking over as sporting director at Ferry in January 2020. Since Dyer became head coach, Ferry have won 19 of his 35 games in charge, with a points-per-game average of 1.71. Dyer also guided Ferry to the Welsh Blood Service League Cup final last season, where his side lost 4-2 to JD Cymru North outfit, Mold Alexandra.

The captain

Central defender Alex Gammond was appointed club captain in 2022. The 30-year-old started his career at Afan Lido, where he made 82 appearances for the then-Welsh Premier League side. During his time there, he also had a one-month loan spell with the Bluebirds in 2015, but failed to make a single appearance. Gammond also had a loan spell with Icelandic side KF Ægir Thorlákshöfn, where he made a single appearance over a six-month period. The defender’s contract was up at the end of this loan spell, which is when he joined Briton Ferry Llansawel. Gammond has made 103 appearances for the Ferry, scoring nine goals. He was also named as the supporters’ Player of the Season in their promotion-winning campaign last term. He has made nine appearances in the JD Cymru Premier so far this season, scoring one goal in a 2-2 draw with Bala Town at the end of September.

Key player

Tom Walters was pivotal in Ferry’s promotion winning-season last year, finishing as their top goalscorer after netting on 14 occasions while also picking up 12 assists in the league. The forward has spent his entire career in the JD Cymru South up until this season, starting with Afan Lido. Walters then moved to Caerau Ely, where he spent the 2016-17 season before linking up with Goytre United. The striker was with the Goyt for four seasons before departing for a new challenge with Llantwit Major. This would prove to be an inspired decision as he enjoyed a fantastic season at the Windmill Ground, finishing as top scorer with 24 in 29 matches as the Major finished top of the league. The forward then moved to Ferry the following season, scoring 14 league goals in his debut campaign to help the side finish third in the table. Walters reached the JD Cymru Premier for the first time a year later, with his goals helping the team to win promotion to the top-flight. So far this season, the 27-year-old has scored one goal and registered two assists for his newly-promoted side, with his one goal coming against league leaders Penybont in September.

They wore both shirts

Rio Dyer made 28 appearances for the Bluebirds in all competitions last season, scoring two goals, and was part of the squad during the memorable European campaign in the summer of 2023. The forward spent time with both Swansea City and Hull City at age-grade level, with the latter being where he worked with current Bluebirds manager Tony Pennock, before making the move back to Wales and joining up with his father Andy at Ferry for the 2022-23 season. Dyer made 13 appearances during his first spell at the club, registering four assists, all of which came in the league. The 20-year-old then spent last season at the Bluebirds before rejoining Briton Ferry Llansawel this summer. Dyer has made 10 Cymru Premier appearances so far this season. The winger also has international experience, playing for Wales at under-18 level, where he made a late substitute appearance in a 2-0 defeat to England in March 2021.