Afan Lido were formed in 1967, following the building of the new Afan Lido leisure centre complex on Princess Margaret Drive, part of a facelift given to the Aberafan Beach area of the town. The club then worked their way through the Port Talbot local leagues and then the Welsh League before becoming invited to join the League of Wales at its formation in 1992, following several successful seasons in the Abacus Welsh League and the construction of new facilities at the ground.
Despite only finishing 12th in the first season, the team won through in the League Cup, becoming the first holders of the new trophy after an absorbing final at Aberystwyth, where they beat Caersws on penalties. The following year, Lido held their trophy, Andrew Webber's 35 yard free-kick gracefully arcing its' way into the Bangor City net.
Having only just avoided relegation, no-one had tipped the Reds as potential champions, but a run of consistency during the Spring months saw Afan Lido finish second in the League of Wales. That included an impressive double over Barry, beating the Dragons 2-0 at both Afan Lido and at Jenner Park.
That first entry into Europe was a large stepping-stone for Welsh clubs, as they lost 2-1 at home to RAF Yelgava of Latvia. The goal came from Adam Moore, and, in truth, Lido were the better side, hitting the bar, post and seeing shots cleared off the line in a frantic last five minutes. However, it wasn't enough, and with the game in the Baltics drawn with no goals, they went out of the UEFA Cup in the Preliminary round.
That was followed by a disappointing LoW season, which included relegation on the final day of the season, after defeat away at Connah's Quay Nomads.
After a two year period in the CC Sports Welsh League, Afan Lido are back in the League of Wales. Their first year away from the LoW say the club work hard to rejuvenate themselves, something easy to do with the strong youth system which Lido have in place. Mixing youth with the experience of players such as Mitch Patton, the side came 6th in their first season at the lower level, but last year finished in a promotion position. Taking up the challenge, the side, now managed by Mark Robinson, moved back up to the League of Wales.
Lido have been no slouch off the pitch either, with recent developments at the Sports Ground including the building of a 480-seater stand on the west side, in addition to a new clubhouse on the ground.
Next week will be their first visit to Jenner Park for nearly two years, so come along and see if they can take three points westwards along the M4.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry Town Matchday Magazine, v Cowny United, League of Wales, 29.08.1998
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