Well, where do you start with this one?

I suppose it’d better be with Merthyr itself!

Merthyr Tydfil is located in the heart of South East Wales at the head of the Taff Vale - the natural gateway to the Brecon Beacons.
In the early part of the 19th century, Merthyr Tydfil was the largest town in Wales. People moved into it from far and wide to work in the iron works that were the reason for it’s existence. The iron and steel industry has long since died, along with the South Wales coal fields and the town has never really recovered.

So what of the football team?

They were formed in 1909 and were even in the Football League between 1920 and 1930, but the decline in the local industries led to a decline in the fortunes of the club. They languished around in the lower reaches of non league football until a late flowering in the late eighties saw them on the brink of the Football League again and Welsh Cup victories. By 1997 however, they had slumped again and were in receivership. They were then brought by current owner Wyn Holloway and began a slow climb back, with a great deal of co operation from the Supporter’s Trust to the point where they are now planning a 12,000 seat stadium.

This season, they are lying seventh in the Southern Premier, with games in hand on the teams above them, thanks to the Cup run. Of their 9 home games, they’ve won 7, lost 1, drawn 1. Top scorer is Steins, with 10 goals in 17 appearances. He was signed from Leeds, got 22 goals last season and was the player of the season.

What about the Saddlers?

One word. Slough. Last season’s first round defeat at the hands of a team in an even lower Division than Merthyr still hurts. This time, the club cannot afford any repetition, especially with the game being live on Sky and Radio 5 Live. Certainly it is difficult to see how the Manager could survive any defeat this time around.

The camp have been putting forward strange vibes all week, with the desperate (and futile) attempts to sign a goalkeeper and with comments about only having 10 fit outfield players and five “youth teamers” on the bench. The Saddlers ought to be lining up something like:

Gillmartin, Gerrard, Bennett, Roper, Fox, Standing, Kinsella, Taylor, Demontagnac, Leitao and Fryatt, with Staunton, Broad, Tilt and Stzybel on the bench, with one other and, quite frankly, that ought to be a good enough side to win at Merthyr. Merson has, however, said that he wants as much experience on the pitch as possible, so the line up may look very strange! Danny Fox will captain the side.

Predictions? Gave that up long ago, but anything other than a win is unacceptable.

Normally, of course, we depend on Geordiesaddler’s invaluable guide to the pubs of England and Wales on our away trips, but knowledge of the valleys is a little harder to come by! We thank our good friends at the Merthyr Supporter’s Trust (www.themartyrs.com), Mark Evans and Mike Donovan for the following precious information!

Pubs

The best option from 5.30pm onwards is RMs which is on Bethesda Street, easily accessible from the Castle Car Park and also from Brecon Road where it would seem the coaches will be dropping your supporters prior to the game. The landlord is happy to welcome Walsall fans.

(In fact, Mike Donovan has sent this further email about RMs: “I have spoken to the landlord Chris and he is expecting you. There is room for 300 downstairs and it’s likely that you’ll be the only people in there - he’s openingup an hour or so early hoping that you’ll all be there”).

The other option in Georgetown which just around the corner from RMs is The Lantern which is a good pub, open all day, but is a lot smaller than RMs.
The Park View pub on the Brecon Road, the nearest one to our ground, is not recommended.
As for the Town Centre, the best option would be Y Dic Penderyn which is a Wetherspoons pub however it is quite a trek up the hill to the ground.

Car Parking

Car parking is limited around the Brecon Road area, it’s all street parking which could be problematic. Any Walsall fans driving down to the game are advised to use either Castle Car Park directly opposite the Castle Hotel in the town centre (next to the Bus Station), it’s quite convenient then for fans to walk up the British Tip which a path opposite the Salvation Army HQ to the end of Brecon Road, you will come out directly opposite RMs.
The other option is the use the College Car Park which is over the river Bus Station, fans could then walk over the river bridge, past the Fire Station, and turn left heading for both Lantern and RMs.

Food

There is a Chinese take-away on Brecon Road called Chun Fay which is OK. There’s another one at the top of the High Street called the China Chef.
If any fans are staying over on Friday night and fancy a late night feed then head for the High Street and try Hing Hongs (Chinese) or Balti Wallah (Indian) restaurants, both are worth experiencing.
In fact there are plenty of chip shops etc in Merthyr, you shouldn’t go hungry.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Penydarren Park, no matter what the result.