MEN’S FIRST TEAM – A SEASON OF MILESTONES
The Men’s First Team delivered one of the most memorable seasons in the club’s recent history. Early in the year, the squad produced an outstanding run in the Welsh Cup, reaching the Semi-Final and competing against elite opposition, showcasing the quality, resilience, and ambition within the group.
That momentum carried through the remainder of the campaign, with the team once again reaching the League Cup Semi-Final in the final quarter of 2025. Alongside cup success, the league campaign has been equally impressive, with Cambrian United currently sitting top of the Cymru South table heading into 2026.
Under the leadership of Manager Liam Williams, the First Team has developed a clear identity, strong mentality, and winning culture. The squad’s consistency, togetherness, and belief have placed the club in its strongest position to date, firmly positioning Cambrian United in the conversation for promotion to the Cymru Premier and bringing top-flight football closer than ever to the Rhondda.
WOMEN’S FIRST TEAM – A SEASON OF GROWTH AND PROGRESS
2025 has been a breakthrough year for Cambrian United Women’s Team, with the club establishing itself as a force in Welsh women’s football. The appointment of former Welsh international Claire O’Sullivan as Team Manager in the latter half of the year brought invaluable experience and leadership as the team moved into the 2025–26 season.
The year began with the conclusion of the 2024–25 campaign, only the club’s second competitive season. The team produced a highly competitive league run, losing only to sides that ultimately achieved promotion, demonstrating the squad’s rapid development and potential.
Off the pitch, the club achieved Tier 2 licence status at the first attempt, validating the professionalism, governance, and infrastructure behind the women’s programme. The squad has also been strengthened by the additions of Niamh Duggan, Ruby James, and Sophie McMullen, adding quality and depth to an already competitive group.
On the field, that progress has continued with the team unbeaten in league competition, advancing in the SWWGL Alun Evans League Cup and the Hugh James SWFA Cup, and gaining valuable experience in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup against Adran Premier opposition. As Cambrian United Women move into 2026, they remain unbeaten in the league and active in two of the three cup competitions, reflecting a strong team and a strong club with clear ambition, strong leadership, and a sustainable pathway for continued success.
ACADEMY SUCCESS – BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
The club’s long-term vision continues to be underpinned by a thriving academy structure. A major highlight of 2025 was the Under 13s being crowned Welsh Academy League Champions, lifting the national title in Quarter 2 of the year. This exceptional achievement reflects the outstanding work of the coaching staff, players, and volunteers, and further reinforces the strength of the development pathway being built at Cambrian United.
Building on this success, this fantastically talented group completed the 2024/25 season having lost just 2 of 35 games, demonstrating remarkable consistency, resilience, and quality throughout the campaign. Their national title victory came with a superb 2–1 win away in North Wales against a very strong and talented TNS side, underlining the team’s ability to perform on the biggest stage.
Capping off an outstanding season, two players from the group have earned multi-year professional contracts. Jackson Ingram has signed a two-year contract with Swansea City, while Cole Bowden has secured a two-year deal with Cardiff City. These milestones are a testament to both the players’ dedication and the academy environment that supports their development. Congratulations to both players, and we wish them every success in the next chapter of their footballing journeys.
Further highlighting the depth and strength of the academy, the Under 12s enjoyed an excellent season of their own, winning a highly competitive National Academy South League. While they were unfortunate to narrowly miss out in the South Play-Off Final, the campaign as a whole represented a very strong season and another clear indicator of the continued progress and future potential within the Cambrian United academy structure.
INFANTRY – 2025 REVIEW
It’s been another brilliant season for our Infantry division of the Club. As we exit our 3rd full year of our pre academy programme there are loads of great memories to highlight from the past year.
2025 saw our 2016/17s (Current u9s), being our first full age category, have EIGHT players achieve contracts at pro clubs! Wyatt Davies; George Thomas; Zac Rafferty and Osian Lock went west to sign for Swansea City. Alfie Hughes and Ezra Evans travelled the short distance to Llanrumney to sign for Cardiff City and Archie Peachey went east to sign for Newport County. The one I am most proud of though, is Harper Lee. Our first ever girl in the Infantry, she has secured a signing at Aston Villa girls Academy, a year up at u10s. I look forward to watching their progress over the coming years.
They say iron sharpens iron. To show the quality this cohort has across the board, our 2016/17s secured top place at the u8s FAW National festival in May and have just won the Jason Bowen Cup at u9s held by Cardiff City FC.
In early 2025; a huge highlight was our 2017/18s who travelled to play Leicester City beating them age for age. An incredible achievement by our talented group. This age has now graduated into our Academy 8s, with over 85% of the squad coming from the Infantry, highlighting our importance in terms of a pathway into the academy! We are hoping there will be 3 more pro contracts to be signed too!! Noah Reynolds has already secured his contract having been offered a place early in Swansea City U9s for 26/27. Rudey Huntley and Logan Saunders are still battling it out down Llanrumney to secure theirs in May 2026.
Sadly, this year we said goodbye to 2 important members of staff, both of whom added a different dimension to our coaching! Mid 2025 we celebrated Dane Williams, the most successful manager in the Club’s history. Dane became involved in the Infantry because of his son Quade, who will foreverhold the record of being our youngest “Day 1” player when he joined our inaugural session in 2022 at just 4 years and 5 months old. Dane was growing into an unbelievable pre academy coach. Dane and his family moved to Dubai and are loving life in the Middle East.
Our Head of Player Development also moved on. I was lucky enough to convince west walian Jac Chapman to join the club in 2024. His coaching ability and technical understanding was second to none, and quite simply we haven’t been able to replace him. Jac, who at a young age, is already making a name for himself in the coaching world. He’s been a pre academy coach at Swansea City; a foundation phase coach at Cardiff City and left us to take up a role as a coach at Southampton. He is now leading their U9s and also coaching in their pre academy!!
September came around very very quickly and we had a new age category start, as well as a bundle of new coaches! We have some unbelievable talent in our 2018/19 group. We started off with 4 2019/20/21s at the start of September. By half term in October we were up to 19 players! Both ages showed their quality in recent games against Cardiff City U6s!!
We have recently seen our youngest ever player join the Infantry at 3 years of age. He is the most precocious talent I have worked with in all my years of coaching and recruiting. It’s simply our jobs to help nuture his talent, as well as the rest of the players to fulfil their potential!
We finished the season off with a visit from Santa Claus! It’s very important to me that we remember these boys and girls are children first and footballers second 🙂
So 2025 saw the #CamArmy Infantry travel across the UK. We played prestigious clubs such as Man United; Blackburn Rovers; Derby County; Leicester City & Cardiff City.
2026 I have no doubt will be bigger and better than ever!! Thanks to all our partners; our volunteer coaches, our supportive parents and of course our talented children!! Who are we………
Mark Morgans
Head of the Infantry
CAMBRIAN UNITED HOT STEPPERS – 2025 REVIEW
What a fantastic year it’s been for the Cambrian United Hot Steppers!
2025 saw the team achieve incredible success on and off the pitch, adding three pieces of silverware to the collection. The Hot Steppers were winners at the George v Dragons Tournament in Cardiff in July and finished as runners-up in both the Caldicot Summer and Winter Tournaments — a brilliant reflection of the team’s hard work and growing strength.
The year also included an exciting tour to Ashbury & Braunton. A major milestone came when the Hot Steppers hosted their first-ever walking football tournament this June at Cambrian United, welcoming 16 teams from across England and Wales — a proud moment for everyone involved.
The Hot Stepers have entered teams in both the Premier and Championship divisions of the Welsh Women’s Walking Football League 2025/26. With growing numbers, training sessions have been extended from one hour to an hour and a half every Monday, ensuring everyone gets the most from their time on the pitch. All players now have the clubs training kit.
The excitement continues into 2026, with five tournaments already lined up and the league kicking off after the winter break in February. The Hot Steppers have been recruiting to start their new over 55s team and have had a great response.
Cambrian United Hot Steppers are ready for 2026 with training commencing Monday 5th January 7pm.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
As we reflect on 2025, I can say with genuine pride that this has been one of the most significant and rewarding years in the history of Cambrian United Football Club.
Across every area of the club — from our Men’s and Women’s First Teams, to our Academy, Infantry, and community programmes — we have seen real progress, ambition, and unity. The achievements on the pitch have been matched by the commitment, professionalism, and togetherness shown off it.
What makes me most proud is not just the results — it is the culture we continue to build. Cambrian United is a club that puts people first, creates opportunities, and provides clear pathways for players of all ages to develop and represent their community with pride.
As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with confidence, ambition, and excitement. Thank you to everyone who continues to give their time, energy, and passion to this club.
Luke Davies
Chairman, Cambrian United FC
