I have searches set up to email me alerts about Lincoln City news, which is how I have come to adopt Cadoxton Imps.
I was browsing my alerts one morning recently after a City draw, and I saw a news piece about the Imps winning. I thought it was odd, so I clicked on the link and wandered into the world of Cadoxton Imps.
I thought it might be cool to get a shirt, so I emailed them asking if I could buy one. A week later, home, away and a third kit popped through my letterbox, and since then, I’ve been keeping an eye on their success.
Who are my new favourite Welsh team?
Cadoxton Imps AFC
Cadoxton Imps was founded in 1972 by Graham Harris and Len Jones, they told me. The name originates from a Conservative club called Cadoxton Cons, where our founders were members at the time. They were also big Manchester United fans, so wanted a piece of them in the club’s name. Manchester United are known as the Red Devils, but with this being a children’s team at the time, they felt calling it Cadoxton Devils might be too sinister. They opted for the Imp instead, creating Cadoxton Imps!
Our greatest success is still going strong after 54 years, during which we have enabled thousands of players of all abilities, both boys and girls, to play football at affordable prices. At the height of the club, we had 14 teams across all age groups, including three senior sides. This has been achieved through coaches and helpers working incredibly hard, all on a voluntary basis.
View this post on Instagram
We’ve had lots of local league success, with league titles and various cup wins, as well as individual player successes. Anthony (Tony) Smart played for us from under-10 to under-15 level before spending time at Leeds United and Bristol Rovers. Tony passed away in 1999, aged 36. Rhys James went on to play for Cardiff City and earned a cap for the Welsh national side, while Kayne McLaggon played for Southampton and, most recently, captained Barry Town in the Welsh Premier Division.
In recent times, Cadoxton Imps had only one team affiliated with the club: an under-nine girls’ team run by Ryan Pyke, which kept the club from folding. In 2023, former players returned, wanting to run a senior team for Cadoxton Imps once again. Ashley Cottle and his father, Nigel Cottle, spearheaded the project, with help from fellow coach Ashley Eley.
The return of the Imps to the senior Vale of Glamorgan leagues didn’t go unnoticed. We quickly grew to include a second senior side, run by Clayton Ross and Kieran Powell. Although neither side has won silverware since the return, it has been a very successful period for the club in terms of growth.
Ashley, Ryan and Kieran then set up an under-six team, which rapidly grew into four teams within the same age group. This was swiftly followed by another senior player, Myles Chapman, starting an under-12 team, completing our current set of eight teams.
The club needed to grow to stay afloat. We needed volunteers, players and, most importantly, sponsors! To do this, we decided to use the power of social media, with Jacob Burgess and Kieran Powell leading the way. They started a mini-series called “Gaffas Dilemmas”, which quickly caught the attention of players in the local leagues. The lads were even stopped in the street and asked about it, and it ultimately led to this collaboration!
Our second senior team currently play in Division One under Kieran Powell, while our first team play in the Premier Division in Barry under our new manager, Ryan Walker. We play our home games at Colcot Sports Centre and Buttrills Field.
We also do our bit for local charities, Finns Foundation and Ty Hafan. We fundraise throughout the year for Finns Foundation through half marathons, race nights and Spartan races. At Christmas, we raise money for Ty Hafan to supply presents for the children at the hospice.
Finns Foundation is a charity set up to give terminally ill children opportunities to do something they really want to do, from LEGO sets to family getaways that create lasting memories. They also partner with Ty Hafan, which cares for terminally ill children and supports their families at such a difficult time. Being able to work with these charities is a pleasure and something we are very proud of.
That explains the shirt I’ll be wearing on the show this evening!
There is another connection, loosely, between us and Cadoxton Imps. We’re called the Stacey West, after the end of the ground I grew up in, but if you search Stacey West, you’ll come up with the character from Gavin and Stacey who (drum rolls please) hails from Barry, where the Cadoxton Imps play! Stacey lived on Trinity Street, just a five minute car journey from Buttrills Playing Fields.
Up the Imps!
Comments Welcome!