Category Archives: News

Barry Town United AFC to Launch New Business Club at Jenner Park

Barry Town United AFC is proud to announce the launch of the Barry Town Business Club, a brand-new bi-monthly networking event for local businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals, kicking off on Friday, 8th August 2025 at Jenner Park Stadium.

The Business Club will run every other month, bringing together professionals from across the Vale of Glamorgan to build connections, share ideas, and gain insight from expert guest speakers. Each session will run from 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM, and includes a breakfast roll and hot drink, all for just £7.50 per ticket.

The launch event on 8th August will feature Jordan Thorne from Creo – a leading branding and creative expert – who will deliver a short talk on “The Importance of Using Your Brand”, offering valuable insight into how businesses can elevate their identity and stand out in competitive markets.

“Barry Town United is more than just a football club, we’re a hub for the local community,” said Ollie Waterhouse. “This Business Club is designed to support local enterprises with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow in an informal, welcoming space.”

Spaces are limited to 50 attendees, so early booking is advised. Local businesses are also encouraged to get involved as future speakers or event sponsors.

To book on, visit the link here – Barry Town Business Club

For more information, email ollie.waterhouse@barrytown.co.uk

Keston Davies Signs for Barry Town United

We are pleased to confirm the signing of centre-back Keston Davies ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The 28-year-old defender brings a wealth of Cymru Premier experience to Jenner Park. Known for his composure on the ball, aerial presence, and strong positional sense, Keston adds real steel and calm to the heart of the Barry defence.

Having played for a number of top Welsh clubs, Keston arrives with the pedigree and mentality to make an instant impact.

Keston said:
“I’ve always admired Barry from a distance – the club’s history, the fans, the way they play. When I spoke to the staff, it just felt like the right fit straight away. I’m here to help push this team forward and give everything.”

Head of Football, Steve Jenkins, was equally pleased to secure Davies’ signature.

“Keston reads the game so well and brings a calmness to the back line. On top of that, he’s a top professional and a great character to have around the dressing room. He’s exactly the type of player we’ve been looking for.”

Keston is now part of a growing squad as Barry look to build momentum and compete strongly this season.

Welcome to Jenner Park, Keston!

Catch Keston in action at Jenner Park when we welcome Newport City to Jenner Park on 5th July – tickets available on Fanbase!

A Remarkable Era Ends: David Cole Retires as Club Secretary

This week marks a significant moment, as David Cole steps down as Club Secretary, closing the door on a chapter that began all the way back in 1989.

Over the course of 740 games, David has devoted himself fully to the club. His tireless dedication, quiet strength, and support have been the foundation on which so much progress has been built. Whether coordinating the behind-the-scenes operations or offering support to players, staff, and volunteers, David has been a steady presence – always working hard, never seeking credit, but always earning it.

David’s retirement is more than deserved. He has given so much of his life to this club, and now it’s time for a well-earned rest away from the daily pressures of the role. Still, it will no doubt feel strange not seeing him in his trademark high-vis jacket, offering calm assurance on match-days. David will thankfully remain in a smaller administrate capacity and we are lucky to retain his skills.

Dave added, “As the saying goes “All good things come to an end” and so it is for me as after 36 years involvement with the Club with the last 22 as Club Secretary it is time to retire and hand over the reins to someone else.

It has been an honour and a pleasure to be involved with this fabulous football club. I have been on quite a few jaunts to Europe to see us play in the Champions and Conference Leagues. I would not have been able to do any of the many tasks that I had taken on without the support of Lyn, who has also retired after 30+ years service to the Club.

The Club has almost been my life for so many years and Lyn has on many occasions said I should have a flat in the Clubhouse. I have met so many people – some who will remain friends for life.

I leave the Club Secretary’s job in the capable hands of Daley Chapman. 

I will still be around the Club as a ‘mentor’ to those who have taken on some of the other jobs I had. 

I look forward to watching the team play without having to do Comet, Steward etc etc. I will now ride into the sunset.”

Looking ahead, we’re pleased to announce that Daley Chapman will take over as Club Secretary, having spent the past season closely shadowing David. Daley has already shown great energy, thoughtfulness, and commitment – and we’re confident he’ll build on David’s legacy with integrity and passion.

“It’s impossible to overstate what David has meant to this club. He’s been the heartbeat behind the scenes for over three decades – someone we’ve all looked to for stability, wisdom, and quiet leadership. I’ve learned so much from him, not just about the job, but about what it means to serve a club with humility and heart. Stepping into this role after David is a real honour, and while I know I have big shoes to fill, I’ll do everything I can to carry on his legacy with the same dedication he’s shown every single day.” Daley added – “I appreciate the opportunity provided and I am thankful to the board for placing their trust in me. Really excited to work with all sections of the club, and representing us within the FAW, and beyond.”

We’ll be formally honouring David during pre-season in a fitting way. But for now, we want to say a heartfelt thank you.

David – you are, and always will be, one of this club’s true heroes.

George Ratcliffe Returns to Barry Town

Barry Town United are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper George Ratcliffe ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper rejoins the club after a standout season with Connah’s Quay Nomads, where he kept 10 clean sheets in 30 Cymru Premier appearances – firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s most consistent goalkeepers.

“George is someone we’ve admired for a long time,” said Steve Jenkins, Head of Football at Barry Town United. “His shot-stopping ability, command of the box, and presence in the dressing room are exactly what we need heading into the new season.”

Speaking on his return, George shared his excitement about rejoining the club that helped launch his senior career.

“I can’t wait to put the Barry Town shirt on, so happy to be here and I’m buzzing to get going”

Town fans may remember George’s previous stint with us in the 2019/2020 season where he made 14 appearances, keeping 4 clean sheets. He was also part of the matchday squad for our European game vs Cliftonville.

Keep an eye out for more signings coming soon!

Retained & Departing players: 2025-26

Barry Town’s retained players list for the upcoming 2025-2026 Cymru Premier season is as follows

Retained:
Mikey George
Callum Sainty
Will Richards
Rhys Schwank
Robbie Wilmott
Ieuan Owen
Ben Margetson
Owen Cuddihy
Ellis Williams
Ollie Hulbert
Ryan Kavanagh
Eliot Richards

Returning for Pre season:
Drew Perrett
Callum Huggins

Departing:
Liam Armstrong
Luc Rees
Josh Yorwerth
Aiden Lewis
Kayne McLaggon
Sam Snaith
Harrison Bright

We appreciate the effort and commitment from of all those players who are departing us.

The squad returns to training at the end of June and new signings will be announced in due course.

You can see the lads in action in our upcoming pre-season friendlies:

GRASSROOTS // A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER FOR BARRY TOWN

Where. To. Start?

Our junior grassroots sides enjoyed a great weekend of local football and created some amazing memories, in spectacular fashion. Trophy after trophy, goal after goal -it was a weekend of triumph, pride, and unforgettable moments.

Double Delight for the U14s

Kicking things off in style, our Under-14s delivered a sensational performance to edge past Inter Penarth 2-1, clinching the Harry Graton Memorial Trophy. The hero of the day? Iolo Thomas fired in both goals to seal the victory. But this wasn’t just any win – it completed a historic double, adding to their unbeaten league title. Legends in the making.

U12 Blues Blitz to Cup Glory

If that wasn’t enough, our U12 Blues turned up the heat with a jaw-dropping 8-1 victory over Llantwit Major in the U12 Championship Cup Final. It was a masterclass in team football and attacking flair.

  • George Toshack x3
  • Lewin Salley x2
  • Max Evans, Eli Evans, and Oliver Tresize all added their names to the scoresheet

A performance full of energy, creativity, and clinical finishing.

U13s Keep the Momentum Rolling

And the winning didn’t stop there. Our U13s put in a commanding shift against Llantwit Major to claim a 4-1 victory in the Vale of Glamorgan JFL U13 Championship. Goals from Shae Lapton, Jake Whitcombe, Ethan Ferguson, and Luke Davies underlined just how much talent this age group is brimming with.

U14 Blues Girls Shine

To round off a glorious grassroots weekend, our U14 Blues Girls lifted the SWWGL U14 League Shield after a thrilling win over AFC Penriwceiber.

  • Freya John was on fire with a hat-trick
  • Scarlet Williams sealed the deal with a fantastic goal of her own

From back to front, this team played with spirit, unity, and absolute belief. The future of women’s football in Barry is looking incredibly bright.

Pride. Passion. Progress.

This wasn’t just a weekend of football – it was a showcase of what we, as a club, is all about: community, development, and heart. From the first whistle to the last, our young stars played for each other, and for the Town.

A massive congratulations to all players, coaches, and supporters who made this weekend one for the history books. The future is blue and yellow!

#YourTownYourTeam #BarryTown #UpTheTown 🏆⚽

Barry Town Academy U13/14s Tour of Gent, Belgium

Barry Town Academy’s U13 and U14 squads recently returned from an unforgettable tour of Gent, Belgium, packed with football, fun, and fantastic team spirit.

The tour was jam packed including a professionally led training session delivered by KAA Gent Academy Coaches, providing the boys with a top-level experience and valuable insights into elite European coaching.

Both age groups then faced tough opposition across two rounds of fixtures.
The U13s showed great resilience, narrowly losing 4-2 to KV Kortrijk before bouncing back impressively to defeat KRC Harelbeke 3-1. Dom Nash was in fine form, netting a superb hat-trick over the two games, with James Pughe adding two goals of his own.

U13s Captains on this trip, James McCarthy (Jambo) and Olly Saddler said, “It was an honour to represent and captain Barry on this tour and in Europe. We were very happy to win our second game and work as a team to perform well. We enjoyed the stadium tour and Belgian bowling experience and can’t wait to go again”

The U14s faced a challenging encounter against a strong KV Kortrijk side missing out on a victory but keeping their head up in regards to their performance. They responded admirably with a spirited performance against KRC Harelbeke’s U15s, narrowly losing 5-4 in a thrilling contest on a tough playing surface.

U14s Captain Evan Yarr said, “Results didn’t go the way we wanted on the tour but it was a great experience and we enjoyed spending time as a team and being able to celebrate with our U13s team mates on their victory”.

Off the pitch, the boys enjoyed well-earned downtime, they thoroughly enjoyed a tour of the Planet Group Arena, home of KAA Gent, seeing the values of the Belgian club and our own club align as community based clubs and were shocked to realise that even at Belgian Pro League level, the club still relied heavily on volunteers for it to run smoothly. Another highlight was the team bowling night and some well-deserved McDonald’s – all of which strengthened team bonds and kept spirits high throughout the trip.

A huge thank you goes to coaches Daley, Yarzi, Adam, and Warwick for their incredible support and guidance throughout the tour.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s adventure – bring it on!

NAPA

NAPA AutoParts Renews partnership for 25/26 season

Barry Town is delighted to announce that NAPA Auto Parts has extended its sponsorship agreement, continuing as the official front-of-shirt sponsor for the club’s away kit for the 2025/26 season.


This extension marks a continuation of the strong partnership between Barry Town and NAPA Auto
Parts, a globally recognised leader in the automotive industry. NAPA Auto Parts joined forces with
the club last season, and after a successful first year, both parties are excited to build on this
collaboration.

Barry Town’s commercial manager, Ollie Waterhouse, expressed enthusiasm for the renewed deal:

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with NAPA Auto Parts. Over the past season, their
commitment to the club and our supporters has been fantastic. Having such a recognised brand on
board strengthens our club both on and off the pitch. We look forward to another successful season
together.”

Ian Taylor, Marketing Manager at NAPA Auto Parts, also shared his excitement about the extended
agreement:

“NAPA Auto Parts are excited to continue our partnership with Barry Town for another season. We
look forward to supporting the club and its fans and are proud to play a part in their continued
growth.”

To celebrate the renewed partnership, NAPA Auto Parts have donated two tickets to a BTCC race of a fan’s choice. NAPA Auto Parts are proud sponsors of NAPA Racing in the BTCC & this prize offers an incredible opportunity to experience the high-octane excitement of NAPA Racing. The tickets have been donated as part of the first Barry Town Community Star Award.


This competition is to celebrate the fantastic people of the Barry community. To enter, please follow
the steps below:

Nominate a community hero. This could be a coach, a friend, or anyone who you believe should win
the first Barry Town Community Star Award

Tell us why you’re nominating them

The winner will be selected and announced via club channels

Alongside the tickets, they will also win a signed away shirt, x5 VIP tickets to a fixture of their
choice in 25/26 season and a general stand season ticket for 25/26 season.

The NAPA Auto Parts branding will be prominent on our new, history-inspired away kit ahead of the
new season.


Fans can stay updated via the club’s official channels for further details.

To nominate your Community Hero, Email ollie.waterhouse@barrytown.co.uk

Match Preview – Barry Town vs Briton Ferry

Barry Town vs Briton Ferry, proudly sponsored by VOG Fire and Alarms.

Barry Town will round up their league campaign against Briton Ferry on Saturday with a final outing at Jenner Park before the playoffs. The Town clinched the 7th playoff spot last time out with a 2-0 victory away to Connah’s Quay Nomads and by doing so buried the only team that were close enough to catch them. Goals from Ben Williams-Margetson and Ieuan Owen respectively nullified the Nomads and provided Barry with breathing room to prepare for the playoff fixture on the 26th of April.

Their opponents have not yet been confirmed, but they will face whoever finishes fourth in the Cymru Premier Championship Conference away from home.

The occasion will be made even more special after the recent news of captain Kayne McLaggon announcing that he will be leaving the club after an unforgettable eight seasons with the Town. Kayne has scored an incredible 128 goals in 245 appearances and has been a crucial part in Barry achieving European qualification twice. Saturday will mark Kayne’s final home game of his illustrious Jenner Park career and everyone at the club would like to thank him for his unwavering commitment. You can read more on the news here – Captain. Leader. Legend.

The prospect of three wins on the spin awaits the Town and hopes will be high with a strong record of four games unbeaten against this weekend’s opponents. Briton Ferry are coming off the back of a 2-1 loss at home to Flint Town and sit in fourth place, 17 points behind Barry.

McLaggon will look to finish his season strongly after scoring his fourth of the season two games ago at Flint Town. Player of the Month nominee Ieuan Owen has also excelled as of late, bagging five goals in his last five games and notably found the back of the net in the last meeting between the two sides.

With the playoff spot secured, spirits will be high at Jenner Park on Saturday.

Don’t forget there will also be a Family Fun Day taking place from 11:30-16:45 with lots of exciting activities for all ages!

Tickets available via Fanbase!

Captain. Leader. Legend. Thank You, Kayne.

After 8 seasons Captain Kayne McLaggon will depart the club at the end of the season making this Saturday’s fixture against Briton Ferry his final home game.

Barry boy Kayne has been a huge part of our club since joining on our return to the Cymru Premier in 2017. Kayne has made 245 appearances scoring 128 goals, winning three trophies, qualifying for Europe twice and along the way scoring an incredible 128 goals with 5 hat tricks.

His record speaks for itself but above all of that the way he has led our club on the field and as an ambassador in our community has been remarkable.

We encourage all at the club and the local community to come out and join us to say thank you to Kayne for his service this coming Saturday.

Thanks for everything Skip! It’s been our pleasure.

You can purchase your tickets at the gate, or via Fanbase