Good morning, here’s a bumper roundup of the news and snippets from over the weekend…
Paul Abbandonato believes Gareth Bale can cement and even greater legacy in Welsh football by joining Cardiff City this summer. (Wales Online)
Neco Williams is expected to be loaned out again by Liverpool next season, with a return to Fulham or Nottingham Forest being touted as possible destinations. (The Mirror)
Cancer survivor and Cymru Premier star Danny Gosset is urging Welsh communities to donate blood. (Welsh Blood Service)
Long serving Ammanford defender Nich Arnold will remain with his hometown club next season after his last campaign was scuppered by injury. Striker Mathew Fisher and winger Richard Lewis have also agreed terms on new deals. (Official club Twitter)
Club captain Chris Baker and CJ Craven have been retained by Cardiff Met for next season. (Official club Twitter)
Bala Town have bolstered their squad for their forthcoming European campaign by adding Wrexham-born Telford United right-back Ross White and pacey forward James Davies from Newtown. (Official club site)
NOTES: White isn’t a player I’m aware of, although Bala’s release states he can play anywhere across the back, which should make him a useful addition. Davies arrives with an established reputation in the Cymru Premier. He may not hold down a regular place week in, week out in the Bala line-up but his pace, flair and tendancy to shine in big games could make him a significant threat, even from the bench as Colin Caton takes the Lakesiders back into Europe.
Aberystwyth Town continue to build their squad for next season with the signings of former Cefn Druids midfielder Charlie Edge and 29-year-olds Sam Litchfield and Iwan Lewis from Guilsfield. The pair were both named in the Cymru North’s Team of the Season. “I’m delighted that Sam and Iwan have chosen to join us as both had offers elsewhere. They will bring heaps of experience and quality to our squad; Sam is a dominant, athletic centre-half and Iwan brings huge energy as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder,” said manager Anthony Williams. (Official club site)
NOTES: Providing they can adapt to the step-up of playing in the Cymru Premier, Litchfield and Lewis could be two of the Aber’s most important signings this summer. At 29, the pair have not been signing by Williams to nurture and develop, but rather to solidify the squad. Litchfield, who previously had a brief spell in the top-flight with Newtown, was captain of the Guilsfield side that finished third in the Cymru North last season should become a mainstay in the Aber defence next season. Lewis should add experience and legs in the middle of the park, perhaps alongside veteran Alex Darlington. Edge meanwhile, is originally from Aberystwyth which will have helped overcome a hurdle the club repeatedly face when trying to recruit. A versatile left-sided player who has been a regular in the Cefn Druids team over the past three seasons, Edge will likely fill the gap left from the departure of Matthew Jones, and should feature regularly for next season.
Managerless Haverfordwest County have confirmed their squad numbers for the new season. (Official club site)
County have also announced that they will face Swansea City U23’s a part of their pre-season programme. (Official club Twitter)
Two-time Cymru Premier champion Declan Poole has left Connah’s Quay to move to Buxton FC in the National League North. Poole, a talented wide player, made exactly 100 league appearances for the Nomads. (Official club site)
Penybont have confirmed their pre-season schedule, starting with a home fixture against Barry Town on Tuesday 5 July. (Official club Twitter)
The New Saints manager Anthony Limbrick discusses his side’s forthcoming European campaign. (Cymru Football)
Saints have also confirmed tickets for the home-leg of the their Champions League first round qualifier against Linfield are now on sale. (Official club Twitter)
Aidden Lewis has moved from Pontypridd United to join hometown club Barry Town. The midfielder was named in the Cymru South Team of the Season. Meanwhile, Nat Jarvis has left Jenner Park after completing a move to Taunton Town. (Official club Twitter)
The Welsh Football Notebook 