Aberdare Athletic
Formed 1892. Wound up 1928.
Elected to Division Three (South) 1921. Failed re-election 1927.Kit History
1892-1898 d f
1898-1900 d e f
1904-1921 e f
1921-1923 a c e f
Sept-Nov 1923 e f
Nov 1923-1924 e f g h
1924-1927 h
Background
Aberdare were runners-up
in the Welsh Cup twice in succession (1904 and 1905). In 1920, the club
joined the Southern League (Welsh Section), finishing as runners-up and
won the Welsh League for the first time. As a result, they were elected
to Division 3 (South) for the 1921-22 season.
Despite achieving modest mid-table positions, Aberdare Athletic, like all clubs playing in the rugby heartland of South Wales struggled to attract support. During the Great Depression of the 1920s attendances slumped as unemployment and repeated strikes hit the local mining industry hard.
Between 1921 and 1923 the team played in claret and blue tops before returning to their familiar blue and gold.
On 7 November 1923 fire destroyed the main stand and offices along with all the players' kit. An appeal for help led to the donation of boots from all over the district and for their next home game against Brighton, the team wore amber and black striped tops, possibly given to them by Newport County.
In 1927 they finished bottom and were voted out of the League to be replaced by Torquay United.
As Aberdare and Aberaman Athletic, the club re-joined the Southern League in 1927 but folded the following year. Within a few years their near neighbours, Merthyr Town, suffered a similar fate.
Sources
- (a) QPR FC (Images of Sport)
- (b) Club Colours (Bob Bickerton)
- (c) Association of Football Statisticians - provided by Pete Wyatt
- (d) Rejected FC (Dave Twydell 1989) - information provided by Pete Wyatt.
- (e) Rhondda Cynon Taff Digital Library supplied by Simon Monks
- (f) Gareth Protheroe
- (g) Keith Ellis (HFK Research Associate)
- (h) Lancashire Evening Post (5 July 1924) submitted by Richard Essen
Photograph courtesy of Rhondda Cynon Taff Library Services