CWMBRAN CELTIC PEN PICTURES 2013/14
Steve Morgan: 1st team manager. Steve was an exceptional schoolboy & youth talent, playing for Bristol Rovers, Newport County Youth & winning Welsh Great Britain boys clubs international caps. He went on to play 12 months at Wolverhampton Wanderers. His managerial career includes 5 seasons at Goytre FC steering them to back to back promotions into the Welsh League, 3 seasons at Pilcs gaining back to back promotions into Gwent County Division 1. He also had short spells at Cwmffrwdoer in Gwent County & at Welsh League Llanwern as joint manager. Della Cheedy: 1st team coach. Formerly a player of great distinction as a trainee at Cardiff City, Exeter City then Blaenavon & Croesyceiliog, Della became assistant coach at Cwmbran Town in the Tony Wilcox era managed Blaenavon, Tredegar Town & Risca United before joining Celtic midway through the 2005/6 season. Last season he undertook the combined roles of manager & coach. “Diego” is the manager of the Fairwater High School Football Academy & he holds a FAW “A” coaching licence. Della’s son Craig is 1st team captain & his daughter Sian is a Welsh league international & semi-professional player. Mike Baugh: 1st team physio. ‘Baughy’ was a skilful left winger who played for Newport County at youth level, then joined Cwmbran Town before playing for many years for Celtic. He ran Celtic junior Youth sides. He holds a FAW C coaching licence. A first-class clubman in every respect. Nicky Church:goalkeeper, aged 27. Ex-Academy with Cwmbran Town, Nicky has established himself as one of the best keepers in the Welsh league. A great shot stopper, he has played higher level football at Newport County, Cwmbran Town & Cinderford Town, & Welsh League forCaerleon & Llanwern. Also had trials at Hereford & New Saints. He is in his 3rd spell at the club, having started as an ever present (37 games) in the 3rd Division championship team of 2006/7. Has recovered well from a serious injury sustained in the opening game of 2012/13. Lewis Watkins:reserve team goalkeeper, aged 19. Joined Celtic from Newport County Youth in 2010/11 and has proved a capable deputy when called upon by the 1st team during last 3 seasons. Lee Challenger:right back/occasional midfielder, aged 25. “Charlie” played junior football at Blaenavon before joining the Academy. A versatile player, he made his debut for the 1st team in 2007/8 & other than having a season at his home town Gwent County club Blaenavon Blues in 2009/10 has been a regular squad member.Scored 9 successive penalty goals last season. Stefan Marchant: centre back, aged 21. Yet another ex-Academy player, Stefan was captain of Celtic’s 2010/11 Welsh League East U19 championship winning side. Made his 1st team debut in 2009/10. He had a memorable game alongside manager Ben Graham in the 2-0 win away to Cambrian & Clydach in his first season. Left the club to join Croesyceiliog in 2012/13 but returned mid-season to make one of the centre back positions his own. Stephen Peel:centre back/left back, aged 21. Accomplished defender, product of Academy. Made 1st team debut in 2009/10. Rejoined the club in 2012/13 after two spells at Newport Civil Service. Ryan Timms:centre and full back, aged 22. A tough resolute defender, very strong in the tackle, Ryan joined Celtic in 2011/12 from English side Worthing. Formerly with Sussex sides Southwick, Lewes & Horsham YMCA. As a very promising youth player, Ryan had trials with Bournemouth & Southend. He captained Lewes Youth team to the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup in 2008/9 & later made his Blue Square Premier debut for the senior side. Left the club in 2012/13 to play for Abergavenny Thursdays in Gwent County, but returned later in the season putting in some outstanding performances to help lift the side out of the Division 1 relegation zone. Rhys Hodges: central defender, aged 23. Joined this season from Abertillery Bluebirds. Represented Gwent U18. Strong in the air & a good tackler. Richard Crees:left back, aged 27. “Billy” joined in 2010/11 from Tredegar Town. He is an attacking full-back, very fast and strong tackler. Very popular throughout the club, he was the supporter’s player of the year in 2010/11.Has suffered a number of niggling injuries during his time at Celtic. Formerly with Cardiff City (U16), Llanhilleth, Abertillery Bluebirds. Luke Jones:centre back & left back, aged 20. A former Academy player & captain of U19s, Luke is a solid no-nonsense defender with a powerful left foot. Having played for Celtic at junior and youth level, Luke made his 1st team debut at the end of 2009/10 &is equally at home in central defence or at full back. Luke is also a boxer who is fast making a name for himself in the Welsh amateur ranks. Rakesh Patel: right midfield, aged 24. Anex-Academy player, he broke into the side in 2007/8 has been a regular ever since. Plays right or centre midfield. Good ball control delivers a great ball into the box. Kesh has a great self-effacing personality and he was clubman of the year in 2011/12. Craig Cheedy: centre midfield, aged 27. Another ex-Academy player, strong with bags of stamina, Craig holds the club record of 200+ Welsh league & cup appearances having been a regular member of the team since they joined the Welsh League in 2005/6. Craig previously played for Llanelli & Cwmbran Town in Welsh Premier League for Croesyceiliog.He took over the captain’s armband in the 2nd half of 2010/11 by his tremendous on-field example inspired the team to pull out of the relegation zone in its first season in the top tier. Player’s player of year for 2012/13. Owen Cook:centre midfield, aged 21. An all-action former Academy player, good ball player, strong in the tackle & great vision, Owen made his 1st team debut in 2009/10. Played for Fairfield in Gwent County League in 2011/12 but returnedto the fold last season and has earned a regular place in the team. Dominic Connor: left midfield, aged 27. A Chepstow lad, formerly with Chepstow Town, Signed 2011/12 from Caldicot Town. A fleet-footed player who likes to get forward to support the attack. One of football’s true gentlemen. Scored 6 goals last season including a brace to win the crucial end of season game against Haverfordwest which kept Celtic in the 1st Division. Owen Llewellyn:right midfield, forward,aged 23. Owen played for Celtic at Junior level before joining the Academy. He gained a 1st team place in 2007/8 as a pacey hard-working wide midfield player but was pushed forward as striker in the 2nd division promotion season 2009/10 scoring 17 goals. Missed most of season 2010/11 through injury but returned late on to become top scorer with 7 goals in only 13 games which kept the club in the 1st division. Was again top scorer in 2012/13. Last season, playing in midfield & up front, he was the manager’s player of the season. David Davies:midfield, full back, aged 19. A versatile, bustling player, just graduated into the senior squad from the Academy. Made his debut last season and showed that he has the potential to become a regular in the side. Chris Ham: right midfield, aged 20. Played for club as Junior and for Academy making Welsh League debutin 2009/10 aged 16. Played Saturday football for Cwmbran Town 2011/12 but returned to Celtic last season and was a regular in midfield and occasionally up front. Josh Bull:striker: aged 20. Cultured left footed player. Came through the Academy and played 2011/12 for Abertillery Bluebirds, scoring a superb hat-trick to knock champions Bryntirion out of the league cup, and later for Blaenavon Blues in Gwent County League. Re-joined Celtic last season and finished top scorer with 11 goals despite missing a chunk of the season through injury. Adrian Maguire:forward, aged 21.Joined club last season. Powerfully built, strong runner.Waited patiently on the bench for his chance when it came he slotted well into the squad. Former Fairwater Comprehensive student. Played for Midlands side Highgate United. Scott Lanyon:striker, aged 28. Returns to Celtic this season for a 3rd spell after playing last season at Newport Civil Service & Treharris Western scoring 13 league goals. A Welsh Schools international & former Academy player. Had two prolific seasons for Celtic in 2008-10 during which he scored 50 goals which helped Celtic gain promotion to the 1st Division. He was captain in the promotion season. Left the club for Caldicot Town in 2010/11, returned for a brief second stint in 2011/12. Tom Heard: forward, aged 26. Joined Celtic this season after 10 years as junior & senior at Abertillery Bluebirds. A player with great pace who scored the goal in 2009 that sealed Bluebirds place in the Welsh League. Notched a hat-trick last season for the Bluebirds in Welsh Cup versus Penrhiwceiber Con Athletic.