History of Aberaman AFC - Founded 1892

Aberaman FC is one of the founder members of the Welsh League in 1902-03. Like many clubs in the late 1800's their early history is lost in the mist of time. It would be true to say that they established themselves as one of the best sides in the valley earlier on.

For instant recognition regarding their early status is shown by stark statistic that in 1902-03 season they were finalists in the Welsh Cup. 10 years later (1912-13) they were finalists in the Welsh Amateur Cup. They won the South Wales and Monmouthshire Senior Cup in 1902-03 and in the 1911-12 and 1912-13 seasons they were winners of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Amateur Cup.

Aberaman: The Early Years by Mike van Baaren

There is a lot of confusion over whether Aberaman and Aberdare were ever the same team. I have received a very interesting article from Mike van Baaren regarding the early years of the Club. I have reproduced it below and I hope you find it interesting, I certainly did.

It seems that the only league that I can get any info on is the old "South Wales and Mon League" was the Welsh League as its known today in operation? Or is it that the "South Wales and Mon League" was an early fore runner of the same (probably was). Anyway here is what I have for you:

Early reports of any team with the name Aberaman attached are very sketchy indeed and do not surface until October 1895; this was when Aberdare Town played Aberaman at Aberaman Park. If it was a league game it does not say, several clubs around this era were playing but only friendly games organized between themselves. We have to move on to November 1896 when a team called Aberaman Stars and Aberaman Rangers were in being (playing friendly games).

Next comes a report in February 1898 that the newly formed Aberaman Athletic are playing games. I suspect that this is an amalgamation of the Stars and the Rangers. Next we have a report that in September 1899 Aberaman Athletic played Barry Reserves in the "South Wales and Mon League " Division 2. Also in this league we have Rogerstone Reserves, Cardiff Macintosh, Trelewis, Porth Reserves, Hafod, New Tredegar and Nelson.

Division 1 consisted of Rogerstone, Porth, Barry, Aberdare, Newport, Pontardawe, and Ebbw Vale. These were the only clubs mentioned as to playing in any form of league in South Wales at this time, so I would suspect that these leagues were in fact the fore runner of the now Welsh League.

The Aberaman Team at this time 1899 were named as: Jenkin Howells, Llew Rees, T.Granger, Bishop, T. Gibbon, Tom Higgens, Sam Parker, Enoch Jones, A Hobbs, Arthur Poare, T.Beynon.

In season 1900/1901 the team gained promotion to Division 1.

Aberaman AFC 1899 - believed to be one of the oldest Football photographs in Wales

Also at this time the Captain and secretary was a Mr M.R.Mosford who subsequently resigned (No reason given) .No league tables are available.

Season 1902/1903 was a very good year for the club. They won the league and also entered the FA Cup; in the qualifying round they played Caerphilly and won 7-1. In the first round proper were away to Coventry and lost 3-1.

Aberaman Football Club 1910

Apart from league games played they also played Bristol City (0-1) Lost, Manchester (Which one does not say) but played it at the Blaengwawr field and lost 1-0, Notts County (Won 2-1), and Sheffield Wednesday (lost 6-0) who had just won the English 1st Division. Also won the South Wales Senior Cup beating Aberdare Town(1-0) which was played in Mountain Ash Referee was Mr G.Mercer from Cardiff.

Unfortunately they lost to Wrexham in the final of the Welsh Cup (8-0). The team by this time had changed considerably and were: Egginton, Hugh Jones, W.J.Boulton, Steve Jones, Bowell, J.Rooke, Charles Grinnell, Tom Jones, Jack Davies, Jack Hullen, Powell, Britton and Reed.

Statistics for the season were:

Played 45
Won 34
Lost 7
Draws 4
Goals for 151
Goals against 47
Top Scores were C.Grinnell 59, J Rooke 38, T.D.Jones 16.

The team disbanded at the end of that season (No reasons given) and reformed as Aberaman United for the start of season 1903/1904 playing at the newly laid Michaels Field. They carried on in the South Wales and Mon League Division 1, they were not very successful but reached the final of the South Wales and Mon Junior Cup (Barred from playing in the final, no reason given).

The club then went insolvent over a debt incurred by the then Secretary Mr Ernest H Rees who was a Barber from Aberaman. The money lent was by a Mr M.R.David from " The Grange " (Wherever that was). The sec was acquitted in court but all the assets (£87) were used to pay the solicitors bills. The district of Aberaman was then represented at football by Aberaman Thursdays (No League just friendly games) and Aberaman Stars and Aberaman Windsors in the newly formed Aberdare and District Junior League (Marshall Challenge Cup).

In September 1903 Aberaman United played their first game against Aberdare Thistles in the Rhymney Valley League (Shall have to check that one), they also played in the South Wales and Mon League Division One.

Thanks very much to Mike for that article. Mike has agreed to provide us with more history over the coming months and also to provide an in-depth look at football in the Cynon Valley over the years (history of the Aberdare League etc).

Watch this space.