This has been a tricky article to write and something I hadn’t really thought about until Wolvesy asked me if I wanted to pull something together for the Dial M for Merthyr fanzine on why I became a Martyr. I will start this by being honest. I’m Cardiff born and bred and Cardiff City were my first love, a team I supported home and away for the best part of 18 years as a season ticket holder. But how am I now a season ticket holder at Penydarren Park and writing for the Fanzine!?
My first visit to Penydarren Park was in 2008 to watch Cardiff City take on Merthyr in a pre-season friendly. I remember turning up thinking that it was going to just be another lower league ground and one that wouldn’t be up to much. Whilst it wasn’t to the level it is today, I was amazed by the history, size but mostly the hospitality from the home fans.
Going along to a non segregated match was a novelty and being able to stand on the wank bank with Merthyr fans having a chat about their previous season was something that stuck with me. That serves me right for thinking Ninian Park was the greatest ground in the world and nothing would come close!
Fast forward 3 years later, I just happened to move up the A470 to Merthyr and look at what was on my doorstep. It first started with a couple of games a season when the City weren’t at home as I could walk to the ground, watch a match and have a few beers.
This gave me a different release particularly at a time when Cardiff were lurching from one crisis to the next whether it be changing badge/colour/ownership/manager etc – this was slowly sucking the joy away for myself and a number of other supporters and Merthyr was a casual way to enjoy football without the emotional attachment.
Going to a few games a year slowly morphed into a regular attendance in the face of feeling like watching Cardiff was a chore versus enjoying my Saturday at Merthyr. At this point the writing was on the wall so to speak and I will be honest, something that still surprises me to this day.
Merthyr has given me back what I seemed to have lost many years ago. Passion. I now can’t wait for a Saturday to come around and to stand on the terrace to watch the lads. Seeing players give 100% for the badge, regardless of the result.
Circling away games on the fixture list and travelling hours on a bus with boys who I didn’t know 6 months ago, but now speak to regularly. Celebrating goals like Noah’s injury time equaliser against Gloucester, Ric’s opener away at Totton or Cole’s screamer against South Shields like a 15 year old without a care in the world.
That is what football is about and that is what Merthyr has given me back. I’ve even started writing match reports and articles this season, which is something that I would never have attempted years ago. But when you are so invested, how can you not write or talk about it!? (A shameless plug to www.onthemartyrs.com and @bankingmartyrs on X).
Both of my daughters are now PP regulars, with my youngest Poppy a ST holder. It’s the little things which makes Poppy’s day, spending it with her friends at PP, Tom Handley always coming across after a game to hi five the kids, players stopping in the bar to have photos. It’s the next generation which are important and the club has a healthy younger following which is crucial moving forward.
Whilst good times on the pitch don’t last forever, the ethos and atmosphere of the club is what makes it what it is and one I am glad to play a (small) part of.
There is only one thing left for to me say…..UP THE TOWN ⚪️⚫️
Gavin Burns
