Tenby AFC are celebrating another promotion, putting the club back in the top division!
Back in 2018 Tenby AFC didn’t have a senior team after recently folding but in the season of 2019 under the leadership of Gareth Noot and Dene Hurlow the club entered Division 5 with a bright young squad of players, they had one objective and that was to get back into the top division as soon as they possibly could.
Last week they achieved just that - but nobody would have thought that they would do it in just four seasons, back to back promotions now puts them back in division one and what a journey it has been.
Tenby have consistently developed young talent through the Club’s junior section for decades but frustratingly would lose those players to other local clubs who could offer Division One football.
Now though, with a solid committee and management group in place the club hopes to kick on from here and not only retain the high quality youth coming through the system, but to attract back some of those past junior players.
The club is extremely proud of the young group who started in Division 5 and are still together now, with players such as Dan Storer (captain), Dylan Noot, Daryl and Jerome Mansbridge, Jimmy Bridge and Jake Hipkiss playing in every season since the senior side reformed.
In the season of 2021 ex Tenby junior players could see the team was gaining momentum and heading in the right direction.
Players with experience were persuaded to sign on, with the likes of Toby Rossiter, Ricky Morgan, Sam Butler, Scott Ferney, Jack Tucker Chris Millward and George Taylor all committing to the club, while juniors such as Ned Davies and Harry Phillips came through the youth system.
Naturally this season has been the most challenging of them all with the team not having everything their own way, but on Tuesday evening they sealed promotion with a 94th minute equaliser from full back Sam Butler who has been in superb form as of late with some crucial goals.
Tenby needed a point from the game to go up yet at half time found themselves 3-1 down against a very organised and physical Herbranston side, but such is the belief in the squad they dug deep to get the crucial draw.
Last month saw the team narrowly miss out on a Senior Cup final after losing 1-0 to league one winners Goodwick, but the night proved that the boys are ready to compete at this level.
Players such as Rossiter and Ferney have brought not only experience to the squad but leadership too and veteran Ricky Morgan has added professionalism to training and match day preparation.
The future is looking bright and while the team have two more fixtures before the season ends they are firmly focused on life in Division One next season and Division Four for the seconds team.
Credit must go to Gareth and Dene on the fantastic job they have done in such a short space of time and even now they are introducing under 16 players into the squad in preparation for next season.
The Club would like to extend their gratitude to the clubs main sponsor Andrew Price, as without his generous support the club would not be where it is today.
Special thanks also goes to Del Brace plumbing; Retreat camping hire; Griffiths & Daughters scaffolding; and The Dogs Home in Tenby for their sponsorship this season.