MERTHYR Town celebrated their title triumph back home at Penydarren Park after their final Toolstation Western League match.
Goals from Scott Armitage and top scorer Craig Stiens, with his 23rd of the season, earned the Martyrs a 2-2 draw against promotion-chasing Bridport at Rhiw Ddar, Taffs Well.
Then manager Garry Shephard and his players headed to Penydarren Park to join supporters at the club’s presentation evening.
Jon Newall, captain Steve Williams, Tareq Khalil and Stiens were the players who received awards, while Shephard has already made big progress in securing his squad for next season in the Premier Division.
“I have already made sure 90 per cent of this squad will be back next season and I am in talks with the other players,” said Shephard. “My aim is to add one or two and we are intent on earning more success in 2011-12.”
Merthyr Town will be based back at Penydarren Park next season and said goodbye to MacWhirter Welsh League Taffs Well, where they have played this season, after the draw against Bridport.
“It’s great to be going home, but we will always be grateful to Taffs Well and the help they gave us to keep our club alive when we needed it the most,” said secretary Jamie Mack. “Without that letter from Taffs Well providing us a home for the season Merthyr Town FC would not be here now.”
Merthyr players walked off at the end of the match against Bridport with ‘We are the Champions’ blaring out over the tannoy, a tribute to a season in which they have dominated Division One.
Almost 400 spectators watched the clash with Bridport, whose manager is former Reading, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth striker Trevor Senior.
Merthyr finished their season on the back of 12 unbeaten matches, winning 11 before this draw against Bridport, who opened the scoring through Russell Legg after 32 minutes. Armitage equalised soon after half-time and then Stiens put the Martyrs ahead after 80 minutes.
Less then a minute later Sam Charles eluded home defenders to fire low into the corner and complete the 2-2 scoreline.
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