How I watched football: 2022-23

This season should’ve started on Ynys Môn. In July I plotted a 17 mile walk round the island’s coastal path to Moelfre that would see me arrive in time to watch Bro Goronwy play a friendly. The walk was hot and hard-going, my ankles were stung, my neck burnt, but I made it in time and climbed the hill to Bro Goronwy’s Cae Nerys home to find an empty field. The club had folded the night before.

Some may have taken that as a sign. I evidently didn’t, watching more games this season than any of the previous ten I’ve documented. With watching Wales and Doncaster Rovers often out of reach financially and logistically, I threw myself into the Welsh domestic game and the opportunity to see and explore more of my home country, from Hakin United in Milford Haven to Trearddur Bay on Ynys Gybi. And undeterred by the season’s false start I tied more games into long walks through the landscape; over the mountains to Conwy, Llanfairfechan and Llanrug; through fields and forests to Henllan, Llannefydd and Llanrwst, and along the coast path to Rhyl and Trearddur Bay.

When collating these images I was trying to think how best to summarise the domestic game in Wales? It’s earnest and aspirational, but also unmistakably amateur. More often than not there has been at least one player on the field older than me (I turned 40 this season), Builth Wells had four goalkeepers in their 13-man squad at Llangollen, and at Llansantffraid one of the assistant referees was wearing espadrilles. I should probably clarify that as far as I’m concerned, these are all things for the plus column.

And despite what your local ‘they were speaking English til I walked in’ bore will tell you, Welsh football clubs are incredibly friendly and welcoming to anyone who shows an interest; I was bought pints by club officials at Ton Pentre, Dafen and Llansantffraid. And as I left Llannefydd in April three different people stopped to offer me a lift – a Llannefydd player, a Penmaenmawr supporter and the match referee – each purely because they’d previously clocked me on the walk there and in the ground.

Pleasingly, such unpretentiousness often extends to the very top level. In February, following their Welsh Cup semi-final victory, the players of Cymru Premier Bala Town stopped for a drink in Flint Town United’s social club. On a covered snooker table in the corner, an official duly presented trays of sausages and buttered bread for the players. One of the first up, paper plate in hand, was 43-time Wales international David Edwards. The FA of Wales can try as hard as they like to polish the Welsh domestic game, but I can’t imagine they’ll ever iron out this inherent homeliness and I for one am hugely grateful.

by Glen Wilson

Below is a photograph from every match I attended this season. No expensive cameras, no special lenses. Just a far from the latest iPhone and the Instagram app.

Match 1 | July

Match action from a pre-season friendly between FC United of Manchester and Doncaster Rovers

FC United of Manchester 0-3 Doncaster Rovers
Pre-season friendly, Broadhall Park

Match 2 | July

A big crowd watch on as Colwyn Bay miss a late chance against Llandudno at Maesdu Park

Llandudno 2-2 Colwyn Bay
Cymru North, Maesdu Park

Match 3 | July

A Llanrug United player wearing number 8 takes a corner at Penmaenmawr's Cae Sling ground, with a large mountain in the background.

Penmaenmawr Phoenix 2-4 Llanrug United
FAW Welsh Cup 1st Qualifying Round, Cae Sling

Match 4 | August

Match action from Conwy Borough versus Llandudno in front of Conwy's Mynydd y Dref

Conwy Borough 1-2 Llandudno
Cymru North, Y Morfa

Match 5 | August

Newport Civil Service's goalkeeper faces a shot against Croesyceiliog as the sun sets on the latter's ground

Croesyceiliog 3-1 Newport Civil Service
FAW Welsh Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, Woodland Road

Match 6 | August

Match action between Ton Pentre and Cardiff Airport at Ynys Park

Ton Pentre 1-0 Cardiff Airport
FAW Welsh Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, Ynys Park

Match 7 | August

A shirtless substituted Conwy player watches the final minutes of Conwy v Colwyn Bay from in front of the changing rooms

Conwy Borough 0-3 Colwyn Bay
Cymru North, Y Morfa

Match 8 | August

Supporters watch Trearddur Bay play Holyhead Town from on top of a stone wall

Trearddur Bay 12-1 Holyhead Town
North Wales Coast West League Division One, Parc Isallt

Match 9 | September

Match action from a game between Llandudno Junction and Felinheli

Llandudno Junction 1-2 Y Felinheli
FAW Welsh Trophy 1st round, The Flyover

Match 10 | September

Wales women quad take the crowds applause following a draw with Slovenia

Wales 0-0 Slovenia
FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier, Cardiff City Stadium

Match 11 | September

The players of Kinmel Bay and Conwy Borough line-up for a minute's silence ahead of their game

Conwy Borough 3-2 Kinmel Bay
FAW Welsh Cup 1st Round, Y Morfa

Match 12 | September

Two men sit on the grass to watch a football match between Mochdre Sports and Chirk AAA

Mochdre Sports 0-3 Chirk AAA
FAW Welsh Cup 1st round, Swan Lane

Match 13 | September

A fan in a bucket hat watches a women's football match between Cardiff City and Swansea City at an athletics stadium

Cardiff City 2-0 Swansea City
Adran Premier, Leckwith Stadium

Match 14 | September

Match action from Wales versus Poland in a packed Cardiff City Stadium

Wales 0-1 Poland
UEFA Nations League, Cardiff City Stadium

Match 15 | October

The players of Whyteleafe and Tooting Bec line up ready to go out onto the pitch

AFC Whyteleafe 2-3 Tooting Bec
Southern Counties East League Division One, Church Road

Match 16 | October

A substitute collects an errant football from a field next to Cerrigydrudion's home pitch

Cerrigydrudion 3-4 Y Felinheli
FAW Welsh Trophy 2nd Round, Cae Ty Nant

Match 17 | October

Match action as Y Felinheli take on Conwy Borough on a sunny autumn day

Y Felinheli 1-4 Conwy Borough
FAW Welsh Cup 2nd Round, Cae Seilo

Match 18 | October

A player for NFA women takes a corner kick in front of empty stands at Belle Vue, Rhyl

Y Rhyl 1879 1-0 NFA
FAW Welsh Women’s Cup 1st Round, Belle Vue

Match 19 | October

A gnome is held aloft and a beach ball flies through the air as the Doncaster Rovers players enter the field at Carlisle united's Brunton Park

Carlisle United 3-0 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League Two, Brunton Park

Match 20 | October

Colwyn Bay players enter the field at their Llanellian Road ground

Colwyn Bay 3-0 Holyhead Hotspur
Wlesh Blood Service League Cup, Llanellian Road

Match 21 | October

A young Doncaster Rovers fan with their arms outstretched watches her team play away at Crewe Alexandra

Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League Two, Gresty Road

Match 22 | October

Match action as Doncaster Rovers take on Gillingham at the Eco-Power Stadium

Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Gillingham
EFL League Two, Eco-Power Stadium

Match 23 | October

The hill behind the goal is reflected in puddles at Matlock Town's Causeway Lane ground as Matlock Town women play against Buxton

Matlock Town 1-2 Buxton
Derbyshire Girls & Ladies League Division Two, Causeway Lane

Match 24 | November

Llanrwst United's players head back out onto the field for the second half of their match. There are autumn trees on a hillside behind the pitch

Llanrwst United 2-2 Llandudno Albion (4-3 on penalties)
Ardal North League Cup, Gwydir Park

Match 25 | November

A young man and young woman look at each other on the terrace as Penydarren play a night match against Trethomas Bluebirds

Penydarren BGC 1-0 Trethomas Bluebirds
FAW Welsh Cup 3rd Round, The Bont

Match 26 | November

A Hakin United player takes a corner as a large number of supporters watch on

Hakin United 1-5 Holywell Town
FAW Welsh Cup 3rd Round, The Observatory Ground

Match 27 | November

Four young boys watch from behind a fence as Bethesda Athletic play Penydarren

Bethesda Athletic 2-5 Penydarren BGC
FAW Welsh Trophy 4th Round, Parc Meurig

Match 28 | November

The players of Lewisham Borough and Forest Hill Park cross the athletics track to enter the field

Lewisham Borough 2-1 Forest Hill Park
Southern Counties East League Division One, Ladywell Arena

Match 29 | November

A man in a hat watches on as Gyor play DVTK at a very empty ETO Park stadium

FC Győr 0-3 Diósgyőri VTK
Nemzeti Bajnokság II (Hungarian 2nd Division), ETO Park

Match 30 | December

A Llandundo Junction player places the ball for a corner kick among autumn leaves

Glan Conwy 1-2 Llandudno Junction
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, Cae Ffwt

Match 31 | December

Match action as Conwy Borough play Prestatyn town in a night match

Conwy Borough 2-3 Prestatyn Town
Cymru North, Y Morfa

Match 32 | December

A man in a Penrhyn Bay FC hoodie watches his team play against Llysfaen

Penrhyn Bay 4-5 Llysfaen
North Wales Coast East League Division One, The Oval

Match 33 | December

Doncaster Rovers supporters look towards Tranmere Rovers supporters during a match at Prenton Park

Tranmere Rovers 3-0 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League Two, Prenton Park

Match 34 | December

A supporter in a bobble hat and a photographer in waterproof clothing watch Flint Town United defend a Connah's Quay Nomads corner

Flint Town United 0-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Cymru Premier, Cae y Castell

Match 35 | January

A Colwyn Bay player (number 3) crosses the ball during his team's home match against Guilsfield

Colwyn Bay 6-0 Guilsfield
Cymru North, Llanelian Road

Match 36 | January

Match action from Penmaenmawr Phoenix against Llanfairfechan Town in front of a mountain

Penmaenmawr Phoenix 1-2 Llanfairfechan Town
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, Cae Sling

Match 37 | January

Cloud covers the mountain tops behind Nantlle Vale's ground as they play against Cardiff Corinthians

Nantlle Vale 2-2 Cardiff Corinthians (2-4 on penalties)
FAW Welsh Trophy 5th Round, Maes Dulyn

Match 38 | February

Match action from Bala Town versus Briton Ferry Llansawel

Bala Town 2-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel
FAW Welsh Cup Quarter Final, Maes Tegid

Match 39 | February

Match action from Mochdre Sports verus St Asaph City in front of a large pylon

Mochdre Sports 0-2 St Asaph City
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, Swan Lane

Match 40 | February

Match action from Bridgend Street versus Rhos Aelwyd in front of an industrial backdrop

Bridgend Street 5-2 Rhos Aelwyd
FAW Welsh Trophy Quarter Final, The Willows

Match 41 | February

Match action from Briton Ferry Llansawel women versus Aberystwyth Town at Carmarthen's Richomd Park

Aberystwyth Town 0-3 Briton Ferry Llansawel
FAW Women’s Welsh Cup Semi Final, Richmond Park (Carmarthen Town)

Match 42 | February

Young fans watch from behind the goal as Conwy Borough defend a corner agaisnt Colwyn Bay

Colwyn Bay 5-0 Conwy Borough
Cymru North, Llanelian Road

Match 43 | March

Fans and flags watch on as Bala Town play Connah's Quay United at Flint

Bala Town 3-2 Connah’s Quay Nomads
FAW Welsh Cup Semi Final, Cae Y Castell (Flint Town United)

Match 44 | March

Supporters walk towards Stockport County's Edgeley Park ground

Stockport County 0-0 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League Two, Edgeley Park

Match 45 | March

Five fans including one under an umbrella watch from te touchline as Bangor 1876 play Denbigh Town

Bangor 1876 0-2 Denbigh Town
Ardal North West, Treborth Playing Field

Match 46 | March

Three men watch from a gate between the hedgerow as Llanfairfechan Town play Prestatyn Sports

Llanfairfechan Town 2-1 Prestatyn Sports
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, Y Rec

Match 47 | March

A low view of Doncaster Rovers fans on the terrace at Crawley Town

Crawley Town 1-1 Doncaster Rovers
EFL League Two, Broadfield Stadium

Match 48 | March

Supporters can be seen inside the ground at Colwyn Bay

Colwyn Bay 1-3 Holywell Town
Cymru North, Llanelian Road

Match 49 | March

Fans and players celebrate a goal for Wrexham women at a packed Racecourse Ground

Wrexham 2-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Adran North, The Racecourse Ground

Match 50 | April

The players of Knighton Town and Aberaeron enter the field at the former's ground

Knighton Town 8-2 Aberaeron
Central Wales League South, Bryn-y-Castell

Match 51 | April

Match action as Conwy Borough take on Holyhead Hotspur

Conwy Borough 2-1 Holyhead Hotspur
Cymru North, Y Morfa

Match 52 | April

A Llannefydd player takes a corner kick against Penmaenmawr Phoenix

Llannefydd 2-1 Penmaenmawr Phoenix
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, Cae Llannefydd

Match 53 | April

Fans shield their eyes from the sun to watch Rhyl 1879 take a free-kick against Denbigh Town

Y Rhyl 1879 0-4 Denbigh Town
Ardal North West, Belle Vue

Match 54 | April

Penmaenmawr Phoenix players walk up the steps towards the field at Llanfairfechan Town

Llanfairfechan Town 2-1 Penmaenmawr Phoenix
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division, Y Rec

Match 55 | April

Dafen Welfare players and supporters celebrate a goal in the rain against South Gower

Dafen Welfare 3-5 South Gower
West Wales Premier League, Dafen Park

Match 56 | April

Supporters, a videographer and a dog watch on from the terrace at Penydarren Park as Cardiff City Women play Briton Ferry Llansawel

Cardiff City 4-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel
FAW Women’s Welsh Cup Final, Penydarren Park (Merthyr Town)

Match 57 | April

Fans watch from the grass bank at Newtown as Denbigh Town defend a corner against Trethomas Bluebirds

Trethomas Bluebirds 2-1 Denbigh Town
FAW Welsh Trophy Final, Latham Park (Newtown)

Match 58 | April

A big crowd at Nantporth watch The New Sainst play Bala Town

The New Saints 6-0 Bala Town
FAW Welsh Cup Final, Nantporth (Bangor)

Match 59 | May

Supporters watch from the high bank at Llansantffraid's Treflan as their team play Tywyn Bryncug in an evening game

Llansantffraid Village 5-1 Tywyn Bryncug
Central Wales League North, Treflan

Match 60 | May

Llangollen Town defend a Builth Wells corner in front of a backdrop of tree-lined hills

Llangollen Town 0-0 Builth Wells
Ardal North East, Tower Fields

Match 61 | May

A huge pylon dominates the backdrop as Llanrug United play Llanberis

Llanrug United 1-2 Llanberis
North Wales Coast West League Premier Division, Eithin Duon

Match 62 | May

A Cefn Albion player takes a corner as Bangor 1876 supporters watch on at Prestatyn Town's Bastion Gardens

Bangor 1876 4-2 Cefn Albion
Ardal Northern Leagues Promotion Play-Off, Bastion Gardens (Prestatyn Town)

Match 63 | May

A Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd player scores a penalty against Henllan on a warm sunny evening at the latter's Top parc ground

Henllan 2-4 Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd
Llandyrnog and District Village Clubs Summer Football League, Top Parc

Further photographs from each of the games featured in this blog can be found on the popular STAND fanzine, Instagram account

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