Chairmans Message 24/25

20th April 2025

Following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, chairman Wayne Stephens has put together an end of season message for supporters, sponsors, volunteers and all involved with Llanelli Town AFC.

Last week was our final game of the season and we became CHAMPIONS of the JD Cymru South.

It’s been a journey started several years ago before Covid and we as a club, continue our journey. 

I am thankful to the board of directors that continue to be on the journey with me and the club Paraskevas Avraam (Baz), Shaun Griggs, Joe Papa, Steve Chrissie McGraph and Michael Masterson and for trusting me in what I do. 

My programme notes sum up what everyone at the club means to me and I thank you all.

What a season it’s been with highs and lows, stress levels going through the roof and opinions from everyone, including myself about how the players should play and what the management should do. Although we should have opinions, it has been a credit to Lee and Dylan that they have remained calm and got us over the line. They should be proud of their time here at Llanelli Town AFC over the past several years, where they have learned about themselves and the club. Credit to their management team consisting of Matthew, Gareth, Jancy and Steff, who are always on hand supporting the players and the club and I thank you all.

As each game goes by, spectators come and go but the same people work behind the scenes on Matchday. Dilwyn, Paul and Dai on the turnstiles, Allan on the PA system, Greg Phillips updating Comet and recording all the clubs stats, Jamie taking wonderful images, Richard and Rhys as our stewards, my mother Yvonne preparing teas and cakes in our directors lounge, David and Nia running the Jock Stein lounge, the young ladies running our cafe and the supporters club assisting everywhere!!!! I thank you all for your continued hard work and commitment to myself and this wonderful club. 

Off the field, I have been privileged to have so many people influence my decisions but also stand by my decisions over the years, my mentor David Craddock (Club President), Jonathan Garcia, Kevin Francis, Rob Griffiths and Peter Tiffin. These individuals have formed an alliance with and for the club and act as a senior committee, under our board of directors. Thank you for your service to Llanelli Town AFC over the years!!!!

Our board of directors, Barry, Joe, Shaun, Mickey, David, Steve, Chrissie and Peter, who had to listen to me sell the dream. Thank you for being a part of this club and embracing what Llanelli football club is to so many. We are not there yet but we will continue to push to make our dreams come true!

Thank you to our commercial manager Jordan Fox, who gets out there and puts the club in people’s faces. The amount of opportunities that Jordan creates is unbelievable and I thank him and his family for everything. 

Thank you to all the academy coaches, players and parents, to the Women’s team coaches Katie, Meg and Connor and all the players, to the veterans committee and all the players representing the club, to the disability management and the players and all of you who support these teams.

Thank you to the supporters club, who have given over £2500 to our U19 side and over £1000 to our Women’s team. Everything helps and you continue to work hard to support your club. It really is much appreciated and more news will come out about what the supporters club do and what the future holds in due course. Exciting times for the supporters club!

I want to thank the players, who turn up and get the job done (sometimes), and for representing our club badge with professionalism and pride. This goes a long way and I along with everyone else is grateful!

You the supporters, week in week out you come to home games and away games and it does not go unnoticed. Everything we do at the club is for YOU and I hope that we are doing the correct things, so that you can be on the journey with us. Thank you to every single one of you!

For me, it’s a time to reflect and to look to the future, whether I am a part of it or not. For the last 9 years, I have given everything to this club to ensure that we are stronger, together and as one and I truly believe that we are nearly there. This is quite possibly my last game and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.

Lastly, I want to thank all of those that started the journey with us but are no longer with us. My dad, Neil Stephens being one of those. I only wish that you could be here today to enjoy and share this moment with me and mammy but deep down, I believe that you have been with us since you left us. My father has been influential in everything that I have done for this football club and has always had my back. We did it DAD and we are back up!!!!!!!!

It is my full intention to continue to lead and inspire my team, to continue our journey with the completion of the lease agreement at our ground, redevelop the facility with new dugouts, LED floodlights, a new shelter for our open seated area and hard standing from our disability area to the main stand. All of the above to be completed by the summer.

I will also drive the club to be the best it can be with applications for a greener stadium, Hybrid pitch and a FAW Category A Academy. 

Without the people behind the scenes, who are made up of volunteers, our special club wouldn’t be what it is now. 

Onwards and upwards as we start our new season on the Cymru Premier!

Wayne Stephens

Chairman, Llanelli Town AFC