Merthyr Town’s Cymru Connections
Sam Pearson and Ben Margetson’s arrival at Penydarren Park adds to an ever growing list of former Youth Internationals lining up for The Martyrs.
‘Progress Through Stability’ is Merthyr Town’s ethos. The last sixteen years has seen the Martyrs staring down the barrel of extinction, a lengthy battle against dire ownership, liquidation and reformation, transitioning to fan-led ownership, a year in exile in Taff’s Well, a subsequent return to Penydarren Park, climbing up the non-league pyramid which has culminated into the side’s most successful period since Lyn Jones’ Welsh Cup winning, Atalanta slaying, Conference promoted side of the late 1980s.
Following relegation from the Southern League Premier South in the 2021/22 campaign, Merthyr retained their place in the division due to Walton Casuals folding. That summer saw the arrival of Paul Michael from Yate Town as the First Team Manager alongside Andrew Smith as his Assistant as well as former player Craig Reddy being appointed as First Team Coach. Michael’s first season led to Merthyr reaching the First Round of the FA Cup alongside a credible 9th place finish in the league.
Further strides were made in the following campaign as the Martyrs missed out on a Play-Off space by a single point on the final day of the season, with an attacking style of play described best as “death by a thousand cuts.” Intricate pass and move, pass and move, sophistication rarely witnessed as this level of the footballing pyramid.
Michael’s mantra came to fruition for the 2024/25 campaign as Merthyr suffered only five defeats on their way to lifting the Southern League Premier South title, scoring 105 goals on their way to a table topping 91 points. Many sides simply could not cope with the Martyrs’ style of play with the standout performer of the season, Ricardo Rees, grabbing a staggering 33 goals on the way. Alongside Rees, the likes of Kane Simpson, Cawley Cox, Lewys Twamley (who departed halfway through the season to Yeovil Town), Tom Handley, Lee Lucas, Frazer Thomas and Cole Jarvis, Merthyr fired their way to the National League setup.
The off-season has been rather busy at Penydarren Park as Paul Michael aims to go one better for the upcoming campaign with several players committing to Merthyr as well as some fresh acquisitions. Many players involved in the title winning side such as Jaimie Cogman, Callum Ryan-Phillips, Aneurin Livermore, Matthew Harris and Noah Smerdon are all set to return alongside Jack Evans, Jay Williams, Lee Lucas and Keiran Evans. The new arrivals are Iwan John, Sam Pearson and Ben Margetson, arriving from Caerphilly Athletic, Dorking Wanderers and Barry Town United respectively as well as Will Spiers making a permanent move to Merthyr following on from two successful loan spells whilst at Cardiff City.
As a result, Merthyr now possess several former Cymru Youth Internationals amongst their ranks. Pearson, Margeston, the Evans’, Lucas, Williams and Spiers have all worn the dragon on their chests.
Lee Lucas
Between 2008 and 2014, Lee Lucas made 42 appearances across an international career from U17 to U21 level. Lucas lined up alongside Jonny Williams, Paul Dummett and Billy Bodin during the early 2010s. Lucas wore the captains armband for the U21 squad managed at the time by Geraint Williams in a fixture against Iceland in 2013 as well as twice against England in 2014. A vital cog during Merthyr’s title win in 2025, Lucas’ experiences on the international stage as well as a club career representing Swansea City, Burton Albion, Cheltenham Town and Motherwell (aye, she’s alright) gives him a tactical edge over his defensive opponents in the National League North.
Jay Williams
The Williams family is synonymous with Merthyr Town. Gavin Williams ended his playing career with his hometown after years on the pitch best remembered by his icon status with Yeovil Town whilst also lining out for Hereford United, West Ham United, Ipswich Town, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Woking. Twice capped for Cymru under John Toshack in 2005, Gavin managed the Martyrs between 2016 to 2021 after hanging up his boots. His son, Jay, has now taken up the mantle as a mainstay in Merthyr’s backline. Williams has followed in his father’s footsteps by both representing their hometown and running out for Cymru on the international stage, with Jay making a total of 13 times from U16 to U21 level, with his most recent caps coming in the UEFA U21 European Championship qualifiers in 2023. A product of Newport County’s academy, Williams made his mark at Fulham where he played an integral role within their U18 and U21 setups to lift the Premier League Cup, then gracing the Football League with Sutton United. Often lining up alongside fellow Merthyr native and club captain Matthew Harris, Williams at just 23 years old has the benefit of his time with Cymru recently to continue to make strides within a highly competitive division.
Jack Evans
Jack Evans’ footballing story is nothing short of remarkable. A product of Swansea City’s youth setup, a bout of sickness in 2018 led to the devastating diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. With the support of the Swans and the wider Welsh footballing community, a year of treatment led to Evans’ miraculous return to the pitch over a year later. Between 2016 to 2021, Evans represented Cymru from U16 to U21 level as well as playing in the Victory Shield. Like Lucas, Evans captained the U21 side seven times during his time playing internationally. A highly skillful midfielder, Evans has donned the colours of Swansea City, Mansfield Town, Pafos, Newport County, Farsley Celtic and Penybont. Evans’ first stint with the Martyrs coincided with Paul Michael’s first season as manager and following a move to Farsley Celtic, Evans returned to Penydarren Park in 2024 and is now the current vice-captain of the side.
Will Spiers
Spiers' Recent Interview With Merthyr
A recent prospect of Cardiff City’s development setup, Will Spiers is one of the most exciting talents in the Non-League pyramid. Capped for Cymru’s U18 and U19 sides, Merthyr’s latest acquisition has had an eye-catching breakthrough campaign during 2025/26. Spiers’ made his debut for the Bluebirds during their Vertu Trophy campaign with a goal against Arsenal’s U21s putting a spotlight on the versatile full-back. Completing three loan spells, twice with Merthyr sandwiched between Eastleigh in the National League, with plenty of clubs circling this summer, Spiers has signed with the Martyrs on a permanent deal for the upcoming season. Having impressed across his two spells with Merthyr, his commitment to the Martyrs has gone down a treat with one supporter describing the news being “bigger than Barry Manilow’s snout.”
Keiran Evans
One of Merthyr’s standout performers in recent years, Keiran Evans was a part of Osian Roberts’ Victory Shield winning side in 2014 alongside the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Tyler Roberts, Liam Cullen and Ben Woodburn. Alongside lifting Cymru’s first Victory Shield title since 1949, Evans represented Cymru from U18 to U21 level whilst lining out for Swansea City at club level. A stint at Gloucester City followed before making his move to Merthyr in 2021 in which he has remained since. One of the most skilful individuals in the National League North, Evans is fond of dazzling solo runs which leaves spectators at Penydarren Park speechless. This strike against Kings Lynn Town last season shows it far better than words could describe.
Ben Margetson
Margetson In Action For Barry Town United Last Season
A new arrival for Merthyr, Ben Margetson has arrived with playing experience in both the Welsh and English pyramid as well as caps at U18, U19 and U21 for Cymru. Formerly of Cardiff City, Swansea City, Bromley, Sutton United, Kidderminster Harriers, Pontypridd United and most recently for Barry Town United, it was at the latter that Margeston made a huge impression in a strong Cymru Premier campaign for the Linnets. Starting all 32 league fixtures as well as lifting the Nathaniel MG Cup against The New Saints, it was an impressive campaign despite Barry’s loss to Haverfordwest County in their European Play-Off clash. Arriving at Merthyr with previous experience of playing against the Martyrs during his time with Cardiff City at youth level, it is a real statement of intent from Merthyr as the side strengthens their numbers ahead of the season.
Sam Pearson
With the departure of Cawley Cox to Hereford, Merthyr have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of Sam Pearson from Dorking Wanderers. Having represented Cymru from U17 to U21, Welsh Football Fans were there for his strike against Bulgaria in 2022 at Rodney Parade during a UEFA U21 European Championships Qualifier. Starting his career with Bristol City, spells with AFC Wimbledon, Yeovil Town, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Weston-Super-Mare and Eastleigh followed before his move to the Martyrs this summer. Another young addition to a youthful Merthyr side, between the retentions and acquisitions, there is tangible excitement brewing in the South Wales valleys as time ticks closer to the start of pre-season in July.
Merthyr’s international ties aren’t exclusive to Cymru either. Signing on loan from Yeovil Town before a permanent deal was completed this summer, Jacob Maddox represented England from U16 to U20 level and was amongst the squad that won the UEFA European U19 Championship in 2017 featuring alongside Aaron Ramsdale, Reece James and Mason Mount. A product of Chelsea and Bristol City’s academies, Maddox arrived at Penydarren Park in January after playing for clubs including Walsall, Tranmere Rovers and Forest Green Rovers. Another skillful attacking acquisition, Maddox grew in confidence towards the end of Merthyr’s previous season with a standout performance against Marine towards the end of that campaign wowing the traveling Martyrs on Merseyside.
Speaking to Welsh Football Fans this week, Paul Michael spoke highly of his appointments and how a squad featuring heaps of former internationals gives his side a cutting edge against their opposition in the National League North:
“I hope that these boys treasure those memories and are very proud of their achievements because they should be. Sometimes things don’t work out, due to injury, an illness at the wrong time, an opportunity missed, we all know that’s the way it goes in football but you have to come to peace with that as an individual.”
“I absolutely love looking back at the fixtures the boys played in, I love looking at the team sheets, the results, seeing how the boys got on and who they played with and against. The number of caps and honours these players have just shows the sheer amount of talent they have, they’re all great players to work with and I learn from them everyday I’m around them. If these boys can bring the best out of one another this season we will have a special season.”