Our History

Our journey began in 2013 when two local sides, Bridgend Town and Bryntirion Athletic, came together to form a single club, uniting their rich histories and ambitions. Today, our home ground, Bryntirion Park—now known as the DragonBet Stadium—stands as a vibrant hub for football in the region.

The merger in 2013 was a pivotal moment for football in Bridgend. The sale of Bridgend Town’s Coychurch Road ground to ASDA enabled us to invest in laying artificial turf at Bryntirion Park and the Bridgend College Football Academy in Pencoed. This modern infrastructure laid the groundwork for everything we have achieved since.

Under the leadership of our first manager, Francis Ford, who had previously managed Bryntirion Athletic, we hit the ground running. In our inaugural season in the Welsh Football League Division One, we finished in third place. By the 2014–15 season, we had established ourselves further, securing a 5th place finish and demonstrating the potential for even greater achievements.

From the start, our ambition was clear: to reach the pinnacle of Welsh football. On 12 September 2015, we took a major step forward by applying for a Football Association of Wales Domestic License for the Cymru Premier. This move reflected our commitment to improving facilities and meeting the standards of the top tier.

In May 2016, we bid farewell to Francis Ford as he stepped down, welcoming Rhys Griffiths as our new manager. A former professional with Plymouth Argyle and Newport County, as well as vast experience in the Cymru Premier as a player. Rhys brought fresh energy and vision to our club.

Our hard work and determination paid off spectacularly in the 2018–19 season. We achieved an incredible unbeaten campaign, securing promotion to the Cymru Premier. This milestone was a proud moment for everyone involved with Penybont, marking our arrival on the biggest stage of Welsh domestic football.

Our first season in the Cymru Premier was a challenging but rewarding experience, as we successfully avoided relegation. The following season, we continued to grow, finishing 4th and narrowly missing out on European football through the play-offs.

The 2021/22 season was another defining moment for us, reaching our first-ever Welsh Cup final after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Bala Town in the semi-finals. At the Cardiff City Stadium, we took on The New Saints in a thrilling final but ultimately fell short in a 3-2 defeat.

The 2022–23 season marked yet another milestone in our history. By finishing 3rd in the Cymru Premier, we secured our first-ever European campaign. Drawn against FC Santa Coloma in the first qualifying round of the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League, we held our own with a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Bridgend’s Brewery Field before a hard-fought 2-0 extra-time loss in the away leg.

Beyond our first-team successes, we are committed to developing football at all levels. Our category A academy nurtures the next generation of talent, while our women’s team competes in the Genero Adran South. We’re also proud to support multiple veterans’ teams, extending our reach across the community.

From our beginnings as a merged club to our rise to the Cymru Premier and European competition, we at Penybont Football Club remain a beacon of ambition, resilience, and community spirit in Welsh football. Thank you for being a part of our journey.