When Aberystwyth Town Women drew 3-3 with TNS on the final day of phase one in the Genero Adran Premier, it secured their spot in the top four after the mid-season break.
The match was broadcast live on Sgorio and brought in an incredible amount of noisy fans to Park Avenue – it’s no wonder that long-serving Ffiona Evans picks it out as one of her career highlights.
“Everyone dreams of playing on TV and having huge crowds watching,” she says. “The game was such a great game too, a great advert for women’s football, and even better we got the result we needed to secure top four. This year is probably our best yet, as the squad we have is the youngest we’ve ever had, and we’re one of the only amateur teams still in the league – to finish in the same half of the table as three semi-pro sides…what an achievement!”
Evans should know. This is the 34-year-old’s 17th season in the Aber first team – a stunning feat of longevity, even if the record-keeping prior to the advent of the Genero Adran Premier was less than ideal, meaning she currently doesn’t have an exact idea of how many matches she has played.
“My Aber debut was on 9th September 2007, playing away to New Quay in the Park Lodge Ceredigion Ladies League where we won 12-0 and I got on the scoresheet with two goals,” she recalls. “I don’t remember much of the game, to be honest, but I remember turning up to my first training session at Park Avenue feeling very nervous, but I knew quite a few of the girls already after playing in the Ian Rush Tournament that summer so I was put at ease pretty quick and was made to feel welcome.”
That camaraderie among the players is the chief element that has kept her in green for so long.
“We’ve had some tough times over the years, but the team always pull together,” she says.
Evans also served as captain for eight seasons, and was part of Aber’s first-ever match in the Welsh Premier Women’s League on 24 September 2009, beating Llanidloes 2-0 with more than 300 spectators cheering them on.
“That night was unforgettable,” she says.
And she is looking forward to making even more memories with the Seasiders in the years to come – perhaps a Bute Energy Welsh Cup final to add to the two semi-final appearances they have made in 2011 and 2023 – with no intention of retiring just yet.
“I’ll keep going until my body decides enough is enough – or I get to a milestone of appearances, if I ever find out what I’m up to, that is!” she laughs.
