If anyone from the JD Cymru Premier knows about playing in Europe, it is Chris Venables.
The 37-year-old has made 19 appearances in continental competition for three different clubs – from Llanelli in the UEFA Europa League in 2009 to Bala Town in the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022.
“European games are very special because you work so hard to qualify over the course of the previous season and often it is what the whole campaign is geared towards,” the striker says. “I always take great pride in playing in Europe because I know it is a privilege and not many players get to do so.
“My Llanelli debut came at Motherwell away, which was fantastic as it was against a big team in front of a big crowd and we won the game which was unbelievable. Scoring for Bala to beat Valletta was amazing and then it was a great opportunity to play away at Standard Liege in the next round.”
It is that experience that prompted Penybont to sign the veteran frontman ahead of their maiden European campaign this summer, following a third-place finish in the JD Cymru Premier last season.
It brought to an end Venables’ seven-year spell at Bala Town, in which he became a Lakesiders legend by scoring 117 goals in 232 appearances – picking up two JD Cymru Premier golden boot awards in the process.
“I had seven fantastic seasons at Bala and felt very privileged to captain the club, so there was never going to be a ‘good’ time to leave,” Venables reflects. “But I am in the latter stage of my career and I want to challenge myself as much as I can. I believe the move to Penybont gives me the opportunity to do that.
“I have worked with Rhys [Griffiths], Martyn Giles (assistant manager) and Lee Jarman (first team coach) previously, so that was a big pull for me. But also looking at Penybont from the outside, they are a club that are progressing and their journey is one that I wanted to be on. If I’m honest, it was a no-brainer to join.”
Venables and his new boss Griffiths rank as two of the highest scorers in JD Cymru Premier history and played alongside each other at both Llanelli and Aberystwyth Town. The striker says that reuniting at a third club was the perfect move.
“We played a lot of games together and always got on great, so it hasn’t been too difficult to adjust to having him as a manager. He is someone who I have admired for a long time and someone who I am really pleased to be working with again.”
Griffiths is six years in to his tenure as Penybont boss, having guided the club from the second tier of Welsh football to now a first ever European campaign. In contrast, it will be an 11th season in Europe for Venables.
The UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round draw has pitted Bont against FC Santa Coloma, who are 13-time champions of Andorra.
“There is a lot of excitement in the group and we are really eager to do well, particularly as it is the club’s first time in Europe,” Venables says. “I have been fortunate enough to play in a lot of European ties, but you never lose that excitement when these games come around.
“Our preparations have gone really well and they are really ramping up this week as we get closer to the game. I expect Santa Coloma to be a technical and organised team, they are full-time so we know they will be very prepared.
“We know that it will be a difficult tie, it always is in Europe. But we are confident, we are up for the game and we will be well prepared. With the support we will no doubt get, I see no reason why we can’t make it through.”
Unable to play at their home ground of the SDM Glass Stadium, Bont are making the short trip across Bridgend to the Dunraven Brewery Field to host the first leg of the tie on Thursday night before travelling to Andorra for the second leg next week.
Unsurprisingly, tickets were quickly snapped up for this week’s highly-anticipated fixture and the stadium is set to be a sell-out. For those not at the Brewery Field, the first leg is being shown live on Sgorio’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
“The fans will play a massive part on Thursday night in terms of the support they give us,” Venables says. “I’m sure they will create the best atmosphere possible and it will be a privilege for me to make my debut on this kind of occasion if I am selected. There is no better game to start with and hopefully I can make a good introduction.”
