It’s not often that a club from the lower reaches of Welsh football can dream big, but for Heolgerrig Red Lion — newly promoted to the South Wales Premier League Division One East — they are doing exactly that.
This summer, the club have entered the JD Welsh Cup for the first time in their history.
And their debut couldn’t come with a bigger test: a qualifying round clash with Cwmbran Town, the inaugural League of Wales winners and three-time JD Welsh Cup runners-up.
For many, a tie like that would be seen as a free hit, given the three-tier gap between the sides. But for Heolgerrig, it’s a statement: they’re here to compete, not just to make up the numbers.
“We’re the underdogs, and we know that,” says first-team manager James Walters.
“We are under no illusions about our chances Saturday, but cup competitions are unpredictable. We’ll be fearless but respectful in our approach and hope the footballing gods are in our favour.
“Cwmbran is synonymous with Welsh football and has a huge history — a club that’s been there, won things, fallen from grace, and is now rebuilding with the right people. It’s a club we can all learn from.”
Red Lion’s rise from the Merthyr League to the South Wales Premier League has been nothing short of remarkable — especially given their short three-year existence as a senior team. But their journey is about more than just footballing success.
In 2023, tragedy struck when coach Alex Meek — a deeply respected figure and close friend of Walters — sadly took his own life. His loss sent shockwaves through the club and the wider community.
“His passing hit the club hard,” Walters says. “To this day, I still carry his stopwatch and whistle with me to every training session and game. I’ll never forget it. I cherish them deeply. I miss his presence and his calmness — it’s something we all felt.
“When I joined Red Lion, Alex played a vital role. We shared the same vision — to create clear pathways from youth to senior football. That shared vision shaped everything.”
Alex’s life was commemorated with the Special Recognition Award at the 2024 FAW McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards, recognising his transformative impact at the club.
Under his guidance, the Merthyr Tydfil-based side grew rapidly — now supporting over 450 young players, including more than 200 girls, thanks to a thriving girls’ section that Alex helped create.
“Everywhere we go, we carry him with us,” says Paul, Alex’s father and club chairman. “We used the money Alex left to sponsor four kits for the girls’ teams, with his Welsh shirt logo on the front and #Meek6 on the sleeve and back – a quiet tribute to the number he proudly wore when representing the Boys & Girls Club of Wales.
“He worked so hard alongside me. We’d be out training four or even five nights a week. He supported so many — the coaches, players, and parents alike. He was the heartbeat of this club.
“Everybody loved Alex. The kids adored him — he was like the Pied Piper. So quiet but so loved. He’s missed every day, but his legacy lives on. It’s everywhere — and it’s brilliant.”
Since his passing, Red Lion have partnered with Signposted Cymru, a mental health charity that supported Alex during difficult times. The club has since raised more than £53,000 so far through charity matches, mountain walks, and community events — and continues to refer individuals for support.
“They actually helped Alex before he died,” Paul explains. “Now I’m putting in three or four people every week — just giving them that bit of help.”
Alex’s sister Gemma, now the club’s safeguarding officer, has taken on the London Marathon and the Three Peaks Challenge to support the cause, along with club members.
“When we lost Alex, our world ended,” Paul reflects. “But for others, it was just the beginning – because they’re now getting help.”
His legacy also lives on through the senior team — the side he signed for the week he passed. “Seeing them now — it’s like, ‘we did it’,” Paul says. “James has done a brilliant job as manager, and I know Alex would be so proud.
“What makes it even more special is that many of the senior players are now coaching within the club. That connection back to the kids’ football — it’s what Alex always wanted. We’ve now got over 40 to 50 volunteer coaches involved across all levels. It’s been a journey, but it’s starting to level out now — and we can enjoy it a bit more.”
Promotion last season marked a major milestone, with Red Lion set for tier 6 football for the first time in their history. For Paul, it’s not just a footballing achievement — it’s deeply personal.
“I’ve seen the club grow on a scale I never thought possible,” he says. “Everybody just supports us — from sponsors to friends. They want to be part of Red Lion.
“Promotion was huge. We always wanted a pathway for the kids to move into senior football — whether that’s the Merthyr League or the Alliance League. Now that pathway is real.”
Walters also believes the club is growing stronger each season. A win and progression to the second qualifying round would be the perfect reward, he says, for what’s already been a remarkable two-year journey under his stewardship.
“Promotion was vital last season,” he says. “The club needed a clear goal, and from the start, everyone bought into the vision.
“This is our third season together as a senior team — we’re still a new side. But that doesn’t mean we lack ambition. We also understand the need to stay grounded and realistic with our targets.
“Still, Saturday’s game is the kind of moment you live for — as a manager and as a club. These are the moments you dream about, defying the odds, going on a run, and continuing to build the club’s history.
“We’re ambitious, no question. If you don’t dream big, what’s the point? Without ambition, a football club becomes unsustainable. We’re always developing and investing in our players and our coaches.
“Saturday is going to be a big day for everyone involved — but it’s also just the beginning.”
Fixtures
JD Welsh Cup Qualifying Round 1
Qualifying Round 2 Draw
Wednesday, 6 August at 8:00pm
