Football Coach and junior Player hospitalised after Pontardawe assault

A football coach and a young footballer have needed hospital treatment after being attacked at the playing fields in Pontardawe.

In a statement, Pontardawe Town Football club have said “We are sad to report that on the evening of Monday 9th August there was an incident at Parc Ynysderw Playing Fields where coaches and players of Pontardawe Town FC were subjected to verbal and physical abuse by a number of youngsters resulting in the assault of a coach and a young player.”

“Both required hospital treatment for their injuries and our coach has sustained a number of broken ribs and bruising. We wish them both a speedy recovery.”

“This is an incident which has shocked the whole club. We are a club of volunteers who always work to the highest standards to protect our coaches and players but sadly in recent weeks we have seen an increase in this type of behaviour down at Parc Ynysderw.”

“The club will now work with the Police and local authorities to catch the people that did this. We will also review procedures in terms of training and match days to see if there is anything we can do further.”

Call to contact the police

The club urged anyone with any information relating to this incident to contact the local police.

The incident comes a week after a large brawl between teenagers at Coed Gwilym park in Clydach. Both incidents have rocked the valley.

In response to the news Paul Egan said “Oh this kind of behaviour has to be stopped. The people of Pontardawe need to show unity and determination in putting an immediate halt to this. These thugs need to be banned from the fields, and the streets of Pontardawe.”