Former ‘worst’ team in the UK Cwm Albion FC Reserves reach cup final for the first time in 26 years

The team, who lost all their games and racked up a staggering -191 goal difference in the Swansea Senior League Division 4 just two seasons ago, haven’t been anywhere near a final since 1999, so it’s a remarkable turnaround for the 100-year old side.

It’s good news elsewhere at Cwm Albion too, as the 1st team are also in contention for silverware this May. Next week they will compete in the final of the Maes-Y-Gollen Cup, marking a historic double for the club.

At the start of its 2023/24 campaign, Cwm Albion reserves were given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by Specsavers to turn their fortunes around, following a nationwide search to find a club in desperate need of help.

“To be honest, at the very start of our last season we were at our lowest point that I can remember,” reflects Dan Gill, Manager of Cwm Albion FC. “Then the Specsavers Best Worst Team campaign gave us that push that we needed, helped us get more players wanting to join, and we’re winning more, scoring more and conceding less.”

“To think of where we were a couple of seasons ago – winning zero games, getting battered every week, finishing bottom of the table by a country mile – to now being in the top half of the table and in two cup finals… we’re just unrecognisable,” the manager adds.

In 1999, Cwm Albion played Gors FC in a nail-biting cup final that ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat. Among the starting lineup was Colin Gill, father of current manager Dan Gill, who still plays for Cwm today.

Speaking about the full-circle moment that spans nearly three decades, Colin said: “We have a bigger squad now for a start! We couldn’t get a full team on the pitch before, and now we have two teams every week.”

“We had about 50-odd lads get in touch wanting to join after last season. The atmosphere is so different – we used to just turn up, and now I hate being the one to break the news that a game has been called off because the team are just gutted.”

The Cwm Albion reserves team includes Shayne Prior, who commutes nearly 200 miles from London to play in the squad.

Colin adds: “Shayne has played for us for six or seven years now and travels down near enough every week just to play for us. We had our semi-final on a Tuesday night, so Shayne took a half day off work, drove down to be in the squad, and drove straight back to London after we got the win.”

The Cwm Albion FC reserves are taking on Port Tennant Colts in the Reserve Cup at 12.30 on 11th May at Llandarcy Park Stadium Pavillion Complex, before the 1st team play Talycopa in the Meas-Y-Gollen Cup on 15th May.

Colin sums up the club’s achievement: “Win or lose, we’ll be celebrating either way, but both teams are focused on winning to close off the season. Just getting to this point has been a massive milestone.”

“We have other clubs coming over to us after games asking how we managed to keep the club going when we were conceding ten goals a game – it’s such a huge moment to get to this point.”

Speaking on the achievement, Lisa Hale, head of broadcast and consumer PR & social said: “Since being crowned Specsavers’ Best Worst Team in 2023, we’ve loved following Cwm Albion’s journey.

“It’s a true grassroots underdog story and shows the benefits and legacy of Specsavers Best Worst Team – Cwm Albion are thriving; they’ve won game after game and attracted new players which have given the whole club a boost.”

“To mark the occasion, we’ll be showing the action from the games in a special episode on the Best Worst Team YouTube channel – we’re rooting for both teams!”

The Cwm Albion Final episode will be available to watch on Specsavers Best Worst Team YouTube Channel in July 2025

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Swansea’s Cwm Albion FC turns from Best Worst Team to unbeaten heroes thanks to Specsavers’ support

With the men’s Welsh team yesterday reaching promotion to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League, a lesser-known squad in Swansea is mirroring Craig Bellamy’s undefeated streak – a far cry from the results the team has been used to in past seasons.

The team, who play in the Swansea Senior League Division 2, had the unenviable record of losing all 22 of their games in the 2022/23 season, with a staggering -191 goal difference.

But their fortunes took a turn for the better last year as, following a nationwide search by Specsavers, they were crowned the UK’s ‘Best Worst Team’ – allowing them to receive invaluable support, including coaching from football legend Harry Redknapp and money-can’t-buy experiences usually reserved for elite clubs.

With Specsavers’ ongoing help, Cwm Albion’s fortunes have turned dramatically. The team has gone undefeated in their first five matches this season, achieving four wins and one draw.

Now sitting in fourth place in the Swansea Senior League Division 2, they are only ten points behind the leaders with five games in hand, scoring 21 goals while conceding only five this season. Top scorers Regan Perdue and Dan Kirwan lead the charge, with new players strengthening the squad each week.

Meanwhile in October, Specsavers made a further donation to support the club’s development. The funds have been invested in new kits, training gear for both junior and senior teams and pitch improvements, including a new barrier.

Additionally, thanks to the campaign, council-backed renovations of the club’s changing rooms are under way, with the roof completed and the rest of the work set to begin in early 2025.

Kyle Lewis, Cwm Albion manager, says: “Working with Specsavers has given us the confidence to believe we could turn things around. Their ongoing support has been instrumental in helping us attract new players, secure more sponsors and improve our facilities. It’s amazing to see the team going from strength to strength.”

Lisa Hale, Head of Consumer PR, Social & Brand Activation at Specsavers, adds: “Cwm Albion’s journey shows the transformative power of supporting grassroots football. It’s fantastic to see Specsavers’ investment making a tangible impact, helping them build a stronger squad and improve their facilities.

“We’re proud of their success and look forward to seeing what they can achieve throughout the rest of the season and beyond. Cwm Albion’s rise is a testament to the club’s resilience and determination, as well as the impact of community support. With Specsavers’ backing, they have proven that even grassroots teams can achieve greatness.”

[Lead image: Freshwater]

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