Don’t mention the ‘r’ word

Football can be cruel but Berriew know more than most just out how cruel it can be.

Despite finishing sixth from bottom in last season’s Huws Gray Alliance, Russell Cadwallader’s men were shown the trap door due to the reorganisation of the leagues for the new campaign.

It meant only the top six were guaranteed Alliance football due to the number of sides that were relegated from the newly created Super 12 top flight.

“We were a victim of circumstance last season,” said Cadwallader. “We finished well clear of the bottom three in the end but we knew that wouldn’t be enough so we just had to accept relegation although we don’t say that word around here!”

Berriew enjoyed a respectable first year of Alliance football, building a side based on local talent which was worthy of the step up. But the drop down a level has seen inevitable departures as Cadwallader looks to rebuild.

“We have lost a few lads but I still feel we have a team capable of winning the league or going close,” he said.