Penybont Football Club () is a Welsh football club based in Bridgend (), that plays in the . The club was formed in 2013, following the merger of Bridgend Town and Bryntirion Athletic. Penybont play their home games at Bryntirion Park, currently known as The DragonBet Stadium for sponsorship reasons.
History As part of the deal to merge the two largest football clubs in Bridgend, artificial turf was laid at Bryntirion Park and at the Bridgend College Football Academy in Pencoed. This work was funded by the sale of Bridgend Town's Coychurch Road ground to superstore chain ASDA.
The club began its inaugural season with a series of away games because Bryntirion Park's new pitch installation was incomplete until January 2014. The club's first league game was away against Ton Pentre, the result of which was a 1–0 defeat.
The new pitch was officially opened by former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay on 7 January 2014 at a friendly game played against a Cardiff City Development XI. Cardiff's development team won the match 5–0.
The club's first manager was Francis Ford, who managed Bryntirion Athletic prior to the club's merger with Bridgend Town. Penybont ended their inaugural season in third place in the Welsh Football League Division One.
On 18 January 2015, the club announced that it had reached a sponsorship agreement with Bridgend-based KYMCO Healthcare UK, which included renaming Bryntirion Park as The KYMCO Stadium.
The club finished the 2014–15 season in 5th place in Welsh League Division One.
On 12 September 2015, the club announced that it had applied for a Football Association of Wales Domestic License for the Cymru Premier. This indicated that the club was committed to improving the facilities at Bryntirion Park in order to make the club applicable for promotion to the top flight.
In May 2016, Francis Ford resigned from his post as manager to be replaced by former Plymouth Argyle, Newport County and Cymru Premier footballer Rhys Griffiths. On 11 June, former Cardiff City and Newport County player Martyn Giles was appointed as his assistant.
On 13 April 2019, it was confirmed that the club had secured promotion to the Cymru Premier after promotion rivals Cambrian & Clydach Vale and Cwmamman United suffered defeats.
On 4 July 2019, former Dundee F.C. and Partick Thistle player Daniel Jefferies signed for the club.
On 23 December 2021, the club announced the signing of former Swansea City, AFC Bournemouth and Wales international Shaun MacDonald on an 18-month deal.
In the 2022–23 season they finished in 3rd place qualifying them for their first-ever Europe game, against FC Santa Coloma in the first qualifying round of the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League.
European record
As of match played 16 July 2025 Season Competition Round Club Home Away Agg. 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 1QR FC Santa Coloma 1–1 0–2 1–3 2025–26 UEFA Conference League 1QR Kauno Žalgiris 1–1 0–3 1–4 2026–27 UEFA Conference League 1QR FC Santa Coloma 0–1 0–3 0–4
Notes QR: Qualifying round
Current squad
Club honours League Cymru Premier Runners-up: 2024–25 Southern Football League Winners: 1979–80 (as Bridgend Town) Welsh Football League Division One Winners: 1968–69, 1972–1973 (as Bridgend Town); 2010–2011 (as Bryntirion Athletic); 2018–19 (as Penybont) Runners-up: 1975–76 (as Everwarm); 1976–77, 1984–85, 1985–86 (as Bridgend Town) Welsh Football League Division Two Winners: 1996–97 (as Bridgend Town) Welsh Football League Division Three Winners: 2003–04 (as Bryntirion Athletic)
Cups Welsh Cup Runners-up: 2021–22 Semi finalists: 1976–77, 2008–09 (as Bridgend Town); 2022–23 Welsh Football League Cup Winners: 1987–88 (as Bridgend Town) Runners-up: 1998–99 (as Bridgend Town); 2007–08, 2012–13 (as Bryntirion Athletic)
References
External links