The story of Knighton Town – Radnorshire's resilient Robins

Enjoying cup and title celebrations on the one hand but juxtaposed with times of struggle and regrouping at a lower level.

The Bryn-y-Castell club spent much of the 1990s plying their trade in the Cymru Alliance before falling on harder times later in the decade and the Radnorshire outfit has spent the ensuing years oscillating between the Mid Wales League and recreational football.

There is some conjecture regarding when Knighton Town was formed as 1881, 1883 and 1887 have all been noted in different sources as possible dates for when the club was established.

Action from Knighton Town's draw with Radnor Valley in MMP-NL Mid Wales League East. Picture by Barcud-Coch Photography.

A team representing the town were recorded as having defeated Bishop’s Castle 1-0 on December, 19 1883 at Craven Arms.

The Radnor Robins made their Welsh Cup debut during the 1894/95 campaign, with an emphatic 10-1 home victory over New Tredegar, before bowing out at Chirk in the quarter-finals.

Two seasons later, Knighton Town reached the last four stage for the first time, when they were beaten by Newtown.

The club was a founder member of the Mid Wales League in 1900 and finished runners-up to inaugural champions Llandrindod Wells, but secured the title during the following three seasons, as well as reaching the Welsh Cup semi-finals in 1903/04.

Pictures from the past at Knighton Town. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

There is uncertainty regarding the whereabouts of Knighton Town immediately following the international hostilities but they finished runners-up in the South Shropshire League in 1920/21.

The Radnor Robins found themselves in the lower reaches during the remainder of the decade before several Brecon and Radnor clubs moved to the North Herefordshire League until the Second World War.

Knighton Town manager Mark Jones (red shirt) has a shot on target against Newbridge-on-Wye. Photo: Stuart Townsend.

The Bryn-y-Castell men were crowned champions in 1931/32 and finished runners-up three years later.

Knighton Town joined the Central Wales League (Mid Wales Southern Division) in 1938/39 and completed that inaugural campaign in third position.

When competitive action resumed, the Bryn-y-Castell club became founder members of the Mid Wales League (Southern Section) in 1945/46, along with Builth Wells, Penybont and Rhayader Town, and went on to finish runners-up that season.

Pictures from the past at Knighton Town. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

The Radnor Robins did not experience any notable success during the remainder of the decade, apart from another runners-up trophy in 1949/50, before the two regionalised sections merged for the following term to create the Mid Wales League. In 1960/61 Knighton Town were drawn at home to First Division Cardiff City but conceded ground advantage to the Bluebirds and were on the wrong end of a 16-0 scoreline in the last 16 of the Welsh Cup which remains a record in the competition.

The club finished no higher than fourth position during the 1970s but brought some silverware back to the trophy cabinet.

A Radnorshire and Central Wales Challenge Cup double was secured in 1971/72 before retaining the county cup 12 months later. The Robins would lift this trophy again in 1978/79 and 1979/80.

A new decade did not bring a great change in fortunes on the league front but the 1980/81 campaign saw Knighton Town enjoy their best Welsh Cup run for two decades after reaching the last 16 stage.

A record attendance of 2,211 at Bryn-y-Castell witnessed the Radnorshire club entertain then Football League neighbours Hereford United who prevailed 4-1 winners.

The Radnor Robins enjoyed three successive top four finishes towards the end of the decade and finally crowned Mid Wales League champions in 1992/93 campaign when Sean Parker's last minute strike snatched the silverware from Morad United in a 3-2 win.

The Robins made the step up to the Cymru Alliance and generally found themselves in the lower half of the league during their first four seasons.

Pictures from the past at Knighton Town. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

Knighton Town experienced a change in fortunes as the management team brought more Shropshire-based personnel into their squad and completed the 1996/97 campaign in sixth position before finishing two places higher some 12 months later.

That season was also notable for Knighton Town equalling their best run in the Welsh Cup, losing 8-0 to Barry Town.

Sadly, that season was a high point for the border men as they struggled at the start of the following term and were forced to withdraw from the Alliance and drop down to the Mid Wales League South where they rebuilt and won the title in 2003. while also lifting the Radnorshire Cup.

The title was retained the following season while also winning the Emrys Morgan Cup before returning to senior football only to be relegated in 2008.

The club rebuilt and joined the Mid Wales League second division in 2011 and won the league a year later.

Pictures from the past at Knighton Town. Picture by Stuart Townsend.

Knighton Town built on that campaign when they were embroiled a title race during their first season back in the third tier and entered their final league fixture with an opportunity to be crowned champions only to lose out to Penrhyncoch.

Two years of mid-table mediocrity followed before Adam Worton stepped down as manager and the club returned to recreation football.

The club has since returned to the Mid Wales League East under the management of Mark Jones with the aim of climbing to the third tier with the facilities at Bryn-y-Castell ensuring the Robins are well-placed to make the step up should they earn the right on the pitch.

Action from a past meeting between Hay St Marys v Knighton Town. Picture by Barcud Photography.