Richard Trevithick would surely nod in approval at the progress and success of Penydarren BGC, a football club who still boast a perfect record this season.
The Cornishman launched the World’s first steam locomotive in Merthyr Tydfil during 1804 – and the football club pay tribute to him on their badge.
Trevithick, a huge man able to throw a sledgehammer over an engine house, was even ahead of George Stephenson when his locomotive ‘Penydarren’ hauled a load of 25 tons and covered nine miles from the ironworks at Penydarren to Merthyr-Cardiff Canal in just over four hours.
A replica stands outside Cyfarthfa Castle and that is depicted on Penydarren BGC’s badge.
The South Wales Alliance club have a 100 per cent record in their Premier Division and are through to the JD Welsh Cup quarter-finals where they play Pontypridd Town away on Saturday (1.30pm).
Merthyr Tydfil-based Penydarren BGC are also still in the FAW Trophy and the John Owen League Cup.
Chris Barsi MBE is club President is a local man who, as a child, played on the former waste ground where Penydarren BGC is now based.
He has spent years working for the club, maintaining the ground and the club’s facilities, washing kits, making teas and a range of other duties.
“The club is well run and 100 per cent voluntary organisation,” says Barsi. “Nobody is paid for anything.
“When we set up the club in a church hall we had a piece of land that was four acres of waste ground, an old landfill site full of black ash and glass.
“It was the land that I used to play on as a young boy.
“People can’t believe our Cinderella club has become a princess.”
Today, Penydarren BGC have fantastic facilities including one of the best playing fields in South Wales.
The Welsh Cup tie against Pontypridd Town away at University of South Wales sports ground is huge for both clubs.
Penydarren headed to North Wales and defeated Cymru Alliance Llandudno Junction 4-0 in the third round when striker Chris Owens scored a hat-trick and was named player of the Welsh Cup.
“It feels great to have won the award, what a feeling,” said Owens. “Our run to the last eight has been unreal, particularly for people who do so much work for our club behind the scenes.
“The place is bouncing.
“Everybody pays £5 a week to play and with the cup prize money raised all subs, all bills including pitch fees are paid and the club can plan ahead. We want Penydarren BGC to have a bright future, hopefully at Welsh League level.
Owens played for Merthyr Town at under-18 level where he was top goal scorer in a team undefeated for two seasons, while he also played for Rhondda club Ton Pentre when they won Welsh League Division Two in 2011.
Penydarren are the lowest ranked team left in the competition and they have loved the experience.
Hosts Pontypridd Town stand top of Welsh League Division Two, having won 5-0 against Abergavenny Town in their last match.
There are 16 teams left in the JD Welsh Cup and half of those are from the Welsh Premier League, while five are from the Huws Gray Alliance. They are Caernarfon Town, Airbus Broughton, Flint Town, Ruthin Town and Porthmadog.
The Mid Wales League are represented by Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant, while Pontypridd are the lone Welsh League club left in the competition.
Seven of the fourth round ties are being played on Saturday, while Caernarfon play Welsh Premier champions The New Saints on Friday evening (7.45pm).
TNS won the Nathaniel MG Cup last weekend, beating Cardiff Met in the final, and have played in five of the last six JD Welsh Cup finals.
Caernarfon play in their familiar yellow and green strip, while Saints play in their claret and blue away kit.
Manager Sean Eardley’s Cofis are top of the Huws Gray Alliance and have finished in the top three in each of the last four seasons. Promotion is the priority, although Caernarfon defeated Barry Town United in the last round of the cup and will be fired up in front of a big attendance for the visit of Saints.
Saturday’s tie between Llandudno and Ruthin Town will be shown live by broadcasters S4C (5.15pm kick-off).
The game is at the Giant Hospitality Stadium, Llandudno.
JD Welsh Cup fourth round draw:
Friday, January 26: Caernarfon Town v The New Saints (7.45pm).
Saturday, January 27: Pontypridd Town v Penydarren Boys and Girls FC (1.30pm).
Saturday, January 27: Airbus Broughton v Carmarthen Town, Cardiff Metropolitan v Aberystwyth Town, Connah’s Quay Nomads v Porthmadog, Flint Town United v Newtown, Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant v Bangor City (all 2.30pm).
Saturday, January 27: Llandudno v Ruthin Town (5.15pm, live on S4C).