| Bridgend behind Merthyr bid |
| Friday 22 May 2009 |
 BRIDGEND have been revealed as the mystery club behind the proposed buyout of cash-strapped Southern League outfit Merthyr Tydfil.The Welsh Leaguers have £2 million in the bank following the sale of their Coychurch Road home for a supermarket development three years ago and official Steve Clark confirmed: "We have had chats with Wyn Holloway and we are due to meet him later today." The Martyrs are £300,000 in debt and facing a winding-up order in the High Court in London next month and owner Holloway (pictured) will be in Bridgend for talks on a deal which would mean major changes for both clubs. Both parties would retain a football club, effectively switching positions, with Bridgend going into the Southern League and Merthyr into Welsh League Division One. Bridgend, who reached the semi-final of the Welsh Cup this season, have just announced that they will play at the 12,000-capacity Brewery Field next season after plying their trade at temporary homes since they surrendered their ground. Holloway's announcement on Thursday that an unnamed businessman with a Welsh club was behind the deal lead to speculation that The New Saints were the suitors, a move that was denied by owner Mike Harris. Fans of the Penydarren Park club are strongly opposed to any deal. "When we heard TNS might be the club trying to buy out Merthyr plans were being made for coach-loads of fans to make the trip to Oswestry and protest," said one angry fan. "Bridgend is even closer and the same would apply." |