Lisvane Panthers FC > History of club

History of club

The origins of the club date back to 1989, when Keith Williams was asked to coach the football team from the Llanishen & Lisvane Cub group. The boys started to develop a passion for football but their organised games against other cub groups were due to be cut short as they moved up an age bracket into Scouts.

At the request of the boys, Keith started to look into forming an under twelves independent junior team within Lisvane. There was an under fifteens group training on Heol Y Delyn field at the time coached by Dennis Moss, and after discussions Keith and Dennis agreed to bring their two groups together to form Thornhill and Lisvane Panthers.

This coincided with the Welsh Football Association and Cardiff & District League encouraging more local junior football, via the forming and development of leagues. Eric Dobie who was secretary for a local men’s team in the village offered useful early insight as the club started to form.

Dennis became club Chairman and looked after the older team, and Keith became club Secretary and looked after the younger team.

Stuart Chaplin and Steve Reed volunteered to help support, as their sons were playing and training sessions started to gain traction as the groups bedded in. Early results were difficult, but the team spirit was there to be seen and a memorable early tour to Blackpool to play in a tournament helped gel players together.

The club started to expand and hold regular monthly meetings for the volunteers. Kieth Lisk came onboard and managed a younger junior squad and a further under fifteens team was launched. As with many ventures in their early years, visions and opinions differ and a decision was reached for the teams to split. Dennis continued to manage the older team, setting up Thornhill Athletic. The two younger squads went forward with the shortened name of Lisvane Panthers with Graham Bodman picking up the Chairman role.

Despite this setback the club were keen to grow and when a long-established Cardiff club, Heath Hornets, were disbanding a new opportunity presented itself. A group of Lisvane Panther’s representatives met with Athur Palfrey from Heath Hornets, and it was clear straight away that they shared beliefs in the ethos of fair play, enjoyment and respect for others.

Arthur had previous playing and coaching experience alongside his experience of running a football club and he was a great fit to join the club as a coach and advisor in the capacity of Club President. He would attend junior Managers Meetings to remind all that they “were making young citizens”. Football was the vehicle to get them there through “fun, enjoyment and high sporting beliefs.”

In the coming years this core group of founders helped build the foundations and grow the club so that it had a team in every junior age group. A decision was reached to select Orange and Black as our colours and by the time Keith Williams moved out of the area nine years after helping start the club, it had grown from a handful of players to over two hundred.

Engaging with the local community the club continued to go from strength to strength over the coming years with massive efforts from multiple volunteers with notable roles played by Peter Thomas, Tom Fry, Jeff Hopkins, Tony Bibey, Dave North, Colin Mckenzie, Graham Morgan, Bryan Hughes, Sally Allan, Jason Wroe and James Rudolph.

We are pleased that today we remain as a grass roots family club, still committed to treating our players as equal to provide fair opportunities to this current generation of footballers.

Since 1989, thousands of footballers have played in the Tangerine Orange jersey and numerous volunteers have played their role supporting and managing. Our Moto is Once a Panther-always a panther and in recognising the importance of our history, we enjoyed connecting with former players and volunteers during our thirty fifth year in existence.

Over thirty-five years on, in the words of Daffyd Iwan’s now famous Welsh football anthem, Yma o Hyd, we are still here. Today the club has over 500 footballers. The original Junior section has now expanded to include mixed Mini & Juniors, Girls, Youth, Senior Men and Women and over fifties walking football section.

This is all supported by a fantastic team of over 100 volunteers and of course the support from all of our parents. All continuing to carry the torch with that same spirit, commitment and drive that our founders showed.
Long may it continue.

Here’s to more fun, football and friendships at Lisvane Panthers FC

Arthur would attend junior Managers Meetings to remind all that they "were making young citizens". Football was the vehicle to get them there through "fun, enjoyment and high sporting beliefs."

TIMELINE

1989

1989

Lisvane Panthers FC is founded

In 1989, a group of enthusiastic volunteers came together to create Lisvane Panthers Football Club.