Fans get on their bikes

Feb 29 2008 by Simon Kendal-Williams, South Wales Echo

INTREPID Merthyr Tydfil fans are getting on their bikes to support their team tomorrow.

Seven avid Martyrs followers will be cycling to the BGB Premier Division fixture at Mangotsfield Town to raise funds for the cash-strapped club.

Mark Evans, secretary of Merthyr Tydfil Supporters Trust, was joined by Mike Donovan, Mark Jones, Ricky Hughes, Mark Hughes, Kyle Rees and Dean Richards at 8am today when the group left Penydarren Park.

They plan to arrive at the old Severn Bridge by this evening where they will spend the night at a hotel, before completing the journey to Mangotsfield, north Bristol, tomorrow morning. They will be provided with back-up by trust chairman Dave Webb, who will carry drinks, snacks and changes of clothes.

The trust will also be providing Welsh cakes to both travelling and home fans at Mangotsfield to celebrate St David’s Day.

More than £1,000 has already been pledged, but supporters have until the Martyrs’ next home game on March 15 to make a donation.