Town's third double (From Barry And District News)

Town's third double

Barry Town'S historic Welsh Cup final against Cwmbran this Sunday will be televised live by the BBC.

The morning will see a convoy of Thomas coaches making their way west towards Llanelli.

The final number of coaches has not been decided but is likely to be six or seven. Interest in the town has been phenomenal and many more fans will go by car.

The final has a special significance for the two sides with both qualifying for Europe.

Barry are already destined for the Champions League and this opens the way for Cwmbran to play in the UEFA Cup as finalists regardless of whether they win or lose.

If Barry win it will mean a record breaking third successive cup and league double, a feat never before achieved and to quote Chief Executive Kevin Green "is never likely to be achieved again."

Can Barry pull off a triple double? "Yes, I believe we can", said Player Manager Kenny Brown.

"The players showed against Aberystwyth how hungry they were to win and we certainly turned on the style.

I am intensely proud of the team, we have maintained the very high standards synonymous with Barry Town.

We have had plenty of knockers but we have shown some people just what a fine team we are with a record points total to win the league.

And we certainly finished off in style."

Cwmbran Chief Roger Gibbins is pleased with his side achieving a UEFA Cup place regardless of the cup final result.

"It's excellent news for us but we want to win the cup."

Cwmbran lost 2-1 at Jenner Park a couple of weeks ago but with a weakened team, and also 4-0 at Haverfordwest with an under strength side.

Roger Gibbins has injury worries including Sean Wharton (knee ligaments) and Rhodri Jones (hamstring) but is hoping to pick from a full squad apart from Marl Ellacott, who was injured against Port Talbot, and Chris Summers (suspended).

The ex-Norwich City player was keen to express his admiration of Barry. "They deserved to win the league because they are the best footballing side."

Of the final he said: "We've never won the Welsh Cup and we want to win it. Obviously, after the recent tragic death of manager Tony Wilcox we want to win it for his memory."

Shamrock Coaches/ Thomas Motors are prepared to put on as many coaches as needed. Director Kevin Jones said: "Our company, which has taken over the Thomas Coaches name, is proud of the tradition of the Thomas name, now 90 years old, and synonymous with the town of Barry.

We love being part of Barry Town AFC where my Dad is a director.

"We are shortly moving to a four acre site of the Waterfront development and as the largest independent coach company in Wales we are proud to be connected to a successful side like Barry Town."

Supporters Club Chairman Tim Johnson said: "We believe everything is falling into place for a great final, showing the improved standard of Welsh Premier football, which will be shown live on BBC 2."

Regular supporter Alan Redpath said: "I am a little disappointed that Captain Lee Jarman is not playing and Leon Jeanne is cup tied, but no doubt we will have a side good enough to win."

Lee Jarman was red-carded at Oswestry for a foul on Steve Rogers, in what seemed a harsh decision.

Chris Summers also received a red card for Cwmbran and is trying to get TV video evidence to get the decision reversed as he insists he did nothing wrong.

If Summers fails he will also miss the final.

The News caught up with Lee Jarman who was made captain when Jon French conceded that the responsibility was affecting his game.

The former Cardiff City man and Welsh Under-21 international has had a chequered history but has now resurrected his career and deservedly earned the respect of his fellow professionals when he was voted Players Player of the Year.

Lee has been a stalwart at the heart of Barry's defence alongside Scott Morgan and if he is out he will be replaced by his former Cardiff City colleague Lee Phillips with Jamie Jenkins coming in at right back.

Jarman said he played for a few local Cardiff sides before joining Cardiff City at age ten as an apprentice, turning professional at 17 in 1994 under manager Kenny Hibbitt.

"I was in the first team for three seasons and when I was 19 I was made club captain by Frank Burrows.

I was also captain of Wales Under-21s when we beat Holland and Belgium.

"I was in the full Welsh side at 17 and on the bench against Scotland when we won 1-0 through a goal by John Hartson."