CADOXTON Imps AFC have this year been celebrating the magnificent milestone of 40 years since the club was first founded by Graham Harris back in 1972 with a team of 10-year-olds in the Youth Section of the old Barry & District League.

The team initially started under the name of Buttrills Rovers but Cadoxton Conservative Club provided the finance for the first shirts and as the boys were all little devils, the name of the club was born.

To celebrate this great achievement, the club have been organising a series of events throughout the year. The club recently held a successful 40th anniversary black tie ball at the Masonic Hall, Broad Street, Barry being almost to the day 40 years ago when the 10-year-olds played their first competitive match.

More than 100 guests enjoyed a three course dinner and wine with local band Taboo providing the live music entertainment and the disco. The club would like to thank Sid and the boys from Taboo for stepping in at short notice as the original band booked were unable to attend.

The club also raised funds on the night from a prize raffle and an auction so thanks are due to Lyndon Smith of LDS Motor Factors, Huw Thomas of McDonald’s Restaurant (Barry) and Leigh Cogbill (Under 16 Manager) for provision of the main prizes, and everyone else who donated raffle prizes also Mandy and Phil and their staff at the Masonic Hall.

Pictures, taken on the evening, feature founder Graham Harris, current president Len Jones, current vice chairman Steve Gibbs, current chairman Martin Pursall, current secretary Gary Spierling and current welfare officer Alan Smith.

One is of some of that very first team from 1972 (all now looking considerably older!) and the other is of some of the current mini and junior team managers and committee. The WAGs are conspicuous by their absence from the photographs and would have made far prettier pictures in their beautiful ball gowns!

The club are updating their Cadoxton Imps History Book 1972/73 to 2007/08 as part of their 40th anniversary celebrations so if you have any photographs that are not in the current edition of the history book contact the club to have them incorporated them in the new and updated edition.