SUPPORTERS of Barry Town United celebrated as the team defeated Cardiff Met on Boxing Day.

But, those reading the home match programme will have discovered the matchday announcer was celebrating a milestone of his own.

Ryan Cox, 30, a warehouse assistant, from Barry, had the joy of announcing the team’s victory – his 100th occasion in charge of the public address system at the Jenner Park stadium.

His role involves reading out team sheets, substitutions, upcoming home and away games, half-time scores from other games in the Welsh Premier League, and playing the music before kick-off and at half-time.

His first match and announcer was against Bryntirion Athletic on September 8, 2012.

Barry Town won 2-1 with goals from Michael Hartley, a penalty, and TJ Nagi.

Of his 100th job, Mr Cox said: “I didn’t feel any nerves at all heading into this game.

“I just treated it like any other game that I’ve done.

“It was a JD Welsh Premier League fixture against Cardiff Met.

“The home crowd in festive spirit were given a special Christmas present which was three points when Barry beat Cardiff Met 2-1 with goals from Kayne McLaggon and Jordan Cotterill that put Barry Town top of the Welsh Premier League for the first time in a long time for a few hours at least.

“But when we heard that Connah’s Quay Nomads were beaten by Bala a few hours later that meant we stayed top of the league and two points clear over Christmas.

“That wasn’t only the best Christmas present I had, but I also featured inside the matchday programme talking about 100 games on the microphone.

“The public announcing was something that I wasn’t thinking about doing in all honesty until I was approached one day and asked if I wanted to do it and see what happens.

“I had a go at it and felt like I was in total control of the whole situation and then all of a sudden I started to enjoy it.

“The Barry Town supporters came up to me after my first match and said what a great job I had done..

“Since then I have continued to do the public announcing at not just the home games involving Barry Town, but also other games that have happened at Jenner Park over the years.

“I have had plenty of nervous moments involving the public address system not being connected properly half an hour before kick-off in the past.

“There hasn’t been many problems in terms of team sheets.” In terms of pronunciation,

His 101st match will be against Aberystwyth Town in the final match in Phase One of the JD Welsh Premier League on Saturday, January 12.

He added: “It will be a 7.30pm kick-off.

“Business as usual.”