A recently relegated football club has launched its own sticker book as part of efforts to reconnect with fans and the local community.
Aberystwyth Town Football Club ended a 33-year run in Welsh football’s top tier last season following relegation from the Cymru Premier.
The sticker book “is a way for fans to get to know the players and hopefully improve relations”, said Tomos Roberts, the club’s director and treasurer.
Fans will be able to buy stickers of first team coaches and players, while there is also a special section to celebrate players from previous seasons.
After last season’s relegation, the club said it recognised the “devastation” caused to fans, saying they were doing everything possible to gain promotion at the first attempt.
Mr Roberts said the book was a “unique little idea”, and that the practice of collecting stickers used to be “iconic”.
“We want to bring back the tradition,” he said.
He added the team had changed significantly for the season ahead in JD Cymru South.
Mr Roberts said there “was no squad and no coach” at the beginning of May, and that “only four local guys have stayed with the squad from last year”.
They have signed 16 new players and made a good start to the season, winning both of their opening matches.
“As there are so many new players, and as we have lost contact with the community – this sticker book is a way for the fans to get to know the players and improve relations,” he said.
Mr Roberts said the club had been unsure how people would respond but described the feedback as “fantastic”.
“Something like this has not been done for a while by a club,” he added.
He said he hoped the situation at the club would improve, adding the council had granted permission for the current stadium to be developed.
“We have sold around 30 books so far, and they will be available until the end of the month,” he added.
Mr Roberts said if it is a success, the club will continue to publish the books next year and annually afterwards.
