Following today’s announcement by Cardiff City FC Academy, on behalf of everyone at Pontypridd AFC, I offer my congratulations to our former junior player Corey Foggarty on signing a contract with Cardiff City U18s.
Corey was part of the solitary junior team that followed our senior sides when our club was formed in 2018, but our story goes back much further. Ryan and myself started coaching Corey as young as a seven years old at another club and he remained with us until the end of the under 16s age group. His passion and determination for goalkeeping was present from the start and we always knew he possessed enormous potential with the gloves on.
In the years of competitive junior football, Corey was more often than not a leveller. His ability to keep the ball out of the goal kept our side competitive. We’d like to think all that shot-stopping practice for us played no small part in his development!
Although we were always proud to see Corey recognised through higher levels like RCT Schools FA and beyond that Cambrian & Clydach Vale Academy (while continuing to play junior football for our club on Saturdays through the “eligibility” rule), we were gutted when the “one player, one club” rule meant Corey could no longer represent the club and play with his mates from the summer of 2022.
He never forgot about our club though and has been a regular supporter at home matches over the past year. We always hoped he might one day return as Ponty’s number one, but in our hearts knew he was destined to go much further.
It couldn’t happen to a more well-rounded and down to earth young man. We know how committed he is to his craft and we will be watching from afar, wishing him the best of luck with this incredible opportunity of becoming a professional footballer.
Congratulations Corey. You are, and will always be, one of our own.
Nigel Wheeler
Chairman
Pontypridd AFC
