Wales and Pompey player Joe Morrell has been named Merthyr Town co-owner as Line of Duty star Vicky McClure sponsors their kits.
Welsh midfielder Joe Morrell has become the latest co-owner of the Martyrs, who play their football in the Southern League Premier Division (7th tier).
They have been fan-owned since 2010, which was the year Merthyr Tydfil FC went into liquidation.
The club tweeted that the League One player turned Wales international had become one of their 180 co-owners this week.
He isn’t the only big name member associated with the club as their kit is sponsored by Vicky McClure and her filmmaker fiancé Jonny Owen, who is from Merthyr.
Merthyr were “mothballed” for the 2020-21 season because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, but are back competing this season and find themselves 21st and hoping to avoid relegation.
The club announced: “We are delighted to announce that @JoeJMorrell is now officially an owner of @MerthyrTownFC! 🤝 Joe became an owner earlier this week, and has joined our fan-ownership model with over 180 owners currently!”
✅ We are delighted to announce that @JoeJMorrell is now officially an owner of @MerthyrTownFC!
🤝 Joe became an owner earlier this week, and has joined our fan-ownership model with over 180 owners currently!
You can become an owner now by visiting 👉🏼 https://t.co/wWdRfB99l8 pic.twitter.com/QNFdSmRdfb
— The Martyrs (@MerthyrTownFC) March 30, 2022
Their website states: “Owning your own Football Club doesn’t mean you have to be a multi-millionaire. It’s quite the opposite actually. Merthyr Town FC offers you the chance to own your very own Football Club from just £20 a season.
“WHAT IS FAN OWNERSHIP?
“Most football clubs up and down the country are privately owned organisations with wealthy investors plugging large funding holes with their own cash. As Merthyr Town FC found out in 2009, and what many other football clubs are discovering recently, no matter how big they are this is an unsustainable business model that has unfortunately seen the liquidation of some clubs.
“In 2009, liquidation become a harsh reality for Merthyr Town FC. until a local groups of fans, calling themselves Martyrs to the Cause, transformed the club into a Community Society, thereby allowing fans of the club to become owners themselves. We believe that thousands of fans owning an equal share is more sustainable, not to mention appropriate, way of doing things.
“HOW MUCH DOES A SHARE COST?
“You can become a joint owner of Merthyr Town FC for as little as £20 per season. For the 2021/2022 Season, we have continued with our tiered membership which gives you more for your money.”
Click here to download the 2021/2022 ownership application form and own your football club
You can also purchase you membership online via our club shop by clicking here
Morrell has been a regular in the national team since making his senior international debut for Wales against Belarus on the 9th of September 2019.
He won his 26th cap in the 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The 25 year old’s family comes from Merthyr, but the footballer was born in Ipswich and began his career with Bristol City, signing his first pro contract with the club in December 2012 after turning down an offer from Liverpool.
In October 2020, he signed for Luton Town before moving to Fratton Park on a three-year contract last August, playing 31 times since.
It was last summer when Merthyr Town secured the exciting partnership deal with Vicky McClure and Filmmaker, Times columnist and talkSPORT presenter Jonny Owen sponsors of the club’s shorts for the coming season.
Their Production Company ‘BYO Films’ had pride of place on the Martyrs home, away and third kit shorts for the 2021/22 season.
The couple have strong ties to the Welsh club with Jonny having grown up in the Valleys town.
Speaking on the deal, they said last summer: “We are delighted to have the name of our new production company on the Merthyr players shorts. We both love the town and are passionate supporters of grass roots football. We wish the manager and the team every success this season and look forward to coming down when we can to cheer on the Martyrs”.
🤝 Merthyr Town Football Club are delighted to have secured an exciting new partnership deal.
Line of Duty’s Vicky McClure and her fiancée, Filmmaker, Times columnist and TalkSPORT presenter Jonny Owen are new sponsors of Merthyr Town FC…
Jonny Owen x @Vicky_McClure
— The Martyrs (@MerthyrTownFC) June 3, 2021
The club added: “It is huge for us to get such high-profile supporters sponsoring the club. Vicky is one of most loved actors in the country and Jonny is a hugely respected figure in the game. He is a Merthyr boy who has never forgotten his roots. He grew up as a fan with a strong family connection to the club and he’s also helped us with several new sponsors for this coming season and we are hugely grateful to him for that. His Fiancée Vicky McClure has been to Penydarren Park and we can’t wait to welcome them both when they come and see us.”
Twitter users reacted as Wales and Pompey player Joe Morrell is named Merthyr Town co-owner…
@dontbuthesun8: Get Gareth Bale to join
@WalesFootieFans: 🏴😍 Love to see it @JoeJMorrell
@pfcmichael: Merthyr away in pre season needed @Pompey
@Sameoldsmiths: Morrell is a martyr
@VillaEvans: Love this 👏👏
@WanderingMartyr: Joe has local links to Treharris through immediate members of his family.
@mrlouismoore:
MORRELL IS A MARTYR
LALALALA!
🏴⚪️⚫️
Katie Emma Owen: Wow! 👍🏻❤️🏴
Cameron Newell: That’s quality
The Red Wall: Good luck joe!
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