LLANIDLOES Town Football Club has been at the heart of the community life for nearly 150 years.

Of course the town played host to the first football match in Montgomeryshire on Boxing Day 1870 and five years later the Daffodils were born.

Ever since the club has been a home from home for generations of fans and witnessed countless classics, including Welsh Amateur Cup finals.

The County Times goes back in time, stopping off in each decade, to share team photographs of Llanidloes Town Football Club's glorious past.

The early years

County Times:

Llanidloes Town in the 1890s.

Little is known of this decade but Llanidloes Town had reached the Welsh Cup semi-finals in 1881. This picture is one of the earliest in the club's history.

Montgomeryshire League arrival

County Times:

Llanidloes Town in 1907.

At the start of the 1906/07 season, Llanidloes embarked on league football and joined the Montgomeryshire and District League. Among the stars of the team was midfielder Thomas Hamer who earned a Welsh Amateur cap in 1910.

Montgomeryshire League dominance

County Times:

Llanidloes Town in 1919.

Llanidloes Town won the league championship six times during the eight years the competition was in being prior to 1920. and made the step up to the Mid Wales League. Among the stars of the team was forward Billy Vaughan who earned Welsh Amateur caps in 1912, 1913 and 1914.

National cup glory

County Times:

Llanidloes Town in 1927.

The 1920s and 1930s were the most successful decades in the club's history.

The Mid Wales League title was won on seven occasions and the club reached five Welsh Amateur Cup finals, winning the trophy in 1922. Among the stars of the team was defender John Lloyd who earned Welsh Amateur caps in 1923, 1925 and 1928,.

Kings of the cup

County Times:

Llanidloes Town in 1932

The glory years continued into the 1930s, winning the Montgomeryshire Cup 13 times, including eight successive wins between 1928 and 1935 while also being beaten finalists in two successive Welsh Amateur Cups. Among the stars of the team was Hubert Mills who earned Welsh Amateur caps in 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936 an 1937 while team-mates W Vereker and OT Davies earned caps in 1938.

Post war glory

County Times:

Llanidloes Town in 1947

Following the war, Llanidloes won the Mid Wales League in 1947.

Chapter two of Llanidloes Town through the ages will feature soon. Keep following the County Times.