THE story of Llanidloes Town Football Club, famously known as the Daffodils, also marks the beginning of the sport in Montgomeryshire.

In 1870 the town hosted the first ever match in Montgomeryshire.

The match was contested by two teams of 15 from the town for a wager and drew a large crowd, underlining the town's early sporting heritage.

Five years later Llanidloes Town Football Club was born, playing their first match against pioneering Montgomeryshire club Newtown White Stars at Caegwyn.

During the end of the 19th century several clubs were founded in the town.

Llanidloes Half Moon and Llanidloes Hearts of Oak were known to be in existence in 1878 alongside the town club which continued to test itself against the two Newtown clubs of the era, the White Stars and Amateurs.

However club coffers were low and in August 1880 the Montgomeryshire Express reported a plea for help.

The August 24 edition included a letter from captain Thomas Treveham and secretary John Breeze which read: "The club appeal to our friends who have promised to the funds of the club and public generally. Our funds at present are very low hence the appeal. We have entered the challenge cup next season which will cause us to incur extra expense."

The appeal worked and the club embarked on a memorable Welsh Cup run, beating Oswestry Town and Wrexham Civil Service before bowing out to old rivals Newtown White Star in a semi-final tie played in Wrexham.

The club did not enter the Welsh Cup again for another 12 years but the club remained active, hosting Rhayader Town for the first time in March 1883 while maintaining its rivalries with clubs from Newtown with matches against Newtown Strollers in 1884 and Newtown in 1885.

The club continued to be pioneers in the fledgling game in the inaugural Royal Welsh Warehouse Medal as more clubs were founded across the region.

On Boxing Day 1891 the club hosted its own medal at Dollys Road with Llanidloes Harlequins joined by Merthyr Vale and Porth in lining up against the town club.

Curiously named clubs such as Llanidloes Blue Slops, Llanidloes Excelsiors, Llanidloes Wanderers and Llanidloes Rovers also briefly came into existence in 1892 while interest in the sport at Llanidloes Combined School was described as "excessive" in October.

The club hosted a touring London Welsh in March 1894, prevailing 1-0 winners at Dollys Lane.

The Montgomeryshire League came into existence in 1904 and Llanidloes won eight pre-World War One titles.

The inter-war years saw the club continue to enjoy success with five Welsh Amateur Cup final appearances, wining in 1922 while winning the Montgomeryshire Challenge Cup 13 times, including eight successive wins between 1928 and 1935.

Following the Second World War, Llanidloes Town won the Mid Wales League in 1947 and 1951while winning of the Welsh Amateur Cup again in 1965.

Further league championships followed in 1972 and 1974 and 1981 while in 1990 the club became founder members of the Cymru Alliance and founder members of the League of Wales in 1992.

Following relegation after one season in the top flight the club's fortunes entered decline and relegated to the Montgomeryshire League in 2008.

The fightback began in 2010 with promotion to the Mid Wales League and three tears later promotion to the Cymru Alliance where the club remained until relegation back to the third tier in 2015.

Llanidloes just missed out to Llanfair United in last season's title race though were awarded the Mid Wales League Championship last season with the Victoria Avenue club now awaiting confirmation on which league they play next season.

Llanidloes Town chairman Kevin Brown said: "The club is run by a small committee who willingly give up a great deal of their personal time that enables the club to run its three senior teams and continue to improve its facility at Victoria Avenue.

"The club is very well supported and sponsored by local individuals, businesses and its players and would not be able to operate at its current level without this support and commitment.

"In recent times the club has been unfortunate in that it has lost some key committee members - Ian Evans, Richard Evans and Brian Jones, the passing of these people has been a motivational factor for the present committee to match the exceptional work rate and commitment of these past members.

"We are extremely proud of its history and are one of the few clubs in the area that has a veterans section that is made up of past players and management.

"The veterans section holds an annual dinner at the club and many of its members still regularly support and sponsor throughout the season."

The club maintains strong links with the community through charitable events while a thriving junior section of more than 200 children and Platinum standard coaching team the future of the club remains bright.