Manager Dominic Broad will visit the Mestalla during pre

Pontypridd Town, a club from Welsh League Division Three, are preparing to take on one of La Liga’s biggest clubs.

Manager Dominic Broad, a coach with strong contacts in Spain, will take his Ponty team to Valencia for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 29.

Pontypridd are 15th in the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Third Division table.

It’s an astonishing coup for a club who struggled to even start this season and are battling to avoid relegation from the fourth tier of Welsh football.

Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies and earned major success in Europe.

”This fixture has given our club a whole new lease of life,” says Broad.

“There is so much excitement at the prospect of facing Valencia in Spain. We’ll take 16 players at least and maybe up to 19.”

Broad has experience of coaching in Spain, has friends at the Valencia club and they have helped organise this prestigious friendly.

Pontypridd will effectively face Valencia’s reserve team and are unlikely to come up against the likes of former Arsenal player Philippe Senderos or Oriol Romeu, signed on loan from Chelsea, but it will be the biggest test the Welsh club have faced.

“What an experience this will be for the players,” says Broad. “I’ve nagged friends in Spain for a long time to get this organised and it’s a brilliant fixture for Pontypridd.

“This will lift our club’s profile as we work to ensure we have a sustainable Welsh League club in Pontypridd.”

Broad, 27, was appointed Pontypridd player-manager at the start of this season, making the move from Caerau Ely, where he was assistant to Nana Baah. Brother Damien joined him as player/assistant manager, while Sam Houldsworth is player/assistant coach.

Pontypridd seemed to be on the brink of folding just before this season started, but the appointment of the Broad brothers and Houldsworth transformed the club.

“Our priority is to make sure we stay up,” says Broad.

“I didn’t realise Pontypridd had only two players signed when I accepted the job, but we were able to strengthen quickly.

“We have organised a youth system for the first time at this club and there is a lot of optimism for the future.

“We have added quality players, we are building for the future.”

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