It's been little over one year since the The Thursday Trust took over the running of the Abergavenny Thursdays football club, and for anyone who has been down to the Penypound stadium it's easy to see the improvements that have taken place in such a short time.

In partnership with local businesses, the decaying infrastucture has been replaced with a new roof on the terracing, new changing rooms and showers, the bar and social area have been totally refitted with new flooring, furniture and windows and with football on the new big screen there is a whole new generation of local football fans using the facilities for the first time.

All this has been given added value by the resurgence of the football club itself.

The Thursdays have been transformed from bottom of the table strugglers to promotion hopefuls this season as Bill Mainwaring's players topped their division over the Christmas period and January has added extra spice to the fixture list by bringing the Thursdays and Mardy together in a cup tie at the Penypound Stadium on the January 7 a local derby that means a great deal.

Bill Mainwaring says "What Mardy have achieved has been fantastic, they're on the verge of getting a place in the Welsh League and have set a standard that we hope to match over the next few years as we re-establish the Thursdays as the force in Welsh football that we once were and can be again."

The rise in the football club has been tied into the increasing use of the club's facilities, Brian Jones of the Thursdays Trust, "Alongside the two senior teams we've established two new youth teams and those bring with them enthusiastic and committed parents who are helping raise the standards throughout the club.

"The new club bar means we have a expanding community of our own around which the club can plan and thrive and that's been the most exciting development of the last year, how the small group who kept the club going in the difficult years have now be come a large enthusiastic team from all walks of life within the town who are giving their all to moving the club forwards."

Trust membership has reached new highs in the 2005-06 season and the the £10 joining fee is great value with members also receiving club mugs and stickers.

Details of how to join can be found at the club website www.abergavennythursdays.com or ask at the club bar The bar at the Thursdays is now open five nights per week with big screen football from Sky and for those of you interested there is now a thriving darts and snooker league.

The next fundraising night for the The Thursdays Trust is a quiz night on Friday, January 13 - book early as this popular night always sells out fast. You can see Abergavenny Thursdays cup tie with Mardy on Saturday January 7, kick off is at 2pm.