An author from Brynamman in the process of writing his second book, looking at the strong connection between Pontarddulais and the early days of American soccer.
Eifion Rogers, who wrote his first book in 2012, is writing his second, which focuses on one of the first great soccer teams of the USA, called Bethlehem Steel.
One of the most influential figures in Bethlehem Steel’s rise was Horace Edgar Lewis, from Pontardulais.
Horace and his family moved to the States in the late 1890s, before he joined Bethlehem Steel, the second largest steel conglomerate in America at the time.
The company had its amateur football team from 1903 to 1930, where Lewis played and was also led the committee, helping the club become professional by importing professional talent from the British Isles.
Under his guidance, the club won seven championships in four years and became one of the founding members of the American Soccer League in 1921.
Still regarded as the Godfather of American soccer, Horace was one of only 15 original inductees to the American Soccer Hall of Fame.
Eifion said: “I really am enjoying studying and writing about this.
“One thing I’m not a big fan of is getting used to calling it soccer rather than football, as I have had a love of the game for as long as I can remember.
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“I have contacted Lionel Messi’s management team, asking if he would do the foreword to the book, as he does have a connection – one of the Bethlehem Steel players held a world goalscoring record for 80 years until Messi broke it a few years ago.
“I have referred to Messi in the book as ‘one of the five greatest players who has ever lived,’ so he might not be too happy with me for that.”
Eifion is writing the book while studying his Masters at the University of Wales.
He added: “I’m hoping to complete my Masters in Strategic Management and Business and Tourism Management, before having a year off to finish this book before doing my PhD.”
Eifion has said that if anyone in the Pontarddulais area has any information that could help with the book, they are urged to contact him at ConsultantsofMyddfai@outlook.com
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