From the Cymru Premier to FA Cup history maker

Emlyn Lewis already knows a thing or two about creating historic moments in the world of football.

In 2019 he was playing for Cardiff Metropolitan University when they became the first university team to ever reach the Europa League.

And this weekend he will captain Weston-super-Mare at Grimsby Town when they play in the FA Cup third round for the first time in their 138-year history.

"You can see the excitement at the club and it's an unbelievable feeling," said Lewis.

"There's an expectation in the group to do well and we've got to make sure that we perform now and it's not a party in Grimsby."

Weston-super-Mare beat fellow sixth tier National League South side Chelmsford City 2-0 in the second round, and along with National League North side Macclesfield, they are the lowest-ranked club still in the competition.

They had hoped for Premier League opposition, but were drawn away to League Two side Grimsby Town for Saturday's 17:45 GMT kick off.

The four and a half journey to Lincolnshire has been described as "the worst possible draw" by some Weston fans, but Lewis insists it is still an exciting prospect.

"Naturally you'd want one of the Premier League teams - Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal - but we drew Grimsby and we've got to take what we've got," Lewis said.

"There's no point going up there unless we think we can win."

Grimsby have already been in the headlines this season after beating Manchester United on penalties in the Carabao Cup, and Lewis admits he enjoyed that result due to who he supports.

"As a Liverpool supporter I was laughing at the time," he recalled, "but I never though I'd then be playing against Grimsby in the third round of the FA Cup.

"They've had a great season so far, they're mid-table in League Two. We're just hopeful we can cause an upset because that's what the FA Cup is about."

Having joined Weston-super-Mare in June 2024, 29-year-old defender Lewis was named club captain.

After finishing just outside of the play-offs last season, they are aiming for automatic promotion to the National League this term and currently sit a point behind table toppers Worthing.

"I wanted a new challenge to play at a higher level, to challenge myself against better players in front of better attendances," said Lewis.

"I wanted to challenge myself to see if I could step up to this level and 18 months later I'm still here.

"We're doing really well in the league and this cup run has been amazing."

European adventure

Lewis' footballing journey started in west Wales.

Born in Aberystwyth, he played for his local club Aberaeron as a youngster, before joining Aberystwyth Town academy.

He went to Cymru Premier side Cardiff Met in 2014 and five years on was part of the side that beat Bala Town on penalties in a play-off game to secure their place in the Europa League.

Even though they lost against Progres Niederkorn of Luxembourg in the preliminary round, Lewis said it was a "proud moment" and an "unbelievable achievement for everyone involved."

"It's a great memory that I'll remember forever," he said.

"The only disappointment is that we didn't get through to the next round, and looking back we should have.

"Hopefully playing in the FA Cup third round will provide me with other great memories, and hopefully we'll be more successful."

International honours

During his time at Cardiff Met, Lewis also got the opportunity to play for Wales C - a team full of players from the Cymru Premier.

He won four caps and captained them during a 4-0 win against England at Caernarfon in 2022.

"I'm very thankful for those experiences and being involved in those squads," he said.

"We also won 1-0 against England at Stebonheath Park in Llanelli. They're very fond memories.

"It's another thing that I'm happy that I got to do during my career, but there are other things I want to achieve including being part of a winning team in the FA Cup third round.

"I'm hoping to achieve that this weekend."