Llandudno Ladies manager Sarah Colville: “Carrying on was becoming impossible”

Llandudno Ladies manager Sarah Colville says the club had no option but to resign from the Welsh Premier as continuing to operate in a national league where it was the only North Wales representative had become almost viably impossible.

Tudno were the sole North Wales side to compete in every season of the WPWL since it went fully national in 2012-13.

The club was in its eighth successive top-flight campaign before announcing its withdrawal today.

The team faced the prospect of eight long league trips to South/Mid Wales this season, with potential away cup ties added to the list.

In the end, it had become too difficult for Llandudno to consistently get a squad of unpaid players to commit to so many full Sundays.

The club has always received travel grants from the WPWL to cover the cost of journeys south, which they say always met their needs.

Manager Colville, a former player in the club’s Llandudno Junction days and who has been Tudno boss from the start, said: “It was the travelling that was the big problem.

“We were travelling nearly 5 hours to games every other weekend. When we joined the league back 9 years ago the league was split.

“Since it became a fully national league, every year a northern team has pulled out and the league has allowed it to happen.

“I am absolutely devastated as we’ve all worked so hard and there is no way a league like that can run with one northern club in it.”

Sarah said the club has not folded with several players wanting to remain loyal to Llandudno, but added a few days of reflection would need to take place before any further decisions could be made.

The manager said the club had applied to join the North Wales Women’s League but was told it was too late into the season. Joining next season could be an option.

Managers and officials from other clubs in the WPWL expressed their disdain and despair over Llandudno’s withdrawal.

Abergavenny’s Wayne Jeremiah said on Twitter: “Shambles. Wake up FAW. Been warning about this for years. FAW have a lot to answer for in my opinion.”

Former WPWL Caldicot Town Ladies added: “Such a shame! Hopefully come back.”

Mike Thomas, chairman of Cardiff City Women’s FC, tweeted: “This is so sad. Another good club gone. We really do need to look properly at what’s going on. We keep hearing about how many girls are playing and yet clubs playing at the highest level in Wales are struggling to recruit.”