Mountain Rangers FC ladies team disbands – coast league now almost a non-starter

A proposed North Wales Coast FA Women’s Football League has become almost non-viable after Mountain Rangers announced tonight they will not have a ladies team this season.

The planned tier 3 NWCFA League already had only five teams remaining with three of the original eight members having switched allegiance to the North Wales Women’s League, run by the North East Wales FA, over the past fortnight.

Now the demise of Mountain Rangers means the list of NWCFA sides is down to just four: Bangor 1876, Caernarfon Town, Kinmel Bay and Llanystumdwy.

Mountain Rangers Ladies formed in 2018 and played two seasons in North Wales Women’s League Division Two.

Last season they began well, winning their first three matches, but due to bad weather and then Covid-19 they had only played six league games by the time the campaign was cancelled in March due to coronavirus.

This summer had seen the resignation of manager Irfon Hughes, then the appointment of Elena Julio and Sara Williams as joint-managers, but tonight came the disbansion announcement.

A Mountain Rangers statement said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we have had to make the difficult and sad decision that due to a lack of manager and players we will not have a ladies team in Cpd Mountain Rangers Fc this season.

“Two years ago history was created as the first ever ladies team was set up in Mountain Rangers. In no time at all the team was fondly known to all as ‘Team Lamas’.

“The team was led by their captain fantastico Elena Julio and her enthusiasm was carried on to all the other players.

“In a short period of time the girls created a lot of history and had lots of fun. They collected money for charities, took part in the Football vs Homophobia campaign and in the Prosiect Pum Mil programme.

“Soon enough everyone was talking about our famous team Lamas.

“As a club we wish to thank all players that have played for the team during the last two seasons and we wish them all good luck .

“Hopefully we will have our Team Lamas back again in Mountain Rangers soon.”

The new North Wales Women’s League is thriving with 16 teams on board, but they are delaying a decision on whether to run one or two divisions until completely sure how many clubs will come under its wing.

NORTH WALES WOMEN’S LEAGUE (16 teams)
Airbus
Amlwch Town
Bethel
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Corwen
Denbigh Town
Holywell Town
Llandudno
Llanfair United
NFA
Northop Hall
Penrhyn Bay
Pwllheli
CPD Y Rhyl 1879
Welshpool Town
Wrexham AFC