Storm erupts as Prestatyn Town fans assess possibility of breakaway club

Disgruntled Prestatyn Town fans are taking advice from a national body about the possibility of setting up a breakaway club.

The PTFC Supporters Association are in discussions with the Football Supporters Association (formerly Supporters Direct) over forming a new fan-owned club.

It is just one option being looked at, with some keen to have increased future involvement with the current club.

The present situation is similar to what occurred with Bangor City, where fans unhappy at the way the club was being run formed Bangor 1876, which has been operating successfully for over a year.

PTFCSA are angry over the recent departure of manager Neil Gibson and almost the entire 2019-20 Cymru North title-winning squad.

The mass exits arose following a difference of opinion between Gibson and new chairman Jamie Welsh about the future direction of the club.

Welsh has since appointed a new management team, led by manager John Lawless, the Merseyside-based former TNS and Colwyn Bay player.

Numerous Prestatyn Town fans strongly oppose the latest development and have taken to social media in recent days to voice their disapproval.

The PTFCSA have released the following statement: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans that have been in touch over the last week regarding the recent activity at the club; it is very much an uncertain time for us all.

“We would like to inform our fellow fans that we have now opened dialogue with the Football Supporters Association, formerly known as Supporters Direct.

“We are exploring a number of avenues and actions with them to help us as a fan group become a more integral part of the club going forward. We believe this is the correct and formal way to enhance our support of Prestatyn Town Football Club going forward.

“We would like to go on record and thank the supporter groups from Wrexham and Bangor 1876, their support and guidance over the last week has been invaluable.

“Our dialogue with the FSA continues and we hope to bring a set of formal proposals to you in the very near future.”

Twitter storm

This evening the current situation led to angry exchanges between the club and supporters on social media.

Prestatyn Town FC said it was disappointed to learn about the possibility of a breakaway club being formed.

It has offered to meet with fans tomorrow (Thursday, October 22) to discuss potential ways forward.

Supporters have been asked to phone or contact the club on social media to set up appointments, which will need to be organised sensitively due to the current Covid-19 situation.

Several fans stated they had no faith in the new set-up and wanted a locally-run Prestatyn Town again.

Both sides then engaged in some less than friendly exchanges.

This one looks like running for a while…….

The FSA is the national, democratic, representative body for football supporters in England and Wales.

It is the leading advocates for supporter ownership, better fan engagement, cheaper ticket prices, the choice to stand at the match, protecting fan rights, good governance, diversity, and all types of supporter empowerment.