How would the late Huw “Chick” Jones have reacted to his beloved Corwen FC losing their home ?

How dismayed would the late Huw “Chick” Jones be if he were still alive to witness the way his beloved Corwen Football Club is being treated?

It was demoralising to discover this week that the tier 3 Ardal North East club have been basically kicked out of the War Memorial Ground, their home for well over 40 years.

The reason? It appears the town council are refusing to let the football club use the pavilion facilities at the ground.

And this means Corwen now fail to meet Football Association of Wales standards, which require access to such facilities.

As a result, they will have to play their remaining home matches this season at Bala Town’s Maes Tegid – more than 11 miles away.

Corwen is very much a community club and the community are not happy.

Numerous supporters of the side, many linked with club officials or members themselves of Corwen teams, have launched on-line petitions.

Combined, the amount of signatures are in the thousands. This decision will not be taken lying down.

The club released the following statement this week: “It is with great regret that after over 40 years of Corwen Football Club recognising The War Memorial Park as its home ground, we can no longer host games at the park.

“Despite our best endeavours to reach accommodation with the War Memorial Park/Town Council, the new restricted facilities that are now offered to the club fail to meet the FAW standards.

“As such the team will play its next seven home games at Maes Tegid, the home of Bala Town FC to give time for the club to consider its future. We deeply regret this decision and the loss of an amenity to the town.”

The club also stressed the FAW has been extremely supportive over many years.

Corwen Town Council has been contacted for a comment on the matter.

This sickening blow to the football club would have left the late Huw “Chick” Jones devastated – he would also have fought tooth and nail to keep Corwen at the Memorial Park.

Huw passed away in February 2020 after a lifetime of dedication to his community and beloved football club.

He filled just about every role possible at Corwen FC, who were known as Corwen Amateurs until 2000. Manager, secretary, player….Huw did it all.

And in his later years he became a major voice in women’s football, which included developing some fantastic girls youth teams at the club as well as forming a women’s side.

When Huw passed away it hit the many female members of Corwen FC very hard and they are now among the most prominent voices calling on the town council to reverse its decision and allow the club to remain at the War Memorial Park.

So loved was Huw in the town, the newly-refurbished Corwen Leisure Centre was renamed Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones.

• Corwen are currently third in the new tier 3 Ardal North East with five wins in seven matches.
  

Tomorrow they are back in league action at their temporary home Maes Tegid where they host FC Berriew, kick-off 2.30 pm.

All season tickets sold remain valid for this game, while the price of admission is £3 for non-season ticket holders.