From record-breaking champions to folding eight months later – Bodedern Athletic are sadly no more

Less than eight months ago Bodedern Athletic were on cloud nine after a record-breaking season which saw them crowned tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division champions.

That was in April 2022, but today the club has folded.

This is heartbreaking news for Anglesey football, which has lost one of its finest sons.

Bodedern were promoted to the tier 3 Ardal North West League this season, but in the summer their two star strikers from 2021-22, Marc Evans and Asa Thomas, who notched a phenomenal 126 goals in all competitions between them, left the club at different stages to join tier 5 Trearddur Bay.

Despite this Boded started this season well at the higher level, beating Gaerwen 17-0 in the Welsh Cup before gaining wins over Brickfield Rangers and Llangefni Town in their opening two league games.

However, once Evans departed others from the title-winning squad began to leave and this, coupled with a lack of replacements, the transfer window and player unavailability, led to an alarming slump in form.

Six straight defeats followed before Athletic stopped the rot temporarily, whipping Rhostyllen 4-1 and earning a commendable 0-0 draw at Llanrwst.

But fielding a strong side became tougher and a catastrophic 10-0 loss at Llangefni on October 29 turned out to be Bodedern’s last game.

Their last five fixtures had been unfulfilled due to a mix of unfit pitches and being unable to get together enough players for away matches.

The January transfer window offered hope of bringing in fresh talent, but the situation had become too difficult and Bodedern resigned today.

The club sent a short statement to the Ardal Northern League, which said: “After a club meeting with our small committee of volunteers, Bodedern Athletic have reluctantly decided to withdraw from the Ardal North West League with immediate effect.”

Chas Rowland, league general and fixture secretary and director, confirmed Bodedern’s notice of resignation had been received.

Bodedern later released this statement: “A difficult decision has been made that Bodedern Athletic have withdrawn their membership of the Ardal North West League.

“After a club meeting, the small group of volunteers running the club felt they had on option but to resign.

“The last couple of months have been difficult in trying to field a team, as many players have departed for various reasons and not being able to sign players because of having transfer windows in Tier 3 of Welsh football.

“With no help or assistance from the league there was only one outcome.

“We would like to say a HUGE Thank You to our sponsors and our fans for supporting the club over the years, and also the players, coaches and committee members who stuck by us.

“Last of all,…Ricky Williams, THANK YOU, what he’s achieved at this village club is remarkable.

“We can’t thank him enough for his dedication in managing the team and driving the club forward over the years.”

Bodedern’s long-serving manager Ricky, who led the club to last season’s remarkable success said he was devastated by the club’s demise.

“I know nothing but Boded, it’s been my life since I was a boy watching them.

“I was honoured to be asked to be part of the management team all of 15 years ago then to carry on myself.

“We’ve had ups and downs over the years and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’m devastated that it has come to this, I really am.

“My committee deserves a lot more but that’s football; we’ll live and learn. The only positive from this if there is one is that I get to spend my Saturday how I want from now on and have some more time with the family.

“The hope going forward is that the club will start again but nothing will be talked about till after Christmas.

“One thing I want to see going forward this season is that our junior section get to use the facilities when appropriate.

“Lastly, I’d like to say that all this Together Stronger from the Welsh FA is a load of nonsense.”