Sad farewells to New Brighton Villa – a great community football club

Sad farewells to New Brighton Villa Football Club, who have decided to fold.

The North East Wales club finished fifth in the Premier Division this season.

NBV revealed on social media today they will not be competing in 2023-24.

In a statement, the Mold area club said: “New Brighton Villa Football Club would like to sadly confirm that the 2022/2023 season is our last as a football club and we will be folding with immediate effect.

“The club have made the decision to finish following the conclusion of the season due to a number of factors that have made continuing extremely difficult. 

“With the gap between Tier 3 and Tier 4 widening as a result of improvements in ground criteria required for promotion, our current facilities make it near impossible to achieve our ambitions with limited space and resources to put in place the improvements we would require. 

“We had explored ground share agreements with local clubs, but came to the conclusion that it wasn’t viable to play elsewhere and not play in the village we represent. In addition to the ever improving quality of the league, we have decided to make this difficult decision.

“Our management team and playing squad have been with us for a number of years and the committee have decided to make this decision to allow them to pursue other opportunities this summer. 

“We would like to thank them for their loyalty and all of the volunteers and players that have been involved with the Yellers over the last 26 years. 

“The club has always punched above its weight with the limited resources we’ve had against much larger clubs in the Welsh National League and North East Wales Football League. 

“We have thoroughly enjoyed battling against some great clubs over the years, especially since the formation of the NEWFL. We would like to thank Nicki Beech and the NEWFL for their help and support over the last few years.”

Chairman Leigh Griffiths added: “After much deliberation, we have decided to call it a day. 

“We don’t want to stand still as a football club with no ambition to push on and simply play to make up the numbers. 

“FAW don’t want that and neither do we, but unfortunately circumstances mean that it would be unlikely that we could achieve our ambitions off the pitch. 

“I would like to thank our sponsors RLA Capital, Hair by Samantha and GTM Flooring for their valuable sponsorship and support over recent years, which has allowed a small village club like ourselves to be able to compete over the last few years. 

“Without this support, we wouldn’t have been able to function as a football club.

“I would also like to thank anyone who came to watch us over the years and The Griffin Inn, the residents of New Brighton and Darren Morris/New Brighton Community Centre for their continued help and support. It hasn’t gone unnoticed and has been much appreciated.

“Finally, the volunteers and players that have worked tirelessly and represented us over the years. NBV has always been a close knit club of friends and local players and I’m proud to have played and, later, became chairman of this football club. 

“It is always sad to call it a day, but I look back on the last 26 years with lots of fond memories surrounded by some of the best people I’ve met. 

“We’ve had a good run and it’s been an absolute pleasure to have been involved. UTFY!”

New Brighton Villa formed in 1997 and its biggest achievement was winning the Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) Division Two title in 2004/05.

They spent most of their years in the Welsh National League Division One but for the past two seasons formed part of the new North East Wales League, competing well in the Premier Division.

Villa enjoyed some good Welsh Cup results in recent seasons, including a 7-2 win at tier 3 Brickfield and a 2-1 success at higher-level Plas Madoc, as well as a victory on penalties at Penmaenmawr Phoenix.

Grassroots North Wales has found the club fantastic to work with and wishes everyone associated with NBV all the best in their future football adventures.