New supporters trust aims to secure long-term future of Rhyl’s historic Belle Vue Stadium

With a new season under way, a Supporters Trust in Rhyl has been launched with the aim to work with the club to secure the future of football at the town’s historic Belle Vue Stadium.

The idea for the Trust was in response to concerns over the long-term future of the club at Belle Vue.

The new CPD y Rhyl 1879 announced a new two-year lease in 2020, but since then there has apparently been no communication with its supporters over the future of the ground, with rumours of commercial interest in the ground rife across the town.

The original Rhyl FC folded in 2020, bringing an end to a proud 141-year existence which delivered four Welsh Cups, two Welsh Premier League titles and three Cheshire League crowns, as well as numerous appearances in European football and famous FA Cup runs.

The successor club, CPD Y Rhyl 1879, currently play in the third-tier of Welsh football, the Ardal North West League and are in their third season.

However, uncertainly remains over a long-term agreement for the ground, so the Trust has formed to try to make this happen.

The Trust members, through the Rhyl Fans Association, requested an open meeting with the new club to discuss the long-term future of the ground.

However, no response was forthcoming from the club. This led to a group of supporters to agree to go it alone and seek to establish a Trust.

Guidance has also been sought from the Football Supporters Association regarding the approach to be taken to establish the new trust on the best footing.

Interim chairman for the Trust, Mike Jones commented: “During last season a group of like-minded supporters discussed the future of the ground and the desire to work with the club to assist in securing the future of the ground.

“These discussions led to the establishment of a Trust to work ideally with the Rhyl Fans Association and the management of CPD y Rhyl 1879. We are keen to work with all to undertake fundraising to secure the necessary money to be potentially used as match funding against other funding sources to seek to secure the ground.

“Belle Vue is one of the most historic grounds in Welsh domestic football but it faces an uncertain future. Ownership of the ground by the club is key to drawing down grants to improve areas such as floodlighting and community facilities to ensure that the club and the ground can be key to the regeneration of the community of Rhyl.”

The Trust is encouraging all supporters to consider becoming a member and will be announcing several fundraising activities in the coming weeks.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Rhyl Football Club Supporters Trust was established in July 2023 with the aims and objectives of supporting the long-term stability of Rhyl Football Club at Belle Vue.

The Trust seeks to ensure that supporters play a key role in the future of the club. This includes the Trust playing a role in seeking to secure the ownership of Belle Vue, the home of football in the town since 1901.

Long-term ownership of the ground would be the key to being able to draw down external funding for much needed improvements to the ground to ensure it continues to host high class football matches whilst becoming a true community hub.

To support the work of the Trust, memberships will be available for supporters and businesses to join and demonstrate their support in our aspirations to make Belle Vue a key community hub for the Football Club.

The Trust is keen to work alongside the management of CPD y Rhyl 1879 and the Rhyl Fans Association to support the continuation of football at the highest possible level in the town.