Farewell to a good club – CPD Caer Clwyd

Tier 5 club CPD Caer Clwyd have been forced to fold after two difficult months which began with them losing their home ground in September.

Originally based in Denbigh, Clwyd formed three years ago not long after the worldwide pandemic had caused the 2019-20 season to end almost three months early.

With Covid also ensuring the 2020-21 campaign was cancelled, Caer Clwyd were unable to play their first competitive game until the start of 2021-22.

After modest placings in their first two seasons in the North Wales Coast East League Division One, the Vale of Clwyd club began 2023-24 really well.

They went unbeaten in their first four league matches, taking 10 points out of 12, but after being asked to leave their home ground in September, CC were defeated in every game they played.

Caer Clwyd manager Keiran Kendrick confirmed the club had folded and withdrawn from the league.

He said: “The main reasons are no home pitch and players leaving, unable to attract new sponsors and players due to no home ground and this put a financial strain on us leaving us with no choice to fold unfortunately.”

Things were looking good for Clwyd earlier in the season, but a 4-2 defeat at home to Rhyl Dragons on September 16 spelled the beginning of the end.

Due to alleged incidents of unrest at the match, Caer Clwyd were told they could no longer use Myddelton College near Denbigh as a home ground.

They had to search, unsuccessfully, for alternative venues and in the meantime lost four more matches, 2-13, 1-12, 1-7 and 1-3.

CPD Caer Clwyd began playing competitively in the 2021-22 season, finishing ninth in North Wales Coast East Division One with a record of eight wins, seven draws and 11 defeats.

Last season they ended up seventh, winning seven, drawing five and losing 10.

They started the current campaign really well, with three wins and a draw, but had lost their last five and occupied seventh spot at the time of their withdrawal.

All of their 2023-24 results will now be expunged.

Their overall final league record reads: Played 57 Won 18 Drawn 13 and Lost 26 with 141 goals scored and 178 conceded.

Clwyd’s first-ever match on July 3, 2021, brought a very commendable 3-3 draw with Llandudno Amateurs.

Among their finest wins were a 3-2 league victory over NFA in December 2021, plus a penalties success against Tier 4 Glan Conwy in the FAW Amateur Trophy this season.