News broke last week that the 141-year history of Rhyl FC, superbly curated in this article on the Grassroots North Wales website, looks to be at an end with formal winding up proceedings beginning after the failure to secure fresh investment.
Unfortunately it is unlikely that Rhyl will be the only club not to come through the current crisis unscathed.
Many clubs will have other issues that exacerbate their plight (Rhyl could not secure a deal to buy the Belle Vue ground or gain a longer lease) but Covid-19 will be the determing factor in tipping them over the edge.
Efforts have already started to try and plot a way forward, the Rhyl Fans Association (RFA) looking to raise funds and potentially look to begin a 'phoenix' club.
A quote from Rhyl FC managing director Adam Roche (who will work alongside the RFA), in Sunday's The Non-League Paper, is a perceptive one, however.
He said: "My suggestion to the Fans Association will be that you get one chance to start up a new club and do it right."
The current crisis means it is a very difficult environment to begin a new club as it encompasses so many different areas of personal and business life which mean finding the people, time and money to get things off the ground becomes that much harder.
But Rhyl have history and passion on their side, two factors that will hopefully go a long way to returning football to the town.
No comments:
Post a Comment