New Supporters Trust launched with the aim to secure football at Belle Vue for Rhyl.
With a new football season started, a new 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 the Belle Vue ground. The new CPD y Rhyl 1879 announced a new 2-year lease in 2020, but since then, there has 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 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 agreeing to do 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.
The 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 its future. These discussions led to the establishment of a Trust, ideally to collaborate with the Rhyl Fans Association and the management of CPD y Rhyl 1879. We are keen to work with everyone to undertake fundraising, aiming to secure the necessary funds potentially used as match funding against other sources to ensure the ground's security. 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 crucial for acquiring grants to improve areas such as floodlighting and community facilities. This will ensure that the Club and the ground play a pivotal role in the regeneration of Rhyl’s community.”
The Trust encourages all supporters to consider becoming members and will announce several fundraising activities in the coming weeks.