When this group was established in July 2023 one of our stated aims was to work with the Football Supporters’ Association to progress our work. The aim was to establish, should there be interest in the group, a Community Benefit Society, which would be the legal vehicle to take forward our aims to work with others including the club board, and seek to raise the significant funding needed to purchase Belle Vue. The Football Supporters’ Association have advised that their rules contain strict criteria for supporter groups using the name of ‘trust’. Criteria that our group does not currently meet. The interim Committee have considered possible options and have agreed a rename to the Rhyl Football Club Supporters Team (RFCST).  This is to emphasise our approach to working as a team with as many interested parties as possible. The RFCST are hoping to commence dialogue shortly with the Football Supporters’ Association regarding the transition to becoming a formal Trust. We will keep all Members updated on progress towards this including holding an open meeting for Members to consider in detail this option to become a Community Benefit Society.

One of the Trust commitments is to ensure that Rhyl FC history is never forgotten and what is more fitting than having Caryl James, the wife of the late George James as a figurehead of the Trust. Anybody connected with Rhyl FC will know that Belle Vue was George's second home, having represented the club as player, subsequently becoming the groundsman. George was instrumental in the building of the NWPS suite, and has a stand named after him. George's effort at Belle Vue was monumental and classing him as a Club Legend is truly deserved.

The first Rhyl Football Club Supporters Trust Christmas Draw saw over £500 raised to help take forward the aim of building funds towards owning the historic Belle Vue ground. As ever thanks to Graham Cartlidge for his hard work and commitment in organising the draw and to Mike Steel and Graham for putting together the Christmas Hampers from donations from Trust members. The draw took place on Saturday night at the Rhyl Victory Club and the winners were as follows:

• 1st prize - White ticket 210 - Mike Jones
• 2nd prize - Pink ticket 27 - Alan Jones
• 3rd prize - Pink ticket 294 - David Carlisle
• 4th prize - Grey ticket 817 - Cerys
• 5th prize - Blue ticket 273 - Derek Hughes
• 6th prize - Blue ticket 504 - Sue Cartlidge
• 7th prize - Blue ticket 428 - Tom Curran
• 8th prize - Blue ticket 395 - Theresa Curran

Rhyl Football Club Supporters Trust is proud to announce that Ann Jones OBE has been appointed as Honorary Vice President of the Trust. Ann Jones has been a supporter and champion of the town of Rhyl and has proudly represented the Town at a political level ranging from being a Councillor for Rhyl Town Council and Denbighshire County Council and then in 1999 becoming amongst the first to be elected to the Welsh Assembly. Ann represented the constituency of Vale of Clwyd for 22 years from 1999 through to 2021 where prior to the election she announced her decision to stand down. Ann has been a long standing supporter of Rhyl Football Club and has been a familiar face to many attending matches at Belle Vue over the years and at many an away game. Ann has provided guidance to the Committee members of the Trust since its establishment in the summer of 2023 and the Committee agreed to grant Ann the title of Honorary Vice President for her previous support plus her commitment to work to secure the future of Belle Vue. Ann was presented with a certificate for her role by Graham Cartlidge of the Trust at the recent Christmas fundraising event. After the presentation Ann commented “I’m delighted to receive this recognition from the Trust. I wish the Trust and its growing number of members all the best in their desire to secure the future of Belle Vue for the town and its residents”.

Celebrating our fans Our Honorary member of the trust Keith Ward, who has supported Rhyl FC in excess of 60 years. Pictured below with our interim chairman Mike Jones & Graham Cartlidge.

The Rhyl Football Club Supporters Trust brought some festive cheer to the Children’s Ward at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd as they visited with presents for the children on the ward this Christmas. Trust Fundraiser Graham Cartlidge suggested resurrecting the visit from representatives of the town’s Football Club. Previous visits have seen players and management visiting children to spread the festive cheer. The Trust Committee members dug deep and with the support of donations from companies such as Morrisons, Playmobil, Perham Prints and Wrexhub, they visited the ward to provide gifts for the children and presents for the nursing staff on the ward. The Trust hope that these gifts will help provide some Christmas cheer to the children who are in hospital at this time of year and we wish them and their families all the best for Christmas. If you would like to join the Trust, our new membership sign up process on the website is available here.

We held our first event as a trust at the Victory Club in Rhyl. A great night had by all and a good amount raised to contribute to the Trust's target, of securing the longevity of football in Rhyl.

This has put us in a good stead to build upon and progress with our ambitions...

More events and nights to follow.