Welsh club to liquidate after 141 years of existence

Welsh club Rhyl FC are to liquidate after 141 years of existence due to the financial impact of the coronavirus it was announced on Tuesday.

The two-time top tier champions, who this season played in the Cymru North division, confirmed they had begun a winding-up process, after failing to find a £175,000 investment which would have saved them.

CLUB STATEMENT:

The company Rhyl Football Club Bellevue Limited announces that it has initiated the formal Winding-Up of the company.

The difficult decision was taken by the Board of Directors after considering the financial impact of the suspension of all football activities due to the unprecedented impact of Covid 19, the unwillingness of the Ground’s owner to consider either a long lease or sale on market terms and the ongoing fixed costs with no income prospects.

With no viable approach received to invest in the Club, the Directors in the recent weeks have held open discussions with the Rhyl Fans Association to explain in detail the current situation. During those meetings it was agreed to explore the scope for a new football club in Rhyl, as happened in 1992, to seek to ensure football remains in the town of Rhyl preserving the rich history of football in the Town.

The dominant issue over recent years, has been the relationship between the Landlord of Belle Vue and the Football Club, an issue which has impacted on expressions of interest in the Club in recent weeks. The club currently pay nearly £24,000 per annum for a Lease of the ground, which was due to expire in 4 years.

Over the past decade various offers have been made to the Landlord by the Club Chairman to purchase the ground, with the offers being in excess of market value. On each occasion the Landlord has showed no willingness to progress a sale of the ground. The maintenance of the ground is the responsibility of the tenant and whilst its status and capacity has seen prestigious events held in recent years there is a clear requirement for investment in its facilities. The absence of ownership by the club or a long term lease resulted in the Club being ineligible for many grants to enable much needed improvements to be made. In recent weeks the Chairman advised Mr Butters, the Landlord, of the importance of either a Long Lease on market rate terms or a one year Option to purchase the Ground in securing investor’s to save the Club. The Landlord did not respond to either proposal.

The current situation regarding COVID 19 has also impacted on the short and medium term stability of the Club. Whilst there are hopes from the FA Wales that the season will be completed in the summer months it is anticipated that it will be longer before spectators can attend games.

Over the last 12 months the Club has increased its sponsorship and fund raising activities which has delivered additional income to the Club. With the support of the Chairman the Club was heading for a break even season, as with last season. However the suspension of football and the lockdown arrangements now means that fundraising activities have ceased.

The close season and summer period traditionally brings a large amount of income to the club with tournaments and fundraising events. With the suspension of activities these income streams have dried up as rightly the focus has to be on the health of all supporters in these times of national crisis.

The Club has also explored options for external funding. Whilst there are grants available for small businesses as part of the Government’s response to COVID 19 the reality is that the funding available would not by itself bridge the gap in required finance.

The Club has also been in discussions with the Welsh FA regarding any assistance available. Whilst sympathetic to the plight of Rhyl FC the Welsh FA expressed that they were not in a position to support the Club outright, with many other clubs across Wales expected to face similar financial difficulties in the coming months. The Welsh FA did indicate that a ‘small loan’ may be possible but only if secured. The Club could not offer security nor would a small loan be sufficient.

Since the club made the request for investment / sponsorship 5 approaches of varying statures have been received. Due diligence eliminated 3 of the enquiries and a further offer was withdrawn following the confirmation of the status of ownership of the ground. An additional tentative enquiry was made and subsequently withdrawn. In NO instance was any specific financial proposal made by any of these parties.

The need to explore all these options and the delicate nature of discussions required an extension of time to be offered. Following the exhaustion of these options the Directors were left with the current position.

One of the comforts in recent weeks has been the active role played by the Rhyl Fans Association. They have been able to raise funds in recent weeks through fundraising campaigns and the Directors have met online with officials from the Association to ensure they were fully informed of the current position of the club.

All of these factors have left the Directors with a difficult decision to make on the future of the Club. Reluctantly the Directors have had to conclude that, with no substantial source of external investment, the unpalatable decision had to be made to wind-up the affairs of the company Rhyl Football Club Bellevue Limited.

This decision effectively ends the clubs 2019/20 campaign and will also see the Club lose it’s Academy status. This will also see the Football Club lose its existing Lease of Belle Vue.

The Club would like to offer it’s appreciation to all that have supported the Club in recent years whether as spectators, sponsors, volunteers, parents or players as we have all worked together.

The Chairman Paul Higginson said: ‘‘This is a very emotional day for everyone connected with the Club – the Volunteers, Supporters , Players , Coaching staff and all the Officers of the Club. We are all Fans and feel it deeply. That said the Town has a very proud footballing history and a very determined character and, as in 1992, I have no doubt that a very strong New Club will rise from this low.“

Fans, non league sides and Rhyl’s former opponents gave their reaction as news emerged that the Welsh club are to liquidate after 141 years of existence…

Such a sad ending to a wonderful club, many many fond memories there and fantastic people behind the scenes with a fantastic fan base, hopefully they can achieve what Bangor have also gone and done now ⚽️⚽️

— Paul McManus (@maccapaul22) April 21, 2020

Newyddion trist iawn.
Awful news – a trip to Bellevue was always one of the highlights of the season. A proper football club.#FeGodwnEto

— CPD Porthmadog FC??????? (@CPDPorthmadogFC) April 21, 2020

Devastating news. My football watching obsession started by walking across the school playing field from home to Belle Vue as a seven year old in 1976. So many great memories. Rhyl FC will be back.

— Andy Clarke (@clarkeys6) April 21, 2020

Take stock, regroup and rise again. We’re all behind you ??

— Barry Town United (@BarryTownUnited) April 21, 2020

You will rise again stronger. It may not feel like it now but this is not the end. The Cymru Premier needs proper clubs not clubs with sponsors names, college teams, and clubs propped up by one rich backer. Caernarfon and Barry have shown what can be done. #fegodwcheto

— Iwan Gareth (@IwGareth) April 21, 2020

Such a huge shame that one of the two biggest clubs ever to have graced the WPL will end like this. I am sure they will bounce back stronger than ever? #SunnyRhyl

— paul smith (@lslypaul) April 21, 2020

Awful news. Huge loss to North Wales football.

— Colwyn Bay FC ??????? (@ColwynBayFC) April 21, 2020

We’re so sorry to hear this. It had been a while since we’d met but our visit to Belle Vue last summer was brilliant.

We know that whatever it takes you’ll come back stronger – we’re all behind you ??#lilywhites

⚪️⚫️

— Mossley AFC (@MossleyAFC) April 21, 2020

Very very sad day indeed. ?

— ⚒⚒ Jonathan Evans ⚒⚒ (@HighwaymanX) April 21, 2020

Very sad news.
It’s about so much more than the football at this level and gutted for the supporters and volunteers who have lost their club

— Daz Darkside (@RammyDarkside) April 21, 2020

Sounds like the owner is a right shark!!

— John Woodman (@seasidejohnbfc) April 21, 2020

@SkySportsNews won’t be interested in this unfortunately, they just fill the airtime banging on about when the premier league will start again.

— Mark Bryce-Bee (@brfcbee1875) April 21, 2020

So so sorry to hear of this news. Really not what we wanted to hear at all. Our thoughts go out to everyone associated with the club and we hope that in the future we can all rally round and help bring football back to Rhyl.

— This is Welsh Football ??????? (@TIWFOfficial) April 21, 2020

Terrible news, one of if not the biggest club in Wales. Shame that nobody could save the club but with next to no money available for any club outside the welsh prem unfortunately it’s a slippery slope. Good luck to the RhylSA with future plans.

— Sean Jones (@microchip87) April 21, 2020

Sad to see one of my old clubs go like this, only had about 6 months there, probably played more BelleVue against them for other clubs, but always enjoyed playing there. Feel for the club volunteers who worked hard behind the scenes.

— Marc Lloyd Williams (@MarcJiws) April 21, 2020

Sad news this. Sorry for all the community involved. So much money at the top of the game that could of helped . Greed breeds greed. Good luck to all involved with your next adventure

— John Rice (@R1cey76) April 21, 2020