Member Article

Work starts on new stand for Ruthin Town FC

Ruthin Town FC are looking for a bright start to the new year as work on their new stand begins this month.

The upgraded facilities will help Ruthin Town meet the criteria set out for all clubs in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance League. From next season, teams in the second tier of Welsh Football are required to have 250 covered seats to maintain their status in the league.

A sponsorship deal with Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has played a big role in helping the club raise the funds needed.

In addition to the sponsorship, Ruthin Town have accessed funding from the Football Association of Wales (FAW) Trust, raised a significant amount themselves through various fundraising initiatives, and won the Tesco community funding challenge.

The entire project will cost £65k.

Ruth James, director at Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, said: “We’re pleased to hear that the new stand has been given the go ahead and that work will start this month.

“The stadium is a stone’s throw from our head office and some of our employees play for the club.

“As a local employer, we believe in the benefits improved sporting facilities can have on our local community. We hope this investment in the club through sponsorship will help enhance the quality of life of people who live and work in Ruthin and the surrounding area.

“We also hope that our assistance will enable the club to build on the hard work of its members to create a platform for their continued future success.”

Ruthin Town’s president, and Aston Villa and Wales defender, Neil Taylor attended a Q+A and auction evening, as part of the fundraising activities. The club’s fans have also contributed by purchasing personalised bricks.

Vice chairman Andy Edwards, who has co-ordinated the entire process, said: “We are indebted to all our sponsors and supporters for their help. Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has been fantastic and we would like to thank the company for their support.

“We are a local club providing a really high standard of football for local players and it has supported what is in essence a local project.”

Secretary Bryn Jones said: “This has been a great effort from a lot of people who have worked hard to achieve this objective. Local football is not just about the teams on the field these days but it’s about the team behind the teams.

“A great deal of thanks must go to Andy Edwards who has driven this project and put in a great deal of work behind the scenes ensuring that we achieved the FAW trust funding and all the sponsorship.”

Chairman Paddy Carney said: “I’m extremely proud of our achievements as a club and the progress we are making both on and off the pitch. A lot has happened over the last year or so.

“We are indebted to a lot of people and I would like to thank Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK for its generous contribution.

“I would also like to thank Gary Teeson of GJ Teeson Ltd. They will be the main contractors for the work and he and Huw Price have been a great help to us during this process. Geth Jones has also been a big help during the planning process. We really do have an exciting few months ahead.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .