With the new football season underway, a new Supporters Trust has been launched in Rhyl with the goal of working alongside the club to safeguard the future of football at the town’s historic Belle Vue Stadium.
The formation of the Trust comes amid concerns about the long-term future of the club at Belle Vue. While CPD y Rhyl 1879 announced a two-year lease in 2020, there has since been no public communication regarding its renewal. Rumours of commercial interest in the site have raised alarm among fans across the town.
Acting through the Rhyl Fans Association, Trust members had requested an open meeting with the club to discuss the stadium's future. However, with no response received, a group of committed supporters took the initiative to establish a formal Trust. Guidance from the Football Supporters Association has helped shape its formation on a strong foundation.
Mike Jones, Interim Chairman of the Trust, commented:
“During last season, a group of like-minded supporters discussed the future of the ground and our desire to assist the club in securing it. These conversations laid the foundation for a new Trust, which aims to work collaboratively with both the Rhyl Fans Association and CPD y Rhyl 1879.
We are committed to fundraising efforts that could be matched with external funding to help secure the ground’s future. Belle Vue is a landmark of Welsh domestic football. Owning it is essential for accessing grants to enhance community spaces and improve facilities such as floodlighting. This will ensure that both the ground and the club remain central to Rhyl’s regeneration.”
The Trust now invites all supporters to become members and participate in upcoming fundraising efforts, which will be announced in the coming weeks.