| Rhyl will regroup in attempt to return |
| Monday 17 May 2010 |
 RHYL say they will "step back" from the Welsh Premier League after the FAW rejected their licence application at the appeal stage. A statement from the club confirms that the financial situation at Belle Vue prevented the club from obtaining the licence which is essential to take part in the Welsh Premier next season. "Financially, the club has had a very difficult second half to the season," it says. "The manager, the players and all non-playing staff have been magnificent throughout this difficult period. "We have taken steps to rationalise the operations and we are actively seeking new sponsors. "We had hoped to remain at the top of Welsh football whilst working through the residual financial issues - now we will continue to rebuild the club's finances and get back to the WPL as soon as possible." The absence of the league's best-supported club will be a major blow the new 12-club Welsh Premier. Despite a 33% fall in attendances at Belle Vue last season, the Lilywhites still attracted the league's highest average gate of 496. The league will also lose its best-attended local derbies between Rhyl and Bangor City. |