Rhyl's treble dreams alive as decision to cancel Intermediate Challenge Cup overturned

The decision to cancel the tournament was made by the NWCFA yesterday (May 16) after it was felt a backlog of matches in the competition made it infeasible to complete the tournament by the end of the season.

This followed the abandonment of a first round match on January 15 between Meliden FC and CPD Llanberis Football Club, after a Llanberis player was allegedly the target of a racist comment.

The score was 1-1 when the match was abandoned after 75 minutes.

North Wales Police have since been investigating the matter, with a spokesperson for the force confirming yesterday that this is still ongoing.

NWCFA had awarded the tie to Meliden, a ruling which Llanberis appealed to the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

But the FAW has since confirmed that Llanberis has dropped the appeal.

Following this development, the NWCFA has made the decision to continue with the competition.

Meliden will now visit CPD Pwllheli FC on Saturday, May 21 in the second round, with the winner to then host Bangor 1876 on May 24 in the quarter-finals.

The winner of that quarter-final tie will then welcome Bodedern Athletic on May 27 in the semis, with Rhyl lying in wait in the final on May 31.

Bryan Roberts, NWCFA president, said: "The NWCFA were informed late this morning by FAW that Llanberis had dropped their appeal against the decision derived by the NWCFA.

"On receipt of this news, the association have decided to attempt to get the competition up and running again and hope, with the consent of all clubs involved, to attempt to bring the Intermediate Challenge Cup to a successful conclusion.

"I appreciate the work involved here by clubs and association officials, and can only hope that co-operation will be evident by all."

READ MORE:

Police investigate alleged racist abuse aimed at Llanberis FC player

Rhyl one game away from greatness after comfortable victories

Lilywhites lift Cookson Cup and go top of league in memorable week

Adam Roche, managing director at CPD Y Rhyl 1879, said: "Everyone at CPD Y Rhyl is delighted that the Intermediate Challenge Cup has been reinstated.

"We were all hugely disappointed at the thought that, for all of our efforts, we would not get the chance to play and compete in the final that we worked so hard to get to. 

"So, regardless of the result, and whether we win or not, we are now thrilled at the chance to play in the final and bring closure for our club and fans to such an important North Wales footballing competition in the 2021-22 season."

Steve Boyle, Meliden chairman, added: “It’s the right decision. I’m over the moon that it’s going ahead; all we want to do is to clear our names.

“It gives all of the other teams a chance to forward and to finish the season off – no team wants to not finish the season.

“Now, the likes of Rhyl and Bodedern, who won’t be in it next season (due to winning their respective leagues), have a chance of winning it. As a club, we would have been gutted for them.

“At the end of the day, it’s (otherwise) not fair on them, but we’re in it to win it.”

In the meantime, Rhyl, in their first season since re-forming, have won the North Wales Coast East Football League Premier Division and the Cookson Cup, and have reached the final of the Intermediate Challenge Cup.

Rhyl’s promotion to the third tier also means the club will not be eligible to enter the Intermediate Challenge Cup next year, either.

Attempts were also made to contact CPD Llanberis Football Club.

A statement from Llanberis in January following the match in question read: “Following an alleged incident of a racist comment made towards a Llanberis player on January 15 during a football match, the matter is being referred to North Wales Police and NWCFA / FAW.

“As a club, we stand resolutely behind our player and fully support him.

“At this point in time, CPD Llanberis will not be issuing any further comment.”