FOOTBALL IN BLAENAU FFESTINIOG

The name Blaenau Ffestiniog FC first appears in an organized League in 1905 when they entered the North Wales Coast League – the most senior League in the region and one that had been in existence since 1890. They struggled for the first few seasons before taking the title in 1912-13. By this time the club’s home base had changed TWICE! From Holland Park they moved to Cefn-y-Maes later the site of the Manod Granite Quarry and now the home yard of E.Hughes’ transport fleet. After only one season in the North Wales Coast League they moved to Newborough Park, where they settled until 1930, now the site of the Somerfield store and car park. Apparently the move from Cefn y Maes was due to the fact that spectators could view matches without paying from various points outside the ground – including, to many’s disgust, Bethesda Cemetery
Meanwhile on the playing side the club failed to retain the Coast League title in 1913-14 when they appear to have been known as Ffestiniog Town – a title used also for the 1911-12 season. It is hoped to clear up this naming anomaly in the near future.

When football re-started after the First World War, the North Wales Coast League resumed activity for the 1919-20 season and the town team registered under the name of Blaenau Ffestiniog Comrades FC. The tag Comrades was used by many re-forming clubs during 1919 and reflected the camaraderie surviving players and officials had experienced on the Western Front. They reverted to Blaenau Ffestiniog FC for the following season which turned out to be the last for the North Wales Coast League as league football in Wales was completely re-organised into the Welsh National League for the 1921-22 term.
The club does not seem to have existed at senior level at least during this season, but took its place in the Welsh National League Division 2 West for the start of the 1922-23 competition. They remained in this Division and won the title in 1925-26, but not only opted against promotion but disappear completely for 1926-27! This is currently under investigation.
Surfacing again in 1927-28 they won the Division 2 West title but again did not take the step up. Despite finishing only second in 1928-29 they were promoted to Division One and fielded a Reserve side in their place at the second level.
 
Back
Next
Home