VIDEO: WITH ambitious plans to bring professional football to the town Rylands FC have renamed the club Warrington Rylands 1906 FC.
Currently playing at their highest ever level and former player and Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group MD Paul Stretford at the helm, the name change is the first phase of the that future plan.
The club has a rich history in the town.
In 1805 John Rylands and Sons were formed in Warrington to produce Iron and Steel Products and went on to become one of the towns biggest employers, and a leading manufacturer and exporter both in the UK and internationally.
Over the next 100 years, the business grew from strength to strength so much so that the Towns famous Rugby League Club became known as the “Wires”.
The turn of the century saw the business grow from strength to strength and decided to invest in a facility that could be used to keep its employers fit and healthy both in a sporting and leisure perspective. Eventually they found a suitable site for their ambitions situated between Gorsey Lane and Orford Lane on the East side of Warrington and developed Rylands Recreation Club, providing opportunities for the workforce and their families to enjoy relaxation and sport. At the centre of this magnificent jewel was the Clubhouse building which provided facilities for indoor sports and a bar. The grounds were converted to create a Rugby Pitch, Cricket Field, Bowling Green, Tennis Courts and a Football Pitch situated in the same enclosed grounds as the Rylands FC first team play today.In 1906, the Clubhouse and Grounds were officially opened and the Rylands Works Association Football Team played football on their new home ground for the very first time. The pitch and facilities were the envy of most other teams in the area Including Everton FC, whom Rylands hosted during this time.
Recently, another internationally renowned business based in Warrington have followed in the Rylands Bros footsteps to return the venue to former glories. Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group and its Managing Director Paul Stretford have slowly started to breathe life back in to this famous venue and facilities, with improvements to the Football Grounds and Clubhouse facilities, and further improvements scheduled to take place as development plans are approved.
At the forefront of this plan is the commitment to establish the Rylands Football 1st Team and enable it to compete at the highest level possible, with the ultimate ambition to bring Professional Football to the town.
Sitting alongside that is a strong Community Club for junior, youth and senior football for both boys, girls, women and men. All of this will be supported by improved pitch and changing facilities alongside an improved hospitality and
event space, which will include private hire and function suites and state of the art modern business meeting and conference facilities available to the local population and business community alike.
The decision to rename Rylands FC as Warrington Rylands 1906 FC is the first part of that future plan.
Paul Stretford, Managing Director of Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group said:“Having played at Rylands Football Club for over a decade in the mid 1970’s and 80’s and following a successful launch and rebranding of the clubhouse – “Stretties Sports Bar & Grill” – as Warrington’s premier Sports Bar open to members, players, their families and the local community. We now take another step forward with the launch of Warrington Rylands 1906 FC as we continue our progress on and off the pitch to become one of Warrington’s senior professional Football teams.
“As recognition of the foresight, hard work and ambitions of the Rylands Brothers when they opened the Rylands Recreation Club in 1906, Warrington Rylands 1906 will play in the North West Counties Premier League for the 2020-21 Season and continue to state our ambition to achieve promotion to the Northern Premier League.
“The team were on course to achieve that objective when the Coronavirus Pandemic forced the end of the 2019-20 season with the Club sitting second in the league at the point the FA declared the season null and void. But I can promise that our resolve has been tested but not deterred. I hope the hard core of supporters and sponsors continue to support the club and look forward to welcoming new fans and sponsors alike to the Gorsey Lane Ground during the course of this coming season.
“Of course, in this year of unprecedented times our thoughts go out to all the people of Warrington who were affected by Covid-19 and our appreciation goes out to all those on the frontline for their dedication and resolve. During the course of next season, we will celebrate and honour their achievements, as well raising money for the Warrington & Halton NHS Hospital’’.
1 Comment
Stop making Paul Stratford shuch a hero what about the young rugby players that he forced out of there ground a ground where many famous players cut there teeth in the game.
Where is all the extra traffic that his ambitions are going to go no doubt he will bring in a parking fee on match days that people wont pay but park in the aready clogged back streets you only have to look at the chaotic seens round Warrington town on match days