Getting to Know – Brickfield Rangers
Prior to last season, we ran a really popular series of ‘Getting to Know’ taking a closer look at several of our lesser known non league clubs. So, we thought why not bring this back for a Series Two, and so far we’ve looked closer at both Bourne Town and Broxburn Athletic.
This week, we’ve been fortunate enough to speak with two Welsh clubs, the first of which is Brickfield Rangers of the Ardal League North East division. For me personally, I’ve got a bit of soft spot for the club, as I had a really good Football Manager save with them, taking them to the heights of Europe, but I still didn’t know much about the club, but I’ve been lucky enough to be speaking with Paul Hooson, club Chairman, so I was in good hands. Let’s see what else we find out….
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Just like me, there are a lot of people that won’t know a great deal about Welsh non league football. For those that haven’t heard of Brickfield Rangers, or know very little, please can you give us a brief history of the club? When and how they were formed, any notable players in the club’s past or any successes along the way.
“Founded in 1976, Brickfield are an FAW accreditation club, holding a Gold Disability Sports Wales award, are a FAW Fun Football and girls Huddle licence holder. We are also the only football club in Wales who are affiliated to the Special Olympics, and are Wrexham Council Award for Excellence (AVOW) approved, Gwirvol MV50 approved and hold a Charity Status.
This year the club are running Thirty seven teams ranging from under 4’s through to 16’s mixed teams, a senior side competing in the FAW Tier three, a U23 (reserve side) U17 and U19 teams, a Disability section, ten girls only teams, a walking football team, and a vet’s team.
Brickfield are regional and national winners of the FAW Club of the Year (third time winners) have also been voted WBCC club of the year Seven times and Game On Wales Club of the Year.
The club, which is affiliated to the NEWFA and FAW, has over forty volunteers (which include qualified coaches) directly running its activities which include training nights, match days, soccer schools, club fundraising events, after school clubs, has a Youth coaching scheme enrolling and educating its youth players who would like to progress their coaching education.
Ex-players include Rob Savage, as well as Jim and Jeff Whitley.”
Please can you tell us the biggest challenges a club the size of Brickfield Rangers faces on a day-to-day basis?
“We are very luck with the support from organisations like FAW and Sports Wales, our club sponsors and our hard working fundraising committee, but to keep improving our facilities we need to keep generating funds to maintain the four football pitches, additional ground care equipment and ground facility’s to include new referees room and additional changing areas.”
So, next season, with Brickfield Rangers laterally moving from Ardal North West to the North East division, is that much of a difference in terms of preparation, travel or costs for the club?
“No not a lot more in the terms of cost and travel but there is more local derby’s which hopefully generate more interest and income.”
Does the club have a target in mind for where they want to finish this season, or perform in cup competitions?
“Its always nice not to be in the bottom section but it’s a very competitive league with so may well run completive teams its not going to be easy. Our target is more about to keep improving our football structure, we have a U17, U19 U23 and first team, hopefully maintaining more of our youth team players to keep our first team supplied with good young players.”
How’s the squad looking? Have you managed to retain most from last season, or is it more of a new look squad?
“We have a good senior management structure and they have been working very hard to maintain most of last season’s squad, the club have managed to bring onboard our former first team captain as player/coach and we look forward to being involved in the transitional period of former tier two player Steve Watkins.”
Please can you tell us a little of the ground that you play in?
“Based at Clywedog Park which has four football pitches, the main pitch is barriered, has three small covered areas, with seating for 250 spectators. There are built-in dugouts, a clubhouse which includes a large function room, bar area, changing rooms, office space, media room and physio room, a separate girls changing rooms, as well as in-ground catering facility. “
Is the club in a position to attain promotion to the next Level, is there a Licence system in Wales compared to Ground Grading in England?
“Yes the structure in Wales is smaller but there is a good licencing system controlled by FAW, we compete in tier three but hold a tier two ground licence.”
Please tell us more about your role within the club.
“Club chairman and dogsbody!! In my thirty eighth year and still very active within the club. Roles to include:- u5 coach, groundsman, funding officer, café/bar assistant, treasure and many more!!”
Paul, I really appreciate your time to speak with us, I appreciate pre-season is well under way now, so a very busy time for you and the club. On behalf of myself and nonleaguehq, I really wish the club the best of success, thank you.
So, that’s a little insight into Brickfield Rangers. Overshadowed, maybe, by their bigger and noisier neighbours in Wrexham, but by no means less outdone. It seems as though they’re in a good place, and as ever with these blogs, I’ll be keeping a keen eyes on their results this season. Good luck, Brickies!
Like I said earlier, there’s a Welsh double-header in this series this week, so keep an eye out for where we’re off to on Friday. Until then, thanks for reading….
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