A community-minded bakery has pitched in for a second time to get behind a village football team that’s looking forward to the 25th anniversary of its rebirth.
Coedpoeth United has clinched a £1,000 sponsorship deal with the Jones Village Bakery which is also proud to be celebrating its milestone 90th anniversary next year.
Company managing director Robin Jones said he can think of no better way to mark the bumper birthday than by giving something back to the village where the bakery started.
The sponsorship has paid for a stylish new kit for the squad which plays in the Wrexham and District League.
The team is managed by Joe Allman and his top notch trio of coaches, Alex Coy, Tommy Lloyd and Stuart Reeves.
Stuart’s wife, Leisa, is purchase ledger supervisor at Village Bakery where she has worked for 20 years.
It was Leisa who told her boss, Robin, that the football club were in need of sponsorship and he stepped up to the plate without hesitation.
He signed off a sponsorship deal offering to buy the much-needed black and green kit with the Jones Village Bakery logo emblazoned on the shirts.
Leisa said: “The whole squad are so grateful. The kit is brand spanking new and it looks a treat on the young team, a big difference to the old kit. They are playing better too so it’s really made a difference!”
The Under 16s are one of 17 teams at the now thriving club, which plays at Penygelli Playing Fields in the village. It has sides ranging in age from under sixes to veterans.
It endured dark days in the 1980s when it sadly folded, but in a twist of fortunes the adult section was reformed in 1999 when it joined the Welsh National League.
It is now nearly 25 years since that rebirth and the club is looking as strong as ever, largely thanks to it being championed by local businesses like Village Bakery.
Stuart said it is the second time in four years that Village Bakery has come to their aid: “Last time they sponsored our under 11s kit and we were hugely grateful for that too. I remember it fondly as our son Alfie was in the under 11s squad at the time and now he’s in the under 16s.
“A lot of these lads have grown up with the team. Some of them, like Alfie, have been playing for Coedpoeth since they were aged seven or eight.”
One of those is Under 16s team captain Huw Dunlop Lloyd, their hugely talented goalkeeper.
He said: “We all want to say a big thank you to Robin and everyone at Village Bakery for getting behind us. It’s an honour to have a local company sponsor us like this.”
A Liverpool FC supporter, Huw’s dream is to one day turn professional.
He said: “I was about seven when I first joined and I’ve loved being part of the club ever since. We’re not doing bad this year, we’ve had a few wins and we’re getting better as time goes on.”
Manager Joe Allam said they have 22 promising youngsters in the existing squad and they have enjoyed some success so far in the season.
He said: “We are still in the North East Wales Cup tournament. We play Holywell next and we have high hopes for coming away triumphant. The lads are always full of enthusiasm and turn out regularly for practice every week. They’re a great bunch who deserve all the support we can get.”
Robin Jones added: “It’s great to see our company logo on their shirts. As a family firm we are keenly aware of the spirit of community around us.
“Most of our employees are locals who support this club and delight in seeing it thrive. I can see for myself the enthusiasm that exists from meeting these young players today. “
With We’re more than happy to be supporting them once again and we wish the Under 16s every success as the season goes on.”
