History of Colwyn Bay FC

The Bay enjoyed some success in this, winning the League Cup in 1928 and finishing as league runners-up in both 1928 and 1930 - which was to prove the last season for the competition. In July of that year, a meeting was held at the Albion Hotel in Chester with a view to setting up the Cheshire Football Combination in which clubs from Cheshire and North Wales would compete - the eventual title of the competition was the North Wales Football Combination. The Bay became founder members - and can rightly claim to have first played in "English" football - in 1930-1931. They celebrated by taking the title at the end of the season.

In 1931, the club joined the Birmingham & District League. In the Birmingham League were the likes of Worcester City, Cradley Heath, Wrexham Reserves and Kidderminster Harriers. Unfortunately, this gave them transport difficulties and results tailed off. Unable to halt a slide down the table, which saw them finish bottom in 1935-1936 and 1936-1937 seasons, it was perhaps not surprising that they left this league to join the Welsh League (North) in 1937.

After the Second World War the club rejoined the competition and proved to be highly successful, starting off with a runners-up spot at the end of the first season and ending by taking the league title in 19833 and 1984. Bay also finished as runners-up in 1964 and amongst their cup successes were wins in the Alves Cup in 1964 and the Cookson Cup in 1974, 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1984, the Barrit Cup in 1980 and 1984 as well as the North Wales Coast Challenge Cup in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1992 and 1996 and 1998.

In 1984, the club crossed the border with election to the Bass North West Counties League. It was also at this time that the Bay left their Eirias Park ground for their present Llanelian Road base. During their first season in the new league, the club were promoted from the Third Division and following re-organisation of the leagues in 1987 the club were promoted to the First Division. The Bay gained further success, finishing fourth in the League and reaching the Final of the Raab Karcher League Cup Final where they lost to Warrington Town at Gigg Lane, Bury.

The club also reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history that season, losing 1-0 away to Northwich Victoria. The following season the Seagulls again reached the Final of the Raab Karcher Cup and gained revenge on Warrington Town winning 3-0 , again at Bury. In 1990/91 the club finished runners up in the league to Knowsley United, but due to the demise of South Liverpool a vacancy was created in the Northern Premier League, and despite a strong challenge from North Shields to fill the vacancy, the club were duly elected to the NPL.

The 1991/92 campaign started with the club on the crest of a wave, topping the table and enjoying an FA Cup run which saw them fall to Morecambe in the final qualifying round. However in October, 1991 news broke that the Football Association of Wales, in readiness for a creation of a new League of Wales, would withdraw a sanction for all non league clubs currently playing in England.

The clubs affected included Bangor City, Barry Town, Caernarfon Town, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport AFC, Newtown, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay argued the case for their right to play where they wished. The FA of Wales were challenged by the clubs and an appeal was heard. This appeal was set up by the FAW and consisted of members selected by the FAW. The appeal was turned down, except in the case of Merthyr, who were allowed to continue playing in England.

To the credit of the players and management, off the field activities did not affect those on the pitch and the club went on to secure a league and cup double as well as the North Wales Coast Challenge Cup. The Welsh Cup semi-final was also reached including a 3-1 win over Wrexham, only days after the Football League side had beaten Arsenal in the FA Cup.

At the end of a highly successful first season in the Northern Premier League, the club had a big decision to make and gave its supporters a choice. Either join the new League of Wales or go into exile whilst the Club continued its battle with the Welsh FA for the right to play in the English pyramid. The latter option was chosen and a new home base was chosen in Northwich where the club played all its home games, some 60 miles from Colwyn Bay.

This inevitably affected the support and for the following season a base nearer home at Ellesmere Port was chosen. Financially the Club's choice was not easy, but was supported by the local council, townspeople and supporters alike. The fight was eventually finalised during April 1995 in the High Court in London, where the three remaining clubs in exile; Newport, Caernarfon and the Bay won the case against the Welsh FA. Without doubt the period in exile affected the club both on and off the field and it is to the credit of everyone involved that they maintained their position in the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League.

Since their return to Llanelian Road the club have held their own in the league competition without really threatening to top the table. In the later part of the nineties the club have had some great runs in the cup competitions, reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Cup on three occasions and reaching the Second Round of the competition for the first time in their history before bowing out 2-0 away to Blackpool. In 1997 the club achieved its best ever performance in the FA Trophy, when they reached the Quarter Finals of the competition before the lost to then Conference Champions Stevenage Borough.

There have been developments off the field as well with the club becoming a Limited Company as well as the opening of a new Social Club and new Ground developments at Llanelian Road. A new Chairman and Commercial manager have been appointed which is already showing a new enthusiasm at the club. Several of the Club's promising young players have featured in first team action during the pre season games and will certainly be pressing for places in the squad. The club has entered their reserves in the Lancashire Football League and look forward to the future with great optimism.