Hawarden Rangers face dispute over planned ground improvements

A third tier club in Flintshire is facing uncertainty over planned improvements to its home ground in order to meet the FAW’s new Tier 3 standards.

Hawarden Rangers, who play in the Welsh National League, must make a number of changes to their Gladstone Playing Fields home, including widening the pitch and constructing a 100 seater stand by the 20/21 season.

But, as reported by LeaderLive, the club is facing opposition to planning permission for the changes from residents who fear a negative impact on the area if the work was to be carried out.

Now, Hawarden Community Council has chosen not to support the proposals to widen the pitch, leaving the club, once represented by Liverpool legends and locals Michael Owen and Ian Rush, in limbo.

But there is confusion over the scale of the planned development, club chairman Lynn Owen told LeaderLive.

She said: “The leaflet being posted through people’s doors and shared on social media is very misleading.

“It includes a picture of Airbus FC’s stadium, with floodlights and a 500 seater stand.

“That is nothing like what we’re proposing, it’s a covered seating area for 100 people, I wouldn’t even call it a stand.

“And to include a picture of a stadium with floodlights is just event more unrepresentative of our proposals, there are simply no plans for floodlights or anything like that.”

Following an extended public consultation this week, the club faces an anxious wait for the final decision of Flintshire County Council on the plans, which may rule whether or not they can stay at their current home.

The first team finished bottom of the league in the 18/19 campaign, and is awaiting the outcome of Bangor City’s appeal against a 42-point deduction that would see The Citizens relegated to the third tier, to find out if they will be staying up or playing in the Welsh National League Division One.

Below the senior set up, it boasts an extensive youth set up with 250 juniors regularly taking part in local Flintshire leagues and regional competitions.