Amalgamation of Crowmarsh Youth FC and Wallingford Town AFC

Crowmarsh Youth Football Club has joined forces with Wallingford Town AFC after discussions between the clubs during the coronavirus lockdown with the view of “strengthening the ability of the clubs to offer football to a growing community”.

The now bigger club will continue its operation from Wallingford Sports Park, where it has been based for 50 years, but will change name, logo and club colours at the start of the new season.

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The colours will be black and orange, the former colours of the Crowmarsh club, with the adult section return to red and white striped kit for away fixtures.

The new name is Wallingford and Crowmarsh F.C and the men’s 1st team will also be managed by Lee Matthews who secured promotion in his first season with the club.

Richard Eltham, chairman of Crowmarsh Youth FC, said he is “delighted” with the amalgamation.

He said: “Sustainability, football for all, as well as elite level football, has been a long-term aim of mine since becoming the club’s chairman and all our club committee members and managers have voted in agreement and fully support the amalgamation.

“The clubs have hard working and dedicated volunteers who ensure their respective clubs provide a safe and friendly environment for their members whilst developing their football skills.

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“The amalgamation will allow both parties to further build on the positive and collaborative partnership already established whilst now also providing a clear pathway from junior football into the senior game.”

Glen Gloudie, chairman of Wallingford Town AF, added: “Bringing the Crowmarsh Youth Football Club on board has been a massive positive for us to help secure adult and junior football in the town.

“Although the adult section is well run, we lack the strength at committee level and we have a few committed volunteers snowed under with a considerable amount of work.

“The amalgamation will hopefully encourage new volunteers who will have a vested interest in seeing the club prosper.

“Most successful non-league clubs have junior teams and there is progression for boys and girls into the adult game.

“We already work closely by providing progression for the Crowmarsh Under 16’s who become part of Wallingford Town and the feedback we have received from players and managers is that their experiences have been positive.

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“We wanted to develop a club that the town can take pride in - I am absolutely delighted that Crowmarsh are all going to become part of our club.”

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This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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