Newtown White Stars Football Club confirm future away from Latham Park

The junior section, with more than 200 members, will be playing their matches at Maldwyn Leisure Centre from this season following an emergency meeting held last week.

The decision follows the White Stars committee's growing discontent with Newtown Football Club where they had previously been based.

Among the issues was dissatisfaction with storage facilities, a disagreement over free football sessions, pitch provision, a share of tea hut profits and a lack of feeling of association with Newtown Football Club.

A statement read: "Over the last 15 years White Stars have had to store equipment in a dark, damp shed with no electrics or lighting in, an unsafe hazard at Newtown Football Club, this meant that most coaches chose to take equipment home with them.

"The academy section of Newtown Football Club has a studio where equipment is stored in age-appropriate locked cupboards with electric and lighting. This matter has been raised over numerous years and

nothing ever carried to resolve the issue.

"In early April, Newtown Football Club advertised free football to the same age children currently attending our popular 'Turn up and play section,'

"After numerous discussions with the club requesting that they do not put this on on the same night as our longstanding session that we have to charge for in order to pay for the pitch hire there the Mini Robins session went ahead at the exact same time as our session, but we were then left without any goals, at all.

"Our coaches were let in shock and extremely disappointed by this treatment.

"There is a lack of general feeling of being part of the club. Despite all White Stars dedicated coaches time and effort towards the children of our town, our coaches and children still have to pay to enter to watch home matches.

"This has been raised with Newtown Football Club over the years and nothing ever resolved."

"Newtown White Stars hold all of their festivals at Latham Park’ which is always extremely well attended with record numbers last November and in January this year, these events are always incredibly busy at the tea hut but the club never see a penny of that income.

"Over the last few seasons, the prices of the hire of the pitch have increased - last season we paid around £10,000. We have asked for discounts over the years and requested information on how much other adult clubs pay per hour, but we are never provided with an answer."

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With Newtown Football Club becoming an FAW Category A licensed club this season the White Stars were offered use of Latham Park between 4-5pm on Mondays and Tuesdays this season which the club insisted was not suitable for their 12 teams and volunteer coaches.

The White Stars will now be based at the town's Maldwyn Leisure Centre with work set to get underway on developing the grass pitch to a suitable standard.

A spokesman said: "If anyone, can please help with this, financially or with volunteering to aid us in any way at White Stars we would very much appreciate any offer. "

Meanwhile Newtown AFC has re-affirmed its commitment to finding the next generation of talent by announcing its intention to continue as a Category A academy under the Welsh Football Association(FAW) Licensed Academy programme.

There are currently 24 licensed academies in Wales, 12 of which are UEFA grant funded as they are linked to teams playing in the Cymru Premier League, including the academy in operation at Latham Park.

“We’re delighted to be pressing ahead with our academy system, which already provides fantastic coaching and a clear talent pathway to children in Powys, and reaffirms our commitment to giving local youngsters the best possible chance to become professional footballers,” said a club spokesperson.

"As part of the upgraded criteria required to continue to meet the highest standard for football academies in Wales, the club will be providing training sessions for young footballers three times a week, instead of the two sessions per week required previously.

The club spokesperson confirmed this meant further use of the 3G pitch for its academy sides.

"Unfortunately as part of the changes we have to make to ensure we meet the criteria, extra pressure has been created on our already busy pitch schedules and our long running agreement with Newtown White Stars, which saw them gain use of our first class facilities, has come to an end,” added the spokesperson.

"The reality is that there’s only one pitch at Latham Park and unfortunately as a result there are only so many hours we can accommodate. Should Newtown AFC not be able to meet the FAW requirements we would not be able to continue as a Category A site and the most talented youngsters in the area would be forced to travel long distances to go to academies elsewhere.

"We’re sorry we’ve not been able to come to an arrangement that works for both parties after nearly two decades of the White Stars sharing our facilities, but we will continue to provide first class opportunities for local talent to develop through our academy system, and we wish everyone at White Stars the very best for the forthcoming season.”