Kinmel Bay make the short journey along the coast to Colwyn Bay in the JD Welsh Cup on Friday night and a bumper crowd will make a significant difference to a club that provides so much to its local community (KO 19:30).
Although Kinmel Bay were initially drawn at home, the match has been switched to Colwyn Bay’s Blue Turtle Arena and all gate receipts will be donated to their lower-tier opponents.
“It’s really nice of Colwyn Bay to do that,” explained club secretary Noamii Oakley to FAW.cymru. “We have to get our own funding so it’s a massive help to us.”
Oakley’s dedication to the club not only extends to looking after the administration of nearly 20 teams but also coaching the two senior women’s teams within the club. Kinmel Bay also run disability teams and regular Huddle sessions for young girls, while their junior pathway covers all age groups.
It’s clear that Kinmel Bay acts as a real community hub, and their efforts are recognised and supported by their various sponsors who enable them to maintain their commitment to providing opportunities for people in the area. Not just to play football, but to be involved in the different activities and initiatives on offer.
“We have our committee and coaches who are all volunteers, and we have a core of extra volunteers who help us out,” Oakley added. “We’re the only volunteer-run leisure centre in the whole of North Wales. We also run different FAW initiatives such as Show Racism the Red Card and Football versus Homophobia.
“In addition to that, we support different mental health initiatives within the community, and we work closely with Glan Clwyd Hospital for example, where we deliver Easter eggs and Christmas presents to the children’s ward. We try and get involved in as much community stuff as we can.”
Kinmel Bay players and coaches at Glan Clwyd Hospital at Easter
Three divisions currently separate the two clubs with Colwyn Bay challenging in the top half of the JD Cymru Premier, while Kinmel Bay are just two games into their season in the North Wales Coast East Football League. However, they have seen off the challenge of two teams from higher divisions to reach this stage of the JD Welsh Cup.
“I think each match was great for us in that two of the three were against Tier 3 opposition,” explained manager Leon Field. “That’s really challenged us mentally and physically. We’ve seen a higher fitness rate with players really getting behind it in training and wanting to do well for both themselves and the club.”
Field returned to the club five years ago, and alongside Andy Thomas and Alex Craig on the touchline, they have seen off the challenge of Chirk AAA, Llangollen Town and Llanfair United to setup Friday’s huge match against Colwyn Bay. Despite the gulf between the two teams, Kinmel Bay will stick to their principles.
Kinmel Bay have made a perfect start to their league campaign this season
“We’re not going there to make the numbers up,” Field added. “We’re going to challenge them and we’re not going to change our style of play just because they’re a top division side. I’m proud of the lads from where they’ve come from to where they are now and I know they’re going to give everything they can.
“There’s a great harmony within the squad. They’re like a family with each other and it’s starting to show on the pitch as well. They all want what’s best for the club and everyone’s buzzing in the camp. We’re not going to change our identity for one night; we’re going to stick to what’s got us here so far and hopefully we can do the job.”
Colwyn Bay regained their place in the domestic top-flight by winning the JD Cymru North last season and Michael Wilde’s side have won six of their opening 12 league games in the current campaign.
“Our lads pay to play,” added Field. “They have different qualities to what we can offer, so in terms of stature, we’re going for that David versus Goliath scalp.”
Although Friday’s match will offer a temporary taste of the big time for Kinmel Bay, the club have firm ambitions to build on their current platform and progress through the pyramid. While the players are performing on the field, ground improvements are continuing off it.
Providing opportunities for children to play football is at the heart of Kinmel Bay
“We’re extending one of our senior pitches and we’re doing that through our volunteers,” explained Oakley. “We haven’t got endless amounts of money to pay workers, so we’re literally doing it ourselves at weekends. We’re in the process of having our first stand fitted with the help of a grant, and any money we can generate will go towards a second one.
“But our biggest ambition is to make sure that there’s always a pathway for children, and children of any ability, to play football. Our club is about having that community spirit and all our players and coaches are embedded in our values. Football is what brings us together, but it’s the club that keeps us together.”
(Photos courtesy of Kinmel Bay FC)
