Hayes and Yeading announce merger

Blue Square Southern, the new name for the Football Conference South will play host to a new club with a familiar looking name for next season - Hayes and Yeading FC is the new entity created by the merger of Hayes and Yeading Football Clubs.

The two sides, both members of last season’s Conference South and both located within the West Middlesex town of Hayes have decided to join forces, integrate resources and bring together a community, creating a new super-club on the non-league scene.

The combined forces of Middlesex and West London’s senior semi-professional football clubs will further raise the profile of non-league football in an area that traditionally struggles for crowds against local Premiership and Football League sides.

Former Hayes FC Chairman Derek Goodall said “It is well known that for years our clubs have struggled to attract the big gates needed to survive at this level.

“By combining efforts, know-how and strategy we can secure the future of high-level football in the area and provide facilities that the local community need and desire”

Counterpart Phillip Spurden, former Chairman of Yeading FC, added: “On the field both sides have been punching far above their weight for many years, but to build on that and take the next step we need to match that off the field as a business, in the stadium, surroundings and amenities.

“This merger not only secures the future of the football clubs but also guarantees that the future fans, players and staff of the club will be on a more even footing with rivals at this and the higher levels of the pyramid to which we aspire.”

The merger of the two clubs and acceptance of only one space in the Blue Square Southern Division for next season has been agreed by the Football Conference League but is subject to ratification by The Football Association.

Hayes and Yeading FC will initially consist of a first team squad playing in the Blue Square Southern Division, Reserves playing in the Suburban Football League and a Youth side playing in the Allied Counties League.

The existing youth set-ups of both clubs, two of the largest in the South East of England, will initially run as independent organisations while the integration of the senior sides is consolidated.

On the field Hayes and Yeading FC will be led by Garry Haylock who has been handed the manager’s role of the new club having been appointed as Yeading boss in December 2006.

The former professional with Huddersfield Town and a host of clubs within the Irish Republic, said: “It was a great honour to manage Yeading last season and an even bigger honour to be chosen to lead the new club into what are very exciting times.

“Obviously, I already know the players and staff of Yeading but I am also very aware of the talents that Hayes will add to that. I am also looking to bring in other players with experience at the highest levels to ensure that Hayes and Yeading FC are pushing for honours from the start of next season.”

Haylock will be joined by his former backroom staff, with Colin Davis taking charge of the Reserve set-up, a role he previously held with Hayes.

Off the field, one of the first tasks ahead of the newly formed club is to formalise plans for new facilities to meet Conference National requirements, and hope to boast 3rd generation all-weather training pitches and community facilities unrivalled in this part of Greater London.

Hayes and Yeading FC will play their first team matches at Hayes FC’s existing ground of Church Road.

Yeading’s ground at The Warren will continue to provide social facilities, a training base and play host to Reserve and Youth team games.

Football Conference Operations Director John Moules commented: “I welcome the fact that two nearest neighbours are joining forces to strengthen their position and that of Middlesex football to take both clubs forward for the benefit of fans and the local area.”

Labour MP John McDonnell, the local Member of Parliament for both former clubs and Patron of Hayes FC, welcomed the amalgamation.

He said: “I wholeheartedly welcome this initiative which will not only give us a strong footballing base within the area but also provide an invaluable sporting resource for the whole community.”

With consolidation in the upper echelons of the non-league pyramid the short-term aim of the newly formed Hayes and Yeading FC, the medium to longer term plans will develop a club capable of promotion into the Football League.

Article courtesy of www.hayesfc.net

EDITOR'S COMMENT
I am fully aware that this article concerns two Middlesex/west London clubs and not Kent football.

However, this article could spark debate.  If you would like to comment on these two clubs merging please click on Contact us - could this ever happen in the Garden of England?