With regret, we have had to write to the NWCFA today to inform them that we will not be able to contest the final of the NWCFA Intermediate Cup on 31 August.

The date on which the match was scheduled, Wednesday 31 August, falls during a week commencing with a Bank Holiday and during a month in which we have an intensive programme of fixtures. The week of the August Bank Holiday is the last week during which a number of our players have been able to fit in a few days of holiday, and this has left us with a situation whereby a substantial proportion of our players and coaches are understandably not available.

In these circumstances, we decided that the honourable thing to do was to inform the NWCFA, our friends at Rhyl, and our fans of this decision at the earliest practical opportunity after having considered all eventualities.

We were keen to go as far as possible in this tournament, and relished participating in a number of highly memorable matches along the way. Indeed, we played several very important cup ties within a highly condensed period back in May. Furthermore, we planned our pre-season schedule in order to accommodate the possibility that the Intermediate Cup Final was at one stage due to be held on either 16 or 23 July.

As our chairman Glynne Roberts has noted, we had very much looked forward to the final but have taken a necessary course of action due to the problems associated with its scheduling:

“1876 had hoped to conclude the Intermediate Cup competition. However, given the roll-over into the new season it has been difficult to find a suitable date. The date that had been offered was one on which a significant proportion of our team, including management, were unavailable. We therefore feel that it is best that we withdraw from the competition, and focus on the 2022-23 season and the demands that will bring”