PAUL Stretford's Rylands revolution continues in the shape of a new name for the football team, following on from the launch of the stylishly refurbished clubhouse.
Rylands FC is no more in name, as the new identity unveiled for the rising North West Counties Football League side is Warrington Rylands 1906 FC.
Owner Stretford, a sports agent whose clients include Wayne Rooney and Harry Maguire, is a former Blues player who has big ambitions for the club, which also has junior, youth and women's football teams but rugby league and bowls sections are no longer part of the set-up.
The new branding is the latest move in a journey that already sees 'Rylands' playing at their highest level in history.
Stretford, managing director of Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group, said: “Having played at Rylands Football Club for over a decade in the mid 1970s and 80s and following a successful launch and rebranding of the clubhouse - “Stretties Sports Bar & Grill” - as Warrington’s premier sports bar open to members, players, their families and the local community, we now take another step forward with the launch of Warrington Rylands 1906 FC as we continue our progress on and off the pitch to become one of Warrington’s senior professional football teams.
"As recognition of the foresight, hard work and ambitions of the Rylands Brothers when they opened the Rylands Recreation Club in 1906, Warrington Rylands 1906 will play in the North West Counties Premier League for the 2020-21 season and continue to state our ambition to achieve promotion to the Northern Premier League.
"The team were on course to achieve that objective when the coronavirus pandemic forced the end of the 2019-20 season with the club sitting second in the league at the point the FA declared the season null and void.
"But I can promise that our resolve has been tested but not deterred. I hope the hard core of supporters and sponsors continue to support the club and look forward to welcoming new fans and sponsors alike to the Gorsey Lane ground during the course of this coming season."
Stretford, born and bred in Warrington and a former student at Woolston High School, has also taken the opportunity to acknowledge the difficult times everybody has faced over the past five months, and continue to face at a time when local restrictions have been heightened in areas close to Warrington due to rising rates of positive Covid-19 tests.
"Of course, in this year of unprecedented times our thoughts go out to all the people of Warrington who were affected by Covid-19 and our appreciation goes out to all those on the frontline for their dedication and resolve," he said.
"During the course of next season, we will celebrate and honour their achievements, as well raising money for the Warrington & Halton NHS Hospital."
So next season will be the first as Warrington Rylands 1906 FC and preparations are taking place through pre-season training and friendlies. September is expected to mark the start of the new campaign, though this is yet to be confirmed.
The club has explained its decision regarding the rebrand, reflecting on John Rylands and Sons first setting up in business as producers of iron and steel products in 1805.
"Over the next 100 years, the business grew from strength to strength and at the turn of the century decided to invest in a facility that could be used to keep its employers fit and healthy both in a sporting and leisure perspective," said a club statement.
"Eventually they found a suitable site for their ambitions situated between Gorsey Lane and Orford Lane and developed Rylands Recreation Club.
"In 1906, the clubhouse and grounds were officially opened and the Rylands Works Association football team played on their new home ground for the very first time.
"Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group and its managing director Paul Stretford have slowly started to breathe life back in to this famous venue and facilities, with improvements to the football grounds and clubhouse facilities, and further improvements scheduled to take place as development plans are approved.
"At the forefront of this plan is the commitment to establish the Rylands football first team and enable it to compete at the highest level possible, with the ultimate ambition to bring professional football to the town.
"Sitting alongside that is a strong community club for junior, youth and senior football for both boys, girls, women and men.
"All of this will be supported by improved pitch and changing facilities alongside an improved hospitality and event space, which will include private hire and function suites and state-of-the-art modern business meeting and conference facilities available to the local population and business community alike.
"The announcement to rename Rylands FC as Warrington Rylands 1906 FC is the first part of that future plan."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here