Essity Stadium
Cae-Y-Castell
Marsh Lane
Flint
Flintshire
CH6 5PJ
Ground Number: 1329
Friday 9th March 2024
Flint Mountain 1-0 Gresford Athletic
Cymru North
Friday 9th March 2024
Flint Mountain 1-0 Gresford Athletic
Cymru North
FLINT MOUNTAIN FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
The club was established in 2009 by a group of school friends looking to play competitive football. They joined the Clwyd League and played there for a couple of seasons until the competition was disbanded. In 2011, they were founding members of the North East Wales League, finishing bottom in their first season. They were long-time members of this league, with results improving season after season, culminating in them winning the title in 2019. They led a nomadic existence during this time, moving between grounds in Flint, Connah’s Quay, Rhydymwyn, Sychdyn and Northop Hall. That success, coupled with a move to Pant Newydd in Halkyn, saw the newly renamed Halkyn & Flint Mountain promoted to the Welsh National League Division 1, where they finished sixth in a debut season blighted by poor weather and the early curtailment of the season due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In 2021/22, following another league restructure, the club finished runners-up in the new North East Wales Premier Division and were promoted to the Ardal North West League. At the end of the season, the club returned to their home town of Flint after a ten-year absence after agreeing to groundshare at the Essity Stadium, home of Flint Town United. The club also returned to its roots by changing its name back to Flint Mountain Football Club. The club finished a credible 4th in their debut season before winning last season's title. They take their place in the second-tier Cymru North for this season.
Flint Mountain enjoyed a great run in the Welsh Cup last season. They beat Kinmel Bay 9-0, NFA 3-0, Holywell Town 3-1, Canton 2-1 and South Gower 2-1 before losing 3-0 at Bala Town in the Quarter Final. Local cup honours include the Auxillary Cup in 2012 and the NEWFA Challenge Cup in 2024. In 2019, they won the Cup Treble of the NEWFA Horace Wynne Cup, the Queensferry Sports President's Cup and the Mike Beech Memorial Trophy. Players to have turned out for the club include former Chester City pair, Gary Roberts and John Danby. They share their ground with Flint Town United and Connah's Quay, both of the Cymru Premier.
MY VISIT
Back when the Wycombe fixtures came out, it quickly transpired that we would be playing away to Wrexham on the opening day. It provided the potential for a weekend away, but that was if we could find a Friday night game. At the outset, there were two possibilities - either Llandudno or Flint Mountain. The latter was the best bet geographically and also conjured up idyllic scenes. With all the wonderful scenery that Wales has, it could have been Cymru's answer to Fort William. Sadly, they didn't have their own ground, but the opportunity to tick a ground that two of the Cymru Premier sides use was too good to turn down. I'd be going up straight from work and stopping over, along with the ever eager Colin. Accommodation was a problem though - there were very limited choices and they were all expensive. My ideal situation would have been to stay somewhere that was walkable or doable on public transport so that I could relax and have a few drinks. However, this was not possible. We would have to stay some distance away in Runcorn, but at least the accommodation was well-priced at £48 for a twin room. It had mixed reviews and although the town was not spectacular, it did at least have a Wetherspoons that I could visit post-match.
I did my research a few days before and was impressed by the club's story in their rise from the depths of Welsh football. I also saw that their shirts were very nice with a mountain styled into them. After I checked the fixtures again on Monday, more options appeared such as Llanrhaeadr and Dyffryn Banw, plus Hanley Town if the M6 was at its very worst. A bonus of my hotel was that you could change your mind and cancel up until 6 PM on the day of the day. Though with all the fascist terrorists rioting in the UK recently, I was just hoping it would be still standing when I came to stay. Work went fairly well on Wednesday and Thursday and after this, I got everything packed and out in my car ahead of my early start. I was looking forward to the weekend and even found a bonus Saturday morning game at Holywell Town.
It was the same old at work. The same bloke who walks down the hill in the road at 5 am despite there being a pavement. The same numerous people with litters of screaming children. The same very busy Friday. I was in a good mood though, after lunch I was out at 1 to meet Colin. The journey looked a bit of a mare at first, over four hours. I thought the M6 might be up to its usual dirty tricks, but the main cause of the delay was a slow section on the usually impeccable M40. There was more delay as we cut across West Bromwich and then at the end of the journey once we came off at Holmes Chapel. Overall though, it was not as bad as I thought and I've had worse. We were at the hotel at 5:15 and it was a simple check in. The Campanile Hotel in Runcorn was hardly a work of art in the architecture stakes. But it was nice clean room and at £48 or £24 each for the night, it was great value. Spoons would have to wait but we had half an hour in the room before going out at 5.45 as there were road delays.
It was a mixed journey, the last bit taking an age because of Kim Jong Drakeford's 20mph lunacy. He's gone now but the Welsh must be gluttons for punishment, personally I'd have voted Plaid Cymru. We parked up in a spacious car park and walked past a beautiful castle on the way to the Hot House takeaway. Ten inch Doner calzone and a meat samosa for 6.50 seemed great value. They were superb and very filling. I then went to a cash machine just in case and got my cash out using the Welsh language option for a bit of fun. It was then a short walk to the ground, £8 entry before we met up with fellow groundhopper Ollie from Southport.
Flint Mountain were sitting in 3rd place but had a mixed start to the season. They were there by virtue of a thumping 7-0 win against Ruthin Town. However, they had lost 3-2 against Caersws in the league and 3-0 against Gresford Athletic in the Nathaniel MG Cup. They'd have their chance to get their revenge against Gresford who were in 7th, having played a game less. Their cup adventure had ended swiftly on Saturday with a 4-1 loss to Airbus UK Broughton. In the league, they had drawn 1-1 with Llay Welfare. The visitors were based 30 miles south and were not far from Wrexham. The game was not the greatest, Flint Mountain having the better of the game but not really threatening. Great footwork from Mike Hayes saw him wriggle free of the Gresford defence but he couldn't get the shot off. Finally on 72 minutes, pressure told. The ball was cleared and it fell to Ben Lawrence who struck from 20 yards. The hosts continued their dominance and clipped the left hand post with a curling shot. Gresford had sat back all night but now with nothing to lose, the came forward and it was only a goalline clearance that prevented an equaliser.
THE GROUND
CAE-Y-CASTELL is a ground set in the shadow of a lovely castle, or the remains of one at least. There is plenty of parking and lots of food places nearby, a highlight is the Hot House takeaway with great food at bargain prices. There's also shops and a couple of pubs. Back at ground, there is one brick built stand, three metal stands and also a covered standing area. It is functional more than anything and there is also a bar with cans and a tea hut with a decent range. Outside, is a social club but it was closed on my visit.
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