CLUB STATEMENT

The Committees of Henbury FC and Rockleaze Rangers Seniors FC are delighted to announce a formal merger of the clubs for the start of the 2024/25 season.

After a few weeks of positive discussions between representatives of the senior sections of both clubs the new club will be named "Henbury & Rockleaze Football Club" and will be based at the fantastic facilities at Arnall Drive in Henbury.

Current Rockleaze Rangers FC Senior Section Chairman, Andrew Myland, commented, "We see the merger with Henbury FC as a fantastic opportunity which will be mutually beneficial to all parties. The infrastructure at Arnall Drive will finally achieve our long term ambition of bringing all of our senior playing members together with a single social venue, and will enable the new club to kick on with our joint aspirations of progressing up the football pyramid. Sadly, neither of these things have been possible at our current ground at UWE's wonderful Hillside Gardens. Henbury are a club we have enjoyed pitting ourselves against over the years and we see this as two like minded clubs merging to make us even stronger".

Longstanding former Chairman and now President of Henbury FC, Charlie Barron, reiterated "we are very excited about the merger with Rockleaze Rangers having been long time admirers of their way of doing things on and off the pitch. We look forward to a new chapter in the histories of both clubs and will be striving to progress the new club on and off the pitch. The aim will be to build a strong community based club that can continue to provide player development opportunities and climb the football ladder".

Chris Bradbeer Chairman of Rockleaze Rangers Junior Section added "The junior section of Rockleaze Rangers are excited that this opportunity has arisen for our Senior section on their path towards Step 6 of the National Pyramid. We look forward to maintaining our affiliation with them and working with the new Club to provide a pathway for Rockleaze Rangers Juniors to make the step into adult football".

The new club will be playing their football in the Gloucestershire County League; Bristol Premier Combination League; Bristol & Suburban League; Bristol Premier Sunday League and the Bristol and Gloucestershire Under 18 Combination. The newly formed Exec will be initially be looking to undertake the necessary ground improvement works in order to allow the club to progress to Step 6 of the National Football Pyramid.

The club intends to maintain strong ties with the junior sections of both Henbury FC and Rockleaze Rangers FC in order to continue to offer a pathway into adult football for all.

All involved see this as a fantastic development for both clubs and look forward optimistically to the future.

#UTHR

At the Inaugural Annual General Meeting held on the 15th June 2024

the election of officers and committee was confirmed