Cardiff Grange Harlequins A.F.C.

Cardiff Grange Harlequins A.F.C.

Cardiff Grange Harlequins is a Welsh football team which plays in the Welsh Football League Division Three. In the 2005/2006 season, they played in the Welsh Premier League. However, a lack of finances and fan support led to the departure of key players, leaving the club to rely on youth and reserve players. The 'Quins' remained rooted to the bottom of the table, and never looked able to avoid relegation. A second relegation followed in 2006/7, and the club's prospects of returning to the Premier in the short term look slim.

The 'Quins' were formed in 1935, and came to prominence in the early 1990s becoming the first Cardiff club to progress from 'parks' football into the Welsh League, through the FAW Pyramid system. Playing their football at Cardiff Athletic Stadium in Leckwith, the Quins won the Welsh League Challenge Cup in 1995, were first promoted to Division One in 1996, and returned in 2002 determined to make a big impact.

The club achieved Welsh Premier League status by finishing runners-up in 2004/05. Unfortunately the financial realities of competing in that league proved too much, and the Club was immediately relegated following the mid-season departure of the manager and the expensively assembled squad. However, the club was blessed with a talented group of youth players, and a new committee was formed in the close season of 2006, determined to keep Welsh League football in Grangetown, to develop a new generation of local players and to work within the club's budget. The tough decision to suspend its membership of Welsh League Reserve Division was taken to ensure survival in 2006-07, the cost of playing games at Leckwith being prohibitive.

Following relegation to Division 2 in 2006/07 and a turbulent few years on and off the pitch, the summer of 2008 saw the threat of the Quins dropping out of the Welsh pyramid become a very near reality. However thanks to a local group of individuals and business the dreams of restoring past glory lives on. The new committee is committed to developing all areas of the club by providing stability on and off the field. The club currently operates a no-pay policy to players while hoping to ensure the club maintains its community feel.

Although season 08/09 ended quietly the clubs aim of ensuring 2nd division status was met. Following the turmoil of summer 2008, season 09/10 started with an air of stability at the club, with the appointment of Gavin Price as manager, however due a disappointing start the club parted company with Gavin. Unfortunately the season ended with the disappointment of relegation to Division 3 following the implementation of the FAW strategic plan.

For season 10/11 the club looks forward to a swift return to Division 2, with much of the playing staff resigning and committing to the club. The management structure sees vastly experienced Mike Wadden drafted in as manager to work on returning the club to past glories. Mike brings with him experienced coach Nick Yates while Ishy Akhtar is retained as assistant manager. The committee is sure the foundations are in place for the management team to build a successful side, playing a brand of football the club and its opponents have become accustomed to see. With a steely backroom staff and a determined committee the sole aim are to take the club forward.

The committee continues with its aim of developing a football club which evolves into a community club to which everyone can relate. Most importantly 95% of the first team lives locally, while the youthfully assembled squad of current players and new signings will no doubt push the club in the right direction for many years. Along with the Welsh League side the club also runs a reserve team in the Cardiff and District Reserve League and numerous junior teams.

The club was founded in 1935 and they play at Cardiff International Sports Stadium in Cardiff.The Club is backed by Abdul's Poultry Ltd as well as having sponsorship deals with a host of local businesses. The team's first choice strip is red shirts, black shorts and red socks. Their second strip is gold and black shirts, black shorts and black socks. The club have a long-standing rivalry with fellow Cardiff side Cardiff Corinthians F.C which dates back to the 1980s, when both clubs were fierce cross-city rivals and took part in some mouth-watering fixtures. Both clubs are rarely in the same division, so the long-standing rivalry has not continued over recent seasons.

The First Team is managed by Mike Wadden, assisted by Ishy Akhtar with Nick Yates as First Team Coach.