BARRY TOWN Football Club, one of the most successful sides in Wales, is on the market.
Oxystructural (Newport) Ltd., which own approxima+tely 90 per cent of the club, announced their decision to sell to coincide with the retirement of club chairman Paula O'Halloran, a majority shareholder in the company.
The sale will be handled by the Cardiff office of Deloitte & Touche.
Last season (sic 1996-97), Barry won all three domestic trophies in Wales - the League of Wales Championship, the Welsh Cup and the Gilbert League of Wales Cup and during season 1997-98 retained both the League of Wales Championship and the Gilbert Cup. This season, Town have never been far from the top of the FAW Premiership (sic, League of Wales) which they eventually clinched with a 6-2 win over Carmarthen. They have also joined two of Wales' Nationwide League teams in the semi-finals of the FAW Trophy (sic, FAW Premier Cup, but Barry Athletic are in the FAW Trophy final!).
Success in Wales has been a stepping stone into Europe where Barry Town has gained considerable European experience. The club has qualified for Europe in each of the last three years and looks likely to qualify again this season. (sic, already have)
John Antoniazzi at Deloitte & Touche said that while Paula O'Halloran's departure it was felt by Oxystructural that a new owner should be sought to take the club to the next level in Europe.
"Obviously, the decision has not been taken lightly. Barry Town have dominated Welsh domestic football for some time and with the right backing they are ideally placed to establish themselves on the European stage."
Last year, the club recorded approximately �650,000 turnover and employs 18 people, mostly on the football side and is the only fully professional team playing in the League of Wales.
In addition to the playing staff, the sale will also incorporate a successful social club.
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This page edited by the Yellow Dragon, 1999.
This article first published in the Barry & District News, 01.04.1999
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