Will football museum hotfoot it to Mid Wales?

In October, early discussions took place between Newtown Town Council and Newtown Football Club about putting the town’s name in the hat to house a football museum in the town.

It came after the Welsh Government said £5 million has been set aside for a museum to celebrate Welsh football.

Other towns touted to house the museum includes Wrexham, but councillor Richard Edwards spoke last month and said there is no reason why it can’t find a home in Newtown.

After discussions, a joint submission has been made by both parties to Just Solutions, who are carrying out research on behalf of the government.

And councillor Edwards is hoping that 2018 will be the year that the new football museum comes to the town.

He said: “It will be an exciting thing if we can get it, and we have now put in a formal submission.

“We’ve talked about a number of things, including where it could go and there are areas at the football club earmarked.

“However at the moment those areas are part of other plans which are yet to be confirmed by the county council.

“Newtown has a big history with football and it would be great to get it to the town.

“Things are in early stages, but we are really hopeful we will hear something in the New Year, and then hopefully 2018 can be the year we can bring this brilliant museum to the town.”

Newtown Football Club, who are a founder member of the League of Wales and have a rich history in Welsh football have backed the submission.

Now they will wait to hear the findings and then submit a further formal bid to the Welsh Government.

Plaid Cymru had pushed to get the money set aside for a football museum and Mid and West Wales AM Simon Thomas said earlier this year it shows the party is delivering for the county.

He said: “I’m pleased that the budget deal allocates millions to a possible football museum.

“This is a pan-Wales agreement which proves Plaid Cymru is delivering for all people in all parts of the country.

“Having spoken to Plaid Cymru Councillor Richard Edwards I know there is a lot of interest in bringing the museum to Newtown considering the long history of football in the town.”