A LONG-STANDING and well-respected rugby club on Anglesey has folded.

The Benllech rugby club, founded in 1975, has a proud history and their recognisable seagull badge has played a huge part in the lives of many generations on the island’s rugby scene.

On January 15, the club announced it would be dropping out of the WRU National League (Division 3 North) due to “injuries and external commitments" leaving them unable to fulfill their fixtures.

A club spokesperson said: “It is with deep regret that the Committee of Clwb Rygbi Benllech announces that we have taken the hard decision to withdraw from the league with immediate effect.

"As a club we are conscious of the welfare of our players and their future involvement in the great game of Rugby.

“We will take a break at this stage and over the coming weeks review the sustainability of the club for the longer term.”

The move to establish the club in 1975 is said to have come about thanks to a group of sixth formers from Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones school in Amlwch, who wanted to play rugby at open age level.

One of the prime movers behind the club in the early years was former Wales International Danny Harris, who as a teacher was able to help transform a group of youngsters into a hardened rugby team.

A number of ex-players were also persuaded to get their boots back on and the mix worked well, with Benllech enjoying a wonderful three years on and off the pitch as a result.

The club moved from pitch to pitch, playing in places such as Bangor, Amlwch and Llanfairpwll before eventually settling in Tynygongl.

As a celebration of the club’s 43 seasons, the committee are planning a Memorial Match towards the end of this season.

They hope supporters and former players - which include Britain’s Got Talent finalist Gruffydd Wyn Roberts - will come along and take part.

Taking to Facebook to pay tribute to the club this week, 23-year-old Gruffydd wrote: "Benllech rugby club has been a massive part of my life, and although I haven’t played much recently, I along with the rest of the players are gutted. It's a great club with great spirit."

In what had been a very hard season during 2018/19, The Seagulls had picked up just three points in 12 games.

Their only win came in a 40-8 victory over the only team below them in the table - Mold RFC seconds on December 1.