Plymouth Parkway Announce Merger
TWO of Plymouth’s biggest football clubs have announced that they are merging for next season.
Plymouth Parkway and Bar Sol Ona FC have agreed to a merger, creating the city’s biggest non-League club which will have the inevitable aim of climbing the football pyramid.
The club will play under the name Plymouth Parkway and be based at Bolitho Park in Manadon, but adopt a new club badge and rename their clubhouse Bar Sol.
Current Bar Sol Ona chairman Mark Russell will become chairman of the merged club, while Parkway stalwart Jim Parsons will take on the role of club president.
Gez Baggott, the long-time Plymouth Parkway general manager, will become vice-chairman of the new club, while Bar Sol Ona’s Andy Notman takes Baggott’s former role.
The club’s first team will continue in the South West Peninsula League next season, but adopt the current Bar Sol Ona strip – red and blue stripes reminiscent of the Catalan giants – as their away kit.
They are expected to continue playing in the Plymouth and West Devon League under a Parkway banner, while also having a team in the East Cornwall League.
There is currently no city team between League Two club Plymouth Argyle and Parkway, who sit at level 10 in the Football Pyramid, so there is an opportunity for an ambitious club in the immediate vicinity.
The merger brings together the strong support which Parkway have established, and the business acumen which comes from Bar Sol Ona’s links to growing firm Optimus Performance Marketing, owned by Mark Russell.
Russell said: “On the field both sides have a strong history of success but to build on that success we need to match that off field with an improved commercial focus starting with increased attendance and improved sponsorship opportunities.
“By combining our efforts, resources and strategies, this merger really guarantees the future of the club and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve as one team.”
Baggott said: “I’m delighted with the merger, and also my new role in the club.
“I welcome this move and believe it will be hugely beneficial in securing the future of our club as well as providing a stronger foundation for both the players and the local community.”
Notman said: “This move is going to beneficial to all parties, and I am delighted that the club I founded in 2009 is going to play such an important part of the future of our new club, working alongside someone with Gez’s experience will be exciting.”
Parkway Partners
