Flint could snatch promotion to Cymru Premier at Prestatyn’s expense

Flint Town United could claim promotion to the Cymru Premier at the expense of the club 16 points ahead of them in the Cymru North table.

Prestatyn Town need just three points from their remaining four matches to clinch the tier-two Cymru North title, but today the club lost its appeal against the FAW’s decision to refuse them a Tier 1 licence required to compete in the top flight.

Meanwhile, second-place Flint won their appeal against initial Tier 1 status refusal and as things stand will rise to the Premier league for the first time since 1997/98. However, Colwyn Bay or Guilsfield could yet pip them to runners-up spot.

Much depends on whether the 2019-20 season is finished ‘on the field’ or is decided on a points-per-game basis.

After the decisions were announced, Prestatyn Town released the following statement: “The club are disappointed not to have been granted our tier 1 licence on appeal at today’s FAW panel meeting.
“We are waiting on the official letter from the FAW to explain why the clubs appeal was not successful.
“The management board will then discuss this over the next few days to see what steps to take to next.”

The problem surrounding the club’s promotion bid relates to the TV gantry at the Bastion Gardens ground.

The independent FAW Club Licensing Appeals Body met remotely today to consider the appeals as a result of the First Instance Body decisions on 6 April for participation in UEFA competitions, the JD Cymru Premier and Orchard Welsh Premier Women’s League.

Appeals from the following clubs were considered:
Airbus UK Broughton (UEFA & Tier 1)
Newtown (UEFA only)
Cefn Druids (Tier 1)
Flint Town United (Tier 1)
Prestatyn Town (Tier 1)
Swansea University (Tier 1)

Following the conclusion of the Appeals Body meeting, the following clubs were successful with their respective appeals: Airbus UK Broughton, Cefn Druids, Flint Town United and Newtown.

Prestatyn Town and Swansea University were unsuccessful with their appeals and are therefore unable to participate in Tier 1.

In addition, the independent Appeals Body considered appeals from the following three clubs in relation to the Tier 1 Licence for the Welsh Premier Women’s League:
Aberystwyth Town (Tier 1)
Caldicot Town (Tier 1)
Cardiff City Women (UEFA & Tier 1)

Following the conclusion of the Appeals Body meeting, all three clubs were successful with their appeals.

As a result, this concludes the UEFA & Tier 1 Club Licensing cycle for participation in Tier 1 and UEFA competitions for the 2020/21 season.

Men’s FAW Tier 1 Licence and UEFA Licence for 2020/21 Season (11 clubs)
Airbus UK Broughton
Aberystwyth Town
Bala Town
Barry Town United
Caernarfon Town
Cardiff Met
Carmarthen Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Newtown
Penybont
The New Saints

Men’s FAW Tier 1 Licence for 2020/21 Season (3 clubs)
Cefn Druids
Flint Town United
Haverfordwest County

Women’s FAW Tier 1 Licence and UEFA Licence for 2020/21 Season (3 clubs)
Cardiff City
Cardiff Met
Swansea City
Women’s FAW Tier 1 Licence for 2020/21 Season (8 clubs)
Abergavenny
Aberystwyth Town
Barry Town United
Briton Ferry Llansawel
Caldicot Town
Cascade YC
Cyncoed
Port Talbot Town