Cymru Premier remains 12-club league after expansion idea is scrapped

One of the clubs relegated from the Cymru Premier today has expressed disdain at the FAW’s refusal to make the top flight a 14-team league.

At a meeting of the FAW Board of Directors, it was decided the national league will stay at 12 clubs with promotion and relegation implemented despite a shortened 2019-20 season due to COVID-19.

This means Flint Town United and Haverfordwest County are promoted to the top flight, but Airbus UK and Carmarthen Town are relegated.

Airbus general manager Jonathan Williams said on social media many clubs were in favour of a 14-team league, but the idea was not adopted at today’s meeting.

“We are all very shocked and disappointed with the decision of the FAW,” said Mr Williams.

“We will take our time to reflect on this surprising decision following what appeared to be a consensus of member clubs to increase the number of teams to 14 in the Cymru Premier League.”

Today’s decision also has a knock-on effect for the Cymru North, who will now lose Llanfair United, Corwen and Porthmadog to tier 3, while Holywell Town, Holyhead Hotspur and Llanidloes Town come up in their places.

The FAW Board released the following statement following the meeting:

“Following the previous decision to curtail the 2019/2020 domestic football season in Wales using a points per game method, the FAW Board of Directors met remotely today (16 June) to consider the recommendation of the FAW National Leagues Board and other possible options with regard to promotion and relegation throughout the National Leagues.

“Following careful consideration of all options that were available to them, the FAW Board of Directors decided that promotion and relegation should be implemented in line with the existing pyramid regulations, based on the final standings in each league/division having applied the unweighted points per game method and subject to club licensing/ground criteria requirements for the National Leagues. The decision was consistent with the recommendation from the FAW National Leagues Board.

“The Community Game Board had previously agreed to adopt a consistent approach in relation to the leagues at Recreational Level.

“As a result of this decision, the FAW can confirm the following in relation to its National Leagues:

JD Cymru Premier (Tier 1)

Promoted: Flint Town United; Haverfordwest County
Relegated: Airbus UK Broughton (to JD Cymru North); Carmarthen Town (to JD Cymru South)

JD Cymru North (Tier 2)

Promoted: Llanidloes Town; Holywell Town & Holyhead Hotspur
Relegated: Llanfair United, Corwen & Porthmadog (all to Tier 3 North)

JD Cymru South (Tier 2)

Promoted: Trefelin BGC; Risca United & Port Talbot Town
Relegated: STM Sports (failed to obtain FAW Tier 2 Certification); Cwmamman United & Caerau Ely (all to Tier 3 South)

The National Leagues Board will consider the reorganisation of Tier 3 clubs on July 10th following the Tier 3 Ground Criteria certification process.