‘Water’ palava – a lack of shower heads costs football club promotion

A lack of shower heads has cost CPD Llannerchymedd a place in a higher division of the Welsh football pyramid this season.

The Anglesey club appealed to the FAW after the NWCFA had put them in tier 5 North Wales Coast West Division One for the 2020-21 campaign.

Llannerchymedd felt their facilities at Tan Parc were worthy of a tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division berth.

However, the FAW Appeals Panel decided as they only have three shower heads per team dressing room, as opposed to the four that are required under the ground criteria, the islanders must remain in tier 5.

They also stated that sporting merit based on league positions for the 2019/20 season played a part in their decision.

Llannerchymedd finished bottom of the Gwynedd League when the 2019-20 campaign was curtailed due to coronavirus.

Llannerchymedd chairman Elwyn Hughes commented on social media tonight: “Disappointed, really disappointed with the outcome.

“We appealed for tier 4 position because we felt that Tan Parc has one of the best grounds /facilities in the NWCFA catchment area and being proud of the tireless work carried out behind the scenes, I felt it was only right that we appealed being placed in tier five when the facilities are definitely good enough for tier four positioning.

“We have been in Tan Parc for going on 30 years now. Having three shower heads per changing room has never been an issue for any of the players that have come through the doors, be it home or an away team.

“The sporting merit was a bit of a surprise, but with playing 19 matches with zero points in season 2019/20 that played a part on their decision making.

“All that’s left to say is we are in tier 5 and if we do get to start season 2020/21 we go ahead and have a fandango season and make the move to tier four the following season, but above all, I hope you all stay safe from this Covid. Diolch.”

At the appeal hearing in August, the FAW were highly critical of the NWCFA’s determining of the divisional make-ups for tiers 4 and 5.

It emerged the NWCFA had failed to inspect all tier 4 grounds. The FAW demanded it do so before appeals decisions could be reached.

Further criticisms of the NWCFA’s practices were made in the Appeals Panel’s report sent to the clubs today.

Llannerchymedd were unhappy that all other inspected tier 4 clubs had passed the criteria, even though it believed some had less suitable facilities than theirs.

The Panel said Llannerchymedd had raised some valid points, but it could only deal with their appeal on merit.