COLWYN BAY, WALES - 7 FEBRUARY 2023 - Tom Creamer at the JD Cymru North fixture between Colwyn Bay and Gresford Athletic at Llanelian Road, Colwyn Bay (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)
Colwyn Bay’s quest for promotion to the Cymru Premier League received the all-clear yesterday when they were awarded a Tier 1 licence.
The qualification is essential for any clubs wishing to join Welsh football’s top-flight.
Tier 2 champions-elect Bay were already the only North Wales promotion candidates as fellow Cymru North title contenders Holywell Town had not applied.
Colwyn Bay rejoined the Welsh system in 2019-20 after 35 years in the English pyramid.
Other North Wales clubs to receive a Tier 1 licence yesterday were: Airbus UK Broughton, Bala Town, Caernarfon Town, Colwyn Bay, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Flint Town United.
From the Cymru North hopefuls, Cefn Druids were refused, while Buckley Town and Llandudno withdrew.
Bala and Nomads retained their UEFA licences, which grant consent to play in European competitions, but Caernarfon’s application was rejected, while Flint withdrew theirs.
The First Instance Body (FIB) met today (6 April) to assess and consider the UEFA and FAW Tier 1 applications.
Fifteen of the 18 applications for a Tier 1 licence have been successful, including 11 of the current JD Cymru Premier clubs and four clubs in Tier 2. In addition, eight of the JD Cymru Premier clubs achieved a UEFA Licence.
Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:
Sporting: Youth & Coaching
Infrastructure
Legal
Personnel & Administration
Financial
Football Social Responsibility
The FAW Tier 1 Licence is required for clubs to participate in the JD Cymru Premier and for those clubs who qualify for European competitions, a UEFA Licence is also a pre-requisite.
The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs at the top level within Wales. Licensing is a transparent process that enables clubs to demonstrate to their stakeholders that they meet quality standards.
Following yesterday’s meeting, the independent FIB Panel decided on the following:
Aberystwyth Town
Bala Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Cardiff Met University
Haverfordwest County
Newtown
Penybont
The New Saints
Caernarfon Town
Pontypridd United
Flint Town United
Aberystwyth Town
Airbus UK Broughton
Bala Town
Barry Town United
Briton Ferry Llansawel
Cardiff Met University
Caernarfon Town
Carmarthen Town
Colwyn Bay
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Flint Town United
Newtown
Penybont
Pontypridd United
The New Saints
Ammanford
Cefn Druids
Haverfordwest County
Buckley Town
Llandudno
Cambrian & Clydach Vale
Goytre United
Llantwit Major
Llanelli Town
Taffs Well
Those clubs who have been refused a Licence by the First Instance Body, have 10 days in which to submit an appeal.
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