Licensing news: Tier 1 status gives green light to Colwyn Bay joining Welsh football’s top flight

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.

Yesterday’s process

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:

UEFA Licence for 2023/24 season (8 clubs)

Aberystwyth Town
Bala Town
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Cardiff Met University
Haverfordwest County
Newtown
Penybont
The New Saints

Refused UEFA Licence for 2023/24 season (2 clubs)

Caernarfon Town
Pontypridd United

Withdrawn UEFA Licence Applications for 2023/2024 season (1 club)

Flint Town United

FAW Tier 1 Licence for 2023/24 season (15 clubs)

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

Refused FAW Tier 1 Licence for 2023/24 season (3 clubs)

Ammanford
Cefn Druids
Haverfordwest County

Withdrawn FAW Tier 1 Licence Applications for 2023/2024 season (7 clubs)

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.