Cefn Druids withdraw from Cymru North – Tier 2 league will start 2023-24 with an even 16 clubs
No surprise considering the unrest surrounding the club for so long – Cefn Druids have withdrawn from the Cymru North for the 2023-24 season.
The club claims a “transfer ban” and “starting the season with a depleted squad” has forced them to quit.
In May, Cefn Druids management and playing staff “collectively” left claiming they were still owed money.
Druids chairman Des Williams responded by saying he was “appalled” by their lack of professionalism and the club was “financially sound”.
The club were relegated from the Cymru Premier in 2022 and in January was banned from signing players for two transfer windows, after being charged with breaching Fifa transfer guidelines the previous season.
A statement released by Cefn Druids today said: “We face a series of challenges that will affect our ability to play in the forthcoming season. The transfer ban is the biggest issue we have and we are faced with starting the season with a depleted squad.
“We will not have had our appeal against the FIFA transfer ban heard in time for the start of the 2023/24 season. This means starting the season with a small squad and gambling on winning the appeal and the ban being lifted but we would not be in a transfer window and so unable to sign new players.
“The club has therefore withdrawn from the league and close the academy at all age groups with immediate effect. We will retain membership to the FAW but not play in FAW organised games.
“We can now fight the transfer ban and not worry about time limits, contracts etc and devote the time to clear the club’s name. We can concentrate on our Futsal team and other interests that will sustain the club for years to come.
“The business, Cefn Druids FC Limited, shall remain trading and retain the assets for use as a sports facility until we rejoin the league at a lower level. Our anchor tenants GRESFORD ATHLETIC FC and WREXHAM LADIES AFC are unaffected.
“We will update our supporters as the situation develops and we would like to thank all our sponsors, volunteers and supporters for their support over the past few years and through the trying times of the lockdowns.”
One of Wales’ oldest clubs, Cefn Druids was founded in 1872 by Llewelyn Kenrick, who would later form the Football Association of Wales.
Following several mergers through the club’s history, in 1992 it became Cefn Druids AFC with the amalgamation of Cefn Albion F.C. and Druids United.
The club is one of the most successful in North Wales, winning the Welsh Cup eight times and competing in 14 finals, most recently in 2012.
Druids had seen a resurgence in recent years with a successful run in the top flight, securing their best ever league finish and winning the European Play-Off, taking them into the Europa League for the second time.
However, after finishing bottom of the Cymru Premier in 2020-21 and 2021-22, the club dropped into the tier 2 Cymru North last season.
It had been strongly rumoured for some weeks that Druids would struggle to start the forthcoming season.
Their demise now reduces the Cymru North to an even 16 clubs for 2023-24.
An FAW statement said: “The Football Association of Wales and the JD Cymru Leagues have received formal communication from Cefn Druids FC, confirming the club’s withdrawal from the JD Cymru North for the 2023/24 season.
“No vacancy will be opened and the JD Cymru North will continue with 16 clubs for the 2023/24 season.”
Cymru North membership for 2023-24
Airbus UK Broughton
Bangor 1876
Buckley Town
Caersws
Chirk AAA
Denbigh Town
Flint Town United
Gresford Athletic
Guilsfield
Holywell Town
Llandudno
Llanidloes Town
Mold Alexandra
Porthmadog
Prestatyn Town
Ruthin Town