Llandudno’s women’s team receive blow to hopes of promotion to Tier 1

Llandudno Football Club’s title-winning women’s team have received a blow in their bid for promotion to the top flight Adran Premier League next season.

The Adran North champions have had their application for a Tier 1 licence rejected by the FA of Wales.

Llandudno have 10 days in which to appeal today’s decision of the First Instance Body.

Wrexham, who are already in the Adran Premier, were successful in retaining a Tier 1 and Uefa Licence.

Connah’s Quay Nomads, who will finish second or third in Adran North this season, have withdrawn their application for T1.

Llandudno lifted the Adran North trophy on Sunday after finishing champions for a second time in three seasons. The team won 13 of its 14 matches, netting 80 goals.

Tudno were in the former Welsh Premier Women’s League for eight successive seasons between 2012-13 and 2019-20 before the club resigned due to years of heavy commitment campaigning in a national league made up of mainly South Wales clubs taking its toll.

At that time, the club cited difficulties in recruiting and retaining players as its main reasons for withdrawing.

In 2021-22, Llandudno regrouped, joining the newly-formed Tier 2 Ardal North and were crowned champions in the first season. They have repeated that feat in 2023-24.

Llandudno did not apply for promotion to Tier 1 after their 2021-22 title success.

They have done so this time around, and were scheduled to play Adran South champions Briton Ferry Llansawel in a promotion play-off final on April 21, but today’s news for Llandudno puts the staging of that winner-takes-all match in doubt.

If Llandudno lodge an appeal and were unsuccessful, Briton Ferry Llansawel would be automatically promoted.

Llandudno will now consider their position over the coming days.

TODAY’S MEETING

The First Instance Body (FIB) met today to assess and consider the UEFA and FAW Women’s Tier 1 applications.

Eight of the 11 applications for a Tier 1 licence have been successful, including seven of the current Genero Adran Premier clubs and one club in Tier 2. In addition, four of the Genero Adran Premier clubs achieved a UEFA Licence.

Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:
Sporting: Youth & Coaching
Football Social Responsibility
Infrastructure
Personnel & Administration
Legal
Financial
Codes of Practice

The FAW Women’s Tier 1 Licence is required for clubs to participate in the Genero Adran Premier and for those clubs who qualify for European competitions, a UEFA Licence is also a prerequisite.

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 today’s meeting, the independent FIB Panel has decided on the following:

UEFA Women’s Licence for 2024/25 season (4 clubs)

Cardiff City
Cardiff Met University
Swansea City
Wrexham

Withdrawn UEFA Women’s Licence Applications for 2024/2025 season (2 clubs)

Pontypridd United
The New Saints

FAW Women’s Tier 1 Licence for 2024/25 season (8 clubs)

Aberystwyth Town
Barry Town United
Briton Ferry Llansawel
Cardiff City
Cardiff Met University
Swansea City
The New Saints
Wrexham

Refused FAW Women’s Tier 1 Licence for 2024/25 season (2 clubs)

Llandudno
Pontypridd United

Withdrawn FAW Women’s Tier 1 Licence Applications for 2024/2025 season (1 club)

Connah’s Quay Nomads