Prestatyn Town’s Cymru North future in doubt over points deduction threat

Prestatyn Town are facing a potential points deduction which could relegate them from the JD Cymru North league.

Currently fourth from bottom of the table, the Seasiders could plunge into Tier 3 depending on what punishment the FAW may hit the club with over an alleged rule break.

Prestatyn Town have been charged with a Disciplinary Offence for the alleged breach of Cymru North Rule 14.1.

Namely, the club fielded an ineligible player in the Cymru North fixture against Mold Alexandra on 31 December 2023.

Prestatyn Town have until 5pm on Friday 5 April to respond, stipulating whether the club admits or denies the charge(s) and whether they wish to attend in person the National League Board meeting convened to consider the charge.  

With three going down from the 16-team Cymru North at the end of the season, Prestatyn are currently 13th with 25 points from 27 games.

Porthmadog sit 14th with 21 points from 27 matches, Chirk AAA are already relegated on 9 points from 27 starts and Llanidloes Town find themselves in deep trouble with 9 from 24 fixtures.

The FAW have had a busy time deducting points from clubs for fielding ineligible players this year.

In the Cymru Premier, Pontypridd United were initially docked 141 points for transgressions reduced to six immediately with the other 135 suspended until the end of 2024-25.

The instant deduction was later increased to nine points, although the suspended figure was cut to 75.

Fellow top flight club Penybont were subject to a 30 point deduction from its playing record in the season 2023/24. 

Six points have been taken away with immediate effect, with the remaining 24 suspended until the end of 2024/25.

It now remains to be seen what happens to Prestatyn Town.

The Seasiders have competed in the Tier 2 Cymru North (previously the Cymru Alliance) since 2015-16 after being relegated from the Welsh Premier following a seven-season stay.

Town won the Cymru North title by 16 points in 2019-20, but were unable to return to the Cymru Premier due to a criteria failure over a TV gantry, second-place Flint Town United going up instead.

Prestatyn have not played in Tier 3 since 2005-06.