Arrogant BBC refuse to accept Welsh Cup joint record score claim was wrong

The BBC are refusing to accept they published wrong information relating to The New Saints’ recent 16-0 Welsh Cup win against Llangollen Town.

Grassroots North Wales complained to the broadcaster following its claim in a report published on the BBC Wales Sport website on October 18 that TNS’ victory over the tier 3 club was a joint all-time record.

GNW pointed out that the record win in Welsh Cup history is Shrewsbury Town’s 21-0 beating of Mold Alyn Stars in 1894-95.

Furthermore, we listed three bigger wins in the competition recorded within the past three seasons: 2023-24: St Asaph City 18-0 Rhyl Dragons; 2022-23 Aberystwyth Exiles 0-18 Cardiff Airport; 2022-23: Bodedern Athletic 17-0 Gaerwen.

In its original email to the BBC, Grassroots North Wales wrote…

This is what the BBC Sport Wales website published in its first three paragraphs on October 18, 2024…

“The New Saints equalled the record for the biggest win in the history of the Welsh Cup by beating Llangollen Town 16-0.

“The scoreline matched the previous 16-goal record, first set in 1883-34 when Davenham beat Holywell Reserves by the same margin.

“Cardiff City also beat Knighton 16-0 in 1961 while, most recently, Bala Town beat Brymbo 17-1 in September 2021.

Grassroots North Wales belleves what you published is SIMPLY INCORRECT and needs correcting….

These are the top 3 all-time record Welsh Cup scores
1st 1894/95 – Mold Alyn Stars 0-21 Shrewsbury Town (first round)
2nd 2023-24: St Asaph City 18-0 Rhyl Dragons (first qualifying round); 2022-23 Aberystwyth Exiles 0-18 Cardiff Airport (first qualifying round)
3rd 2022-23: Bodedern Athletic 17-0 Gaerwen (first qualifying round)

The below are JOINT FOURTH HIGHEST SCORES
2024-25: TNS 16-0 Llangollen Town
1883-34: Davenham 16-0 Holywell Reserves
1960-61: Knighton 0-16 Cardiff City
2021-22: Bala Town 17-1 Brymbo

So TNS’ 16-0 win is NOT a joint all-time record victory in the Welsh Cup, it is JOINT FOURTH highest

This was the BBC’s reply….

Dear David Jones

Thank you for your further message regarding our ‘TNS beat Llangollen Town 16-0 to equal Welsh record’ report.

We were sorry to read that you were unhappy with the report in question. Rest assured that your comment’s have been noted and brought to the attention of the sports editorial team.

They have reviewed the content of the report and they understand there is a match with a higher score line in Welsh Cup qualifying. However, the record in question refers to the Welsh Cup itself, and not the qualifying rounds. Therefore they are satisfied the report is accurate.

Hope this clarifies the situation.
Regards,
BBC Complaints Team

We have replied to the BBC today, stating…..

The Welsh Cup tie Mold Alyn Stars 0 Shrewsbury Town 21 from 1894-95 was NOT a qualifying round game, it was a round one match.
Your claim that qualifying rounds of the Welsh Cup don’t count relating to competition records is surely wrong. They are fully part of the competition. Clubs pay fees to enter the Welsh Cup, not the Welsh Cup qualifiers.
This is just typical BBC arrogance claiming they can do no wrong and clutching at straws to try to cloud an error.
I refuse to accept your response as correct
Dave Jones

What’s next?

From here, we will no doubt be told they remain satisfied they are correct and will not accept an error was made.
So be it, if that’s the case. Pointless arguing any further.
We believe all scores under the Welsh Cup banner are valid regardless of whether they take place in a qualifying round or round proper
If there is a written rule that results in qualifying rounds of the Welsh Cup cannot count towards official records, then I’ll accept it.
However, Shrewsbury Town’s 21-0 win in 1894-95 is listed as round one. Our concern is people will accept what the BBC published as official history and we truly believe it is not.