There’s not a lot the FAW are doing wrong at present.
Some fantastic ideas and fresh initiatives are emerging from Noel Mooney and his team in Cardiff.
However, they have blotted their copybook for a second year running with the choice of venue for the men’s and women’s Welsh Cup Finals.
The four finalists are exactly the same as 2023-24 – JD Welsh Cup final: Connah’s Quay Nomads v The New Saints, Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final: Cardiff City FC Women v Wrexham AFC Women.
Just like last season, a northern team in each final, yet no neutral venue – instead they’ve opted for Rodney Parade, Newport.
Even worse, the finals are on a Sunday (women’s April 27, men’s May 4) which makes it much harder for fans of the respective North Wales clubs to travel to and from South Wales. TNS followers are being put out a fair bit too.
No such problem for media darlings Cardiff of course.
It’s galling to see Rodney Parade, the home of a club which snubbed the League of Wales back in 1992-93, getting to stage Welsh domestic football’s two biggest gigs.
Decisions like this do little to ease the strong feeling in the north that the FAW are too South Wales biased.
My concern is we might be stuck with Newport County’s ground for years to come. Smart it may be, but Wembley it ain’t.
Has the FAW ever heard of the STōK Cae Ras?
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final between Wrexham and Cardiff City at Rodney Parade in Newport on Sunday 27 April (KO 17:15).
They can be bought online for the following prices (plus booking fee):
Adults – £5.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £2.00
All tickets bought online will be digitally issued through the Cymru Tickets app, no later than 24 hours before kick-off. Tickets purchased fewer than 48 hours before the match will be delivered no later than five hours before kick-off.
Tickets will then be available to buy on the gate on matchday for increased prices:
Adults – £10.00
Juniors (16 & Under) – £5.00
Please direct any ticketing queries to tickets@faw.co.uk
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