Guess how many clubs recently refused a Tier 1 licence by the FAW appealed?

Not a single club recently refused a Tier 1 licence by the FAW appealed against the decision.

However, the fact they applied could serve them well in the future.

Fourteen clubs – including Bangor 1876, Buckley Town, Denbigh Town, Holywell Town and Ruthin Town from North Wales – had their applications for a licence required to compete in the Cymru Premier turned down.

The FAW reported this week that following the First Instance Body (FIB) decisions on the UEFA and FAW Men’s Tier 1 applications, the appeal deadline for clubs refused a licence has now passed.

No appeals were received, therefore concluding the UEFA & Tier 1 Club Licensing cycle for participation in UEFA and Tier 1 men’s competitions for the 2025/26 season.

Awarded UEFA Men’s Licence for 2025/26 season (8 clubs)

Bala Town
Barry Town United
Caernarfon Town
Cardiff Met University
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Haverfordwest County
Penybont
The New Saints

Refused UEFA Men’s Licence for 2025/26 season (2 clubs)

Aberystwyth Town – Refused on Infrastructure & Personnel
Newtown – Refused on Personnel

Awarded FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2025/26 season (16 clubs)

Aberystwyth Town
Airbus UK Broughton
Bala Town
Barry Town United
Briton Ferry Llansawel
Caernarfon Town
Cardiff Met University
Carmarthen Town
Colwyn Bay
Connah’s Quay Nomads
Flint Town United
Haverfordwest County
Llanelli Town
Newtown
Penybont
The New Saints

Refused FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2025/26 season (14 clubs)

Ammanford – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
Baglan Dragons– Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial
Bangor 1876 – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel.
Buckley Town – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial
Caerau Ely – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
Cambrian United – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
Denbigh Town – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial
Holywell Town – Refused on Infrastructure & Personnel.
Llantwit Major – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
Newport City – Refused on Sporting, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial
Penrhyncoch – Refused on Infrastructure & Personnel
Pontypridd United – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Financial
Ruthin Town – Refused on Infrastructure & Financial
Trefelin BGC – Refused on Sporting, Social & Environmental Sustainability, Infrastructure, Personnel, Legal & Financial

Withdrawn FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence Applications for 2025/2026 season (8 clubs)

Afan Lido
Cwmbran Celtic
Goytre United
Gresford Athletic
Guilsfield
Llandudno
Taffs Well
Trethomas Bluebirds

This is why just applying for a Tier 1 licence can benefit those clubs turned down

In line with the JD Cymru Premier strategy, the FAW has allocated significant investment via the Future Growth Fund for Tier 2 clubs to access over the next 12 months to significantly develop stadium infrastructure to deliver more compliant Tier 1 Clubs for the 2026/27 season league expansion.

The FAW encouraged a record number of Tier 2 clubs to apply for the Tier 1 Licence for the 2025/26 season – a prerequisite to access the Future Growth Fund.

Many clubs had not applied for the Tier 1 Licence previously, so this year acted as a benchmark for them to establish an action plan for clubs to meet the Tier 1 Licensing requirements for future seasons.