Which men’s teams have received a Tier 3 Licence – and which haven’t?

Following relegation from the JD Cymru North this season, Prestatyn Town have suffered a further blow with their application for a Tier 3 licence in 2025-26 being refused.

The former Cymru Premier club, who have just lost Tier 2 status, are the highest profile casualties in the latest round of FAW decisions.

They failed the licence test on infrastructure, but have 10 days in which to appeal against the FAW’s decision.

The FAW Men’s Tier 3 First Instance Body met yesterday and today to consider the Tier 3 Licensing Applications for next season.

The Panel assessed 121 applicants for the men’s Tier 3 Certification, 85 of which have been successful, including 56 of the current Ardal North and Ardal South clubs and 28 clubs in Tier 4.

Here’s what the FAW have revealed today:

AWARDED TIER 3 MEN’S LICENCE FOR 2025/26 SEASON (Northern clubs only)

Existing Tier 2 clubs, following a Tier 2 Licence refusal:

Flint Mountain

Existing Tier 3 North clubs:

Bow Street
Brickfield Rangers
Builth Wells
Cefn Albion
Chirk AAA
Connah’s Quay Town
Conwy Borough
Corwen
CPD Llannefydd
CPD Pwllheli
CPD Y Felinheli
CPD Y Rhyl 1879
Dolgellau AA
Holyhead Hotspur
Kerry
Llandrindod Wells
Llanfair United
Llangefni Town
Llanidloes Town
Llanrwst United
Llanuwchllyn
Menai Bridge Tigers
Nantlle Vale
NFA
Penycae
Porthmadog
Radnor Valley
St Asaph City
Trearddur Bay

GRANTED TIER 3 LICENCE – EXISTING TIER 4 NORTH EAST WALES FA CLUBS

Hawarden Rangers
Lex XI
Mynydd Isa
Saltney Town

GRANTED TIER 3 LICENCE – EXISTING TIER 4 NORTH WALES COAST FA CLUBS

Bethesda Athletic
CPD Nefyn United
Kinmel Bay
Penmaenmawr Phoenix

REFUSED FAW MEN’S TIER 3 LICENCE FOR 2025-26 SEASON (Northern clubs only)

Existing Tier 2 clubs:

Prestatyn Town – Refused on Infrastructure

Existing Tier 3 clubs:

CPD Rhos Aelwyd – Refused on Personnel
Llangollen Town – Refused on Personnel
Llansantffraid Village – Refused on Personnel

Existing Tier 4 clubs:

Berriew – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
Bow – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
Coedpoeth United – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
Greenfield – Refused on Infrastructure & Personnel
Gwalchmai – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
Mochdre Sports – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal
Rhostyllen – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal

WITHDRAWN FAW MEN’S TIER 3 LICENCE APPLICATIONS for 2025/2026 season

Bontnewydd
Cemaes Bay
CPD Penrhyndeudraeth
CPD Y Glannau
Glantraeth
Llanfairfechan Town

Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:

• Sporting: Youth & Coaching
• Infrastructure
• Personnel & Administration
• Legal

The FAW Men’s Tier 3 Licence is required for clubs to participate in the Ardal North & Ardal South for the 2025/26 season.

The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs within Wales. Licensing is a transparent process that enables clubs to demonstrate to their stakeholders that they meet quality standards.

Those clubs who have been refused a Licence by the First Instance Body have ten days in which to submit an appeal.