Football

And it’s live! Common sense prevails in Welsh Cup draw row

WREXHAM, WALES - 10 JULY 2021: During the 1st round fixture of the 2021/2022 JD Welsh Cup between Ruabon Rovers F.C & Saltney Town F.C at the Recreation Ground, Ruabon, Wrexham, Wales. (Pic by John Smith/FAW) Saltney Town F.C win the game 7 - 2.

Pic by John Smith/FAW

Common sense prevails at last!

As revealed on Grassroots North Wales earlier this week, the FAW are to restore live draws for the Welsh Cup.

The quarter-final draw for the 2025-26 JD Welsh Cup will be live on Heno S4C on Monday 15 December, from 7pm,

Ball numbers will be confirmed after the weekend’s ties

This represents a return to how draws were made in the past and is a departure from the recorded draws policy which have attracted wide criticism in recent weeks.

FAW chief executive Noel Mooney revealed last week moves were in motion to make national cup draws in Welsh football live again.

This followed a public outcry when it was revealed draws for competitions like the men’s and women’s Welsh Cups and FAW Amateur Trophy are often recorded days before they are broadcast.

The FAW was forced to defend the integrity of the Welsh Cup after concerns were raised over a ‘leaked’ draw.

A fourth round draw which most expected to be shown as live on November 27 actually took place at least 48 hours before

Details of some fixtures for the last 16 of the association’s flagship competition emerged on social media.

The FAW promised an investigation into how the draw was ‘leaked’.

Flint Town United chairman Darryl Williams said the whole episode brought the integrity of the 148-year-old Welsh Cup into question.

In confirming draws are recorded and not live, the FAW said this happens to create enough time to compile a ‘show’ on the Red Wall+ channel featuring not just the draw, but also associated features and graphics.

Chief officer Mooney said on social media the angry response from many quarters to the draw not being live has prompted a rethink of the process.

He stated: “It’s no mystery that we are always striving to improve and we do this by listening to the people that matter – clubs & supporters.

“We tried to create a nice quality production so this takes some work (and money!) but it’s clear that we should move this to ‘live’ ….so we are working with broadcasters to get it done.

“See it, say it, sorted (as they say).”

JD WELSH CUP FOURTH ROUND TIES – DECEMBER 13

CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 v Trefelin BGC
Barry Town United v Gresford Athletic
Caerau Ely v Llandudno
Cardiff Met University v Caernarfon Town
Penybont v Flint Town United
Pontypridd United v Colwyn Bay
Porthmadog v CPD Y Rhyl 1879
Trearddur Bay v Newport City