Tier 1 licences: Holywell Town suffer blow to promotion hopes, Colwyn Bay and Bala Town also take knockback
While some North Wales clubs were celebrating when the awarding of Tier 1 Licences for the 2026-27 season were decided upon yesterday, others were left feeling uncertain.
Holywell Town, who are eligible to play in the Cymru Premier next season after finishing in the top three promotion spots in Tier 2 Cymru North this term, have work to do if they are to gain an essential Tier 1 qualification on appeal after being turned down at the first stage.
Bala Town, who need to win their final Cymru Premier game to home to Briton Ferry Llansawel this weekend to maximise their hopes of top-flight football next season, have also been refused a licence at the first attempt.
The same is true of Colwyn Bay, who have secured a top six finish in their first season back in the CPL, but have failed to get a licence to remain in the top deck of the national league first time around. The Seagulls were also rebuffed in applying for a UEFA Men’s Licence.
Often, clubs can be refused licences first up for relatively small failures and can turn things around on appeal. Some, however, are unable to get the necessary thumbs-up and have to remain where they are.
Holywell, Bala and Colwyn Bay will all be hoping they can turn the tables. All three were rejected under the Personnel & Administration criteria, but have the right to appeal.
There was better news for Cymru North champions Llandudno and runners-up Airbus UK Broughton, as well as the existing North Wales CPL clubs who all celebrated successful applications: Caernarfon Town, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Flint Town United.
Flint are still not safe in the CPL. If Bala win this Saturday, then the Silkmen must also pick up three points at Cardiff Met to survive.
Awarded UEFA Men’s Licence for 2026/27 season (9 clubs)
- Barry Town United
- Briton Ferry Llansawel
- Caernarfon Town
- Cardiff Met
- Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Flint Town United
- Haverfordwest County
- Penybont
- The New Saints
Refused UEFA Men’s Licence for 2026/27 season (2 clubs)
- Colwyn Bay – Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Llanelli Town – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration, Legal & Financial
Awarded FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2026/27 season (17 clubs)
- Aberystwyth Town
- Airbus UK Broughton
- Ammanford
- Barry Town United
- Briton Ferry Llansawel
- Caernarfon Town
- Cambrian United
- Cardiff Met
- Connah’s Quay Nomads
- Flint Town United
- Haverfordwest County
- Llandudno
- Llanelli Town
- Newtown
- Penybont
- The New Saints
- Trefelin BGC
Refused FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence for 2026/27 season (8 clubs)
- Bala Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Caerau Ely – Refused on Financial
- Carmarthen Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Colwyn Bay– Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Holywell Town – Refused on Personnel & Administration
- Llantwit Major – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration and Financial
- Newport City – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration, Legal & Financial
- Penrhyncoch – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration and Financial
Withdrawn FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence Applications for 2026/2027 season (9 clubs)
- Afan Lido
- Brickfield Rangers
- Buckley Town
- CPD Y Rhyl 1879
- Denbigh Town
- Gresford Athletic
- Guilsfield
- Pontypridd United
- Ruthin Town
WHAT OCCURRED ON APRIL 8?
The First Instance Body (FIB) met today (8 April) to assess and consider the UEFA and FAW Men’s Tier 1 applications for the 2026 / 2027 season.
Seventeen of the 34 applications for a Tier 1 licence have been successful, including 10 of the current JD Cymru Premier clubs and seven clubs in Tier 2. In addition, nine of the JD Cymru Premier clubs achieved a UEFA Licence.
Clubs are assessed on the following criteria:
- Sporting: Player Medicals, Youth & Coaching
- Social and Environmental Sustainability
- Infrastructure
- Legal
- Personnel & Administration
- Financial
The FAW Men’s Tier 1 Licence is required for clubs to participate in the JD Cymru Premier and for those clubs who qualify for European competitions, a UEFA Licence is also a pre-requisite.
The Club Licensing system aims to assist the continual improvement and development of football clubs at the top level within Wales. Licensing is a transparent process that enables clubs to demonstrate to their stakeholders that they meet quality standards.
During the 2024/25 season the FAW launched the Future Growth Fund, allocating £1.2 million into Tier 2 to ensure clubs finishing in the top three positions in the 2025/26 season had the financial support to develop their infrastructure to attain Tier 1 standards.
- Those clubs who have been refused a Licence by the First Instance Body, have six days in which to submit an appeal with the Appeals Body meeting on 16 April 2026.