Licence appeals news: Joy for Queens Park – and three other North Wales club win appeals

They’re going up, they’re going up, they’re going….Queens Park going up!

Treble winners Park have succeeded in their appeal to earn a Tier 3 licence essential to compete in the Ardal Northern Leagues next season.

The Wrexham club, who won the Tier 4 North East Wales Division 1 title, Premier Cup and Horace Wynne Cup this term, initially ran into problems over the T3 licence, mainly regarding kick-off times on Saturdays at their home ground Queensway Stadium.

At Tier 4, they were permitted 1.30 pm starts, but at the higher level the FAW insists clubs all begin at the same times, meaning 2 pm in winter and 2.30 pm in lighter months.

Freedom Leisure, the not-for-profit charitable trust that operates the ground, initially said they could not accommodate later kick-offs due to staff working hours, but later approved the football club’s needs.

This meant Queens Park were in a stronger position when they appealed against the licence refusal and today received the thumbs up.

Current Tier 3 club Trearddur Bay, also rejected at the first attempt, also won their appeal, as did Corwen of T3 and T4 Rhostyllen.

On hearing the news, Queens Park said in a statement: “Massive credit to every player, coach, committee member and supporters who helped make this happen.

“The hard work continues – let’s make next season one to remember.”

The FAW Appeals Body (AB) met today (26 May) to consider the appeals as a result of the First Instance Body decisions (13 May) on FAW Men’s Tier 3 applications.

They received five appeals for consideration from Corwen, Trearddur Bay, FC Queens Park, Rhostyllen and Ffostrasol.

Corwen, Trearddur Bay, FC Queens Park and Rhostyllen were all successful with their appeals. Ffostrasol were unsuccessful with their appeal, with the club failing a Tier 3 Club Licence on their infrastructure.

Here’s the final list of clubs that have been awarded an FAW Tier 3 Club Licence for the 2026/27 season.

Existing Tier 3 North clubs:

Bethesda Athletic
Bow Street
Builth Wells
Cefn Albion
Connah’s Quay Town
Corwen
CPD Bangor City 1876
CPD Llannefydd
CPD Pwllheli
CPD Rhos Aelwyd
CPD Y Felinheli
Dolgellau AA
Kerry
Knighton Town
Llandrindod Wells
Llanfair United
Llangefni Town
Llangollen Town
Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant
Llanrwst United
Llanuwchllyn
Llay Miners Welfare
Mynydd Isa
NFA
Penmaenmawr Phoenix
Penycae
Porthmadog
Prestatyn Town
Radnor Valley
St Asaph City
Trearddur Bay

Existing Tier 4 North East Wales FA clubs:

Broughton United
FC Queens Park
Hawarden Rangers
Rhostyllen
Saltney Town

Existing Tier 4 North Wales Coast FA clubs:

Conwy Borough
CPD Nefyn United
CPD Y Glannau
Kinmel Bay
Menai Bridge Tigers
Nantlle Vale

REFUSED FAW Men’s Tier 3 Licence for 2026/27 season (14 clubs)

Existing Tier 3 clubs:

Lex XI – Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Legal

Existing Tier 4 clubs:

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

Withdrawn FAW Men’s Tier 3 Licence Applications for 2026/2027 season (9 clubs)

CPD Llansannan
CPD Penrhyndeudraeth
Glantraeth