Do we really need summer football in North Wales? It’s a NO from us….

Summer football has long been championed by many as some sort of saviour for the Welsh domestic game.

Some have even described its proposed inception as a ‘no-brainer’.

Sun on the players’ backs, bigger crowds and always playable pitches are three of the main arguments FOR summer soccer.

Another popular pro point of view is that beginning our leagues in summer would better prepare our clubs for the tough tests European football throws up.

Listen to some and one might think Summer football is the only answer for a brighter future.

However, like most other debating points, the ‘AGAINST’ camp also carries plenty of ammunition.

In this hottest of summers, some pitches have become so dry and hard it has become a game of ‘spot the grass’.

The more solid the surface, the more chance of serious injuries being sustained when players hit the ground.

In recent weeks, both in friendlies and since the 2026-27 season kicked off in late July, we have seen some horrendous injuries occur due to rock-hard conditions underfoot.

Another argument against summer football is player availability. Summer is a time for family holidays, or lads and girls’ fun trips abroad. How would this affect clubs?

One issue which is rarely raised is the effect summer soccer could have on local cricket.

Many clubs in North Wales share facilities between football and cricket. Others have a number of players who participate in both sports with equal enthusiasm.

Cricket is part of a UK summer many of us would never wish to see adversely affected. Would summer football ruin the game of bat and ball?

As for our clubs being better prepared for European competitions, would beginning the season a few weeks earlier really make that much difference?

Welsh clubs have had their moments in Europe over the years, but in general our results have been mediocre. For the last two years, we have been appalling, so much so that our coefficient has put us next-to-bottom of the Uefa rankings table with only San Marino below us.

Of course, things would take an upturn if the best teams in Wales – Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham – were allowed to represent Wales in Europe.

For that to happen, they would need to join the Cymru Premier League, but why would they ever do that?

Would it be worth leaving behind the multi millions on offer competing one notch below the Premier League and losing an FA Cup entry just for the sake of a possible few rounds in Europe?

Of course not. The likes of Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham will stay where they are and who can blame them, especially as those three play their football at such a high level these days.

Would a few earlier weeks of competitive football in the Cymru Premier suddenly make the likes of The New Saints, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Caernarfon Town a sudden super-force in Europe?

Hardly likely.

One thing is for sure – the pro summer football crowd will nowadays get a better hearing from the FAW than before with Noel Mooney in charge.

Praise him or knock him, Mr Mooney does listen and he will give summer football its chance if the clubs voted for it.

Coincidentally, Mr Mooney is from Ireland, the country which is often referred to as the best example where summer football has worked.

But is it really that great? How often will a Shamrock Rovers story come along?

Rovers famously made history in the 2011–12 season by becoming the first Irish club ever to reach the group stage of a major European competition, doing so in the Europa League after defeating Partizan Belgrade in the play-off round.

A few glamour ties against the likes of Tottenham Hotspur came along and a nice little earner along the way, but how often has that success story been repeated? Even TNS have done it once.

And a final point….we are not too far off summer football already.

Games in Wales are still being played right up till the end of May, and in no time we are into the early stages of European competitions. More than ever this summer, it was notable clubs were playing numerous friendlies in June to stay active and build towards the new season.

Winter football has its drawbacks too, but by hook or by crook we eventually get there and end our seasons mainly on time.

Summer football seems far from the miracle cure to local football’s ills many herald it to be.

• This article, written by Grassroots North Wales editor Dave Jones, first appeared in Bangor City 1876’s match programme for their game against Brickfield Rangers on August 28, 2026