Could a non-regionalised second tier league be a possibility in the Welsh pyramid system?
As it stands the Welsh Premier League has two second tier leagues, both in the North and South, but what if a second tier league were to be made?
The Football Association of Wales and the Welsh Premier League have been working hard with the introduction of the Tier One and Tier Two Licence to help ensure that more and more clubs are eligible for promotion to Wales top flight.
The Licence has worked with all twelve Premier League sides applying for the UEFA Licence too and the work being done has seen some run in a professional manner.
The licence covers necessities like having an Academy set-up, a 500 seater ground and passing the necessary regulations. Some clubs have benefitted from this and have built a club capable of challenging for promotion.
But with the Tier Two Licence set to come in later next year where clubs will need a 250 seater stand by April 30th 2018, this poses the question whether a Second Division, similar to Scotland and England’s set-up could work.
The second division could prepare clubs for life close to the top flight, travelling to all kind of regions in Wales, making it easier for the transition to Wales’ top division.
So far three clubs from South Wales have applied, with one side in Haverfordwest County currently wavering their chance of promotion, as they seek a reform of the top flight that would see more teams participate.
Whereas North Wales has two more clubs who feel that they can play in the top flight of Welsh football and are willing to do whatever work is necessary to get their clubs up to scratch for the Premier League.
Out of the eight applicants from the second tier, only Penybont have yet to play in the Welsh Premier League, highlighting the competitiveness of the place in Wales top flight.
But whilst clubs have prepared themselves for promotion, there have been some cases where clubs have had to turn down promotion like Rhayader Town this season, who have been victims of their own success and have been unable to travel.
To combat that, bringing in line a second tier league could provide clubs in the Mid Wales area, the ability to be in the middle of it all and could boost the football in that area.
The introduction of a North, South and Mid Wales second tier could throw up exciting opportunities and offer Welsh football a new dimension.
The Welsh Football League and the Cymru Alliance aren’t two exciting leagues, there have been plenty of success stories over the years, all throwing up some remarkable stories as teams make their way to Wales top flight.
The Cymru Alliance is boasting one of the most opening title races in years with no side really dominating the pack at the moment. Whilst the Welsh Football League has some big former Premier League sides.
For the idea being touted, there are both positives and negatives in it, the distance travelled for players could see some drop out and a fixture pile-up could see clubs travelling a big distance in midweek.
Increase number in WPL and leave 2nd tier regional. players have jobs and traveling from North to South is so time consuming . How is Lex ground suitable for 2nd tier games no seating or cover
Whilst I can see this being a longer term aim for Welsh Football I feel at present this is impractical. When you visit clubs at the moment the talk is of increasing costs involved in running a club – pitch hire, officials fees, insurance etc . Adding the cost of travelling in an all Wales League in my opinion would be a step to far for many .In South Wales Rugby Football appears to be the chosen sport for most sponsorship monies at National and local Level. If such a league had officials costs covered by the FA W that might just make the League a more financially viable proposition.
Excellent points and well made. The transport infrastructure of Wales barely supports a regional north and west split at the moment but could never see a national second tier myself.