Second tier clubs apply for promotion as FAW receive 20 applicants for Tier 1 Licence

The Football Association of Wales has received an application from the 12 Welsh Premier League clubs and eight from the second tier of Welsh football.

In all, twenty clubs have applied for the newly formed Tier 1 Licence which has replaced the FAW Domestic Licence, with it being the necessary qualification to ensure your side is eligible to play in the Welsh Premier League.

As well as applying for the Licence to compete in the Premier League, all twelve sides have applied for the UEFA Licence, which would entitle them to participate in the UEFA Europa League play-offs at the end of the season, should they finish between 3rd and 6th.

The key factors of obtaining the Lience are to boast a 500 seater stadium, as well as emphasis on youth development and all the required legal work, which allows a club to run on a day-to-day basis.

Haverfordwest County, Llanelli Town and Penybont have applied from the Welsh Football League but the Bluebirds current stance is that they would only accept promotion if there was a restructure of the league, to include more teams.

Meanwhile, the Cymru Alliance which has a range of clubs who could class themselves as title contenders like the recently relegated sides Airbus UK and Rhyl, whilst Caernarfon, Flint and Porthmadog have also applied for the Licence after all finishing in the top ten of the league last season.

Speaking to FAW.Cymru, FAW Club Licencing Manage Steven Jones stated his delight in seeing clubs from the second tier apply for the Licence as it prepares them for a possible season in the top flight.

“I am happy with the response form the Tier 2 clubs as it is key to the success of the JD Welsh Premier League that a healthy number of Tier 2 clubs apply and attain the Tier 1 Licence because as well as increasing standards across the board, active promotion and relegation between Tiers 1 and 2 is crucial.

“I look forward to working with those Tier 2 clubs, as well as the JD Welsh Premier League clubs, again this season.”

(Featured Image: Chris Howells)