Gwent County League re-branded as league lists confirmed

The Gwent County League have confirmed the structure that will be in place for the 2019/2020 season, following the restructuring of Welsh football.

The re-branding sees the division formerly known as Division One, re-named to the Premier Division, to avoid confusion with the Gwent Central League, which feeds into the Gwent County Leagues.

The Premier Division will run with 16 teams, whilst the First and Second Division will run with an uneven number of 11.

Gwent County’s top tier the Premier Division will start on the 13th August, whilst the First and Divisions doesn’t start until the 7th of September.

No team from the Welsh League was relegated into the Gwent County League Premier Division as 2017/18 Champions Albion Rovers narrowly avoided the drop. Premier Division champions Abertillery Bluebirds won promotion to the Welsh Football League Division Two.

Last season, Neuadd Wen’s first team folded after their relegation from the Welsh League, self demoting themselves down a number of divisions.

The Second Division last season finished with 10 teams. Brynmawr, who won promotion from the Second Division to the First Division, withdrew from the league just four months into the new season. Marshfield also announced last month that they were to fold as a club, following eight years back in the Gwent County.

Abertillery Excelsiors and Newport Corinthians were promoted to the Premier Division, whilst no team was relegated to the First Division.

No teams from the First Division were relegated. Newport Saints after winning the Second Division title were promoted to the First Division, they were joined by Coed Eva Athletic.

In an ongoing trend, no team from the Second Division were relegated to the feeder leagues. Only Gilwern were promoted to the Gwent County Leagues.

Whiteheads Rhisga were denied promotion, despite winning the league title. 

(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)