After a total of 2010 games, the final round of Cymru Premier fixtures for this decade have been completed.
In the last 10 years, Wales’ top-flight league has seen one name change, five different title sponsors, two different champions and 6,264 goals scored.
24 teams have competed in the competition – formerly known as the Welsh Premier League – since January 2010.
One team no longer exists, a handful have suffered a fall from grace and now play in the lower tiers of Welsh football and some have taken to the top tier like a duck to water.
Unsurprisingly, The New Saints – champions in the last eight seasons – are out in front when it comes to wins, goals scored, total points, points per game and goals scored per game.
Scott Ruscoe’s side, who completed a dramatic late comeback win against Cefn Druids last night to ensure they would end the decade at the summit, picked up 753 points from the 325 games they played – an average of 2.32 points per game.
Their closest competitors in terms of points are Bala Town, who accumulated 510 from their 324 encounters. Their points per game statistic of 1.57 is the sixth highest, bettered only by Neath, Bangor City, Barry Town United, Connah’s Quay Nomads and the Saints.
The success of Barry Town United – who reached the Preliminary Round of Europa League qualifying in just their second season back in the top flight – is highlighted by their win percentage and points per game tally.
The Linnets have been victorious in 44 of their 84 matches, giving them a 52.4% win rate – the second highest – while the 1.74 points they average per game is enough to place them third.
The title of most games played in the decade goes to Newtown, who took part in a total of 327 matches, two more than TNS, Aberystwyth Town and Carmarthen Town.
At the other end of the scale, Caersws (16), Porthmadog (17) and Welshpool (18) played just 51 times between them this decade. It is important to note that the decade began when the 2010-11 season was at approximately the half way stage, and these three teams will of course have played 32 times when the fixtures which took place in 2009 are included.
The Saints’ remarkable goal difference of +618 (872 scored, 254 conceded) is 520 more than the next best figure of 98 (Bala Town), while Carmarthen Town’s -133 is the lowest.
The rise of Connah’s Quay Nomads – a club whose first appearance in the league this decade did not come until the 2012-13 season – is exemplified by the fact that despite playing around 100 games less than their nearest rivals, they won the fourth-highest number of games with 118 successes in their 230 outings.
Caernarfon Town are another example of a side who have adapted well to life in the Cymru Premier. Although the Oval side sit 20th in the games played column (51), they are two places higher in 18th when it comes to points accumulated (79), higher than, for example, Haverfordwest County (64) and Afan Lido (74), who played 31 and 45 games more respectively.
The defensive capabilities of Barry and Cardiff Metropolitan University are clear to see, with the Dragons third in the goals conceded per game column (1.24) and the Archers not far behind on 1.26. Only Neath (1.18) and The New Saints (0.78) boast better numbers.
With TNS undoubtedly the best side to have played in the league for the last decade, Bangor City could lay claim to being second when you look at the numbers proportionally.
The Nantporth outfit now compete in the Cymru North after enduring a turbulent few years off the field, but their record from the eight seasons they were in the league is mightily impressive.
Their win percentage of 51.5% is the third-highest overall (second if you were to exclude Barry, who played 188 games less). They also sit third in the goals scored chart with 500 and fourth in points per game on 1.71.
Overall, 13 of the 24 teams have competed in European competition, with TNS regulars in the Champions League qualifiers and the likes of Cefn Druids, Barry Town United and Cardiff Metropolitan University making solitary appearances in the Preliminary Round of Europa League qualifying.
(Featured Image: Brian Jones and Rhys Neville)
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