Cymru Leagues: Clubs discover fate as Football Association of Wales implement promotion and relegation

Clubs competing in the Cymru Leagues have found out their fate after the Football Association of Wales made the decision to implement promotion and relegation this season.

Football throughout the Welsh domestic pyramid system was brought to a halt in March owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

The FAW decided to curtail the seasons two months later due to the crisis and the final tables were determined on a points-per-game basis, leaving many clubs uncertain over promotion and relegation.

But, following a meeting between the FAW’s board of directors this afternoon, they have now confirmed that they will be implementing relegation and promotion for the 2019-20 season.

Flint Town United and Haverfordwest County, who both finished second in the Cymru North and South tables respectively, have been promoted to the top flight.

This will ensure that the Cymru Premier will remain a 12-team league.

Meanwhile Airbus UK Broughton have been demoted to the Cymru North, while Carmarthen Town have dropped down to the Cymru South.

Llanidloes Town, Holywell Town and Holyhead Hotspur are the three clubs that have secured promotion to the Cymru North.

Trefelin BGC, Risca United & Port Talbot Town will all feature in the Cymru South next term after achieving promotion.

STM Sports, who failed to obtain the FAW tier 2 certification, Llanfair United, Corwen, Porthmadog, Cwmamman United and Caerau Ely have been relegated to the third tier.

While Cascade YC Ladies have been confirmed as the team who will join the top flight of women’s football next season. It comes after Swansea City Ladies were confirmed as Welsh Premier Women’s League champions last month.

A statement from the Football Association of Wales read: “Following the previous decision to curtail the 2019/2020 domestic football season in Wales using a points per game method, the FAW Board of Directors met remotely today (16 June) to consider the recommendation of the FAW National Leagues Board and other possible options with regard to promotion and relegation throughout the national Leagues.

“Following careful consideration of all options that were available to them, the FAW Board of Directors decided that promotion and relegation should be implemented in line with the existing pyramid regulations.

“Based on the final standings in each league/division having applied the unweighted points per game method and subject to club licensing/ground criteria requirements for the national Leagues.”

[Featured image: Matthew Lofthouse]