Tier Three: 77 clubs secure Tier Three Certificate

Seventy-seven clubs have been awarded the Tier Three Certificate for the 2020/21 season. 

Clubs who were rejected now have a ten-day period to apply, with a final hearing heard on 10 July where the makeup of the new Tier Three Leagues will be announced, including a brand name.

Twelve clubs withdrew from the application process with some now taking a voluntary relegation.

Commenting on the decisions, Licencing Manager, Steven Jones said: “Since the publication of the FAW Tier 3 Ground Criteria Regulations in 2017, the FAW has been working closely with clubs in order to provide them with the best opportunity to meet the Tier 3 criteria. 

“In addition, since 2018, approximately £800,000 of Welsh Ground Improvements funding has been allocated to Tier 3 clubs – and to those clubs aspiring to be in Tier 3 – to assist them. 

“It has been fantastic to witness first-hand the improvements to grounds across Wales and I cannot credit the clubs and their hard-working volunteers enough for the commitment they have shown to meet the Tier 3 standard. This is reflected in the positive number of clubs that have been successful with their applications.”  

Clubs who were successful in their applications

JD Cymru North

• Corwen (Relegated from JD Cymru North)
• Llanfair United (Relegated from JD Cymru North)
• Porthmadog (Relegated from JD Cymru North)

JD Cymru South

• Caerau Ely (Relegated from JD Cymru South)
• Cwmamman United (Relegated from JD Cymru South)
• STM Sports (Relegated from JD Cymru South)

Welsh Football League Division One

• AFC Llwydcoed (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Aberbargoed Buds (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Abergavenny Town (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Caldicot Town (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Croesyceiliog (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Dinas Powys (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Garden Village (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Goytre (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Monmouth Town at Plough Road (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Penydarren BGC (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Pontardawe Town (Welsh Football League Division 1)
• Ton Pentre (Welsh Football League Division 1)

Mid Wales League Division One

• Bow Street (Mid Wales League 1)
• Caersws (Mid Wales League 1)
• Carno (Mid Wales League 1)
• Berriew (Mid Wales League 1)
• Four Crosses (Mid Wales League 1)
• Kerry (Mid Wales League 1)
• Llansantffraid (Mid Wales League 1)
• Llandrindod Wells (Mid Wales League 1)
• Montgomery Town (Mid Wales League 1)
• Welshpool Town (Mid Wales League 1)

Welsh Alliance League Division One

• Blaenau Amateurs (Welsh Alliance League Division 1) 
• Denbigh Town (Welsh Alliance League Division 1) 
• Holyhead Hotspur (Welsh Alliance League Division 1) 
• Dyffryn Nantlle Vale (Welsh Alliance League Division 1) 
• Llandudno Albion at Maesdu Park, (Welsh Alliance League Division 1)
• Llanrwst United (Welsh Alliance League Division 1) 
• St Asaph City (Welsh Alliance League Division 1) 

Welsh National League Premier Division

• Brickfield Rangers (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
• Brymbo (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
• Cefn Albion at The Rock (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
• Chirk AAA (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
• Llay Welfare (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
• Llanuwchllyn at Maes Tegid, Bala (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
• Mold Alexandra (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
• Penycae (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
• Rhostyllen  (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
• Rhydymwyn (Welsh National League Premier Division) 
  
  

Mid Wales League Division Two

• Borth United (Mid Wales League Division Two)
• Dolgellau AAA (Mid Wales League Division Two)
• Machynlleth (Mid Wales League Division Two)
• Penparcau (Mid Wales League Division Two)
• Rhayader Town (Mid Wales Division Two)

Welsh Football League Division Two

• AFC Porth (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Aberdare Town (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Chepstow Town (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Newport City (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Penrhiwceiber Rangers (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Pontyclun (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Tredegar Town (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Treharris Athletic (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Treowen Stars (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Trethomas Bluebirds at CSE, Ystrad Mynach (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• West End at Llandarcy Academy of Sport (Welsh Football League Division 2)
• Ynysygerwn at Llandarcy Academy of Sport (Welsh Football League Division 2)

Welsh Alliance League Division Two

• Aberffraw (Welsh Alliance League Division 2) 
• Barmouth & Dyffryn (Welsh Alliance League Division 2) 
• Pwllheli (Welsh Alliance League Division 2) 
• Y Felinheli (Welsh Alliance League Division 2) 

Fifth tier clubs

Abertillery Excelsiors (Gwent County League)

Glantraeth (Gwynedd League)

Baglan Dragons (South Wales Alliance League Premier Division)

Cardiff Draconians (South Wales Alliance League Premier Division)

Clubs who were rejected in the First Instance Decisions

• Aberaeron (Mid Wales League 1)
• Abertillery Bluebirds (Welsh Football League Division Two)
• Bangor 1876 (Gwynedd League)
• Bodedern Athletic (Welsh Alliance League 1)
• FC Queens Park (Welsh National League Premier Division
• Greenfield (Welsh Alliance League 1)
• Lex XI (Welsh National League Division 1)
• Mynydd Llandegai (Welsh Alliance League 1)
• Panteg (Welsh Football League Division Two)
• Penmaenmawr Phoenix (Welsh Alliance 2)
• Rhos Aelwyd (Welsh National League Premier Division)
• Saltney Town (Welsh National League Premier Division)
• Ynyshir Albion (Welsh Football League Division Two)

Clubs who withdrew from the application process

• Blaenavon Blues (Gwent County League)
• Canton Liberal (South Wales Alliance League)
• Llandudno Amateurs (Welsh Alliance League 2)
• Llangollen Town (Welsh National League 1)
• Nefyn United (Gwynedd League)
• Penrhyndeudraeth (Welsh Alliance League 1)
• Porthcawl Town (South Wales Alliance League)
• Radnor Valley (Mid Wales League 1)
• Tywyn Bryncrug (Mid Wales League 1)

Clubs who applied but will not meet the Tier Three Certificate in the short-term

• Llanefydd (Welsh Alliance League 2)
• Newbridge on Wye (Mid Wales League 2)
• Pencoed (South Wales Alliance League)

 

A full list of the decisions can be read here

(Featured Image: Matthew Lofthouse)