South Wales clubs discover promotion and relegation fate

South Wales Alliance League clubs have this evening discovered their fate after promotion and relegation was implemented by the local FA.

The South Wales Alliance League have followed suit of the FAW National Game Board, who implemented promotion and relegation following the curtailment of the 2019/20 season. 

Running with three divisions of 16 teams in each, the league has opted to promote three teams each and relegate the bottom five. 

In an email sent to clubs from the South Wales FA, the email read: “The League will consist of a maximum of three divisions each consisting of a maximum of sixteen clubs.

“In order to achieve this, it has been necessary to amend the movement between divisions from three promotions and relegations in accordance with League Rules 2.2.7 to 2.2.9.”

“The association has therefore instructed the league the based upon final points per game promotions, the bottom five clubs shall be relegated from the Premier Division and Division One and replaced by the top three clubs in Division One and Two respectively.”

As a result of the three up and five down model, it has seen Caerau, Caerphilly Athletic, Ely Rangers, Grange Albion and Sully Sports relegated. 

Taking their place in the division after being promoted from Division One, Aber Valley, Cardiff Corinthians and Llanrumney United have moved up a level in the system.

They will compete with Aberdare Town and Bridgend Street in the Premier Division after the former Welsh League duo weren’t admitted to the FAW’s Tier Three Leagues.

Earning two consecutive promotions and taking their place in Division One of the Alliance League are Canton Rangers and Maesteg Park.

The two sides were promoted via the play-offs last season and move up alongside Vale United. 

Dropping into the bottom division of the Alliance League are Aberfan Social, Cardiff Airport, Cogan Coronation, Cornelly United and Treforest.  

In the final act of relegation to be implemented by the association, Graig and AFC Wattstown have lost their Alliance League status and have been demoted to the feeder leagues. 

Taking the place of Graig and Wattstown’s in the division are Bettws and Nelson Cavaliers who were promoted after winning their leagues on a points-per-game basis.

The pair were promoted after holding the highest points-per-game average in their respective divisions.

AFC Abercynon, Fairwater, Gwynfi United, Island Marine, Tongwynlais and Treherbert BGC have missed out on promotion in doing so.

“Although we had hoped to be able to arrange play-off matches as in previous years, this has proved impossible owing to the COVID 19 situation and unlikely we can arrange such games prior to the start of the new season.

“After taking advice, the association feels this cannot be achieved.

“Accordingly, it was decided to award promotion to the three highest-placed clubs based upon an unweighted points per game average of their playing records during the 2019/20 League season.”

(Featured Image: Mike James)