The dilemma the FAW is now facing after STM Sports decide to fold

The Football Association of Wales have been faced with another key decision to make this summer following STM Sports’ decision to fold.

The dust has not yet settled on the four newly-formed divisions, with branding for the third tier still yet to be announced, but today they have received a setback.

Last season’s Nathaniel MG Cup runners-up have left a gap in the South Western Division of the new Tier Three Leagues by ending their 14-year existence.

In their parting statement, the club claimed that Welsh football is becoming ‘elitist’ and that the pressures are becoming greater from the authorities and from a financial standpoint.

The immediate aftermath of STM’s demise means that Welsh football’s governing body must decide how they are to move forward.

64 teams were admitted to the North East, North West, South East and South West Leagues on July 10, and now they are down a club without a ball being kicked. 

There are three solutions for the FAW to consider to rectify the matter.

One option is offering Builth Wells the vacancy which they had applied for.

The Bulls had applied for a place in the third tier after missing the deadline for clubs in December.

The Powys side finished fourth in Division One of the Mid Wales League – formerly the third tier of Welsh football – but were not admitted to the league.

Instead, they were announced as part of the Central Wales FA’s new Mid Wales Eastern League.

Late admission to the third tier would surely see them placed in the Eastern Division, alongside fellow mid-Walian sides Llandrindod Wells and Rhayader Town.

A like-for-like geographical replacement for STM Sports, in the form of Cardiff Draconians, is also an alternative for the FAW.

The Dracs – a club which have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to improve their facilities – also have a case to plead. 

A precedent was set when Abertillery Excelsiors – champions of the Gwent Premier Division – were admitted to the Eastern League, moving up two divisions in the pyramid structure. 

The Draconians didn’t win their division, finishing second to Pencoed in the South Wales Alliance League, however, they did secure a Tier Three Certificate.

Applications from clubs in the fifth tier were primarily a statement of intent. They were an indication that teams were willing and able to step up in the unlikely event of clubs from the third and fourth-tiers being unable to fulfil their place in the new leagues.

Now, with the Excelsiors in a higher division and the Draconians in waiting, the ball could firmly be in their court.

A look at the FAW’s pyramid regulations issued in 2017/2018 could work in the Draconians favour.  

“Subject to Regulation 3(f), the number of clubs promoted to a Directly Affiliated League must equate to the number of clubs relegated from the Directly Affiliated League, unless this would result in a division of the Pyramid Tiers 1 – 4 having more or less than 16 teams in the next playing season. 

“In such circumstances, the FAW may consider reducing the number of clubs relegated from the higher Directly Affiliated League; increasing the number of clubs relegated from the lower Directly Affiliated League or increasing or decreasing the number of clubs promoted into or out of any of the affected Directly Affiliated Leagues.

Former Welsh League winners Aberdare Town are another club who will be eager to play in Tier Three.

Relegated from Division Two of the Welsh League – the fourth tier at the time – the Cynon Valley side felt aggrieved earlier this month when they weren’t admitted to Tier Three.

They were granted the Tier Three Certificate and, in the last few years, rented out their ground to Pontypridd Town to meet the Tier Two criteria. 

Asked whether they would consider taking a spot if offered, the club said: “We are sure that the FAW will have procedures in place for such eventualities.

“If we had a chance to play at Tier Three we would but currently we continue to plan for the new South Wales Alliance Premier Division season unless told otherwise.”

A fourth and final option is that the FAW run the division with just 15 teams.

After Colwyn Bay’s return to Welsh football, the 2019/20 Cymru North was played with an odd number of teams and that could be the approach they adopt.

One could argue, however, that without a ball being kicked and no date set for the 2020/21 season, a decision could be made to fill the gap.

Clubs in the FAW’s new Tier Three Leagues are due to pay their £135 membership fee on Friday 31 July, so clubs will want to seek clarity on the matter.

With the summer transfer window now open and teams in a phased return to training, a decision will be need to be made quickly to avoid a disruption to the new-look Welsh pyramid.

(Featured Image: Jordan Jones and Will Cheshire)