Cardiff City and Newport County to enter Nathaniel MG Cup

Cardiff City and Newport County have been invited to participate in the 2020/21 Nathaniel MG Cup. 

Both clubs have no selection rules imposed on them, meaning fringe players from could feature for a mixed side against Welsh clubs.

They will be entered into Round One of the competition, which will include 26 Cymru Leagues sides and will be regionalised into a North and South region.

The invite by the Football Association of Wales could open the door for the exiled clubs to play in the Welsh domestic system as wildcard entries.

Cardiff City last played in a senior Welsh domestic competition in 2008 in the since defunct FAW Premier Cup.

Newport meanwhile played in the 2011/12 Welsh Cup but have not been invited since UEFA deemed that clubs in the English pyramid system could not represent Wales in Europe.

Since 2019/20, the winners of the Welsh League Cup have been granted a place in the Scottish Challenge Cup. 

However this season, Welsh sides haven’t been invited to the Cup and last years winners Connah’s Quay had qualified through their league position. 

The Round One draw will be conducted tomorrow and the fixtures will take place on the weekend of 11/12 December. 

Teams who will be entering at Round One of the Nathaniel MG Cup:

Cymru South: Afan Lido, Ammanford, Cambrian & Clydach Vale, Cwmbrân Celtic, Goytre United, Llanelli Town, Llantwit Major, Pontypridd Town, Port Talbot Town, Risca United, Taffs Well, Trefelin BGC and Undy Athletic.

Cymru North: Bangor City, Buckley Town, Colwyn Bay, Conwy Borough, Gresford Athletic, Holyhead Hotspur, Holywell Town, Llandudno, Llangefni Town, Llanidloes Town, Llanrhaeadr, Penrhyncoch and Ruthin Town

Wildcards: Cardiff City and Newport County.

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell and Mike James)