Carmarthenshire League opts to cancel 2020/21 season
The Carmarthenshire Football League has become the first in Wales to confirm that no senior competitive football will be played in 2020/2021.
League Secretary David Tovey contacted Clubs affiliated to the league informing them of the decision made by the League Council four days before.
The email stated “Given the current situation with the Coronavirus pandemic The Executive Council agreed at its meeting on Tuesday 5th January 2021 that the current season 2020/2021 will be cancelled with immediate effect and the current League structure will be implemented for season 2021/2022 (hopefully to commence in August/September 2021), should all existing Clubs reapply to join for 2021/2022.”
With all football, outside of elite status currently suspended in Wales and with no date for a return, the West Wales based league may well be a forerunner from which others follow. With no competitive football it will leave many Clubs and players questioning the requirement for the FAW ‘Comet registration’ to be completed and the payment of £10 per adult player and £5 per junior.
The Tier 5 of the pyramid league organises football for over sixty senior clubs from Whitland to Pontardullais and a host of junior games from mini football upto under 16. All Clubs are required to pay an affiliation fee to the West Wales Football Association for each team, which runs close to £1,000 for some Clubs who have a flourishing senior and junior section.
However the CAFL Secretary’s email went further stating “All Senior and Junior League and Cup fees will be carried forward and used for the 21/22 season, but should any Club not reapply then their fees would be refunded in full. All player registration fees received by CAFL of £2 per player will be refunded to all Clubs.”
The Cymru Premier is at a stand still until the end of January whilst the tier below, the Cymru North and South was all set to begin this month until the Welsh Government announcement postponing all training and games outside of elite status clubs.
Tovey was proactive with his wording in the email “should the restrictions be relaxed and football return in the next four months then any future Senior and Junior friendlies will be organised by the League along with appointed referees to ensure those who wish to play can have regular fixtures.
The League will also seek to arrange a Cup competition (free to enter) for those that would wish to participate if time allows later in 2021.
The email concluded with the CAFL asking everyone to take care and stay safe, “and that Clubs would be “updated when we have further information from the Welsh Government and the FAW about when training etc will be able to start again.”
