Haverfordwest County will not compete in Europa Conference League playoffs
ABERYSTWYTH, WALES - 09 MARCH 2021: Ben Fawcett of Haverfordwest scores a Goal to make it 1 -1 during the JD Cymru Premier league fixture between Aberystwyth Town F.C & Haverfordwest County A.F.C, Park Avenue Stadium, March 9th, 2021, Aberystwyth, Wales (Pic By John Smith/FAW)
Haverfordwest County will not compete in this seasons Europa Conference League playoffs, it has been revealed.
The Bluebirds have opted not to apply for the UEFA Licence, which is a certificate in Welsh football which entitles clubs to compete in Europe.
The club say they are able to meet a majority of the requirements however first-team manager Wayne Jones does not possess the UEFA Pro Licence which is the requirement to manage in Europe.
Haverfordwest have opted to keep Jones in charge rather than demoting him and appointing another coach or manager who does possess the qualification in his place.
Despite this, the club remain confident they can achieve the domestic license which would secure their place in the division for another year.
A statement from the club read: “Further to the FAW UEFA Club Licencing application for clubs for the 2021/2022 season that were to be submitted by 31st January 2021, the club had declined to apply on this occasion meaning that we are not eligible to play in European competition next season or be eligible to compete in the playoffs should we finish 7th or higher.
“The fact we are having to post this statement is a credit to Wayne and his team. We want nothing more than to be competing in Europe with Wayne as our First Team Manager as is our three-year plan. However, with our league position as it stands, we are effectively falling victim of our own success.
“The club are working with the FAW to ensure our licencing requirements are met for the 2022/2023 season, and we are extremely confident of having everything in place to obtain our licence and compete in Europe, should we be in a position to qualify. Coaches can apply for a UEFA Pro Licence every two years, with the next applications being open later this year.
The news comes just a week after Haverfordwest County announced the shock signing of former Wales international Jazz Richards.
Clubs in the top six usually compete in one-legged play-offs for a European spot. The position is also opened up to the club which finishes seventh if any teams in the top six win the Welsh Cup, which is also a route of qualification.
Haverfordwest are sixth in the league and have not secured their place in the top six as of yet. Newtown could overtake them with three games remaining meanwhile Caernarfon trail them on goal difference.
They are two points off of Penybont who have a game in hand, as well as four off of third-placed Barry.
The Welsh Cup is due to start from 20 April and will run until June 5, though there are some issues on the feasibility of the competition starting.
Second-tier clubs, who wouldn’t be able to compete in Europe without a UEFA Licence, haven’t yet had their elite status reinstated by Sport Wales.
It is unsure whether the FAW would revise the Welsh Cup format to only include the 12 Cymru Premier teams or whether the competition would be shelved for another year.
If the Welsh Cup is not played this season then the fourth-placed team could receive the European spot, similar to how Barry Town United qualified last year.
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