Cymru Premier change prize of Play-Off to SPFL Trust Trophy spot
Caernarfon, Wales 29 May 2021. JD Cymru Premier UEFA Europa Conference League play-off Final between Caernarfon Town and Newtown AFC. Credit: Will Cheshire / Clwb Peldroed.
The Cymru Premier for the 2021/22 season at least have changed the play-off prize from a European spot to a place in the SPFL Trust Trophy.
The prize was usually awarded for the winner of the Nathaniel MG Cup, however, a loss of a place in Europe, means a shuffling of the prizes on offer in Welsh football.
After a reduction in European spots following years of below-par results by Welsh clubs in Europe, Wales is down to three for the 2021/22 campaign.
The play-offs have run in the Cymru Premier since the restructuring of the league in 2010/11 and have usually been contested by the teams finishing fourth and seventh.
There is good news though as The New Saints stand on the verge of a playoff spot after a 4-2 victory over Viktoria Plzeň, have significantly improved the coefficient situation, and Wales are predicted to be 49th, enough to earn their spot back for 2022/23.
For this season at least, clubs will now only qualify for Europe if they win the Cymru Premier, finish second or win the Welsh Cup.
As in previous years, the teams who finish in first and second may win the Welsh Cup, which could see third-place qualify for Europe and earn an SPFL Trust Trophy spot.
It is a significant drop in prize money. Both Bala Town and play-off winners Newtown knocked out in the first qualifying round, have earned a reported £212,000 from their involvement in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Add to that, no non-Scottish clubs have not been entered into this season’s Scottish Challenge Cup.
The decision was taken to avoid clubs from England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Wales making any ‘unnecessary travel’ to Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
