Five vacancies up for grabs in Ardal Leagues after Penparcau withdrawal
Cefn Hengoed 1-2 Aberbargoed Buds in the FAW Welsh Cup at Hengoed Road on the 10th July 2021. Credit: Will Cheshire/YCPD
The Football Association of Wales will have to decide on how they are going to fill the five vacancies in the Ardal Leagues amidst a looming disciplinary case.
There had originally been four spots left after the outcome of the Tier Three Certificate outcomes but Penparcau of the Ardal North East announced their intentions to leave the division.
The Ceredigion-based club cited the cost of match officials, as well as the travel expenses for players for away matches, as well as the requirement of a reserve team as their reasons for their departure.
As such, they will take their place in the Mid Wales League South next season alongside the likes of Aberystwyth University and Radnor Valley.
Out of the eight feeder leagues to the Ardal Leagues, three divisions did not have their Champions promoted; Penlan (West Wales Premier League), Tywyn Bryncrug (Mid Wales League West), and Greenfield (North East Wales Premier Division). All teams did not obtain the Tier Three Certificate which is the requirement that allows them to play at that level.
In the South, Mumbles Rangers (West Wales Premier), Baglan Dragons (South Wales Alliance), Cefn Cribwr (South Wales Alliance), Lliswerry (Gwent Premier), and Blaenavon Blues (Gwent Premier) were promoted.
The Mid Wales East is regarded as a northern feeder league but it was won by Brecon Corries, who would be expected to play in the Ardal South East given their spell in the South Wales Alliance League.
Meanwhile in the North, second-placed Halkyn & Flint Mountain (North East Wales Premier Division), as well as champions Y Rhyl 1879 (North Wales Coast East) and Bodedern Athletic (North Wales Coast West) were promoted, providing the Ardal Leagues with nine promoted.
Llangefni Town and Llanrhaeadr came down from the Cymru North but Bangor City’s withdrawal mid-season has also created a vacancy as it remains unlikely the Citizens will take their place in the third tier after a self-inflicted demotion.
From the Cymru South, Port Talbot Town, Risca United, and Undy Athletic were relegated with Port Talbot likely to take their place in the South West whilst the others are moved to the South East.
A post from the Mid Wales League expects that either Newcastle Emlyn or Builth Wells, who both have a Tier Three Certificate will take one of the vacancies. Wells finished second to Brecon Corries who were promoted meanwhile Emlyn finished second to Tywyn Bryncrug who opted not to be promoted despite their title success.
Bangor 1876, who finished second to Bodedern are the only other runners-up in the North that has the certificate with Llanefydd not successful in their pursuit.
As well as five vacancies, there is an outstanding case that will need to be settled. Aberbargoed Buds are due for a hearing over a potential points deduction which could see them relegated from the South East.
The Buds finished 12th in the division, a whole 11 points ahead of Rhayader, who are due to play in the Mid Wales South next season, but that is dependent on what happens with the case as they could get a reprieve.
It could have repercussions for the lower league of the Gwent Premier Division with the inaugural winners of the Cymru Premier, Cwmbran Town, at risk of being relegated to their lowest level of Welsh football after the restructure of the Welsh pyramid.
List of teams that are in the Ardal Leagues 22/23:
Aberbargoed Buds*, Abertillery Bluebirds, Baglan Dragons, Berriew, Blaenavon Blues, Bodedern Athletic, Bow Street, Brecon Corries, Brickfield Rangers, Caerau, Caersws, Caldicot Town, Cardiff Draconians, Cefn Albion, Cefn Cribwr, Chepstow Town, Corwen, Croesyceiliog, Cwmamman United, Denbigh Town, Dinas Powys, Dolgellau, Dyffryn Nantlle Vale, Felinheli, Garden Village, Goytre, Halkyn & Flint Mountain, Llandrindod Wells, Llandudno Albion, Llanfair United, Llangefni Town, Llanrhaeadr, Llanrwst United, Llanuwchllyn, Llay Welfare, Lliswerry, Llwydcoed, Machynlleth, Monmouth Town, Mumbles Rangers, Newport City, Penrhiwceiber Rangers, Penydarren, Pontyclun, Port Talbot, Rhos Aelwyd, Rhostyllen, Rhydymwyn, Y Rhyl, Risca United, Saltney, Tredegar Town, Treharris Athletic Western, Treowen Stars, Trethomas Bluebirds, Undy Athletic, Welshpool, Ynysygerwn.
