Twenty-five clubs apply for the right to compete in Cymru Premier
Kane Owen of Penybont in action. Penybont v Pontypridd United in the JD Cymru Premier at Bryntirion Park on the 27th September 2022.
Thirteen clubs from the Cymru North and Cymru South have signalled their intention to play in the Cymru Premier.
Clubs in Tier One and Tier Two had until Friday, September 30, to submit an application for a Tier 1 Licence for the 2023/24 season. The Tier 1 Licence is a requirement for playing in the top flight of Welsh football.
More than half the clubs in the Cymru South have begun the process, whilst in the North there are only four clubs.
All 12 of the clubs currently in the Cymru Premier have also applied, with no club self-demoting themselves at this stage of the application process.
Ammanford; Barry Town United, Briton Ferry Llansawel, Cambrian & Clydach BGC, Carmarthen Town, Goytre United, Llanelli Town, Llantwit Major and Taffs Well have all applied from the South.
Defending champions Llantwit Major applied for a licence last season but were rejected. Pontypridd United – who finished second – took their place in the top flight and erected a new stand and television gantry.
Llanelli Town are the current leaders of the second tier in South Wales with 20 points from a possible 24 on offer. Lee John’s side have yet to lose a league match this season with six wins and two draws.
Briton Ferry Llansawel and Cambrian & Clydach Vale were both successful with their application last season and are currently fourth and third respectively.
Barry Town United, relegated from the Cymru Premier last season, are in second place and trails Llanelli by two points. They have also applied for their licence although they are on the hunt for a new manager after Gavin Chesterfield’s departure in November.
Other applicants include Carmarthen Town in fifth place, who were relegated in the 2019/20 season. Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-finalists Taffs Well in sixth and Goytre United in 13th place have also applied.
As for the North, Colwyn Bay – managed by UEFA Pro Licence holder Steve Evans – are top of the division.
The Seagulls are unbeaten under his stewardship and have won seven games, drawing one in their opening eight league matches. They lead second-place Holywell Town who haven’t applied for the licence by three points.
Last season’s runners-up Llandudno, are third in the current league standings and want to take their place back in the league after their relegation in 2019.
Buckley Town, who have never played in the top flight since its inception in 1992 are amongst the applicants. The Cefn Druids, currently managed by former Wrexham defender Neil Ashton, are eighth after their relegation last season.
