Ardal Leagues & Cymru Leagues promotion and relegation explained

Welsh football’s domestic pyramid is beginning to take shape as the Football Association of Wales have now published the outcomes of their Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 Licence applications.

Promotion to the Cymru Premier has been confirmed for both Barry Town United and Colwyn Bay after final decisions on the Tier One Licence were made on April 20. The Linnets won the Cymru South and the Seagulls won the Cymru North, with Airbus UK and Flint Town United both relegated, and they will both play in the North. It is expected that Llanidloes Town will move to the South, though that is not confirmed.

In the North, we saw Holyhead Hotspur, Penrhyncoch and Conwy Borough finish in the bottom three, but there will be a wait on who will replace them. Caersws won the Ardal North East title after suffering play-off heartache last year, but have been turned down for a Tier Two Licence. They have until Monday, May 15 to submit an appeal, and then a decision should be made on Thursday, May 18 or Friday, May 19.

Cefn Albion and Bow Street, both with one game remaining, are tied on 57 points and are vying for second place. Cefn hold a five-goal advantage going into their final fixture with Dolgellau on Saturday, May 13, meanwhile Bow Street are away at fifth-placed Llanfair United on the same day. Albion say they have been declined due to a ‘minor admin issue’ and confirmed they are appealing but Bow Street did not apply.

In the Ardal North West, Bangor 1876 lead the way, but their campaign has concluded, and now they are hoping for a slip-up from Denbigh Town. Dewi Llion Jones’s side trail Bangor 1876 by a point, but a draw against bottom-place Rhostyllen would confirm their place in the Cymru North. Bangor have a Tier Two Licence, on the basis they play at Nantporth next year, and remain in discussions with the Nantporth Community Interest Company. If the Phoenix club finish second, they could either get an automatic promotion if the second-placed Ardal North East side doesn’t get the licence, or go through the play-offs.

As for the Cymru South, it was Swansea University, Ynyshir Albions and Trefelin BGC that finished in the bottom three, but we still have no champions crowned. Risca United concluded their season top of the league with 62 points, but there is the possibility of Abertillery Bluebirds overtaking them. Aber Bluebirds must win their games against Chepstow Town (ninth) and Treowen Stars (seventh) to win the title. Four points are enough for Ben Murphy’s side to qualify for the playoffs, but there is still a chance Trethomas Bluebirds can finish second, with three games against Treowen, Chepstow and Blaenavon Blues (sixth) remaining. FAW Trophy winners Trethomas, however, have not obtained a Tier Two Licence and must be successful in their appeal, if they are to take part.

In the Ardal South West, the title has not yet been decided, and there are still some games left. Baglan Dragons are top on goal difference and have two games remaining against Garden Village (16th) and Ynysygerwn (sixth). Baglan have a +27 goal difference advantage over Pontyclun, but Barry Quinn’s side have a game in hand. Pontyclun face Penrhiwceiber Rangers (fourth), Cwmamman United (13th), and Treharris Athletic Western (10th) in their final three games. Both sides have Tier Two Licences, and whoever wins the league will obviously go up promoted as champions, but there is still a possibility both sides get overtaken.

Caerau Ely trail by four points but have two games in hand over Baglan and one over Pontyclun. The Young Guns face Treharris, Seven Sisters Onllwyn (11th), Dinas Powys (15th), and Garden Village (16th) in their last match. Caerau Ely got turned down for the Tier Two Licence, and have also been turned down for a Tier Three Licence, and are at risk of being relegated to the fourth tier, despite being in the mix for promotion.

The Ardal North East runs with 15 teams and the North West runs with 14, so there is an uncertainty over how many relegation spots there are. Llandudno Albion however finished 11th, which is outside of the relegation zone, but will no longer exist as a club next the season which means a team could receive a reprieve or a lower division club could be promoted.

A total of six clubs in the North are at danger of being relegated because they don’t have the licence. The highest being Flint Mountain, who finished fourth. Rhostyllen, Hawarden Rangers and Y Felinheli are in the bottom three as it stands with only Rhostyllen left to play a game but they can not move off of bottom. 

As for promotion to the Ardal Leagues, it’s slightly more complicated. It’s usually two promotions per regional leagues, but clubs can also apply for a vacancy, should things not be decided on the pitch. The FAW must also decide where to place teams, for example Llandrindod Wells moved from the South East to the North East last year. 

As it stands, no team are set to come up from Central Wales. Radnor Valley won the Central South but have been turned down for a Tier Three Licence, and the same fate has happened to Hay St Mary’s who are assured of top two spot.

In the Central North, Kerry won the league but did not apply for a licence. Barmouth finished second and have been rejected for a licence, as did third-place Abermule and fifth-place Llansantffraid. 

A promotion from the North East League seems unlikely with Greenfield, Mynydd Isa Spartans and Rhydymwyn all rejected. Greenfield in fifth finished the highest whilst Rhydymwyn withdrew during the season and do not currently have a league. Mynydd Isa Spartans are eighth. 

St Asaph City won the North Wales Coast East Division, and have obtained their Tier Three Licence, which means an immediate return to the third tier. In the West Division, Bethesda won their league and will play in the Ardal Leagues for the first time.

CPD Llannefydd who finished second in the North Wales Coast East, and Pwllheli who are on course for a second-place finish in the North West could fill a vacancy. The North Wales Coast FA is one of two associations that runs two divisions at the fourth tier so only the champions go up, but there could be an opportunity for a vacancy. 

In the South, it’s slightly more straight forward. Cardiff Corinthians won the South Wales Alliance League, and Canton Liberal finished second, and with news of both obtaining the Tier Three Licence, are expected to take their place in the Ardal South West.

Aberbargoed Buds, relegated from the South East last year, have won the Gwent Premier Division, and also have the Tier Three Licence. Abercarn United who finished second which is a promotion spot, but they have not got the licence, but can appeal. 

In the West Wales Premier League, Penlan for a second year in a row have won the league but will not be coming up. They withdrew their licence application and will spend another year in the fourth tier. South Gower – who finished second were also turned down along with Cwm Wanderers (eighth) and Morriston Town (third). Evans & Williams in fourth place was successful. 

Promotion to Cymru Leagues Premier

1st: Barry Town United (Cymru South) and 1st: Colwyn Bay (Cymru North)

Relegated from the Cymru Premier: Airbus UK (Cymru North) and Flint Town United (Cymru North)

Promotion to Cymru Leagues North

Ardal North East

Champions: Caersws (1st) – title won, failed licence awaiting appeal

Play-offs: Cefn Albion (2nd) – failed licence awaiting appeal

At risk of relegation because of licence: Dolgellau (12th), Llanrhaeadr (ninth), Penycae (11th).

Ardal North West

Champions: Denbigh Town (1st) – granted Tier 2 Licence

Play-offs: Bangor 1876 (2nd) – granted Tier 2 Licence

Relegated: Llandudno Albion (11th) – self relegation due to folding, Rhostyllen (14th), Hawarden Rangers (13th)

At risk of relegation because of licence: Flint Mountain (fourth), Llay Welfare (ninth) and Rhostyllen (14th)

Promotion to Cymru Leagues South

Ardal South East

Champions: Risca United (1st) or Abertillery Bluebirds (2nd, must beat Treowen Stars to win the league)

Play-offs: Risca United (1st) or Abertillery Bluebirds (2nd).

Relegated: RTB Ebbw Vale (16th), and Monmouth Town (15th). 

At risk of relegation because of licence: Tredegar Town (15th)

Ardal South West

Champions: Baglan Dragons (1st) – awarded T2 Licence, Pontyclun – awarded T2 Licence, Caerau Ely – failed T2 and T3 Licence.

Play-offs: Baglan Dragons (1st) – awarded T2 Licence, Pontyclun – awarded T2 Licence, Caerau Ely – failed T2 and T3 Licence.

At risk of relegation because of licence: Caerau Ely (third), Cefn Cribwr (seventh), Dinas Powys (15th), Garden Village (16th) and Seven Sisters Onllwyn (11th)

Promotion to Ardal North (geographical location to be decided)

North Wales Coast West Football League Premier Divison:

Champions Bethesda Athletic – awarded T3 Licence

Runners-up: Pwllheli – awarded T3 Licence

Promotion to Ardal Leagues South – (geographical location to be decided)

South Wales Alliance League

Champions: Cardiff Corinthians (1st) awarded T3 Licence

Automatic promotion: Canton Liberal (2nd) – awarded T3 Licence

Gwent Premier Division

Champions: Aberbargoed Buds (1st) – awarded T3 Licence

Automatic promotion: Abercarn United (2nd, confirmed) – failed T3 licence awaiting appeal

West Wales Premier League

Champions: Penlan (1st, confirmed) – withdrawn T3 Licence, will play in West Wales Premier League next year

Runners-up: South Gower (2nd, confirmed) – failed T3 licence awaiting appeal

Possible Vacancy: Morriston Town (3rd) – failed T3 licence awaiting appeal, Evans & Williams (4th, confirmed) – awarded T3 Licence

Promotions

Promotions to Cymru Premier confirmed:

Barry Town United and Colwyn Bay

Promotion to Cymru North and South confirmed:

Denbigh Town.

Promotions to Ardal Leagues confirmed:

Cardiff Corinthians, Canton Liberal, Aberbargoed Buds, St Asaph City Bethesda

(Pic by John Smith/FAW)