Ardal Leagues allocations: How the 2023/24 line-up could look

Welsh football bosses are to meet shortly to discuss the make-up of the Cymru Leagues and the Ardal Leagues.

The FAW have a meeting with Llanidloes Town on Monday which could see them move from the Cymru North to the Cymru South. Two Northern teams were relegated from the Cymru Premier, and it has been suggested that the Daffodils could move, but the Powys club are against it. 

Wherever Llanidloes end up could have an effect on the feeder leagues. The National Game Board must make a decision on where to place the 32 teams in the Cymru North and South, and the 64 teams in the third tier. 

For the past few seasons, teams have withdrawn from the Northern divisions, either before the season begins or during the campaign. It’s left them with either 14 or 15-team leagues, and that’s less than ideal.

In the South, the teams have embraced the two leagues, and we’ve seen big crowds and more derby matches. The introduction of a play-off, which is something we haven’t had before the lower leagues has really benefitted the game. 

Below, we offer our opinion on how all four leagues should look, and why we’ve made the decision.

Ardal North East

No team in the top five got a Tier 3 Licence in the North East Wales Premier Division and that’s problematic. Greenfield in fourth won the league last year but couldn’t replicate that feat. They’d for sure be under consideration for a promotion and we’ve seen last year how Llangollen Town finished fifth but got a promotion. In this instance, we’ve decided against it, and not promoted Greenfield. They will for sure though have a case.

Hawarden finished second from bottom in the North West but given it was a 14-team league, they could be given a reprieve and moved to the North East. 

They would move other with Saltney Town. We’d also see Radnor Valley promoted as Champions, and then Hay St Mary’s given a vacancy. 

• Cymru Leagues and Ardal Leagues transfer tracker: Every deal from summer window

Ardal North West

We’ve decided to move out Bow Street and Penrhyncoch which aren’t too far from one another. Bow Street had already been in the North East, but moving them across to the North West could bring them closer to the likes of Barmouth, Dolgellau, and Llanuwchllyn. 

You’ll notice that we’ve given CPD Llanefydd a promotion. They finished second to St Asaph City in the North Wales Coast, and that shows that they could be competitive on the pitch next season. 

Combined Ardal North Leagues.

Here are all 32 teams of our respective Ardal Leagues in the North, as you can see. The geographical makeup makes sense. You can make your own conclusion though.

Ardal South East

Aberbargoed Buds – back in the league after a season away following their relegation following a massive points deduction – will be joined by Abercarn United, who finished second and got their Tier 3 Licence on appeal. All teams relegated from the Cymru South will go into the South West, so there’ll need to be a bit of rejigging, and we think that Treharris Athletic Western will move across to the South East, whilst Pill, who finished third in the Gwent Premier Division, would fill one of the vacancies.

Alternatively, you could move Penydarren over from the South East, and promote Morriston Town to the South West. 

Ardal South East: Aberbargoed Buds, Abercarn, Blaenavon Blues, Brecon Corries, Caldicot, Chepstow Town, Goytre, Lliswerry, Newport City, Pill, Risca, Tredegar, Treharris Athletic Western, Treowen Stars, Trethomas and Undy

Ardal South West

Swansea University, Trefelin BGC, and Ynyshir Albions were all relegated from the Cymru South, and they’ll likely be playing in the South West next season. They’ll be joined by Cardiff Corinthians and Canton Liberal, promoted from the South Wales Alliance League, whilst South Gower would come up from the West Wales Premier League.

An alternative decision could be that third-placed Morriston Town come up from the West Wales Premier League, and Penydarren moved to the South East.

Ardal South West: Canton Liberal, Cardiff Corinthians, Cardiff Draconians, Cefn Cribwr
Llwydcoed, Mumbles Rangers, Penrhiwceiber Rangers, Penydarren, Pontyclun
Port Talbot, Seven Sisters Onllwyn, South Gower, Swansea University, Trefelin
Ynyshir and Ynysygerwn

Combined Ardal Leagues South

*Please note this is a matter of opinion and is not of the FAW, who will release their allocations next month. 

(Pic by Sam Eaden/FAW)