South Wales Alliance League allocations: How the 2023/24 line-up could look
Pencoed Athletic v Bridgend Street in the South Wales Alliance Premier at Bryntirion Park on the 25th February 2023.
The South Wales Alliance League is going through restructuring, and there will be plenty of debates over which clubs end up where.
Acting as the feeder league to the Ardal South West, two teams go up to the third tier of Welsh football, and this year it was league winners Cardiff Corinthians, and runners-up Canton Liberal. We saw one relegation to the SWAL, and that was Dinas Powys who finished last.
The 2023/24 season will see a reduction in teams in each division, with there now being 12 teams in four respective divisions. The Premier Division, which is a tier below the Ardal Leagues has 12, and then Division One 12, before two divisions of 12 in Division Two, which are set to be regionalised.
A reduction in teams means that there are fewer matches to be rescheduled come the business end of the season after postponements in the winter months. Division Two is being regionalied to avoid any midweek matches, which will see distances reduced.
Here’s how we think all four divisions will look like next season, with decisions to be made on promotion, relegation, as well as the placing of 24 clubs in Division Two. *Please note, this is a matter of opinion, rather than the official league, with a decision expected by the South Wales FA.
South Wales Alliance League Premier Divison
Aber Valley, Bridgend Street, Caerphilly Athletic, Cardiff Airport, Dinas Powys, FC Cwmaman, Llanrumney United, Pencoed Athletic, Porthcawl Town Athletic, Ton Pentre, Treherbert BGC, and Vale United.
South Wales Alliance League Division One
AFC Porth, AFC Wattstown, Aberdare Town, Aberfan, Clwb Cymric, Ely Rangers, Garw SBGBC, Llantwit Fardre, Merthyr Saints, Sully Sports, Treforest and Tonyrefail BGC.
South Wales Alliance League Division Two East
AFC Butetown, AFC Whitchurch, Canton Rangers, Cardiff Cosmopolitan, Cogan Coronation, Cwrt Rawlin, Fairwater, Grange Albion, Holton Road, St Albans, St Josephs, and Tongwynlais.
South Wales Alliance League Divison Two West
AFC Penrhiwceiber, Afan United, Bettws, Canton Rangers, Cardiff Cosmopolitan, Cwm Welfare, Cwmbach Royal Stars, Llangeinor, Maesteg Park, Nelson Cavaliers, Penrhiwfer, Penygraig United, Tata Steel United, and Ton & Gelli BGC.
As to how the South Wales Alliance League will work, you’ll see the top two Premier Division clubs promoted to the Ardal Leagues. The bottom two teams will be relegated to Division One.
The top two Division One clubs will be promoted to the Premier Division, and the bottom four clubs relegated to Division Two, where they will be placed based on their geographical location.
The top two clubs from Division 2 East and Division Two West (four promotions) will get promoted to Division One, whilst the bottom Three clubs in the East and West will be relegated to the feeder leagues.
It means six clubs in total will be promoted from the feeder leagues which are; Aberdare Valley, Bridgend & District, Cardiff & District, Cardiff Combination, Merthyr Tydfil, Port Talbot & District, Rhondda & District, Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley.
