Cymru South: Pontypridd United, Newport City, Caerau Ely, and stars to play European football

The Cymru South regional squad that will represent Wales at the intermediate round of the UEFA Regions’ Cup has been confirmed by new manager Gruff Harrison.

Harrison takes charge of the side after Andy Hill stood down from his role to focus on Trefelin’s Cymru Premier campaign, having guided the regional team through the qualifying process last season.

Hill’s side secured a 6-1 aggregate victory over a North Wales representative team in May to book their place in the next stage of the competition.

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What Cymru South players are included?

There are several changes to the squad that achieved that qualification, with several players now plying their trade in the Welsh top flight and therefore ineligible under the competition’s rules.

The 18-man squad contains representatives from eight clubs, with Pontypridd United providing the largest contingent.

Pontypridd have four players in the squad, while Pure Swansea and Newport City each have three.

Cardiff Draconians and Pontardawe Town have two players apiece, with one representative each coming from Caerau Ely and Treowen Stars. Ardal South West side Penrhiwceiber Rangers and Ynysygerwn are also represented.

Harry JOHNSON (Cardiff Draconians), Nat OSBORNE (Pontardawe Town), Kian BODENHAM (Newport City), Clayton FARRAH (Pontypridd United), Dan INGRAM (Pure Swansea), Jack TURNER (Caerau Ely), Adam WARD (Newport City), Thomas GAMESON (Treowen Stars), Warren JONES (Penrhiwceiber Rangers), Kyran STEADMAN (Newport City), Olly REDHEAD (Ynysygerwn), Sam CAWLEY (Cardiff Draconians), Casey COUGHLIN (Pure Swansea), Josh DORWARD (Pontardawe Town), Ethan EDWARDS (Pontypridd United), Jack JONES (Pontypridd United), Mason KELLY (Pure Swansea), Kofi ROWE (Pontypridd United)

How do players qualify?

The unique nature of the Regions’ Cup means Harrison cannot simply select the strongest players available to him.

Players must never have signed a professional contract and must not have played a single minute in a top-flight league.

They must also be aged between 19 and 40, while nationality is not a requirement.

Players do not have to be Welsh, but they must have been registered with their region for at least two years.

Those regulations have played a significant part in shaping the squad, particularly following the qualifying campaign, as several members of the previous group have since moved into the Cymru Premier and are therefore no longer eligible.

Hill steps aside as Harrison takes charge

Harrison’s appointment comes after Andy Hill left the regional set-up to concentrate on Trefelin’s Cymru Premier campaign.

Hill had overseen the side’s successful qualification campaign, culminating in a 6-1 aggregate victory over a North Wales representative team in May.

That result secured the regional team’s place in the UEFA Regions’ Cup intermediate round.

Harrison now inherits the side for its next challenge, with the squad set to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina for three group matches.

“It’s an honour; the overriding feeling is pride, but hunger or drive is the next feeling,” said Harrison upon his appointment to Y Clwb Pêl-droed.

“We’re not going there to make up the numbers; I want us to go and be competitive.”

When are the Regions’ Cup games?

Harrison’s side will compete in Group One, with all three fixtures taking place between 2 and 8 September.

Their campaign begins against Bitola of North Macedonia on 2 September, before they face Cilicia of Armenia on 5 September.

The final group fixture comes against Zenica-Doboj of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 8 September.

The tournament provides regional players with the opportunity to represent their area on an international stage, and Harrison will now look to guide this new-look Cymru South and Ardal South West-based squad further into the competition.

Speaking about the tournament make-up, he said: “We’ve got a squad of 18 for three games in ten days, but boys are going to be playing two or three days before we leave, so it’s more like four games in sort of 12, 13 days.

“We’re going to need every player, so it’s about managing their recovery, trying to recover as quickly as possible to make sure we’re as fresh as we can be for the next game.”