Welsh football club relegate themselves – weeks before new season

Welsh football club Llandrindod Wells have taken the step of voluntarily relegating themselves just days before the start of the new season.

They have withdrawn from the Ardal North East League in a bid to safeguard the club’s long-term future. The Spamen were due to kick off their sixth successive campaign at Tier Three on August 4, but instead will compete two divisions lower in the Mid Wales South League after a dramatic late decision.

The move comes after discussions involving the club’s players, management team and committee, with all parties agreeing that stepping away from the Ardal Leagues was the best course of action.

Club relegates itself to fifth tier of Welsh football

In a statement, chairman Rob Nicholls described the decision as “extremely difficult”, but insisted it was made with the club’s future firmly in mind.

“Following consultation with our players, management team and committee, we have taken the extremely difficult decision to withdraw from the Lock Stock Ardal North East League,” he said.

Nicholls thanked both the Ardal Leagues for accepting the club’s late withdrawal and the Mid Wales South League for welcoming their application to compete at Tier 5.

He stressed the move should not be viewed as the end of the club’s ambitions, but the beginning of a rebuilding process.

“This is not the end for Llandrindod Wells FC. Instead, it is an opportunity to reset, rebuild and secure a sustainable future for our club.”

The chairman pointed to a similar crossroads in the early 2000s, when the club withdrew from the Mid Wales League before embarking on one of the most successful periods in its history.

That era saw Llandrindod earn three promotions, lift the Emrys Morgan Cup and three Radnorshire Cups, while also enjoying memorable runs in the Welsh Cup, Welsh Trophy and Central Wales Cup.

Nicholls also paid tribute to everyone connected with the club over the last quarter of a century, thanking players, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for their dedication.

Looking ahead, he believes the move could create fresh opportunities for the club’s younger talent to step into senior football while helping establish a stronger foundation for the future.

“We are determined to build a strong, sustainable future for Llandrindod Wells FC, and we would love the local community to be part of that journey,” he added.

Llandrindod Wells tried to sign over 60 players

In a further explanation to the Ardal Leagues, Llandrindod revealed that last season’s struggles had contributed to a significant turnover in both playing and committee personnel, while their efforts to rebuild the squad during pre-season had proved unsuccessful.

“Last season was a very difficult season both on and off the pitch for us. As a result, a number of first-team players have departed, as well as numerous resignations from our committee,” the club said.

“This pre-season, despite attempting to sign over 60 players, we have failed to attract any new signings to join the club and have had to cancel two of the three pre-season fixtures we arranged as a result of not having enough players available.”

Those difficulties ultimately led to discussions between the playing squad, management team and committee, with the decision taken that stepping away from the Ardal Leagues was the most responsible course of action.

The decision follows a difficult summer for the club. It was recently confirmed that James Barker and Jack Evans had both departed, joining Canton and Goytre respectively, while a scheduled pre-season friendly against Abergavenny Town was also cancelled.

During their five-year spell in the Ardal Leagues, Llandrindod Wells initially competed in the southern division due to their geographical location, finishing eighth in their debut campaign. A league reshuffle in 2022 saw them switch to the Ardal North East, where they recorded successive finishes of seventh, eighth and 13th before ultimately opting to withdraw ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Despite the upheaval, Llandrindod are still expected to fulfil their upcoming cup commitments, with home ties against Trearddur Bay in the Welsh Cup and FC Tredegar in the Amateur Trophy at The Broadway currently set to go ahead, according to the Cymru Football app.

(Featured Image: Barcud-Coch Photography)