What to look out for in the Cymru South – including ex-Cardiff City star, Newport County favourite
With the beginning of the Novira Cymru South just around the corner, here is everything you need to know ahead of the new season, featuring the 16 best sides from South Wales outside of the top tier in Welsh football.
What’s the format this year?
Firstly, the league format returns to how it was before last season, with there no longer being three promotion spots available, but instead only a possible two.
At the other end of the table, three sides will be relegated, compared to just one last season (Cwmbran Celtic).
The league winners will be automatically promoted into the newly revamped Cymru Premier, while the team finishing second will play a semi-final playoff game against the runners-up from the Novira Cymru North.
The winner of that match will then face the team finishing 14th in the Cymru Premier in a playoff final, with a place in the top tier up for grabs.
Llanelli face total revamp
One team hoping to bounce straight back into the highest level of Welsh football will be Llanelli Town, after finishing bottom of the Cymru Premier last season.
However, they do not enter this campaign as one of the favourites for promotion due to the vast majority of their squad moving on. The likes of Joe Lloyd and Tristan Jenkins have joined Briton Ferry, while captain Sean Cronin departs Stebonheath Park for Afan Lido.
This follows the losses of star striker Ethan Cann, midfield maestro Theo Warton, and manager Lee John, who all departed within a few weeks of each other midway through last season.
Expect to see plenty of youth and energy from Llanelli this year, with the signing of young forward Calum Salter, who contributed 13 goals and assists last season for Ynyshir Albions, expected to lead the frontline.
The re-signing of Miles John and the addition of Keane Whitmore from Carmarthen will give the club a much different look compared to two years ago, when they were favourites for the division.
Caerau Ely push for promotion
On paper, it is difficult to argue against Caerau Ely being right among the leading contenders this season.
Their transfer window has seen some big names arrive at Cwrt-yr-Ala Road, including Lewis Harling, Owen Bancroft, and the returning Lathan Garett. This comes after they narrowly missed out on promotion last season, finishing just three points away from reaching the Cymru Premier.
Caerau have also managed to keep hold of both Dan Griffiths and Tim Parker as their main attacking options, with both scoring 11 goals last season and proving a handful for every defence in the division.
The additions of Harvey Sing, Josh Graham, and Adam Coomer provide Dean Wheeler’s side with even more options as they look to go one step further this time around.
Afan Lido’s new look
After a disappointing campaign last year, Afan Lido have undergone plenty of change as they look to become one of the league’s toughest sides to beat.
Lido appointed Lee John as their new manager, and he has brought several familiar faces with him to Aberavon. Sean Cronin, Jamie Baker, Adam Robbins, Morgan Evans, and Alex Giardelli have all joined from his previous clubs as he begins to shape his squad.
The signings of Rio Dyer, Dan Lewis, Jack Pascoe, and David Thomas add further quality, while goalkeeper Aaron Jones also returns from Trethomas.
With a busy transfer window behind them and John in the dugout, it would be surprising to see Afan Lido in the same position as last season. If the squad can gel quickly, they could be challenging near the top of the table.
New era at LHP Stadium
After two decades of service, it was announced in April that Carmarthen Town manager Mark Aizlewood would be stepping down.
Therefore, it is now up to his assistant, Rhodri Thomas, to take the reins of the Old Gold.
Once again, Carmarthen are expected to compete near the top of the division, having retained the majority of their squad despite losing Liam Reed, Lewis Harling, and Morgan Weaver.
Players such as Liam Thomas, Lewis Reed, Luke Cummings, Mason Jones-Thomas, and Tyler Aylward have all remained, leaving Thomas with a strong squad heading into the new season.
Sam Parsons, Dion Phillips, and Ryan Bevan have all joined Carmarthen ahead of the campaign, with all three familiar with second-tier football.
The Old Gold have been knocking on the door for several seasons — could this finally be the year they get over the line?
Newly promoted sides enter the Cymru South
As always, the Cymru South welcomes three new clubs this season, with Caerphilly Athletic, Pure Swansea, and Pontadawe Town making the step up.
Caerphilly Athletic’s remarkable rise
Winners of the Ardal South East League last season, Caerphilly Athletic’s rise in recent years has been remarkable.
They were playing in the fifth tier in 2023 and, in just three years, now find themselves one division away from the best teams in Wales.
Much of the credit must go to manager Ian Butterworth, who has overseen Athletic’s rapid progression.
Their squad contains exciting talents such as Drew Perrett and Josh Pope, alongside experience from captain and former Barry Town player Troy Hiscock-Greening.
The departure of forward Iwan John to Merthyr Town was a huge loss, with the striker scoring 36 league goals last season. However, they have strengthened with the arrivals of Liam Reed from Carmarthen Town and Izzac Follon from Caerau Ely.
Pure Swansea return to the second tier
Formerly known as Swansea University FC, Pure Swansea return to the second tier after winning the Ardal South West League last season.
Under their previous name, they actually won the division in the 2019/20 season, but were unable to gain promotion due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Big signings such as Brad Gibbings, Noah Osbourne, Kane Draper, and Danny Williams have strengthened Jack Midwinter’s side, while the addition of Gary Taylor as assistant coach provides valuable experience.
Pontadawe Town back in Cymru South
The third promoted club entering the Cymru South this season is Pontadawe Town, who defeated Cwmbran Town in the Ardal Playoff Final in May.
Pontadawe return to the second tier after a two-year absence under new manager Steve Berry.
They have a strong blend of youth and experience, with plenty of promising young players emerging last season. They have also added reinforcements, including former professional Dan Alfei, to strengthen an already solid defence.
When they were last in the division, Pontardawe developed a reputation as a difficult away trip, and Berry will hope they can recreate that atmosphere while securing survival.
Ex-pros join the fray
One signing that cannot go without mention is the arrival of 42-year-old Michael Chopra at Trethomas Bluebirds.
The former Newcastle United and Cardiff City striker comes out of retirement and is set to play competitive football for the first time in ten years, since his spell with Kerala Blasters in India.
Another major transfer this summer was Adam Roscrow’s return to boyhood club Llantwit Major. Roscrow joins after two seasons with Cardiff Met in the Cymru Premier.
The Major have made several additions throughout their squad and, with Karl Lewis in charge, could prove to be outsiders for a high finish.
There is also a new dawn at Newport City, after manager Sam Houldsworth stepped back from first-team duties to focus on club operations.
Former Newport County favourite Robbie Willmott takes charge in his first managerial role after retiring from playing at the end of last season.
Willmott returns to the city where he made 241 appearances across two spells with Newport County and has completely rebuilt the squad this summer, bringing in plenty of experience from across South Wales.
Newport City will be one to watch this season and are expected to compete towards the top end of the table.
480 games of entertainment await
480 games of non-stop entertainment await as the Novira Cymru South gets underway this weekend.
The opening fixtures are as follows:
Friday 31st July
Llanelli Town v Newport City — 7.30pm KO
Trethomas Bluebirds v Baglan Dragons — 7.45pm KO
Saturday 1st August (all 2.30pm kick-offs)
Carmarthen Town v Caerau Ely
Llantwit Major v Pure Swansea
Pontadawe Town v Caerphilly Athletic
Ynyshir Albions v Cardiff Draconians
Afan Lido v Aberystwyth Town
Treowen Stars v Pontypridd United
