The Cymru Premier season begins this evening with a number of games taking place.
With a new name following a re-brand from the Welsh Premier League, we embark on a new era of Welsh football.
It’s mostly the same teams, bar the promotion of Airbus UK Broughton and Penybont.
Are we in for a title race?
It’s spoken about every year and for the past eight, TNS have shown the gulf in class.
The New Saints ended up winning the title by some margin last season, despite looking for most parts there would be a title race.
Nomads did achieve their record points tally but didn’t earn anything for it.
Their squad has been reduced but they’ve put more emphasis on their star players. They’ll want to keep on TNS’ toes and for the league itself, it would be good to see another title challenge.
General football fans just want to see a race at the top.
Airbus and Griffiths back in top-flight
Both Airbus UK Broughton and Rhys Griffiths are back in the Welsh top flight, following a number of years away.
Airbus UK, managed by Steve O’Shaughnessy, look like they could bark up a few trees this season. O’Shaughnessy knows the division well as a manager and has recruited well, focusing mainly on bringing players in with top tier experience.
Players like Andy Owens and Jordan Evans will give Airbus that much-needed experience of playing at this level, as they try and assist last season’s Cymru Alliance winning team.
Also returning to the Welsh top flight is seven-time Golden Boot winner Rhys Griffiths, who leads Penybont into their first season in the Welsh top flight.
Griffiths who is studying for his UEFA Pro Licence has made a positive start to life as a manager, earning a league title in just his second season.
Penybont’s recruitment has seen them take some of the Welsh League’s best and with someone as driven as Rhys Griffiths, the club will be hopeful they can steer away from any relegation worries this season.
The continued development of young players
More young players have turned to the Cymru Premier as the league to develop themselves.
Cardiff City have sent a total of three players out on loan to South Walian clubs and could see the benefits of their young stars playing in a competitive division.
Given the success of players like Ben Cabango, Macauley Southam-Hales and Momodou Touray, it could be another season where it’s the younger players who stand out.
The Cymru Premier has embraced its status of being a development league for most players, which is a good thing. Crowds are exposed to young players, who could later make a move in the professional game.
More European pedigree
We’ve seen some impressive results this summer in Europe. Connah’s Quay beating Kilmnarock away from home and Met only going out on away Progrès Niederkorn.
Some Cymru Premier sides have shown their progress in European competition and with a big performance needed next year, our clubs will want to build on their performances.
The unpredictability of the League
The title race may be a forgone conclusion but one of the exciting things about the League is the qualification for Europe.
Met, having qualified for the top six for two seasons missed out, having suffered two play-off final defeats. A lowest ever finish in the League though last season saw them finally qualify for Europe alongside winning the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Who’s to say Airbus UK or Penybont won’t qualify for the play-offs? For the last three seasons, a promoted side has been involved in the European play-offs.
(Featured Image: Matthew Lofthouse)
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