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{{Short description|Series of association football leagues in Wales}} |
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{{Use British English|date=January 2022}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} |
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{{More citations needed|date=February 2024}} |
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The '''Welsh football league system''' (or [[League system|pyramid]]) is a series of [[association football|football]] leagues with regular promotion and relegation between them. |
The '''Welsh football league system''' (or [[League system|pyramid]]) is a series of [[association football|football]] leagues with regular promotion and relegation between them. |
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It consists of four main tiers, as well as lower local leagues. |
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While most [[Wales|Welsh]] clubs play in the Welsh pyramid and most clubs in that pyramid are Welsh, [[List of association football clubs playing in the league of another country#England / Wales|five Welsh clubs play in English leagues, and four English clubs play in Welsh leagues]]. |
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==Structure of Welsh football== |
==Structure of Welsh football== |
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===Tier 1: Cymru Premier=== |
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At the top is the [[League of Wales|Welsh Premier League]], which is the only national league in Wales. Below it is the second tier of leagues, covering north and south Wales. The south is covered by the [[Welsh Football League]] while the north and centre is covered by the [[Cymru Alliance]]. The champions of each of these leagues can be promoted to the Welsh Premier League, subject to acceptable ground facilities, and if the champions cannot meet the criteria the runner-up team may be considered. |
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At the top is the [[Cymru Premier]], which is the only national league in Wales and is run by the [[Football Association of Wales]]. |
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==Second and lower tier leagues (North Wales)== |
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===Tier 2: Cymru North and Cymru South=== |
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In the north the Cymru Alliance has only one division, and has a feeder league structure of its own with three regional leagues feeding it—the [[Mid Wales League]] (covering Brecknockshire, Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire and Ceredigion) the [[Welsh Alliance League]] (covering all of the north except Wrexham) and the [[Welsh National League (Wrexham Area)]] (covering the small region around Wrexham). Again, the champions or runners-up of these leagues can be promoted into the Cymru Alliance, given suitable grounds. |
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Since 2019–20, the [[Football Association of Wales]] runs the second tier for the first time after a review of the Welsh league pyramid. Tier 2 is split into a north and central Wales league, [[Cymru North]], and a corresponding league for south Wales, [[Cymru South]]. The champions of each of these leagues can be promoted to the Cymru Premier, subject to acceptable ground facilities, and if the champions cannot meet the criteria the runner-up team may be considered.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Llyr |first1=Owain |title=Welsh football: Leagues restructure confirmed by FAW |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43115645 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522213514/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43115645 |archive-date=22 May 2023 |date=19 February 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Below these third tier leagues are even more localised leagues: in Central Wales there are four leagues feeding into the [[Mid Wales League]] (covering Ceredigion, Montgomeryshire, Mid Wales South, and Aberystwyth areas respectively), while below the Welsh Alliance there are the [[Gwynedd League]] and the [[Clwyd League]] and these even have feeder leagues of their own such as the [[Anglesey League]]. The Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) has two lower divisions of its own and the Clwyd East Football League is the feeder league below it. |
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The Cymru North replaced the [[Cymru Alliance]] whilst the Cymru South incorporated most of the clubs of the then-highest division of the [[Welsh Football League]]. |
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==Second and lower tier leagues (South Wales)== |
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===Tier 3: Ardal Leagues=== |
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In the south, the Welsh Football League has three divisions all covering the whole of the South Wales geographical area, and it is not until the fifth tier of the pyramid that local leagues appear. Promotion to, and relegation from the Welsh League is structured, as in the north, on three regional football associations (Gwent FA, South Wales FA, and West Wales FA). Each can send one promoted team into the Welsh Football League. This is straightforward enough in the Gwent FA area, where there is one senior league, the [[Gwent County League]], whose champions (or runners-up) are eligible, if they satisfy Welsh Football League criteria. (Below the three divisions of the Gwent County, there are the [[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District]], East Gwent, Central Gwent and North Gwent leagues) |
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Since the 2020–21 season, the [[Football Association of Wales]] has run the third tier after a review of the Welsh league pyramid. Tier 3, called the [[Ardal Leagues]] is split into a Northern and Southern League, with each league divided into two regionally based divisions, giving North East, North West, South East and South West leagues, each consisting of a maximum of 16 clubs. In an attempt to avoid dividing the current Mid-Wales teams across all four leagues, the North-East league contains a large contingent of the Mid-Wales teams. The North-West league contains the sides near the North Wales coast. To be eligible to join the league, clubs need to meet the criteria for FAW tier 3 certification. |
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The Ardal Leagues structure replaces the former tier 3 leagues: [[Welsh Football League Division One]], [[Mid Wales Football League|Mid Wales Football League Division One]], [[Welsh Alliance League|Welsh Alliance League Division 1]] and the [[Welsh National League (Wrexham Area)|Welsh National League Premier Division]], leagues based in South Wales, Mid Wales, North West Wales and North East Wales respectively. |
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The South Wales FA area is more complicated however, as this region has two senior leagues of identical status covering the same area, each with two divisions - the [[South Wales Senior League]] and the [[South Wales Amateur League]] - often the champions of these leagues have to play off for the single promotion place to the Welsh Football League. Below these two leagues are local leagues in the towns and cities of South Wales, the champions of which can confusingly be promoted into ''either'' of the higher leagues. |
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There are three relegated clubs from each of the tier 3 leagues at the end of each season. |
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The West Wales FA area is the only one not to have set up a senior league in its area - this means that there are four local leagues (Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath & District) with all their champions potentially having to play-off for the one available promotion place. However as few west Wales clubs can face the prospect of the travelling implications of moving up to the [[Welsh Football League]], this four-way play-off idea is theory rather than practice. The latest clubs to gain promotion from this region were [[Llansawel F.C.|Llansawel]] in 2006 (''from the Neath & District League''), [[West End F.C.|West End]] in 2005 (''from the Swansea Senior League''), [[Ystradgynlais F.C.|Ystradgynlais]] in 2004 (''from the Neath & District League''), [[Cwmamman United A.F.C.|Cwmamman United]] in 2002 (''from the Neath & District League'') and [[Garden Village F.C.|Garden Village]] in 1999 (''from the Carmarthenshire League''). |
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===Tier 4: Area leagues=== |
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==Current system== |
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Below this are six local tier 4 leagues, each run by one of the area associations of Welsh football: |
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*[[Mid Wales Football League|Central Wales League]] (run by Central Wales Football Association) |
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For each division, its official name, sponsorship name (which often differs radically from its official name) and number of clubs is given: |
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*[[North East Wales Football League]] Premier Division (run by North East Wales Football Association) |
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*[[North Wales Coast East Football League]] Premier Division and [[North Wales Coast West Football League]] Premier Division (run by North Wales Coast Football Association) |
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*[[Gwent County League]] Premier Division (run by Gwent County Football Association) |
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*[[West Wales Premier League]] (run by the [[West Wales Football Association]]) |
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*[[South Wales Alliance League]] Premier Division (run by South Wales Football Association) |
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The winners of each league are eligible for promotion to the Ardal Leagues subject to meeting FAW tier 3 certification. In the event that winners do not meet the criteria, the runner-up is also eligible for promotion, again subject to meeting the same tier 3 certification requirements. |
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
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| Level |
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===Lower tier leagues=== |
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| colspan="27"| League(s)/Division(s) |
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====North Wales==== |
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|- |
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Below the [[North Wales Coast East Football League|North Wales Coast East]] and [[North Wales Coast West Football League|West]] there are Division One leagues at tier 5 and [[North East Wales Football League]] has a championship division, also at tier 5. |
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| |
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====Central Wales==== |
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In this area there are three leagues at tier 5 - the [[Ceredigion League]], the [[Montgomeryshire League]], and the [[Aberystwyth League]]. These offer promotion to the tier 4 [[Mid Wales League]] East and West divisions. |
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====South Wales==== |
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Local leagues are affiliated to Gwent County FA, South Wales FA, and West Wales FA respectively, with promotion up the pyramid possible. |
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In the Gwent County FA Area, clubs from the [[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District]], [[East Gwent League|East Gwent]], [[Gwent Central League|Gwent Central]] and [[North Gwent Football League|North Gwent]] leagues have a promotion pathway to Division Two of the [[Gwent County League]] (tier 6). Champions (or runners-up) of these leagues are eligible for promotion if they satisfy FAW criteria. |
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The [[South Wales Alliance League]] offers a promotion pathway to leagues affiliated to the South Wales Football Association. Champions of local leagues in the towns and cities of South Wales play off to be promoted into the South Wales Alliance Division Two (tier 6), subject to meeting licensing requirements. |
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The West Wales FA area has had its own [[West Wales Premier League|Premier League]] since its creation in 2020, having previously having been the only FA area to not have one. Promotion to this tier 4 league is possible from the champions of the [[Pembrokeshire League|Pembrokeshire]], [[Carmarthenshire League|Carmarthenshire]], [[Swansea Senior Football League|Swansea Senior]] and [[Neath & District League]]s, subject to meeting FAW licensing requirements. The top divisions of each of these leagues are at tier 5. |
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==Current system (until 2025-26)== |
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From the 2023-24 season, the following structure will follow. For each division, its official name and number of clubs is given: |
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{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
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|- |
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!width=3%|Level |
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!Total clubs (803 +-) |
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! colspan="24" width="90%" | |
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League(s)/Division(s) |
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|- |
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| |
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1 |
1 |
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|12 |
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| colspan="27"| [[Welsh Premier League]]<br><small>12 clubs</small> |
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| colspan="24" |[[Cymru Premier]]<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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|- |
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| |
|- |
||
| |
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2 |
2 |
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|32 |
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| colspan="8"| [[Cymru Alliance]]<br><small>16 clubs</small> |
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| colspan=" |
| colspan="6" |[[Cymru North]]<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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| colspan="18"|[[Cymru South]]<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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|- |
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| |
|- |
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| |
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3 |
3 |
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|63 |
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| <small>[[Welsh National League (Wrexham Area)|Welsh National League]] Premier Division</small><br><small>16 clubs</small> |
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| colspan="3" |[[Ardal Leagues]] |
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| colspan="2"| <small>[[Welsh Alliance League]] Division One</small><br><small>15 clubs</small> |
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North West |
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| colspan="4"| <small>[[Mid Wales Football League]] Division One</small><br><small>16 clubs</small> |
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| colspan="19"| <small>[[Welsh Football League]] [[Welsh Football League Division Two|Division Two]]</small><br><small>16 clubs</small> |
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15 clubs |
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| colspan="3" |[[Ardal Leagues]] |
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North East |
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16 clubs |
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| colspan="9" |{{small|[[Ardal Leagues]]<br>South West}}<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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| colspan="9"|{{small|[[Ardal Leagues]]<br>South East}}<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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|- |
|- |
||
| |
| |
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4 |
4 |
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|106 |
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| <small>[[Welsh National League (Wrexham Area)|Welsh National League]] Division One</small><br><small>13 clubs</small> |
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| colspan=" |
| colspan="1"|{{small|[[North East Wales Football League]]<br>Premier Division}} {{small|12 clubs}} |
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| colspan=" |
| colspan="1"|{{small|[[North Wales Coast East Football League|North Wales Coast East League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|13 clubs}} |
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| colspan=" |
| colspan="1"|{{small|[[North Wales Coast West Football League|North Wales Coast West League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|15 clubs}} |
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| colspan="1"|{{small|[[Mid Wales Football League|Central Wales Football League]] North Division}}<br>{{small|15 clubs}} |
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| colspan="2"|{{small|[[Mid Wales Football League|Central Wales Football League]] South Division}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
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| colspan="4"|{{small|[[West Wales Premier League]]}}<br>{{small|15 clubs}} |
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| colspan="9"|{{small|[[South Wales Premier League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| colspan="5"|{{small|[[Gwent County League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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|- |
|- |
||
| |
| |
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5 |
5 |
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|143 |
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| <small>[[North East Wales League]] </small><br><small>13 clubs</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[North East Wales Football League]]<br>Championship}}<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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| |
| {{small|[[North Wales Coast East Football League|North Wales Coast East League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
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| |
| {{small|[[North Wales Coast West Football League|North Wales Coast West League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| |
| {{small|[[Montgomeryshire Football League|Montgomeryshire League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|14 clubs}} |
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| |
| {{small|[[Ceredigion League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| |
| {{small|[[Aberystwyth League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|7 clubs}} |
||
| |
| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
||
| |
| {{small|[[Carmarthenshire League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
||
| |
| {{small|[[Swansea Senior League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
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| |
| {{small|[[Neath & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
||
| |
| colspan="9"| {{small|[[South Wales Premier League]] Championship}}<br>{{small|13 clubs}} |
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| |
| colspan="5"| {{small|[[Gwent County League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|15 clubs}} |
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|- |
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| <small>[[Swansea Senior League]] Division One</small><br><small>13 clubs</small> |
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| |
| |
||
| |
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6 |
6 |
||
| |
|92 |
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| colspan="4" | |
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| <small>[[Anglesey League]]</small><br><small>13 clubs</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[Ceredigion League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
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| colspan="1"| |
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| <small>[[Aberystwyth League]] Division Two</small><br><small>10 clubs</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
||
| |
| {{small|[[Carmarthenshire League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Swansea Senior League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
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| |
|||
| |
| {{small|[[Neath & District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| colspan=" |
| colspan="4" | {{small|[[South Wales Premier League]] Division One - West}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| colspan=" |
| colspan="5" |{{small|[[South Wales Premier League]] Division One - East}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| |
| colspan="5" | {{small|[[Gwent County League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
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|- |
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| <small>[[Neath & District League]] Division One</small> |
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| |
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| <small>[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Two</small> |
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| <small>[[Swansea Senior League]] Division Two</small> |
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|- |
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| |
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7 |
7 |
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|182 |
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| colspan="5"| |
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| colspan="4" | |
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| <small>[[Ceredigion League]] Reserves Cup</small><br><small>10 clubs</small> |
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| {{small|[[Ceredigion League]] Division Three}}<br>{{small|7 clubs}} |
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| colspan="1"| |
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| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Three}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Carmarthenshire League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|13 clubs}} |
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| colspan="1"| |
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| {{small|[[Neath & District League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Aberdare Valley League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Bridgend & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Cardiff & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Cardiff Combination League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Merthyr & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Port Talbot Football League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Rhondda & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Vale of Glamorgan League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[North Gwent Football League|North Gwent League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Gwent Central League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Premier X Division}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Premier Y Division}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[East Gwent League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
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|- |
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| |
| |
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| colspan="4"| <small>[[Gwent County League]] Division Three</small><br><small>15 clubs</small> |
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| <small>[[Aberdare Valley League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| <small>[[Bridgend & District League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| <small>[[Cardiff & District League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| <small>[[Cardiff Combination League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| <small>[[Merthyr & District League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| <small>[[Port Talbot Football League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| <small>[[Rhondda & District League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| <small>[[Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| <small>[[Vale of Glamorgan League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| <small>[[Carmarthenshire League]] Division Two</small> |
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| <small>[[Neath & District League]] Division Two</small> |
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| <small>[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Three</small> |
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| <small>[[Swansea Senior League]] Division Three</small> |
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|- |
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| |
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8 |
8 |
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|112 |
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| colspan="7"| |
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| colspan="6" | |
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| <small>[[East Gwent League]] Division One</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Four}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| colspan="2"| |
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| <small>[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Premier Division</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[Neath & District League]] Division Three}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| |
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| <small>[[Aberdare Valley League]] Division One</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[Bridgend & District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
||
| |
| {{small|[[Cardiff & District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
||
| |
| {{small|[[Cardiff Combination League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
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| colspan="2"| |
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| <small>[[Merthyr & District League]] Division One</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[Rhondda & District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
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| |
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| |
| {{small|[[Vale of Glamorgan League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|14 clubs}} |
||
| |
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| <small>[[Vale of Glamorgan League]] Division One</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[Gwent Central League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
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| colspan="2"| {{small|[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
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| colspan="2"| |
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| |
| {{small|[[East Gwent League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
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|- |
|- |
||
| |
| |
||
9 |
9 |
||
|52 |
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| colspan="7"| |
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| colspan="6" | |
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| <small>[[East Gwent League]] Division Two</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Five}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| colspan="4"| |
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| <small>[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Division One</small> |
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| |
| {{small|[[Bridgend & District League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[Cardiff & District League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
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| colspan="3"| |
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| colspan="4" | |
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| <small>[[Cardiff Combination League]] Division Two</small> |
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| {{small|[[Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
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| colspan="4"| |
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| colspan="3" | |
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| <small>[[Vale of Glamorgan League]] Division Two</small> |
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| colspan="2" |{{small|[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
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| colspan="4"| |
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| colspan="1"| |
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|- |
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| |
|- |
||
| |
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10 |
10 |
||
|8 |
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| colspan="7"| |
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| colspan="12" | |
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| |
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| {{small|[[Cardiff & District League]] Division Three}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
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| |
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| colspan="11"| |
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| <small>[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Division Two</small> |
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| colspan="14"| |
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| |
| |
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|- |
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|} |
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==New system (From 2026-27 onwards)== |
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From the 2023-24 season, the following structure will follow. For each division, its official name and number of clubs is given: |
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{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
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|- |
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!width=3%|Level |
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!Total clubs (803 +-) |
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! colspan="24" width="90%" | |
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League(s)/Division(s) |
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|- |
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| |
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1 |
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|16 |
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| colspan="24" |[[Cymru Premier]]<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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|- |
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| |
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2 |
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|32 |
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| colspan="6" |[[Cymru North]]<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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| colspan="18"|[[Cymru South]]<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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|- |
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| |
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3 |
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|63 |
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| colspan="3" |[[Ardal Leagues]] |
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North West |
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15 clubs |
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| colspan="3" |[[Ardal Leagues]] |
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North East |
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16 clubs |
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| colspan="9" |{{small|[[Ardal Leagues]]<br>South West}}<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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| colspan="9"|{{small|[[Ardal Leagues]]<br>South East}}<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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|- |
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| |
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4 |
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|106 |
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| colspan="1"|{{small|[[North East Wales Football League]]<br>Premier Division}} {{small|12 clubs}} |
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| colspan="1"|{{small|[[North Wales Coast East Football League|North Wales Coast East League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|13 clubs}} |
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| colspan="1"|{{small|[[North Wales Coast West Football League|North Wales Coast West League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|15 clubs}} |
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| colspan="1"|{{small|[[Mid Wales Football League|Central Wales Football League]] North Division}}<br>{{small|15 clubs}} |
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| colspan="2"|{{small|[[Mid Wales Football League|Central Wales Football League]] South Division}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
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| colspan="4"|{{small|[[West Wales Premier League]]}}<br>{{small|15 clubs}} |
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| colspan="9"|{{small|[[South Wales Premier League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
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| colspan="5"|{{small|[[Gwent County League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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|- |
|||
| |
|||
5 |
|||
|143 |
|||
| {{small|[[North East Wales Football League]]<br>Championship}}<br>{{small|16 clubs}} |
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| {{small|[[North Wales Coast East Football League|North Wales Coast East League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[North Wales Coast West Football League|North Wales Coast West League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Montgomeryshire Football League|Montgomeryshire League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|14 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Ceredigion League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Aberystwyth League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|7 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Carmarthenshire League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Swansea Senior League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Neath & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="9"| {{small|[[South Wales Premier League]] Championship}}<br>{{small|13 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="5"| {{small|[[Gwent County League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|15 clubs}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| |
|||
6 |
|||
|92 |
|||
| colspan="4" | |
|||
| {{small|[[Ceredigion League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="1"| |
|||
| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Carmarthenshire League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Swansea Senior League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Neath & District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="4" | {{small|[[South Wales Premier League]] Division One - West}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="5" |{{small|[[South Wales Premier League]] Division One - East}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="5" | {{small|[[Gwent County League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| |
|||
7 |
|||
|182 |
|||
| colspan="4" | |
|||
| {{small|[[Ceredigion League]] Division Three}}<br>{{small|7 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="1"| |
|||
| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Three}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Carmarthenshire League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|13 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="1"| |
|||
| {{small|[[Neath & District League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Aberdare Valley League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Bridgend & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Cardiff & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Cardiff Combination League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Merthyr & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Port Talbot Football League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Rhondda & District League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Vale of Glamorgan League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[North Gwent Football League|North Gwent League]] Premier Division}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Gwent Central League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Premier X Division}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Premier Y Division}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[East Gwent League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| |
|||
8 |
|||
|112 |
|||
| colspan="6" | |
|||
| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Four}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="2"| |
|||
| {{small|[[Neath & District League]] Division Three}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| |
|||
| {{small|[[Bridgend & District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Cardiff & District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Cardiff Combination League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="2"| |
|||
| {{small|[[Rhondda & District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Vale of Glamorgan League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|14 clubs}} |
|||
| |
|||
| {{small|[[Gwent Central League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="2"| {{small|[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Division One}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[East Gwent League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
|||
|- |
|||
| |
|||
9 |
|||
|52 |
|||
| colspan="6" | |
|||
| {{small|[[Pembrokeshire League]] Division Five}}<br>{{small|12 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="4"| |
|||
| {{small|[[Bridgend & District League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|11 clubs}} |
|||
| {{small|[[Cardiff & District League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="4" | |
|||
| {{small|[[Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|9 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="3" | |
|||
| colspan="2" |{{small|[[Newport and District Football League|Newport and District League]] Division Two}}<br>{{small|10 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="1"| |
|||
|- |
|||
| |
|||
10 |
|||
|8 |
|||
| colspan="12" | |
|||
| {{small|[[Cardiff & District League]] Division Three}}<br>{{small|8 clubs}} |
|||
| colspan="11"| |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
| Line 154: | Line 362: | ||
*[[List of football clubs in Wales]] |
*[[List of football clubs in Wales]] |
||
*[[List of stadiums in Wales by capacity]] |
*[[List of stadiums in Wales by capacity]] |
||
==References== |
|||
{{Reflist}} |
|||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
*[http://www.welsh-football.net/pyramid.php Welsh Football Magazine's page on the Welsh Pyramid] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091101070956/http://www.welsh-football.net/pyramid.php ''Welsh Football Magazine''{{'}}s page on the Welsh Pyramid] (archived 1 November 2009) |
||
==References== |
|||
{{reflist}} |
|||
{{Football in Wales}} |
{{Football in Wales}} |
||
| Line 165: | Line 373: | ||
{{League systems}} |
{{League systems}} |
||
[[Category:Football leagues in Wales |
[[Category:Football leagues in Wales]] |
||
[[Category:Football league systems|Wales]] |
[[Category:Football league systems in Europe|Wales]] |
||
Latest revision as of 14:25, 22 December 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2024) |
The Welsh football league system (or pyramid) is a series of football leagues with regular promotion and relegation between them.
It consists of four main tiers, as well as lower local leagues.
While most Welsh clubs play in the Welsh pyramid and most clubs in that pyramid are Welsh, five Welsh clubs play in English leagues, and four English clubs play in Welsh leagues.
Structure of Welsh football
[edit]Tier 1: Cymru Premier
[edit]At the top is the Cymru Premier, which is the only national league in Wales and is run by the Football Association of Wales.
Tier 2: Cymru North and Cymru South
[edit]Since 2019–20, the Football Association of Wales runs the second tier for the first time after a review of the Welsh league pyramid. Tier 2 is split into a north and central Wales league, Cymru North, and a corresponding league for south Wales, Cymru South. The champions of each of these leagues can be promoted to the Cymru Premier, subject to acceptable ground facilities, and if the champions cannot meet the criteria the runner-up team may be considered.[1]
The Cymru North replaced the Cymru Alliance whilst the Cymru South incorporated most of the clubs of the then-highest division of the Welsh Football League.
Tier 3: Ardal Leagues
[edit]Since the 2020–21 season, the Football Association of Wales has run the third tier after a review of the Welsh league pyramid. Tier 3, called the Ardal Leagues is split into a Northern and Southern League, with each league divided into two regionally based divisions, giving North East, North West, South East and South West leagues, each consisting of a maximum of 16 clubs. In an attempt to avoid dividing the current Mid-Wales teams across all four leagues, the North-East league contains a large contingent of the Mid-Wales teams. The North-West league contains the sides near the North Wales coast. To be eligible to join the league, clubs need to meet the criteria for FAW tier 3 certification.
The Ardal Leagues structure replaces the former tier 3 leagues: Welsh Football League Division One, Mid Wales Football League Division One, Welsh Alliance League Division 1 and the Welsh National League Premier Division, leagues based in South Wales, Mid Wales, North West Wales and North East Wales respectively.
There are three relegated clubs from each of the tier 3 leagues at the end of each season.
Tier 4: Area leagues
[edit]Below this are six local tier 4 leagues, each run by one of the area associations of Welsh football:
- Central Wales League (run by Central Wales Football Association)
- North East Wales Football League Premier Division (run by North East Wales Football Association)
- North Wales Coast East Football League Premier Division and North Wales Coast West Football League Premier Division (run by North Wales Coast Football Association)
- Gwent County League Premier Division (run by Gwent County Football Association)
- West Wales Premier League (run by the West Wales Football Association)
- South Wales Alliance League Premier Division (run by South Wales Football Association)
The winners of each league are eligible for promotion to the Ardal Leagues subject to meeting FAW tier 3 certification. In the event that winners do not meet the criteria, the runner-up is also eligible for promotion, again subject to meeting the same tier 3 certification requirements.
Lower tier leagues
[edit]North Wales
[edit]Below the North Wales Coast East and West there are Division One leagues at tier 5 and North East Wales Football League has a championship division, also at tier 5.
Central Wales
[edit]In this area there are three leagues at tier 5 - the Ceredigion League, the Montgomeryshire League, and the Aberystwyth League. These offer promotion to the tier 4 Mid Wales League East and West divisions.
South Wales
[edit]Local leagues are affiliated to Gwent County FA, South Wales FA, and West Wales FA respectively, with promotion up the pyramid possible.
In the Gwent County FA Area, clubs from the Newport and District, East Gwent, Gwent Central and North Gwent leagues have a promotion pathway to Division Two of the Gwent County League (tier 6). Champions (or runners-up) of these leagues are eligible for promotion if they satisfy FAW criteria.
The South Wales Alliance League offers a promotion pathway to leagues affiliated to the South Wales Football Association. Champions of local leagues in the towns and cities of South Wales play off to be promoted into the South Wales Alliance Division Two (tier 6), subject to meeting licensing requirements.
The West Wales FA area has had its own Premier League since its creation in 2020, having previously having been the only FA area to not have one. Promotion to this tier 4 league is possible from the champions of the Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea Senior and Neath & District Leagues, subject to meeting FAW licensing requirements. The top divisions of each of these leagues are at tier 5.
Current system (until 2025-26)
[edit]From the 2023-24 season, the following structure will follow. For each division, its official name and number of clubs is given:
| Level | Total clubs (803 +-) |
League(s)/Division(s) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
12 | Cymru Premier 12 clubs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2 |
32 | Cymru North 16 clubs |
Cymru South 16 clubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3 |
63 | Ardal Leagues
North West 15 clubs |
Ardal Leagues
North East 16 clubs |
Ardal Leagues South West 16 clubs |
Ardal Leagues South East 16 clubs | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
4 |
106 | North East Wales Football League Premier Division 12 clubs |
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division 13 clubs |
North Wales Coast West League Premier Division 15 clubs |
Central Wales Football League North Division 15 clubs |
Central Wales Football League South Division 8 clubs |
West Wales Premier League 15 clubs |
South Wales Premier League Premier Division 12 clubs |
Gwent County League Premier Division 16 clubs | |||||||||||||||||
|
5 |
143 | North East Wales Football League Championship 16 clubs |
North Wales Coast East League Division One 9 clubs |
North Wales Coast West League Division One 12 clubs |
Montgomeryshire League Division One 14 clubs |
Ceredigion League Division One 12 clubs |
Aberystwyth League Division One 7 clubs |
Pembrokeshire League Division One 12 clubs |
Carmarthenshire League Premier Division 10 clubs |
Swansea Senior League Premier Division 11 clubs |
Neath & District League Premier Division 12 clubs |
South Wales Premier League Championship 13 clubs |
Gwent County League Division One 15 clubs | |||||||||||||
|
6 |
92 | Ceredigion League Division Two 10 clubs |
Pembrokeshire League Division Two 12 clubs |
Carmarthenshire League Division One 12 clubs |
Swansea Senior League Division Two 11 clubs |
Neath & District League Division One 12 clubs |
South Wales Premier League Division One - West 12 clubs |
South Wales Premier League Division One - East 12 clubs |
Gwent County League Division Two 11 clubs | |||||||||||||||||
|
7 |
182 | Ceredigion League Division Three 7 clubs |
Pembrokeshire League Division Three 12 clubs |
Carmarthenshire League Division Two 13 clubs |
Neath & District League Division Two 12 clubs |
Aberdare Valley League Premier Division 12 clubs |
Bridgend & District League Premier Division 10 clubs |
Cardiff & District League Premier Division 9 clubs |
Cardiff Combination League Premier Division 8 clubs |
Merthyr & District League Premier Division 11 clubs |
Port Talbot Football League Premier Division 9 clubs |
Rhondda & District League Premier Division 8 clubs |
Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League Premier Division 10 clubs |
Vale of Glamorgan League Premier Division 10 clubs |
North Gwent League Premier Division 12 clubs |
Gwent Central League Division One 10 clubs |
Newport and District League Premier X Division 9 clubs |
Newport and District League Premier Y Division 9 clubs |
East Gwent League Division One 8 clubs | |||||||
|
8 |
112 | Pembrokeshire League Division Four 12 clubs |
Neath & District League Division Three 12 clubs |
Bridgend & District League Division One 11 clubs |
Cardiff & District League Division One 10 clubs |
Cardiff Combination League Division One 9 clubs |
Rhondda & District League Division One 8 clubs |
Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League Division One 9 clubs |
Vale of Glamorgan League Division One 14 clubs |
Gwent Central League Division Two 9 clubs |
Newport and District League Division One 10 clubs |
East Gwent League Division Two 8 clubs | ||||||||||||||
|
9 |
52 | Pembrokeshire League Division Five 12 clubs |
Bridgend & District League Division Two 11 clubs |
Cardiff & District League Division Two 10 clubs |
Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League Division Two 9 clubs |
Newport and District League Division Two 10 clubs |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
10 |
8 | Cardiff & District League Division Three 8 clubs |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
New system (From 2026-27 onwards)
[edit]From the 2023-24 season, the following structure will follow. For each division, its official name and number of clubs is given:
| Level | Total clubs (803 +-) |
League(s)/Division(s) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
16 | Cymru Premier 16 clubs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2 |
32 | Cymru North 16 clubs |
Cymru South 16 clubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3 |
63 | Ardal Leagues
North West 15 clubs |
Ardal Leagues
North East 16 clubs |
Ardal Leagues South West 16 clubs |
Ardal Leagues South East 16 clubs | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
4 |
106 | North East Wales Football League Premier Division 12 clubs |
North Wales Coast East League Premier Division 13 clubs |
North Wales Coast West League Premier Division 15 clubs |
Central Wales Football League North Division 15 clubs |
Central Wales Football League South Division 8 clubs |
West Wales Premier League 15 clubs |
South Wales Premier League Premier Division 12 clubs |
Gwent County League Premier Division 16 clubs | |||||||||||||||||
|
5 |
143 | North East Wales Football League Championship 16 clubs |
North Wales Coast East League Division One 9 clubs |
North Wales Coast West League Division One 12 clubs |
Montgomeryshire League Division One 14 clubs |
Ceredigion League Division One 12 clubs |
Aberystwyth League Division One 7 clubs |
Pembrokeshire League Division One 12 clubs |
Carmarthenshire League Premier Division 10 clubs |
Swansea Senior League Premier Division 11 clubs |
Neath & District League Premier Division 12 clubs |
South Wales Premier League Championship 13 clubs |
Gwent County League Division One 15 clubs | |||||||||||||
|
6 |
92 | Ceredigion League Division Two 10 clubs |
Pembrokeshire League Division Two 12 clubs |
Carmarthenshire League Division One 12 clubs |
Swansea Senior League Division Two 11 clubs |
Neath & District League Division One 12 clubs |
South Wales Premier League Division One - West 12 clubs |
South Wales Premier League Division One - East 12 clubs |
Gwent County League Division Two 11 clubs | |||||||||||||||||
|
7 |
182 | Ceredigion League Division Three 7 clubs |
Pembrokeshire League Division Three 12 clubs |
Carmarthenshire League Division Two 13 clubs |
Neath & District League Division Two 12 clubs |
Aberdare Valley League Premier Division 12 clubs |
Bridgend & District League Premier Division 10 clubs |
Cardiff & District League Premier Division 9 clubs |
Cardiff Combination League Premier Division 8 clubs |
Merthyr & District League Premier Division 11 clubs |
Port Talbot Football League Premier Division 9 clubs |
Rhondda & District League Premier Division 8 clubs |
Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League Premier Division 10 clubs |
Vale of Glamorgan League Premier Division 10 clubs |
North Gwent League Premier Division 12 clubs |
Gwent Central League Division One 10 clubs |
Newport and District League Premier X Division 9 clubs |
Newport and District League Premier Y Division 9 clubs |
East Gwent League Division One 8 clubs | |||||||
|
8 |
112 | Pembrokeshire League Division Four 12 clubs |
Neath & District League Division Three 12 clubs |
Bridgend & District League Division One 11 clubs |
Cardiff & District League Division One 10 clubs |
Cardiff Combination League Division One 9 clubs |
Rhondda & District League Division One 8 clubs |
Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League Division One 9 clubs |
Vale of Glamorgan League Division One 14 clubs |
Gwent Central League Division Two 9 clubs |
Newport and District League Division One 10 clubs |
East Gwent League Division Two 8 clubs | ||||||||||||||
|
9 |
52 | Pembrokeshire League Division Five 12 clubs |
Bridgend & District League Division Two 11 clubs |
Cardiff & District League Division Two 10 clubs |
Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley Alliance League Division Two 9 clubs |
Newport and District League Division Two 10 clubs |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
10 |
8 | Cardiff & District League Division Three 8 clubs |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
[edit]- Football in Wales
- Welsh Cup
- Welsh League Cup
- FAW Premier Cup
- List of football clubs in Wales
- List of stadiums in Wales by capacity
External links
[edit]- Welsh Football Magazine's page on the Welsh Pyramid (archived 1 November 2009)
References
[edit]- ^ Llyr, Owain (19 February 2018). "Welsh football: Leagues restructure confirmed by FAW". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
