TWO of the region’s top recreation league clubs have made the bold step of applying for promotion to the Spar Mid Wales League.
Penybont and Hay St Marys have been embroiled in a season long race for the Watson Associates Mid Wales League (South) title, which now looks set to go all the way after both applied for promotion.
Penybont United will make history should they follow up their application come the end of the current season.
The Racecourse Ground club meet all Mid Wales League ground criteria but have never left the Mid Wales League (South) or its preceding leagues since formation in 1963.
Chairman Steve Pugh insisted now is the time to look to the future having gauged the strength of the Mid Wales League through the success of Knighton Town, who currently top the second division in their first season since promotion.
Pugh said: “We are not sure whether we will follow up the application, but the club is certainly interested in promotion. The impact Knighton Town and Rhosgoch have had gives us confidence.”
Current leaders Hay St Marys are also bidding to regain their lost Mid Wales League status, following their resignation to rejoin the recreation league ranks in 2010.
Hay St Marys chairman Gareth Ratcliffe said: “There is a long way to go yet and a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the season, however we have a good team and management so hopefully we can on and win the title.”
“The Spar Mid Wales League is the level to which the club aspires and as a club we want to enjoy our football, develop our junior section and offer the best standard of competition that we can to the people of Hay.”
The club’s Forest Road ground already meets all criteria laid down by the Spar Mid Wales League.
The rivals have also been handed a boost by Mid Wales League secretary Phil Woosnam, who confirmed both applications would be accepted in the event of vacancies.
He said: “Should no Mid Wales club be relegated from the Huws Gray Alliance and the Spar Mid Wales League provides a promoted club then there would be two vacancies in the second division so both clubs would be promoted.”