NEWTOWN have been granted a domestic licence to boost the club’s hopes of maintaining their unbroken Welsh Premier status.


The club were one of 14 to attain a licence, which is required to participate in the Welsh Premier and takes into account financial, sporting and academy status.


Aberystwyth Town, Afan Lido, Airbus UK Broughton, Bala Town, Bangor City, Carmarthen Town, Port Talbot Town, Prestatyn and TNS joined Newtown in being successful.


However two Welsh Premier clubs failed and will now be forced to pin their hopes on an appeal on April 28.
 

Llanelli and Gap Connahs Quay would be demoted should they fail to win the appeal, which would mean Newtown would escape the drop if they ended 11th, while Afan Lido would also be reprieved.
 

Runaway Huws Gray Alliance champions Rhyl were joined by Cefn Druids and Llandudno in attaining a licence, along with Welsh League One side Haverfordwest County, the only applicants from South Wales, which continues to show apathy towards the Welsh Premier League.


Should Haverfordwest County fail to end in a promotion place they would be ineligible to make the step up and that would see the 11th placed club in the Welsh Premier saved from the drop.
 

It is a similar situation to last season when Newtown were left waiting for a fortnight after the end of the Welsh Premier season, as the feeder leagues were completed.


In 2012, Taffs Wells had stolen second from Haverfordwest County in their final game of the season, to ensure Newtown were spared drop and their top flight membership extended for another season.