THE Football Association of Wales has received 24 applications for the Domestic Club Licence for season 2010/11, which is a pre-requisite for competing in the restructured Welsh Premier League next Season.
And there has been no application from Technogroup Welshpool
The FAW announced in June that a restructured 12 team League will be formulated for the 2010/11 season with all clubs having to attain the Domestic Club Licence, the process of which has now started and concludes in April.
The deadline for applications has now passed with Technogroup Welshpool the only current Welsh Premier side to have chosen not to apply. The strict infrastructure guidelines in the Domestic Licence, means that Welshpool would have been extremely unlikely to meet the grade at their current Maesydre home.
The other 17members of the current Welsh Premier League have all applied, but a maximum of five clubs will not form the new league, even if they do gain a Licence.
The-restructured League of 12 will consist of the highest 10 Licensed clubs, based on the standings at the end of the current season. They will be joined by one of Afan Lido, Barry Town or Bridgend Town, but only if they finish in the top two and gain an FAW Licence. Similarly one of the four Cymru Alliance clubs to have applied who are Buckley Town, Caernarfon Town, Llandudno FC and Llangefni FC, will also be promoted, but once again, only if they finish in the top two and gain an FAW Licence.
If there is not an eligible club from the feeder leagues to gain promotion under the above criteria, the 11th and possibly 12th best placed licensed club from the Welsh Premier League will also play in the top division in 2010/11.
FAW head of competitions and club lcensing manager, Andrew Howard, said: “It’s the start of what is going to be a very interesting, but demanding process on the clubs and the Association.
“The key objective of this system is to enhance the product of the National League in Wales and the Licence will drive this forward. It will improve stadia, youth development, manager’s qualifications, administration and finances, to name but a few benefits and I’m convinced that this will ensure that the League goes from strength to strength.”
“I’m pleased with the number of applicants which highlights the ambition of some of the clubs currently outside the Principality Welsh Premier League, but it’s also a figure which is manageable administratively.”
The list of FAW Domestic Club Licence Applicants is;
Principality Welsh Premier League - Aberystwyth Town, Airbus UK Broughton, Bala Town, Bangor City, Caersws, Carmarthen Town AFC, Cefn Druids AFC, GAP Connah’s Quay, Haverfordwest County AFC, Llanelli AFC, Neath, Newtown AFC, CPD Porthmadog, Port Talbot Town, Prestatyn Town, Rhyl and The New Saints
Welsh League Division 1- Afan Lido, Barry Town AFC and Bridgend Town AFC
Cymru Alliance - Buckley Town, Caernarfon Town, Llandudno and Llangefni