THE suspension of the Welsh football season has divided opinion among mid Wales clubs.

The County Times spoke to representatives of clubs from the JD Cymru Premier, JD Cymru North and Ardal North East League - the top three tiers of the pyramid - and asked them to share their views.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) suspended the leagues after the Welsh Government imposed a 50 supporter cap on all sporting fixtures - a decision which the FAW said would not be financially viable for clubs.

Newtown Football Club chairman Howard Ellis was confident the season would be completed but had doubts whether fans would be permitted to return.

He said: "As a club we would of preferred to have carried on playing behind closed doors, especially with the momentum we have at the present time and the position we are in the league but we have to accept the FAW's decision.

"Suspending the JD Cymru Premier season was always going to be a difficult decision and to play behind closed doors or suspend the league for a fortnight would have been difficult to please all clubs.

"I find it hard to believe that restrictions will be lifted for supporters to return after January 9 and while football will return we do not know whether it will be with supporters or once again playing behind closed doors."

Meanwhile Llanidloes Town manager Chris Davies said suspending the season made the most sense.

The Daffodils had faced the prospect of playing their festive derbies in front of just 50 supporters had the FAW not suspended the JD Cymru North season.

Davies said: "If I’m being totally honest, under the current circumstances I’m not sure what other options there were really.

"This seems the most sensible approach as the situation seems to be changing on a daily a basis and the restrictions in place for sporting events, and the likely further ones that will inevitably come, mean that competitive football would be hard to sustain on a fair footing for all."

Elsewhere Carno manager Gary Jones could not hide his disappointment with the Ardal North East League season also suspended.

Jones said: "It is frustrating and feels like a step backwards after two years.

"All the clubs and the league have taken huge steps to put in place covid procedures.

"Christmas is the best time to be involved in local football, a time where it unites communities. I am very disappointed."

Meanwhile the MMP-NL Mid Wales League, JT Hughes Montgomeryshire League, Watson Financial Mid Wales League South and Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth League have all been suspended until January 7.