THE future landscape of Welsh football became clearer this week.

Next season the Football Association of Wales (FAW) will complete its restructure with the establishment of four new regional third tier leagues which will feed the existing JD Cymru North and South leagues.

Meanwhile the FAW has also revealed 21 tier three clubs have applied for membership of JD Cymru North next season with Berriew, Caersws, Llanidloes Town and Llandrindod Wells bidding to join existing Mid Wales representatives Guilsfield, Llanrhaeadr, Penrhyncoch and Llanfair United in the second division.

The MMP-NL Mid Wales League One quartet are also among 93 clubs across Wales to apply for membership of next season’s inaugural third tier set-up.

Aberaeron, Bow Street, Caersws,Carno, Berriew, Four Crosses, Kerry, Llansantffraid, Llandrindod Wells, Llanidloes Town, Montgomery Town, Radnor Valley, Tywyn Bryncrug and Welshpool Town have all applied from MMP-NL Mid Wales League One.

Meanwhile Machynlleth, Rhayader Town, Penparcau, Newbridge, Dolgellau Athletic and Borth United have applied to make the step up from MMP-NL Mid Wales League Two.

The FAW will conduct ground inspections in coming weeks with all necessary works and infrastructure criteria to be met by April 30 to be eligible.

The Mid Wales continent have backed themselves to be part of the biggest restructure in Welsh football history.

A Llanidloes Town spokesman said: “Fortunately we fulfil most of the criteria needed for a tier two licence from the work carried out for last season’s application and, save from a couple of very minor projects, we are well on course for this current application.”

Caersws assistant manager Gareth Jones said: “Historically Caersws has always been an ambitious club, hence the application.

“Regardless of division next season we want to compete and establish ourselves and we’re looking forward to a change in structure.”

Berriew manager David Jones has targeted a place in the new third tier having accepted promotion to JD Cymru North unlikely with Llanidloes Town favourites.

Jones said: “We believe we already have the necessary facilities and infrastructure for the third tier so hope our on field performances confirm our place.”

Meanwhile Kerry Football Club’s installation of a new stand has brought the club closer than ever to meeting the new criteria.

A spokesman said: “The club has worked hard over the summer to ensure we have all the things in place to meet the criteria and hope a good season on the pitch will mean we are there on merit.”

Welshpool Town spokesman Russell Cadwallader said the club was ready for the new challenge.

“The club is excited by the proposition of the new league and hopeful it can secure a place in the new structure.

“The club has come a long way in the last six years and feels it is ready for the new challenges the league will present.”

Meanwhile the current second division applicants have also underlined their ambitions to form part of the new Cymru Leagues pyramid.

A Machynlleth Football Club spokesman said: “The club is looking to progress with the team looking strong at moment.

“The club is looking to improve and play at highest level possible and will be working on the facilities in the coming month.”

Rhayader Town manager Dai Davies said: “Rhayader has always been an ambitious club and tried to play at the highest level.

“After a few years of rebuilding and putting the faith in the youngsters and junior football club we feel that the foundations have been laid and our decision to follow that route is paying off.

“Our average age is 19 and the potential is massive and the boys are looking forward to challenge themselves if possible at the highest standard they can achieve.”

Neighbours Newbridge have also set themselves the target of joining the new new league.

Manager Scott Davies said: “We’re looking to go up and given ourselves an opportunity with current league position.”

Meanwhile Penparcau also hope to continue their revival having reformed two years ago.

A spokesman said: “The aim is to go up and we are in a good position in the league to achieve promotion.

“Quite a bit of work needs doing before April which is achievable and we have a lot of people and players helping out to get the work done.

“Our stand is getting a new roof and we need 50 seats which individuals have sponsored so we have sold over 60 and now need to extend the path around the pitch and supply a toilet for spectators.

“It’s not bad going for a team that only reformed two and half years ago.”

Dolgellau Athletic enclosed their ground and installed seating this season to boost their bid.

Spokesman Stephen Parry said: “The club have being making efforts through altering the David Smithies stand and hope to have a minimum of the required 50 seats for now.

“We’ve also erected a new perimeter fence to help enclose and protect the pitch and it’s assets.

“A PA system is on its way, hard standing has already been completed and we also have some plans for the changing rooms.

“It should be completed if and when we’re able to compete in the third tier.”

Borth United Football Club also expressed interest but criticised the funding system.

A statement read: “We are a small but ambitious club with tier three our target.

“However we feel the system hinders the application process for smaller clubs with no funding available to tier four clubs who need improvements to their grounds.

“We are currently looking at funding opportunities to help us tick the boxes.”