LLANDRINDOD Wells Football Club will take its place in the new national third division next season.

Four regional leagues will kick-off next season at level three of the pyramid, covering north west, north east, south west and south east Wales.

Llandrindod Wells and Rhayader Town have both been selected to compete in the new south east league alongside Aberbargoed Buds, Abergavenny Town, Abertillery Bluebirds, Abertillery Excelsiors, Caldicot Town, Chepstow Town, Croesyceiliog, Goytre, Monmouth Town, Newport City, Panteg, Tredegar Town, Treowen Stars and Trethomas Bluebirds.

Spamen manager Gareth Jones expressed delight at the news though disappointed local rivals Builth Wells missed out on the cut having shone in the Mid Wales League under the management of Dylan McPhee last season.

Jones also paid tribute to the Mid Wales League and wished the league well for the future.

“It’s obviously an exciting new challenge for us. It was going to be either the north east or the south east so plenty of travelling either way,” said Jones.

“It’s also a sad time as having played in the Mid Wales League, we part ways with most of the local footballing family and a fantastically well organised league.

“We must also say that it will be sad to not be renewing rivalries with Builth Wells who somehow miss out as they had a fantastic season on a number of fronts last year.”

However Jones was now looking ahead to bringing a higher standard of football to the town.

He said: “From the clubs’ point of view we always strive to give our players the opportunity to play at the highest standard.

“There will certainly be a step up for us as a result of the restructure but one we are looking forward to.”