Welsh Premier shock as Bangor City are kicked out of league
WELSH football bosses have delivered a shock by kicking out threetime winners Bangor City from their flagship Welsh Premier League.
Bangor, who have been in the league since its inception in 1992, will be demoted to the Cymru Alliance League – tier two of the Welsh football league system – for next season.
Currently third in the Welsh Premier, they will not be eligible to compete for the Europa League.
The news comes as a huge blow to Bangor, who have been one of the Welsh Premier’s staunchest backers and are regularly amongst the biggest-supported clubs in the competition.
The decision was made after the Football Association of Wales’ Licensing Appeals Body met in Cardiff yesterday.
They considered appeals from Bangor (UEFA & Tier 1 Licence), Connah’s Quay Nomads (UEFA & Tier 1) and Llanelli Town (Tier 1), who were each refused the relevant licences on April 6.
The Tier 1 Licence is mandatory to take part in the Welsh Premier and the UEFA Licence is a pre-requisite for European club competitions.
Bangor have regularly represented Wales in Europe, but won’t be able to take their place in the competition next season.
An FAW statement said: “The Appeals Body were not satisfied that Bangor City has rectified the original concerns of the First Instance Body.”
Clubs are assessed against strict criteria including sporting performance, infrastructure, personnel and legal and financial matters.
In a strong statement issued yesterday, Bangor City FC said: “At 4.10pm we received the news that our Welsh Premier League licence and Europa League qualification appeal has been revoked for failure to meet the financial criteria requirements.
“After gaining automatic Europa qualification, we find ourselves without a Welsh Premier League licence for 2018-2019.
“Incredibly, the football club has built a championship-contending squad with excellent sponsorship, investors and shareholders who have backed the club for the past two seasons.
“On the field we’ve finished third, and off the field we find ourselves up to date with HMRC VAT and PAYE, all wages for squad and staff paid up to date, no football creditors, no pressing debt, stadium grants being matched by new investment, but find ourselves now without a WPL licence for season 2018-2019!
“We will take stock of the situation over the next few days and make further announcements in due course.
“In the meantime we ask all the supporters to stand with us as we aim to get the club back in the WPL as soon as we can. We will work with the relevant parties at the FAW to ensure we are never in this position in the future.”
Meanwhile, Connah’s Quay Nomads was awarded the UEFA and Tier 1 Licences after an appeal and Llanelli Town were also successful with their appeal for a Tier 1 Licence. After winning the Welsh League Division One title, it means Llanelli are promoted to the Welsh Premier League.
The appeals decisions also have an impact on the make-up of the league and the end-of-season European qualification and play-offs – especially for Carmarthen Town and Llanelli Town.
The Welsh Premier League said: “Bangor City will be relegated alongside Prestatyn Town. This means that Carmarthen Town will be reprieved, and will play in the JD Welsh Premier League next Season.
“Caernarfon Town and Llanelli Town have both been promoted to the JD Welsh Premier League after their successful licence applications.”
Connah’s Quay Nomads will be awarded an automatic UEFA Europa League place by virtue of their league position, while Bala Town, Cefn Druids, Cardiff Met and Barry Town United have qualified for the European playoffs – the make-up of which now depends on the result of the JD Welsh Cup final between Aberystwyth and Connah’s Quay.
FAW Tier 1 Licence and UEFA Licence for 2018/19 Season (10 clubs):
Aberystwyth Town, Bala Town, Barry Town United, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Carmarthen Town, Cefn Druids, Connah’s Quay Nomads, Llandudno, Newtown, The New Saints.
FAW Tier 1 Licence for 2018/19 Season (6 clubs):
Airbus UK Broughton, Caernarfon Town, Flint Town United, Haverfordwest County, Llanelli Town, Rhyl.
Refused FAW Domestic Licence for 2018/19 Season: Withdrawn Applications:
Bangor City.
Penybont, Porthmadog, Prestatyn Town.
■ The news came on the eve of the final round of Welsh Premier League matches tonight.
Bangor head to Bala for what will be their swansong, while Connah’s Quay travel to Cefn Druids for the televised S4C clash.
The students of Cardiff Met head to champions The New Saints, while reprieved Carmarthen go to Barry Town United.
Prestatyn bow out of the league after just one season back in the top flight, to be replaced by Caernarfon Town, with a home clash with Llandudno.
Prestatyn bow out of the league after just one season back in the top flight, to be replaced by Caernarfon Town, with a home clash with Llandudno.
Newtown visit Aberystwyth, who are free from relegation jitters for the first time in many months.