Football

Mid Wales League finalises revamp

by Adam Hughes

SPAR Mid Wales League secretary Phil Woosnam (pictured) will outline the advantages of a reduced 16-team division one and a new division two at the league’s AGM in Newtown this week.
The final membership of the new second division will be confirmed at the meeting, and is set to include Cambrian Tyres Aberystwyth and District League champions Bont, and runners-up Tregaron Turfs, along with Aberaeron from the Costcutter Ceredigion League.
Mid Wales champions Penparcau are set to take their place in division one, alongside rivals Aberystwyth University, Bow Street, Tywyn/Bryncrug and Dolgellau.
Reserve teams, including Aberystwyth Town, will no longer be permitted to play in the league, while last season’s runners-up, Rhayader, are set to step up into the Cymru Alliance, with Berriew moving in the opposite direction.
Woosnam will argue that fixture backlogs will be averted by reducing the number of teams in division one from 18 to 16, and that clubs in both divisions will benefit from grant aid from the FAW.
“This is the third year that I have been General Secretary and it was probably the most difficult one to date, due to the inclement weather that we have been faced with throughout the season,” he said.
“The season commenced with a full compliment of 18 clubs which does cause a problem at this level, especially for clubs without lights, but next year should be slightly easier, weather permitting, with the league restricted to 16 clubs.
“A total of 30 fixtures is, I believe, just about right for players at this standard of football. The FAW has recognised the problems associated with down-sizing in the pyramid structure, and has given permission for this League to run a Second Division from now on.
“The down-sizing has not hit this league as we once thought, with only Berriew being relegated from the Cymru Alliance, and it is likely that Rhayader will take their place next season at that level.
“With the Reserve teams now being unable to further compete at this level, Llanfyllin, will probably be the only team that will be relegated to the new division two.
“I still feel that football in this area is certainly on the up, with several clubs once again seeking promotion to join this League.
“Long may this situation continue as it can only be healthy for the game in this area. Our new clubs of Dolgellau, Hay St Mary’s and Llansantffraid Village survived in their first season, with the Saints lifting the League Cup trophy.
“The proposed promoted clubs of Builth Wells and Llanidloes Town into the new division one are most welcome, and I wish them a successful season ahead.”
Woosnam added: “I am especially pleased to report that grant aid available to those clubs in division one will be £60k next season, and it will be £30k for division two.
“This means that clubs in this area will once again be able to improve facilities for both players and spectators alike, which benefits the game’s overall image.”
Division one will include Aberystwyth University; Berriew; Bow Street; Builth Wells; Carno; Dolgellau; Dyffryn Banw; Hay St Mary’s; Llanidloes Town; Llanrhaeadr; Llansantffraid; Newbridge; Penparcau; Presteigne; Tywyn/Bryncrug and Waterloo Rovers.
The new division two is set to include Aberaeron; Abermule; Bont; Four Crosses; Kerry; Llandrindod Wells; Llanfair Utd; Llanfyllin; Meifod; Montgomery; Penybont; Rhosgoch; Talgarth and Tregaron.
Champions Penparcau will be prominent in the end of season awards, with Mike Gilbert picking up the Spar Mid Wales Manager of the Season, and Mathew Davies being the league’s Top Scorer.
Shane Sutton from Presteigne is the Spar Player of the Season.
• The Spar Mid Wales League Annual General Meeting will be held at Newtown’s Latham Park on Thursday, 24 June at 7.30pm.

District League in decline

CAMBRIAN Tyres Aberystwyth and District League chairman Malcolm Richards has reported that league membership has reduced by 20 per cent in five years.
Following the successive promotions of Tywyn/Bryncrug, Bow Street, Penparcau and Dolgellau into the Spar Mid Wales League, the district league also part company with champions Bont and runners-up Tregaron this year.
Bont were the only football club to retain unbroken membership of the league since its inception.
“I wish both teams every success in their venture,” said chairman Malcolm Richards in his report to the league AGM last Wednesday.
“I have great admiration for the teams who have ambitions to play in what is perhaps a higher standard of football, although it unfortunately depletes the number of teams we have in our own league.
“With no applications for entry from new teams this coming season, and if all last season’s teams enter for the new season, we will only have 20 teams in total for 2010/11, some 20 per cent less than five years ago. The number of division one matches could be four less per team next season.”
Mr Richards said that the make-up of the two divisions will not be known for certain until after 8 July, by which time all applications for entry must be submitted.
He stated that the Executive would meet shortly after that date to decide on the format of the League, adding that clubs were welcome to submit their ideas.