The Annual General Meeting of the Spar Mid Wales League was reportedly told that, as things stand, there would now be only 10 teams in the second division for the coming season.
This is due to a number of reasons – no relegation of a Central Wales club from the Cymru Alliance is clearly a good thing but, as discussed in other recent posts, the decision of some clubs to withdraw due to the long trips involved was not so good.
Reserve teams were excluded from the Spar League three years ago, a decision that saw us bid farewell to the likes of Aberystwyth Town, Newtown and Caersws’ second-string sides, but there is a chance some of these could now return.
According to reports in the Powys County Times this week, there is a suggestion some League of Wales/Cymru Alliance clubs could put their reserve teams in the Spar League second division as long as they were ‘rebranded’ as separate clubs.
This would be in much the same way that Presteigne St Andrews introduced CP Llanandras into the Mid Wales League (South) a few years ago.
As things stand, Presteigne would probably have fewer long-distance trips next season as we have lost Llanfair United to the first division, while there will be no day out at the seaside at Aberdyfi this year as they have pulled out of the league, and Llanfyllin Town have also opted for a return to recreational football.
Llandrindod Wells have effectively been replaced by Newbridge who asked to take the step down to the second division while they regroup after a difficult season last year – a decision that earned Dolgellau a reprieve in division one.
No clubs have come up from the four feeder leagues so, as things stand, it will be 10 teams in the second division.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are reportedly willing to take their fight all the way in their efforts to remain in the Mid Wales League (South) next season – even if this means relocating to a ground that is within Wales.
That particular battle looks set to go the distance, while there could be other changes to the Mid Wales League (South) line up for the coming campaign.
Secretary Paul Worts has reportedly indicated there are some doubts over Brecon Town’s participation this year, while Brecon Corinthians were due to enter their Reserve side in the league, but they didn’t attend the AGM at Llandrindod Wells.
One thing is for sure, with disputes and uncertainty rumbling on in both leagues, don’t expect the fixtures out any time soon..