Now, though, County have made it clear they will step up if they finish first or second and are have the chance to go up.
“We have been made aware of the possibility of improved benefits and changes within the structure of the Welsh Premier League which may make participation for a club from deepest West Wales a far more realistic proposition,” said Haverfordwest in a statement.
“Another strong reason for this change of stance is the directors awareness of the positive mood currently running through the club, from coaching and playing staff through to club workers and supporters.”
County were relegated from Welsh Premier League football in 2016 and are supporting locally based players produced from a strong academy system.
“The board now feels the time is right to actively promote our ambitions and aspirations as a football club to play at the highest level,” says County’s statement.
“Nothing, however, can be taken for granted and, with the Welsh League being as competitive as it has ever been promotion will only be decided in the final weeks of the season. Also, the task of obtaining a domestic licence is always a difficult assignment to achieve but our club’s application has been made.
“You can now safely assume that our club is doing its utmost to play at the highest level open to it should that opportunity arise.”
Haverfordwest are three points ahead of AFC Llanelli, who have a game in hand, at the top of the table.
This weekend County are at home against Port Talbot Town.
Llanelli are in action this Friday when they travel to play Taffs Well in Cardiff.
Joe Clarke and Jordan Follows scored to put Llanelli 2-0 ahead before half-time in their away clash with Caerau Ely at Cwrt-Yr-Ala.
Nathan Mathias pulled a goal back from a corner and the home team dominated much, forcing the visitors into some desperate defending at times to protect their slender advantage.
Ely created a chance when Ayomide Ajijedidun, who was to be a thorn in the Reds` side throughout, was found in space and made tracks towards goal, but a timely intervention by Chris Thomas forced him to fire wide.
Sam Cawley fired over from an Ashley Park pass before the visitors gradually settled.
Follows sent Luke Jones on a run into the box for Llanelli, but his effort was diverted clear by goalkeeper Scott James and when the ball ran loose, Chris Jones struck the outside of the near post.
Follows then set up another chance for Clarke, but again James came to the rescue by denying Llanelli’s captain.
Caerau Ely: James, Owen (Maynard 55), Park, Thomas, Bridgeman, Davies (Reffell 83), Hughes (Rose-Miles 69); Corne (capt), Ajijedidun, Mathias, Cawley. Subs not used: Evans, Neba.
Llanelli Town: Coughlan, Samuel, Facciuto, March, C Thomas, Bevan, C Jones (Graves 71), Davies, Clarke, L Jones, Follows. Subs not used: Morgan, R Jones; Morris (gk).
Referee: James Burgess (Maesteg).
Dan Jarman fired a hat-trick for Briton Ferry Llansawel in their 3-3 Welsh Football League draw against Undy Athletic.
Briton Ferry, though, were bitterly disappointed not to take all three points.
Gareth Jones (2) and Steve Hughes were the Undy scorers.
Paul Evans has stepped down from his role as Port Talbot Town first team manager.
He has left the role because of a change in his personal circumstances, finishing with a 5-1 win at Ton Pentre.
Rhondda Bulldogs Ton scored first through Nathan Facey, which Luke Bowen equalised.
That was the half-time score, but Port Talbot went on to win with Bowen completing a second half hat-trick and a four-goal tally.
Cortez Belle was Port Talbot’s other scorer, netting after Bowen’s effort was parried.
Port Talbot Town have disbanded their reserve team. The decision has been made by the club management to ease pressure on the club’s under-19 and first team players.
A number of them were having to fulfill fixtures for both their usual squad and the reserves.
Port Talbot have highlighted their sadness that Academy director and first team coach Mark Pike has left the club after 20 years service.
“Mark has been an integral our Academy and youth structure over the last two decades, and has played an important role in the first-team,” said a club statement.
AFC Llwydcoed returned to the Cynon Valley with a victory, scoring the only goal of their match at Dinas Powys in the closing minutes.
The movement and quality shown by two 17-year-old players, Jay Woodford and Liam Price, stood out in the visiting team.
Dinas fielded a young team and began the match looking to gain the initiative through Jordan Martin and Vincent Wattleworth. Llwydcoed responded and began to control possession with Rikki Evans bringing Jay Woodford into good areas.
An early chance fell to Evans and the Dinas goalkeeper Elliott Matthews pulled off a top reflex save.
There was more good play by Llwydcoed with Stuart Evans picking out Ricky Carter, putting more pressure on the Dinas defence. James Bloxham and Ryan Garland showed total commitment to the cause in defence.
Llwydcoed’s defence had to be alert to the danger of Dinas strikers Rhys Palmer and Luke Garland, who tried to find space in the defence.
They had no joy because of the qualities of Llwydcoed’s experienced defenders Gabriel Williams, Luke Davies, Stuart Evans and Scott Walters.
Llwydcoed had lots of possession, but could not score that vital goal and Dinas could thank their goalkeeper Elliott Matthews stopping Ricky Carter from scoring.
Dinas had their best spell with Jordan Martin, Luke Garland and Richie Veale making a big impact.
Finally, Llwydcoed found space and the movement and quality of Woodford picked out Liam Price, who fired a late goal to win the match.
Welsh League Division One results: Briton Ferry Llansawel 3, Undy Athletic 3; Caerau Ely 2,Goytre United 4; Cambrian and Clydach 4, Monmouth Town 1; Ton Pentre 1, Port Talbot 5; Taffs Well 2, Afan Lido 1.