The JD Cymru Premier returns tonight celebrating its 30th anniversary season – but Wales’ national league continues to battle against a lack of mainstream support.
Since its inception in 1991, when the FAW succumbed to international pressure from other FIFA nations over its lack of its own dedicated national league, the league has endured a constant battle to find its place in the Welsh sporting landscape.
The league’s struggles to attract healthy attendances remain a cause for concern – a mere 352 was the average for the 2021/22 season. And clubs face a constant, and some would say losing, battle to strike the balance between being sustainable whilst also being competitive, both domestically and in European competition, where results have generally been underwhelming.
Even those who do actively support the league remain divided over the scheduling of the league, with ‘summer football’ being a fiercely debated topic, along with the league’s much maligned 12 club format that means some teams play each other four times a season, even before cup ties are taken into account.
Despite its challenges, the evolution of the league across the past three decades has seen a steady improvement.
Followers of the league will point to the improving standard of football, coaching education and playing surfaces. Crucially, these are helping challenge some longstanding and unfair negative perceptions about the quality of the league.
The fact last season’s champions The New Saints are 1/20 odds-on favourites with the bookmakers to retain the league title however, tells you that there is still plenty of work to be done in improving the Cymru Premier.
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The New Saints are hugely dominant in the Cymru Premier, having been crowned champions on 10 of the last 13 seasons. But although their one-team superiority is not an issue exclusive to Welsh football, their unique position as the league’s only full-time professional club creates a huge advantage over the rest of the competition.
Under returning manager Craig Harrison, the title is theirs to lose this season. So much so, anything less than a 12 point lead at the end of the season would be a surprise.
Fortunately, the rest of the field is far more unpredictable and the race for qualifying for Europe (via finishing second) and the relegation battle should provide enough excitement to maintain interest of the casual observer.
Connah’s Quay, now with returning ex-coach Neil Gibson in charge, are expected to battle it out with Bala Town, Newtown and Penybont for that elusive European place.
Caernarfon Town and Haverfordwest County, who also have a new face in the dugout in Tony Pennock, should not be far behind either.
The rest of the league is wildly unpredictable. There is little to separate Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth Town, who appointed Met assistant Anthony Williams as their new manager over the summer, whilst Lee Fowler has taken over the reigns of a Flint Town United squad, who’ve lost a lot of players from last season.
Airbus UK Broughton return to the top-flight, looking to continue their momentum following their title winning season in the Cymru North. Pontypridd United come up from the Cymru South and are competing in the Cymru Premier for the first time in their history.
In a move to speed up the production line of Welsh talent, youth players can expect more involvement this season following the introduction of a new substitution rule.
To encourage clubs to use younger players, clubs can also bring on two Under-19 players in Cymru League matches, in addition to the usual three substitutions (from five named players).
The new ruling could allow some breakout names to emerge in the Cymru Premier this season, and providing you’re prepared to look past the very top of the table, the next few months should prove to be another wild ride.
JD Cymru Premier opening weekend fixtures (Sat 2:30 unless stated)
Airbus UK v Aberystwyth (7.45 Fri)
Cardiff Met v Connah’s Quay
Haverfordwest v Caernarfon Town
Newtown v The New Saints
Pontypridd United v Flint Town United (5.45 Sat, Sgorio)
Penybont v Bala Town (2.30 Sun)
Featured image courtesy of John Smith/FAW