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Ardal Leagues

{{short description|Association football league in Wales}}

{{Infobox football league

| logo = Ardal_Leagues_logo.png

| pixels = 300px

| country = {{WAL}}

| divisions = 2

| founded = 2020

| teams = 64

| promotion = {{plainlist |

}}

| relegation = Central Wales Football League
North East Wales Premier
North Wales Coast East Premier
North Wales Coast West Premier
Gwent Premier
South Wales Premier
West Wales Premier

| levels = 3

| domest_cup = Ardal North Cup
Ardal South Cup

| confed_cup =

| champions = Brickfield Rangers (NE)
Rhyl 1879 (NW)
Treowen Stars (SE)
Cardiff Draconians (SW)

| most_champs =

| tv =

| current =

| website =

}}

The Ardal Leagues{{cite web |title=ARDAL LEAGUES COMPLETE DOMESTIC PYRAMID RESTRUCTURE |url=https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/ardal-leagues-complete-domestic-pyramid-restructure/ |publisher=Football Association of Wales |access-date=28 July 2020 |date=28 July 2020 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728120320/https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/ardal-leagues-complete-domestic-pyramid-restructure/ |url-status=live }} are a football league in Wales. The word "ardal" translates as "district" in English, with Wales split into four regions at this level. They have clubs with amateur/semi-professional status and sit at the third level of the Welsh football league system. The first year of their operation would have been 2020–21 but the 2020–21 Ardal North East season, 2020–21 Ardal North West season, 2020–21 Ardal South East season and 2020–21 Ardal South West season were all cancelled.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jordan |title=Football season cancelled for many in Wales after FAW meeting |url=https://clwbpeldroed.org/2021/02/04/football-season-cancelled-wales-faw/ |access-date=14 April 2021 |work=Y Clwb Pêl-Droed |date=4 February 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414135029/https://clwbpeldroed.org/2021/02/04/football-season-cancelled-wales-faw/ |url-status=live }} The inaugural season was moved to 2021–22. The creation of the leagues mark the first time the Football Association of Wales owns and is administering tier 3 of the Welsh league system. These changes follow from a review of the Welsh football pyramid.{{cite web|url=https://www.faw.cymru/en/about-faw/domestic/pyramid-review/|title=The Pyramid Review|publisher=Football Association of Wales|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328030823/http://www.faw.cymru/en/about-faw/domestic/pyramid-review/|url-status=live}} To be eligible clubs need to meet the criteria for FAW tier 3 certification.

The league is split into two leagues, covering North and South Wales. Both Northern and Southern leagues have two regionally-based sections of sixteen clubs each:

The winners of each league are promoted to either the Cymru North or the Cymru South as long as they meet the FAW's tier 2 certification criteria. Subject to also meeting these criteria, the four runners-up clubs enter play-off matches with two of the clubs also gaining promotion{{cite news |last1=Llyr |first1=Owain |title=Welsh football: Leagues restructure confirmed by FAW |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43115645 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=30 July 2020 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109014111/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43115645 |url-status=live }} (one from the north and one from the south).

The Ardal Leagues structure replaced the former tier 3 leagues: Welsh Football League Division One, Mid Wales Football League Division One, Welsh Alliance League Division One and the Welsh National League Premier Division, leagues based in South Wales, Mid Wales, North West Wales and North East Wales respectively.

Relegation from the Ardal Leagues is to six local tier 4 leagues, with three clubs relegated from each of the tier 3 leagues at the end of the season. The tier 4 leagues are run by each of the Area Associations of Welsh football, the West Wales Football Association, the South Wales Football Association, the Gwent County Football Association, the Central Wales Football Association, the North East Wales Football Association and the North Wales Coast Football Association.

Ardal League teams

On 10 July 2020 the FAW confirmed the 64 teams in the new tier 3 leagues.{{cite web |title=Membership of Tier 3 leagues confirmed |url=https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/membership-tier-3-leagues-confirmed/ |publisher=Football Association of Wales |access-date=13 July 2020 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711102928/https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/membership-tier-3-leagues-confirmed/ |url-status=live }} In an attempt to avoid dividing the current Mid-Wales teams across all four leagues, the North-East league contains a large contingent of the Mid-Wales teams. The North-West league contains the sides near the North Wales coast. After confirmation of their inclusion STM Sports announced on 27 July that they had folded, leaving only 15 sides in the South West league. On 3 August it was confirmed that Cardiff Draconians had been promoted from the South Wales Alliance League to fill the remaining place in the league.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Jordan |title=Cardiff Draconians admitted to Ardal Leagues |date=3 August 2020 |url=https://clwbpeldroed.org/2020/08/03/cardiff-draconians-stm-sports-ardal-leagues/ |publisher=Y Clwb Pel-Droed |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009214233/https://clwbpeldroed.org/2020/08/03/cardiff-draconians-stm-sports-ardal-leagues/ |url-status=live }}


Since COVID-19-originated restrictions were put in place by the FAW, as from 10 August, clubs could have trained in groups of 15 and contact training would have been allowed at all-levels of football. However, competitive and exhibition matches were still not allowed to take place.{{cite web|url=http://www.tier3-north.co.uk/index.php/fp-news/238-faw-news|title=FAW News|access-date=3 August 2020|archive-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822030803/http://www.tier3-north.co.uk/index.php/fp-news/238-faw-news|url-status=live}} Consequently, the FAW decided to cancel what was to be the Ardal Leagues' inaugural 2020–21 season on 4 February 2021, and on 26 March, Montgomery Town withdrew from the North East league for pandemic-related reasons.{{cite news |title=Montgomery Town have withdrawn from the Ardal Leagues |url=https://clwbpeldroed.org/2021/03/26/montgomery-town-withdraw-ardal-leagues/ |access-date=14 April 2021 |work=Y Clwb Pêl-Droed |date=26 March 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414135026/https://clwbpeldroed.org/2021/03/26/montgomery-town-withdraw-ardal-leagues/ |url-status=live }} They were replaced by Cardiff Draconians, as the highest placed team from the Alliance League who had been awarded a licence.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Jordan |title=Cardiff Draconians admitted to Ardal Leagues |date=3 August 2020 |url=https://clwbpeldroed.org/2020/08/03/cardiff-draconians-stm-sports-ardal-leagues/ |publisher=Y Clwb Pel-Droed |accessdate=3 August 2020 |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009214233/https://clwbpeldroed.org/2020/08/03/cardiff-draconians-stm-sports-ardal-leagues/ |url-status=live }}

{{col-begin}}

= 2025–26 season =

The following clubs are league members for the 2025–26 season.

{{col-break}}

== Ardal NE ==

{{col-break}}

== Ardal NW ==

{{col-break}}

== Ardal SE ==

{{col-break}}

== Ardal SW==

{{col-end}}

==Map==

{{Location map+ |UK Wales

|width=500

|float=center

|caption=Locations of teams in the 2024–25 season of Ardal leagues{{Cite web|author=Jordan Jones|url=https://clwbpeldroed.org/2024/06/07/ardal-leagues-2024-25-map-clubs/|title=Ardal Leagues allocations for 2024-25 season as map shows all 64 clubs|date=7 June 2024|access-date=12 June 2024|publisher=Y Clwb Pêl-Droed}}

|places=

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6392 |long=-3.1353 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=AU|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.8292 |long=-3.0211 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=AT|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.7246 |long=-3.1219 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=AB|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.7781 |long=-3.0877 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=BB|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.9433 |long=-3.3871 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=BC|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.5920 |long=-2.7530 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=CT|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.4728 |long=-3.2106 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=C|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6362 |long=-2.6822 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=CT|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6557 |long=-3.0114 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=C|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.7311 |long=-2.9711 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=G|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.5700 |long=-2.9811 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=NC|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6045 |long=-3.0888 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=RU|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.7635 |long=-3.2401 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=TT|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6645 |long=-3.3080 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=TA|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6685 |long=-3.1495 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=TS|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.5783 |long=-2.8156 |mark=Red ff0000 pog.svg |label=U|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.7361 |long=-3.4593 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=L|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.4843 |long=-3.1361 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=BS|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.5159 |long=-3.2454 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=CC|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.5003 |long=-3.2141 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=CD|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.5306 |long=-3.6455 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=CC|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6935 |long=-3.8970 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=C|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6864 |long=-4.1884 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=EW|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6735 |long=-3.9199 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=MT|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.7151 |long=-3.8545 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=PT|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.5192 |long=-3.3970 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=P|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.7628 |long=-3.7182 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=SS|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.5714 |long=-4.2179 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=SG|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6094 |long=-3.9798 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=SU|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6726 |long=-3.5363 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=T|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6244 |long=-3.4092 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=YA|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=51.6834 |long=-3.7691 |mark=Yellow pog.svg |label=Y|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.4526 |long=-4.0212 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=BS|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.0428 |long=-3.0144 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=BR|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.1531 |long=-3.4116 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=BW|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.9716 |long=-3.0707 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=CA|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.9354 |long=-3.0577 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=C|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.7437 |long=-3.8899 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=[[Dolgellau Athletic A.F.C.

|DA]]|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.5031 |long=-3.2605 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=K|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.2424 |long=-3.3722 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=LW|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.6491 |long=-3.3217 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=LU|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.9766 |long=-3.1753 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=LT|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.4502 |long=-3.5355 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=LT|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.7760 |long=-3.1526 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=LV|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.8561 |long=-3.6695 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=L|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.9997 |long=-3.0606 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=P|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.2369 |long=-3.1415 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=RV|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.0121 |long=-3.0518 |mark=Green 00ff00 pog.svg |label=RA|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.9822 |long=-3.3773 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=C|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.2251 |long=-3.0778 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=CQ|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.2872 |long=-3.8492 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=CB|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.2248 |long=-3.5307 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=L|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.8812 |long=-4.4233 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=P|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.1912 |long=-4.1964 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=YF|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.3192 |long=-3.4755 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=YR|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.1346 |long=-3.7970 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=LU|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.2615 |long=-4.2991 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=LT|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.2952 |long=-4.6323 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=HH|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.2253 |long=-4.1655 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=MB|position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.0513 |long=-4.2795 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=NV|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.3108 |long=-3.4783 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=NFA|position=left}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=52.9316 |long=-4.1213 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=P|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.2544 |long=-3.4455 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=SA|position=right}}

{{Location map~ |UK Wales |lat=53.2820 |long=-4.6311 |mark=Blue 000080 pog.svg |label=TB|position=bottom}}

}}

League champions, runner-ups, relegated teams, and Fair Play winners

= Ardal NE =

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Season

!Champions

!Runner-up

!colspan=3|Relegated teams

!Fair Play winners

align="centre"|2021–22style="background:#90EE90"| Chirk AAAstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Caerswsstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Carno, Kerry, Four Crossesalign="centre"|Berriew
align="centre"|2022–23style="background:#90EE90"| Caerswsstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Cefn Albionstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 |Corwen, Rhayader Townalign="centre"| Caersws
align="centre"|2023–24style="background:#90EE90"| Penrhyncochstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Bow Streetstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Llanrhaeadr, Welshpool Townalign="centre"| Penrhyncoch
align="centre"|2024–25style="background:#90EE90"| Brickfield Rangersstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Bow Streetstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Llanidloes Town, Chirk AAA, Llansantffraid Villagealign="centre"| TBC

= Ardal NW =

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Season

!Champions

!Runner-up

!colspan=3|Relegated teams

!Fair Play winners

align="centre"|2021–22style="background:#90EE90"| Mold Alexandrastyle="background:#ffffb3"| Porthmadogstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | St Asaph City, Brymbo, Blaenau Amateursalign="centre"|Porthmadog
align="centre"|2022–23style="background:#90EE90"| Denbigh Townstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Bangor 1876style="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Rhostyllenalign="centre"| Denbigh Town
align="centre"|2023–24style="background:#90EE90"| Flint Mountainstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Llay Welfarestyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Bethesda Athletic, Hawarden Rangers, Saltney Townalign="centre"| Y Felinheli
align="centre"|2024–25style="background:#90EE90"| Rhyl 1879style="background:#ffffb3"| Holyhead Hotspurstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Nantlle Vale, Menai Bridge Tigers, Conwy Boroughalign="centre"| TBC

= Ardal SE =

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Season

!Champions

!Runner-up

!colspan=3|Relegated teams

!Fair Play winners

align="centre"|2021–22style="background:#90EE90"| Abergavenny Townstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Abertillery Bluebirdsstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Panteg, Abertillery Excelsiors, Aberbargoed Budsalign="centre"|Chepstow Town
align="centre"|2022–23style="background:#90EE90"| Abertillery Bluebirdsstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Risca Unitedstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Croesyceiliog, Monmouth Town, RTB Ebbw Valealign="centre"| Newport City
align="centre"|2023–24style="background:#90EE90"| Trethomas Bluebirdsstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Newport Citystyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Aberbargoed Buds, Hay St Marys, Lliswerryalign="centre"| Abercarn United
align="centre"|2024–25style="background:#90EE90"| Treowen Starsstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Chepstow Townstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Tredegar Town, Treharris Athletic Western, Newport Corinthiansalign="centre"| TBC

= Ardal SW =

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Season

!Champions

!Runner-up

!colspan=3|Relegated teams

!Fair Play winners

align="centre"|2021–22style="background:#90EE90"| Pontardawe Townstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Ynyshir Albionsstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Ton Pentre, West End, AFC Porthalign="centre"|Penrhiwceiber Rangers
align="centre"|2022–23style="background:#90EE90"| Caerau (Ely)style="background:#ffffb3"| Baglan Dragonsstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Garden Village, Cwmamman United, Dinas Powysalign="centre"| Caerau (Ely)
align="centre"|2023–24style="background:#90EE90"| Penrhiwceiber Rangersstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Cefn Cribwrstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Mumbles Rangers, Penydarren BGC, Port Talbot Townalign="centre"| Swansea University
align="centre"|2024–25style="background:#90EE90"| Cardiff Draconiansstyle="background:#ffffb3"| Ynyshir Albionsstyle="background:#ffb3b3" colspan=3 | Seven Sisters Onllwyn, Bridgend Street, Pontyclunalign="centre"| TBC

= Promotion play-offs =

== Ardal Northern ==

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Season

!Ardal NE play-off finalist

!Score

!Ardal NW play-off finalist

align="centre"|2021–22Caerswsalign="centre"|0–5align="centre"|Porthmadog
align="centre"|2022–23Cefn Albionalign="centre"|2–4 {{aet}}align="centre"|Bangor 1876
align="centre"|2023–24Llanuwchllynalign="centre"|0–0 {{aet}} {{pso|5–6}}align="centre"|Llay Welfare
align="centre"|2024–25Llanuwchllynalign="centre"|0–3align="centre"| Holyhead Hotspur

== Ardal Southern ==

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Season

!Ardal SE play-off finalist

!Score

!Ardal SW play-off finalist

align="centre"|2021–22Abertillery Bluebirdsalign="centre"|0–3align="centre"|Ynyshir Albions
align="centre"|2022–23Risca Unitedalign="centre"|0–2align="centre"|Baglan Dragons
align="centre"|2023–24Newport Cityalign="centre"|2–1align="centre"|Cefn Cribwr
align="centre"|2024–25Chepstow Townalign="centre"|0–2align="centre"|Ynyshir Albions

See also

References

{{reflist|2}}

External links

  • [https://twitter.com/ArdalNorthern Ardal Northern twitter]
  • [https://twitter.com/ArdalSouthern Ardal Southern twitter]
  • [http://www.ardalnorthern.co.uk/ Ardal Northern Leagues]
  • [https://clwbpeldroed.org/category/ardal-leagues/ Y Clwb Pêl-droed]

{{Ardal Leagues}}

{{Football in Wales}}

{{UEFA third leagues}}

2

Category:2020 establishments in Wales

Category:Sports leagues established in 2020

Category:Third-level football leagues in Europe