2024–25 Cymru Premier

The 2024–25 Cymru Premier (Welsh: Uwch Gynghrair Cymru 2023–24; known as the JD Cymru Premier for sponsorship reasons) will be the 33rd season of the Cymru Premier (formerly known as the Welsh Premier League), the highest football league within Wales since its establishment in 1992.

Cymru Premier
Uwch Gynghrair Cymru
Season2024–25
Dates9 August 2024 – 18 May 2025
2025–26 →

Teams

Twelve teams will contest the league – the top ten teams from the previous season, and one team each promoted from the second-tier leagues, the Cymru North and Cymru South. The New Saints will enter the season as defending champions (for the third consecutive season).

On the 9th of April 2024, Briton Ferry Llansawel became the first side to secure promotion to the Cymru Premier for the 2024–25 season, after securing the 2023-24 Cymru South title with one game to spare.[1] It would be Briton Ferry's first season in the top flight of Welsh football, although the club's former guise Briton Ferry Athletic were founding members of the then League of Wales, and spent four season in that league in the 1990s.

After 2023-24 Cymru North leaders Holywell Town failed to secure a tier one licence, and opted not to appeal against the decision, Flint Town United were promoted, just one season after being relegated on the final day of the 2022-23 Cymru Premier season.[2]

Pontypridd United were the first team to be relegated from the 2023-24 Cymru Premier, after failing in their appeal to not be granted a tier one licence.[3] A defeat on the final day of the season to Aberystwyth, as well as a nine-point deduction throughout the season meant the Treforest side ended in the relegation zone regardless. Colwyn Bay were also relegated on the final day of the season, after Aberystwyth's result against Ponty consigned Colwyn to a bottom two spot, despite Bay's 1–0 victory over Barry.[4]

Team changes

Stadia and locations
Locations of the 2023–24 Cymru Premier teams
Team Location Stadium Capacity
Aberystwyth TownAberystwyth Park Avenue5,000
Bala TownBala Maes Tegid3,000
Barry Town UnitedBarry Jenner Park Stadium2,650
Briton Ferry LlansawelBriton Ferry Old Road2,300
Caernarfon TownCaernarfon The Oval3,000
Cardiff Metropolitan UniversityCyncoed Cyncoed Campus1,620
Connah's Quay NomadsFlint Cae-y-Castell3,000
Flint Town UnitedFlint Cae-y-Castell3,000
Haverfordwest CountyHaverfordwest Bridge Meadow Stadium2,100
NewtownNewtown Latham Park5,000
PenybontBridgend SDM Glass Stadium3,000
The New Saints Oswestry Park Hall2,034

Personnel and kits
Team Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Front shirt sponsor
Aberystwyth Town Anthony Williams Jack Thorn Acerbis Aberystwyth University
Bala Town Colin Caton Macron Aykroyd's
Barry Town United Jonathan Jones Kayne McLaggon Macron RIM Motors
Briton Ferry Llansawel Andy Dyer Alex Gammond Macron Woodpekcer Garden Buildings
Caernarfon Town Richard Davies Darren Thomas Errea Gofal Bro Cyf
Cardiff Metropolitan University Ryan Jenkins Kyle McCarthy Errea Cardiff Metropolitan University
Connah's Quay Nomads Neil Gibson John Disney Adidas Castle Green Homes
Flint Town United Lee Fowler Harry Owen Macron Essity
Haverfordwest County Tony Pennock Dylan Rees Macron Clegg Gifford / The Athletic
Newtown Scott Ruscoe Shane Sutton Errea Control Techniques
Penybont Rhys Griffiths Kane Owen Macron Nathaniel Car Sales
The New Saints Craig Harrison Macron SiFi Networks

Conference League play-off

Teams placed 2nd-7th will enter one-off play-off matches for the third spot in the Conference League first qualifying round. This marks a change to the previous format, where it would only be teams placed 3rd-7th in the play-offs. However, due to the league losing a place in the Conference League due to its poor co-efficient score, the format was changed to include the 2nd placed team. The teams finishing 2nd and 3rd will receive byes to the play-off semi-final, whilst the other teams involved will play quarter-finalss. However, if the league champions also win the Welsh Cup, then the 2nd placed team will automatically qualify for Europe, and the 3rd placed team will receive a bye to the play-off final.[5]

References
  1. Ben Thomas (9 April 2024). "Briton Ferry promoted to Cymru Premier after four-goal haul from Luke Bowen". Y Clwb Pêl-Droed. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  2. "Flint Town United clinch promotion back to the JD Cymru Premier". Football Association of Wales. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  3. "Cymru Premier: Pontypridd face relegation after FAW Tier 1 licence appeal fails". BBC Sport. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  4. "Cymru Premier round-up: Colwyn Bay down as Aberystwyth stay up and New Saints finish unbeaten". BBC Sport. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  5. "2024/25 JD Cymru Premier European qualification explained". FAW. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
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