2019–20 Cymru North Explained

Competition:Cymru North
Season:2019–20
Winners:Prestatyn Town
League Topscorer:Corrig McGonigle Conwy Borough (24 goals)
Biggest Home Win:
(21 September 2019)

(27 September 2019)

(15 October 2019)

(16 November 2019)
Biggest Away Win:
(11 September 2019)
Highest Scoring:
(27 August 2019)

(28 September 2019)

(17 December 2019)

(1 January 2020)

(18 January 2020)

(1 February 2020)
Matches:200
Total Goals:671
Nextseason:2020-21
Updated:7 March 2020

The 2019–20 Cymru North was the inaugural season of the Cymru North, which is in the second level of the Welsh football pyramid. The season had been scheduled to finish on 25 April but due to the COVID-19 pandemic no games were played after 7 March. In May 2020 the Cymru North was officially ended after consultation between the Football Association of Wales and the clubs.[1] Prestatyn Town were confirmed as champions but because they failed to gain a Tier 1 licence, runners-up Flint Town United were promoted to the Cymru Premier. Porthmadog, Corwen and Llanfair United were relegated.

The league consisted of seventeen teams with the champions promoted to the Cymru Premier and the bottom four teams relegated to a regional division of FAW League One.[2]

The season commenced on 16 August 2019 and had been scheduled to conclude on 25 April 2020.[3]

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

On 13 March 2020, all games were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and no further games were played in the campaign. On 19 May 2020, the league was cancelled. Prestatyn Town were declared the champions.

Teams

The inaugural season consisted of twelve teams from the now defunct Cymru Alliance, which are Bangor City, Buckley Town, Conwy Borough, Flint Town United, Gresford Athletic, Guilsfield, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Penrhyncoch, Porthmadog, Prestatyn Town, Rhyl and Ruthin Town.

Joining them were Llandudno who were relegated from Cymru Premier, Mid Wales Football League champions, Llanfair United, Welsh Alliance League champions, Llangefni Town and Welsh National League (Wrexham Area) runners-up, Corwen.

In addition and after a 35-year absence, Colwyn Bay rejoined the Welsh football league and were placed in the Cymru North.[4] From English Northern Premier League Division One West.

On 5 August 2019 Bangor City were suspended from playing competitive matches pending an arbitration hearing on 16 August following allegations that they fielded an ineligible player the previous season.[5] On 16 August 2019, Bangor City won their appeal against the FAW in Birmingham and were reinstated the 21 points that were originally deducted from them in the 2018–19 Cymru Alliance season [6] and were cleared to start the season in Cymru North.

Grounds and locations

Team Location Ground
The EUROGOLD Stadium
Globe Way
4 Crosses Construction Arena
Y Morfa Stadium
War Memorial Ground
Cae-y-Castell
Clappers Lane
Guilsfield Community Centre
The Giant Hospitality Stadium
Mount Field
Bob Parry Field
The Recreation Field
Cae Baker
Y Traeth
Bastion Road
Belle Vue
Memorial Playing Fields

League table

The Cymru North table as it stood after the league was halted in early March, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Positions by round

The table lists the positions of teams after completion of each round.

Results

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1Corrig McGonigleConwy Borough24
2Mark CadwalladerFlint Town United23
3Rob Hughes Prestatyn Town17

Final League table

On 19 May 2020, the league was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an unweighted points per game method was applied to determine the final standings. The Football Association of Wales said a decision on promotion and relegation between leagues would be made in due course.

Prestatyn Town were refused a Tier One licence in April 2020 to allow them to compete in the Cymru Premier for season 2020-21 and their subsequent appeal was unsuccessful.Flint Town United were awarded Tier 1 Licence following a successful appeal.

Flint's promotion to the Cymru Premier was confirmed by the FAW on 16 June 2020. It was also confirmed that Porthmadog, Corwen and Llanfair United would be relegated to Tier 3.[7]

Rhyl entered administration in April 2020 after failing to find a £175,000 investment, with the club's directors cited the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for entering administration and the club's results were expunged.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Coronavirus: Welsh football season ends with Connah's Quay champions. BBC Sport. 19 May 2020. 10 June 2020.
  2. Web site: Transitional Regulations for the Pyramid League System for seasons 2018/19 and 2019/20. Football Association of Wales. Football Association of Wales. 22 June 2019.
  3. Web site: FAW Tier 2 North League 2019-20 Fixtures. Cymru Premier. Cymru Premier. 2 July 2019. 5 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190905085207/https://www.wpl.cymru/uploads/documents/originals/FAW%20Tier%202%20North%20League%202019-20%20Fixtures.pdf. dead.
  4. Web site: Colwyn Bay accepted into FAW pyramid. Football Association of Wales. Football Association of Wales. 22 June 2019.
  5. Web site: FAW suspends Bangor, Holywell and Llandyrnog pending hearing decision. BBC Sport. 5 August 2019. 10 June 2019.
  6. Web site: Citizens successful in appeal. Bangor City Football Club. 16 August 2019. 20 August 2019. Elliot. Foster.
  7. Web site: FAW Board decision on promotion and relegation. Football Association of Wales. 16 June 2020. 16 June 2020.