Another blow for FAW as Merthyr Town have decided to reject an offer to quit the English pyramid for the Cymru Premier.
Merthyr decide to remain in the English non-league system, instead of joining the top tier of Welsh football, amid FAW’s plans to expand to 16 teams by 2026-27.
The proposals were in the hope of seriously enhancing competitiveness and includes significant investment in league infrastructure.
Merthyr Town have rejected the FAW’s £6m offer to join the Cymru Premier and will stay in the English non-league system.
Still the only Welsh non-league club in England!
#BBCSport #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/lFN8xEnb6M— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) January 25, 2025
The club, owned by supporters, saw 96% of them vote against joining the Welsh Premier, just days after the FA and EFL put a stop to plans that would have seen Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport play in the Welsh League Cup, with the winners of the competition getting a place in the UEFA Conference League.
Merthyr are hoping of winning promotion to the sixth tier, boosted by a 2-0 win over Taunton, seeing them go 8 points clear at the top of the Southern League – Premier South, 63 points from 27 games played, 75 scored, 28 conceded.
“Merthyr might not have been at the top echelons of this pyramid for a long period of time but it’s the hope that one day they could be,” manager Paul Michael said prior to the club’s announcement, per BBC Sport.
“I think the FAW are doing the right thing in trying to improve the domestic game and we’re Welsh football supporters and we want to see that league grow and we want to see it do very well.
“But the onus and the people invested in this club are in it because of the pyramid that it’s in and I understand their views and their rights.”
FAW offer Merthyr Town up to £6M to quit English pyramid for Cymru Premier as part of revamp
“It does feel like the whole town is behind us,” Michael told BBC Radio Wales Sport, before the game.
“People are starting to take an interest from the wider football community of south Wales.
“We’ve has some fantastic crowds but it does really feel like the whole community is behind you here.
“And that’s making it a really special place to be at the moment.”
The Welsh football governing body sent a letter to Merthyr owners where they outlined:
– Compensation Merthyr would get for leaving the English system and incentives for joining the Cymru Premier
– Would commit £2m towards improving the infrastructure of Merthyr’s Penydarren Park
– To double that amount to £4m by securing match funding from government bodies and local authorities
– FAW says would guarantee Merthyr an annual payment of £250,000 over five years for competing in the Cymru Premier, plus an additional £30,000 for the 2026-27 season for any drop in attendances
– £25,000 put towards Merthyr’s 4G pitch fund, up to £40,000 for the installation of a new television gantry
– A total financial package worth £5.95m
FAW offer Merthyr Town up to £6M to quit English pyramid for Cymru Premier as part of revamp
Twitter users reacted to another blow for FAW as Merthyr Town reject a £6M offer to quit English pyramid for the Cymru Premier…
@Orch06: Now FAW can concentrate on grassroots teams who actually play in the Welsh leagues
@Cianevans280702: Give the £6m to an actual welsh club now @FAWales
The post Another blow for FAW as Merthyr Town reject offer to quit English pyramid for Cymru Premier appeared first on Fan Banter.
