January 14 – If the scales of power tip anymore in the favour of Wrexham FC, they’ll soon find themselves champions of Europe as well as Hollywood after plans have been revealed for a revamped Welsh League Cup that could hand power couple, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, a way into Europe pending approval from the English Football Association.
The Welsh League Cup was founded in 1992 and was known as the Cymru League Cup before becoming the Nathaniel MG Cup for sponsorship reasons. The revamp announced by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) hopes to bring in an additional £3 million ($3.6 million) to the Welsh game, while also offering the biggest carrot of all…a path into the qualifying rounds of a UEFA club competition.
The competition would feature 16 clubs -12 from the JD Cymru Premier, and the big boys of Welsh football who play in the English league system; Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County, and of course Hollywood darlings, Wrexham.
All four are interested in the proposed plan as long as FA approval is granted and that it doesn’t impact their participation in the English Football League (EFL) – Cardiff and Swansea play in the Championship, Wrexham in League One and Newport in League Two. If approved the competition would start with the 2025/26 season.
“This will be a game-changer for the development of the game as we work to unlock the full potential of Welsh football,” FAW chief executive Noel Mooney said. “It will unite Welsh football, improve the game at all levels, and deliver meaningful societal benefits across Wales making our clubs and communities more sustainable.
“It will generate significant additional revenue through a revamped Welsh League Cup competition with expanded participation of the four highest-ranked Welsh clubs that participate in the English football pyramid.
“This will be distributed throughout the JD Cymru Premier, Genero Adran Premier (Wales’ top women’s league), and grassroots facilities across the country.
“It also represents the spirit of collaboration and cooperation among football associations across the United Kingdom ahead of the home nations’ joint co-hosting Euro 2028.”
This competition will have the added benefit of improving Wales’ UEFA co-efficient, and therefore receive a larger cut of UEFA’s financial distributions.
The plan has been discussed with UEFA and the Secretary of State for Wales and the Welsh Government, however, they still require FA approval before moving forward.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1736877484labto1736877484ofdlr1736877484owedi1736877484sni@o1736877484fni1736877484