What happened to all the talk of a return to the Welsh Cup for Cardiff City and the other clubs who play on the English side of the border? The FA of Wales seems to believe it was the only way to revitalize the competition, which lacks credibility, fans, and a sponsorship deal.
Last season final came and when and you would be hard press to find someone who would know who was playing and who won the Welsh Cup. For the record, Llanelli ended Bangor's run of three straight victories in the final. The crowd was just over 1,700 a pitifully turnout, but has it ever been any different. For the record crowd for the final you have to go back a long way, but the smallest is more recent.
Last season final came and when and you would be hard press to find someone who would know who was playing and who won the Welsh Cup. For the record, Llanelli ended Bangor's run of three straight victories in the final. The crowd was just over 1,700 a pitifully turnout, but has it ever been any different. For the record crowd for the final you have to go back a long way, but the smallest is more recent.
1948-49 Merthyr Tydfil 2-0 Swansea Town Ninian Park, Cardiff 35,000
2002-03 Barry Town 2-2 Cwmbarn Town Stebonheath Park, Llanelli 852 (Barry won on Penalties)
The competition needs an influx of fresh blood and with a European spot up for grabs, no club will be taking it lightly. If you can make it to the Third round, you could be playing the likes of Liverpool, Juventus, and Galatasaray if you are lucky. Cannot see the Welsh Premier teams being happy having competition for one of the only four routes into Europe. What about the other ended of the pecking order the Welsh League club they are in the same boat now looking up with little hope of winning it. They have an uphill battle against the likes of Bangor, Port Talbot, and Llanelli.
The competition needs an influx of fresh blood and with a European spot up for grabs, no club will be taking it lightly. If you can make it to the Third round, you could be playing the likes of Liverpool, Juventus, and Galatasaray if you are lucky. Cannot see the Welsh Premier teams being happy having competition for one of the only four routes into Europe. What about the other ended of the pecking order the Welsh League club they are in the same boat now looking up with little hope of winning it. They have an uphill battle against the likes of Bangor, Port Talbot, and Llanelli.
The realistic aim for most Welsh sides that enter either of the European competitions is at least reaching a first round tie in the Europa Cup, while the group stage for the Champions League would be the best outcome for today's entrants. If Cardiff and Swansea were to play in the Europa Cup making, the first round would be a realistic goal it would help restore European credibility to Welsh club football, and would help the Welsh national teams FIFA ranking.
The FAW were planning to speak with UEFA and the English FA about their plans, but there has been no news on any meeting-taking place. Therefore, can we expect an announcement soon this season next season or never? On the downside of enter into the Europa Cup if Cardiff in the competition this season our season would have started already depending on which round they were placed. The sad attempt a number of years ago to get a competition between the Welsh Premier League club and the top club based in England was never going to work. The whole reason the FAW Premier Cup failed was there is no European prize at the end of it.
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