League will still start in January

Guilsfield, Llanidloes Town and Llanrhaeadr will still start their league seasons next month, despite the Welsh Government announcing another indefinite lockdown from December 28.

The JD Cymru North released its opening fixtures last night with a message to clubs that the show will go on from January 15 regardless of what would be announced today by First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Like Newtown in the JD Cymru Premier, the second tier clubs have been given ‘elite’ status by Sport Wales meaning that they can train and play in a Covid-controlled environment.

Dewi Evans, the league’s General Manager, assured club secretaries: “As Elite Leagues, the Welsh Premier Women’s League, Cymru Premier, Cymru South and Cymru North teams shall be exempt from any lockdown restrictions, including Level Four and therefore will be able to continue to train and play under the FAW Return to Play protocols (please be aware that other teams under your club banner shall not be extended the same privilege and they should follow the appropriate guidance).

“We expect these government guidelines to be in place for the foreseeable future and that we shall also be able to continue to play should further lockdowns, either nationally or locally, be implemented, enabling us to complete the fixture programmes.

“There is one possible issue for clubs who don’t own their own facilities, as in Level Four leisure facilities are included in the closures however we have been advised that Local Authorities and Welsh Government have the power to enable specific sites to open which would include those used by elite athletes.”

However, today’s announcement could signal the end of any last real hope that other levels of football had to start their seasons in the New Year.