Welsh clubs in Europe

[Wozza16]

Connah's quay out of the Champions league after an extra time loss in Armenia (3-2 agg).

Tough one to take for them as they lost 7 players due to Covid and players work commitments, if they'd won they would have been 2 legs away from the new Uefa Conference League group stage and millions in prize money.

They drop into the Conference league 2nd round but are seeded along with New Saints if they make it through their game tonight. Bala are also away to Larne after a 1-0 loss at home (no away goals anymore).

Newtown have already gone out at the first stage.

One thing I've wondered for years is why doesn't the FAW move the season to summer or at the very least forward 3-4 weeks so these teams are at the end of pre-season rather than having 1 friendly under their belt against teams who are nearly always mid-season?

In Connah's quay's scenario a first round champs league win would have guaranteed them £1.2million and potentially as high as £3 million if they won the Conference league play off.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

It's very hard to argue with what you say about moving the Welsh domestic season forward a bit - surely it has been looked into by the FAW?

[Kind of Blue]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

I guess how far down the pyramid do you restructure? Do clubs, players or fans even want or support it? May it even be disadvantageous in a British context - ie, players may like their summer holidays so will find other non league clubs at a similar level that play in winter?

I think the idea has merit but it would be disruptive and I don’t think it guarantees success.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

Connah's quay out of the Champions league after an extra time loss in Armenia (3-2 agg).

Tough one to take for them as they lost 7 players due to Covid and players work commitments, if they'd won they would have been 2 legs away from the new Uefa Conference League group stage and millions in prize money.

They drop into the Conference league 2nd round but are seeded along with New Saints if they make it through their game tonight. Bala are also away to Larne after a 1-0 loss at home (no away goals anymore).

Newtown have already gone out at the first stage.

One thing I've wondered for years is why doesn't the FAW move the season to summer or at the very least forward 3-4 weeks so these teams are at the end of pre-season rather than having 1 friendly under their belt against teams who are nearly always mid-season?

In Connah's quay's scenario a first round champs league win would have guaranteed them £1.2million and potentially as high as £3 million if they won the Conference league play off.

Does it make sense to re-organise a whole league for a few of them to play a game or two in locations such as Estonia and Armenia?

[Armitage Shanks]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

It works well for the league of Ireland, so no reason it can't work for the league if wales.
Everyone says how much it has improved since the Konica days, but most teams are out in the early rounds so something needs to change,. So a summer league seems the most appropriate

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

It works well for the league of Ireland, so no reason it can't work for the league if wales.
Everyone says how much it has improved since the Konica days, but most teams are out in the early rounds so something needs to change,. So a summer league seems the most appropriate

You’d like to think there could be an increase, albeit a small one I’d guess, in attendances as well.

[Wozza16]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

Does it make sense to re-organise a whole league for a few of them to play a game or two in locations such as Estonia and Armenia?

I’m sure if you asked the clubs if they wanted to move the league forward a few weeks if it meant that some of them had an improved chance of increasing their revenue by up to 500% then I’m positive they would think it makes enough sense.

[Ivortheengine]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

It’s a great idea, but although it doesn’t guarantee success , there are more advantages than disadvantages. Better crowds, better pitches to play on, no games called off because of bad weather to name just three. Trouble is , all the Welsh FA heirarchy , who are tucked away in their offices , are as dull as ditchwater. They should have at least tried the idea by now.Why they haven’t only they know.

[Former Labour leader]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

Summer football has been talked about for years in Wales. Never quite got over the line.

[mazadona10]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

I like the idea of a summer league and the benefits of rescued cost for pitch maintenance, lighting etc. Plus more likely to draw people in who haven't got their own teams to watch.

On the European football competitions there seems to be so many qualifying rounds. For me it would be better to reduce the number involved especially considering their lack of success. It's the equivilant of about 70 teams from England qualifying based on comparable populations.

[MacAdder]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

They'll be dancing on the streets of Total Network Solutions tonight....

Through to next qualifier have beaten Glentoran.

[MacAdder]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

It’s a great idea, but although it doesn’t guarantee success , there are more advantages than disadvantages. Better crowds, better pitches to play on, no games called off because of bad weather to name just three. Trouble is , all the Welsh FA heirarchy , who are tucked away in their offices , are as dull as ditchwater. They should have at least tried the idea by now.Why they haven’t only they know.

Nooooo!!!
Summer is cricket season mun!

[Talksport]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

Allow, City, Swans, County, Wrexham etc back into Welsh Cup 😀

[Cleve van Leef]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

Allow, City, Swans, County, Wrexham etc back into Welsh Cup ��

And their Under 23’s into the Welsh PL

[Des Parrot]

Re: Welsh clubs in Europe

And their Under 23’s into the Welsh PL

^^^^^^^^^^ This

People tend to forget the level of the Cymru clubs is roughly the equivalent of conference north/south or realistically the tier below. The quality won’t improve without higher standard opposition.