Football in Wales

Football in Wales ( _cy. Pêl-droed) is governed by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), which was established in 1876. The FAW oversees the Wales national football team and the Welsh football league system. Football is considered the second sport of Wales behind rugby union, yet it is the more popular participation sport of the two.

Teams and competitions

Currently a small number of teams based in Wales play in the English leagues, of which Cardiff City and Swansea City are in the Football League. Other teams that play in the English leagues are Wrexham, Newport County, Merthyr Tydfil and Colwyn Bay. The 6 teams have all played in the English football league pyramid since their founding and all declined the offer to move into the League of Wales, now known as the Welsh Premier League, when it was founded in 1992—although Bangor City and Barry Town did move into the Welsh league pyramid. [ [http://www.walesonline.com/info/sport/soccer_wleague.shtml League of Wales] , "Walesonline.com". Retrieved on 13 January, 2008]

These six teams are excluded from the Welsh Cup but do compete in the FAW Premier Cup.

Prestige

The Welsh league system is ranked by UEFA in 45th place (out of 52 current members), on par with Northern Ireland and close to the likes of Azerbaijan and Malta. Therefore teams who come top of the league must start at the very early stages of European competitions such as the UEFA Cup.

Popularity

The game is popular in all parts of Wales, particularly in the north and in towns or cities with clubs which play in the English league or the Welsh premier league. The game is most popular with the working class in Wales particularly in inner city areas and council estates.

ee also

*Welsh football league system
*List of football clubs in Wales
*List of Football Stadiums in Wales by Capacity.

References