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Aber Valley FC have been told that their reserve side will not be promoted to the Premier Division of the Taff Ely and Rhymney Valley Alliance League (TERV) – despite going unbeaten all season.

The reserve side, who play in division one of the TERV League, will not be promoted due to their firsts already playing in the South Wales Alliance League, three divisions above them.

It’s understood that this a decision left up to individual leagues and not a universal policy imposed by the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

Manager of Aber Valley FC’s first team, Dean Wood, described his feelings to Caerphilly Observer: “It’s a crazy decision. The boys didn’t just win that league they walked it.

“What’s the point of football if there’s no competition? Some of the players are going to walk if this is how it’s going to be. The boys are gutted.”

Aber Valley Reserves topped their division with 58 points, having scored 97 goals and drawing only one game. They also reached a cup final where they lost 4-2 to a side in the division above.

“We’re still contemplating what to do next,” said Wood. “There are six other sides in a similar position to us so we’re looking to band together and send a formal complaint to the FAW,” he added.

When asked why Aber Valley Reserves cannot be promoted, a representative for the league said the club is “well aware” of the reasons and that they would not comment any further on the matter.

It’s understood that due to regulation in the Alliance League, Aber Valley Reserves would not be allowed to enter the same division as their first team so a one league ‘buffer’ is to be maintained.

Wood continued: “It’s been suggested that we move leagues or even play under a different club name but it just isn’t realistic.

“This is going to have a knock-on effect on our first team too as a lot of those players are good enough to play for us.

“They’re playing God and I don’t think they realise the mental impact it has had on some of our players. Football is a great sport for your mental health and for some of these boys it might come to an end if and when they walk away.”