Aber Valley promoted, Caerphilly Athletic relegated

Aber Valley FC have been promoted to the fifth tier of Welsh football, while Caerphilly Athletic has been relegated from the fifth tier to the sixth tier.

Promotion and relegation in the South Wales Alliance Leagues was confirmed on Monday, July 13.

The season had been brought to a premature end in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the final table decided by a points per game system.

Aber Valley, who stormed to the top of the South Wales Alliance League Division One with 14 wins in 17 games, were officially crowned champions in May, but had to wait for promotion to be confirmed.

The club will now play in the South Wales Alliance Premier Division next season.

Aber Valley manager Rhys Whatley said it had been a stressful 14 weeks not knowing his team’s fate, but said: “It’s a great feeling knowing the players hard work hasn’t been wasted.”

He added: “We have definitely got a real chance of doing well next season, but it’s a matter of taking one game at a time.

“We’ve managed to keep all of the current squad together, so you never know what can happen.

“The players believe in what is happening at the club on and off the pitch, and they want to be a part of that.”

Meanwhile, Caerphilly Athletic have been relegated from the Premier Division to Division One, after finishing 13th in the 16-team league.

Nelson Cavaliers have been promoted to the South Wales Alliance League Division Two – the seventh tier on the Welsh football pyramid – after winning the Taff Ely and Rhymney Valley (TERV) Premier League.

Higher up in the Welsh football pyramid, promotion and relegation in the Welsh Football League, which comprises of the second, third and fourth tiers, was confirmed in June.

Risca United were promoted from the third tier to the second tier, with Aberbargoed Buds and Treowen Stars remaining in the restructured third tier.

They will be joined by Trethomas Bluebirds, who have been awarded a place in the third tier.

The Bluebirds competed in the fourth tier during the 2019/20 season and achieved their highest ever league finish.

In women’s football, Cascade Ladies YC have brought top flight football back to Caerphilly County Borough for the first time since 2012 after winning promotion to the Welsh Premier Women’s League.