Welsh Premier League Cynghrair Bel Droid Cymru 2012 - 2013
Formed in 1992-93 as the League of Wales, the WPL is the national, semi-professional competition for Welsh clubs.
The WPL is fed by two regional leagues, the Cymru Alliance in the north and the Welsh Football League Division One in the south. Promotion is not automatic: the regional champions must submit an application, have a stadium that meets WPL standards and a domestic licence granted by the FA of Wales. If the regional champions do not apply the second placed club(s) may do so instead.
This season Gap Connah's Quay replace Neath, who were relegated after losing their FAW licence because of financial difficulties (the club has now been wound up). Newtown were spared relegation despite finishing last because Haverfordwest County, the only Welsh League side to hold an FAW licence were pipped to the runners-up place on the last day of the season.
Cymru Alliance team, Cefn Druids qualified for the Europa League as losing Welsh Cup finalists but were knocked out by MYPA in the first qualifying round.
| 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 |
The WPL logo is the property of the Welsh Premier League. Crests are the property of the respective clubs.
The Green and Blacks are keeping their home and away kits in accordance with a promise in their Supporters' Charter not to change every season. A new navy third strip is, however, introduced.
Afan Lido play at the Marston Stadium in Aberavon on the south Wales coast less than half a mile from their WPL rivals, Port Talbot Town. The club was formed in 1967 by the management team of the newly opened Lido Sports Centre to offer patrons the chance to play in the local Port Talbot & District League.
After the club signed a two-year deal with the Macron store in Wrexham, the team are wearing a brand new strips. The home kit is in the usual all-blue but when a change is needed they turn out in a silver and black number.
The Lakesiders have introduced an away kit in the same design as the home strip, which proved very popular last season.
One of the most successful Welsh teams, Bangor have played in the top tier since 1992 and have a long history of competing in Europe. After finishing as runners-up in May they entered the Europa Cup but were narrowly beaten by Moldovan side, Zimbru Chişinău.
The Old Gold and Black finished in eleventh place last season and faced relegation to the Welsh Football League but were reprieved when Neath were demoted after failing to win a domestic licence.
Connah's Quay Nomads were formed in 1946 and joined the League of Wales in 1992. They took their present name in 1998 when they were taken over by Gap Personnel. They won the Cymru Alliance in 2011 but failed to obtain a domestic licence until the following season when a second title ensured promotion to the WPL.
Llanelli are one of the few WPL teams that are fully professional thanks to the backing of Tinopolis, a locally based TV company that specialises in the production of Welsh language programmes. They qualified for the Europa League this season by beating Bala in the play-offs but were knocked out by KuPS Kupio of Finland.
This mid Wales club, formed in 1875, was a founder member of the FA of Wales. They finished in last place in 2011-12 and would have been relegated to the Cymru Alliance but for the demise of Neath and the fact that Haverfordwest County did not finish high enough in their league to apply for promotion.
Formerly Port Talbot Athletic, the team are known as The Steelmen (the town is dominated by a huge steel works). Macron replace Errea this term with a home kit in the usual all-blue and an orange away version.
In 2011-12 The Seasiders secured a place in the top six play-offs but lost all their remaining games, finishing in sixth place with 11 points fewer than Airbus UK in seventh. The trim on the usual red home kit is updated and a new all-black away strip is introduced. The team also has a new shirt sponsor for 2012-13.
