Welsh Cup Return on the Cards
Entry?
By BTTB
April 20 2004
Cardiff City could be back participating in the Welsh Cup as soon as next season, and could once again have the chance to qualify for Europe through the 126-year-old competition for the first time since the mid-1990's.
CUP RETURN ON THE CARDS
The Football Association of Wales are ready to allow the six 'Exiled' Welsh-based clubs playing in the English pyramid back into the competition that has provided some memorable moments for City supporters over the past decades. Plans are afoot to bring Cardiff City, Wrexham, Swansea City, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport County and Colwyn Bay back into the Welsh Cup for next season, and the FAW hope that Uefa would allow one of these clubs, should they win the cup, to qualify for the Uefa Cup.
The story of why City stopped competing in the Welsh Cup is a long and involved one. The formation of the League of Wales in 1992 started discussions that the exile clubs should be banished from the competition unless they joined the national league, and three seasons later participation from English pyramid clubs was blocked with the last final with all Welsh clubs allowed to compete in the 1994/1995 season, with Wrexham beating Cardiff City 2-1 at the National Stadium.
At the same time, all English FA clubs who were competing in the tournament were withdrawn. Clubs such as Chester City, Hereford United, Shrewsbury Town and non-league clubs such as Hednesford Town and Stourbridge often made up the numbers in the competition. The loss of these clubs did not create such controversy though, as they were never allowed European qualification through the competition as they're not members of the Football Association of Wales.
Today's local media have reported ongoing talks between the FAW and the 'exile' clubs about bringing them back into the Welsh Cup as soon as next season. It is thought the FAW have told the chairmen of these clubs that it is up to them to speak to Uefa about possible Uefa Cup qualification, which could spark further argument between European governing bodies and the teams concerned about how European qualification is granted. The old chestnut of us having to forfeit European qualification rights in the English pyramid is bound to be dragged up again!
The story certainly does seem to have some continuity about it, particularly with Sky recently purchasing rights to Welsh football highlights which could boost the stature of the domestic league and cup competitions in Wales. The news is not good for the BBC though, with the FAW Premier Cup seemingly in jeopardy, and Cardiff City owner Sam Hammam has done against launched a scathing attack on the competition, with the manufactured tournament labelled a "Minnie Mouse muck around" by the Lebanese businessman. He we
Hammam has always seem obsessed with getting Cardiff City into European competition again by any means since his arrival in August 2000. His first season in charge saw a sensational plan launched for Hammam to buy Welsh Premier side Cwmbran Town, re-name them Cardiff City, and field the clubs reserve side in Wales' national league in an attempt to qualify for the Champions League. The ambitious Hammam will now give his full backing to the possibility of Cardiff returning to the Welsh Cup, with possible money-spinning Uefa Cup ties on his mind!
The possibility of a return to the Welsh Cup and even European nights is appealing, but should this plan be moved forward, there will be hundreds of complications on the way. Personally, even if a place in the Welsh Cup was available without the carrot of a place in the Uefa Cup should an 'exile' win it, I'd still be very pleased as the old competition and its grand trophy would surely draw up far more interest from supporters than the much-criticised FAW Premier Cup ever has done..
What are your opinions on our possible return to the Welsh Cup? Should the 'exile' clubs be allowed to qualify for Europe through two pyramids? What are your views on the FAW Premier Cup, and is Sam Hammam right to pull the club out of it next season? Make your opinion heard on the Cardiff City messageboard.