CAFC Reserves join North East Wales Football League

After a challenging 2023/24 season, where our reserves had to endure long journeys to places like Nantlle Vale, Pwllheli, Llangefni, St Asaph, and Llanrwst just to play grassroots football, we are delighted to announce that we have been accepted into the North East Wales Football Reserve League (Group A) for the 2024/25 season.

The North East Wales Football League represents the North East Wales area at the fourth and fifth tiers of the Welsh football league system. This change means our reserves will play much more locally this season, with the furthest travel being around 30 minutes away from Cefn Mawr. No more two hour journeys for our players and management! There are two reserves reserve leagues in the pyramid and these have been split into Group A and Group B, and Cefn Albion will participate in Group A.

Last year, our reserves were placed in the FAW Reserve League North Tier 3, with the participating clubs only revealed in late July. Given the extensive preparation invested in improving our reserve team, it was too late to withdraw and find an alternative solution. Despite our attempts to do so due to numerous uncertainties and travel requirements. The demands of the new structure took a significant toll on our players and club finances, making the season exceptionally challenging.

Now, it's refreshing to already know the structure of the new North East Wales Reserve League (Group A), allowing us to plan appropriately for the upcoming season. We aim to rebuild the reserve team, hopefully injecting renewed energy and commitment from both management and players. Our reserves have a full pre-season schedule arranged, supported by a dedicated management team: Tom Evans, Jack Richards, Jamie Foulkes, Ben Griffiths, and Ellis Leighton. They are working tirelessly to ensure everything is in place.

As it stands the league will consist of 10 teams:

• Brickfield Rangers
• Cefn Albion
• Connah's Quay Town
• Corwen
• Hawarden Rangers
• Llangollen
• Mynydd Isa
• Penycae
• Rhos Aelwyd
• Saltney Town

Grassroots football is crucial for the long-term health and growth of the sport in Wales. It serves as a vehicle for education, personal development, and mental health, and can have a hugely positive impact on the local community of Cefn Mawr. We encourage all players but especially local youngsters from within the community to get involved with Cefn Albion. Please come and attend our open pre-season training sessions. Football is important, so embrace it while you can. This is also a message to the players who have decided to take a break after the challenges of last season. This season, we are optimistic about regular and local grassroots football, which will be a significant improvement that was beyond our control.

We would like to place on record our thanks to Mike Jones and Robyn Cooke who have supported our transition into the North East Wales Football Reserve League.

Our reserves kick off their preseason schedule against North East Wales Premier Division (Tier 4) outfit Plas Madoc this evening at Grango 3G. Kick off at 18:45. Please come and support the team if you can. 

Cefn Albion is proudly sponsored by Regional Property Maintenace

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