Clubs meet over 10-team league

Apr 12 2008 by Paul Abbandonato, Western Mail

WELSH PREMIER clubs are to hold talks tomorrow about radical plans to bring their league down to just 10 teams.

The 18 clubs will get together for the first time to debate the radical shake-up that is being proposed by Welsh Premier chief John Deakin.

Clubs are being asked at the special meeting in Oswestry to agree a formula which will see eight teams lose their places in the top flight next season.

The plan is for a Premier Division of 10 sides and a Second Division of a further 10.

Teams will play each other four times a season, based upon the model used up in Scotland.

Deakin has suggested the move to counter a plan which has been debated by the FA of Wales to bring reserve teams from Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham into the league.

Deakin accepts the league has levelled out and major change is needed to improve its perception amongst the public and crowd levels.

Even though many teams will lose their top flight status, the majority of Welsh Premier sides are believed to be in favour of the change being suggested.