THE Football Association of Wales (FAW) has taken the decision to cancel the 20/21 campaign for clubs operating in tiers three and below.

Following months of uncertainty and confusion, the FAW announced on February 4 that the season has been cancelled for men’s football tiers 3 to 5 and women’s tier 2.

Several cup competitions at that level have been called off also but both the JD Cymru Premier and JD Cymru North and South (tier two) and Orchard Welsh Premier Women’s League will receive ‘Elite Status’ in weeks to come – meaning they should return to action.

The Welsh Cup will also only include teams from tiers one and two only, who the FAW plan to see playing between March and May.

Academy Leagues are expected to resume at Alert Level 3 if Welsh Government Regulations permits and the Futsal League, if Welsh Government regulations allow, will play on until UEFA window for champion nomination closes.

The news means that clubs such as Denbigh Town and Corwen, who were scheduled to operate in the newly-formed Ardal North West and Ardal North East Leagues respectively, will not see any official matches played any time soon.

But, on the other hand, clubs such as Bala Town (JD Cymru Premier) and Ruthin Town (JD Cymru North) are expected to return to action as early as next month, if guidelines permit.

Many clubs throughout Wales have not played any league matches in the space of a whole year now due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

That is expected to have had a great impact on several lower tier clubs who will currently have little or no income, as well as find it difficult to keep players and staff interested with no footballing action planned for the best part of this year.

The FAW has however stated that clubs will still be expected to pay for participating in the next season when it can be played but player fees will be discounted.

Speaking after the season was cancelled, Denbigh Town manager Dewi Llion said: "It's the correct call from the FAW, the safety of the players, coaches and hard-working volunteers must come first.

"I do feel the decision should have been made months ago, as it was inevitable that this would be the outcome."