The First Qualifying Round of the FAW Amateur Trophy takes place this weekend with 246 of the 251 clubs that have entered the competition in action, all dreaming of making it to the 125th Final.
Bangor City 1876 won the competition last season but will not defend the trophy following their promotion to the Novira Cymru North. The same applies to defeated finalists Pontardawe Town who made up for missing out on silverware with promotion to the Novira Cymru South via the Ardal Southern Leagues Play-Offs.
Penmaenmawr Phoenix and Porthcawl Town Athletic both receive byes to Round One having reached the semi-finals last season, together with Knighton Town and local rivals Cwmbran Celtic and Cwmbran Town, who were the highest-ranked teams based on league performance.
Goals from Declan McManus, Adam Long and Tommy Creamer earned Bangor City 1876 their first ever success in the competition last season as they claimed a 3-1 win over Pontardawe Town at Aberystwyth to complete a memorable campaign for Michael Johnston’s side.
Port Talbot Town were victorious in 2024/25 as Richard Ryan’s side claimed their first trophy for 25-years with a 2-1 win over Penygraig United. On Saturday they host Blaen-y-Maes at Victoria Road after being eliminated in Round 4 last season with a 2-0 defeat to CPD Llannefydd.
Prior to Port Talbot Town lifting the trophy, Newport City, Trethomas Bluebirds and Mold Alexandra all achieved success in the competition but have since gained promotion to the second tier. Cefn Albion won the competition in 2018/19 with a 4-0 win over Pontardawe Town and they host CPD Gornant on Saturday.
Four of the 123 First Qualifying Round ties scheduled for this weekend take place on Friday night with fixtures at Croesyceiliog, Trelewis Welfare, Menai Bridge Tigers and Clwb Cymric. Meanwhile, the most successful club in the history of the competition, Cardiff Corinthians, travel to Undy AFC on Saturday.
Cardiff Corinthians have lifted the FAW Amateur Trophy on six occasions and have reached seven finals in their history. Their last success was back in 1984/85 when they defeated Brecon Corinthians 2-1 in a reply following a 2-2 draw between the sides a few days before.
One intriguing tie taking place on Saturday brings together Rhydyfelin AFC and Abertillery Excelsiors in a repeat of the 2002/03 final. Rhydyfelin claimed a 4-1 victory that day to claim the trophy for the one and only time in their history.
Rhydyfelin and Abertillery Excelsiors met in the 2002/03 FAW Amateur Trophy Final
The aim for all of the 251 clubs from across the county entering the competition this season will be to reach the 125th Final. One of Welsh football’s longest-running competitions, its origins trace back to 1890–91, when it was launched as the Welsh Junior Cup to provide structured competition for clubs outside the elite level.
English clubs were previously permitted to enter, and the trophy left Wales nine times, the last time in 1975 when Donnington Wood claimed the trophy. Wrexham Victoria were the first winners of the competition back in 1890/91, but their record is a controversial topic of debate that continues over a century later.
Renamed the Welsh Amateur Cup in 1902, the competition became a showcase for ambitious community clubs. Cardiff Corinthians emerged as the most successful side with six titles, while Aberystwyth Town reached 11 finals, winning five. Other notable multiple winners included Chirk AAA, Lovell’s Athletic, and Welshpool, each lifting the trophy four times.
In 1974, the competition became known as the FAW Intermediate Cup, reflecting the growing distinction between professional and amateur football. This era maintained the competition’s role as a proving ground for clubs seeking to rise through the Welsh pyramid.
It became the FAW Trophy in 1993, and it remains an important competition for clubs across the lower tiers of the domestic game.
