2025 was yet another historic year for women’s football in Wales. While the national team made history by appearing at a first major tournament, the Genero Adran Leagues were packed with excitement and unforgettable moments.
There was drama from the off in the Genero Adran Premier as the race for a place in the top four went down to the wire. The final spot was decided by a winner-takes-all clash between six-time league champions Swansea City and a Wrexham side who had recovered from a poor start to the campaign to make a late push for the Championship Conference.
In a game that swung back and forth, the midweek contest at Llandarcy was decided in the 90th minute; Wrexham defender Keren Allen finding the winning goal to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory for the Red Dragons.
Under interim manager Yzzy Taylor, the Swans would go on to finish top of the Plate Conference with ease, while Barry Town United achieved a record points total in sixth place. Aberystwyth Town also picked up some late season form, meaning it was the end of an era at six-time league champions Cardiff Met who were relegated to the second tier for the first time in their history.
At the other end of the table, it was The New Saints who started the year at the top of the standings, closely pursued by Cardiff City and Briton Ferry Llansawel. But in the end it was the Bluebirds who claimed a third consecutive league title, complemented by a fourth successive Bute Energy Welsh Cup crown.
Not all of the silverware went to the capital though, as The New Saints lifted the Genero Adran Trophy for the first time in their history – beating Swansea City in the final – while the Oswestry outfit achieved a record league finish of third place.
It was also a memorable season at Old Road, as Briton Ferry remarkably finished second in their first season back in the top-flight, with a victory over Wrexham at the STōK Cae Ras proving that they were more than comfortable at Welsh football’s top table.
There was plenty of drama in the second tier too. In the Genero Adran North, Connah’s Quay Nomads won all 14 of their league games to claim the title in emphatic style for the first time in their history.
The Genero Adran South’s final day was nothing short of thrilling. Pontypridd United, Cascade and Swansea University were all in with a chance of winning the title ahead of kick-off, but it was the Dragons’ young side who lifted the trophy after triumphing 4-0 over Llanelli Town.
So the stage was set for an Easter Sunday showdown in the promotion play-off at Latham Park. After the Nomads led by two goals at half-time, it looked like Jordan Parry’s team would grace the Genero Adran Premier for the first time ever. But Ponty had other ideas. A Megan Andrews own goal, coupled with two quick fire strikes from Nicole Fenton and Quianna Wheeler late on, sealed the Dragons’ return to the top tier in astonishing fashion.
Summer arrived, and there was plenty of activity across the country. In the Genero Adran Premier, six of the eight teams changed their manager before the start of the season, with only Cardiff City’s Iain Darbyshire and Stevie McCarthy-Campbell of Barry keeping their positions. McCarthy-Campbell has since also left his position, meaning that Briton Ferry’s Rhys Thomas is remarkably the league’s second longest-serving boss despite only being appointed in May.
As well as switches in the dugout, there were plenty of changes on the pitch. Cardiff City markswoman Eliza Collie made the move over to Gwalia United, Molly Kehoe now calls West Bromwich Albion home, while Barry’s Danielle Broadhurst joined Collie at Gwalia. It was also the end of an era for many players, as Robyn Pinder, Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Lauren Harris, Tija Richardson and Del Morgan all announced their retirement.
But plenty of talent now call the Genero Adran Premier their new home. The likes of Jodie Bartle, Katie Barker and Mariam Mahmood have made impressive, instant impacts at Wrexham, former Cymru U19 international boosts Cardiff City’s squad and Zara Gibbs is starring at TNS.
And so to this current season, and there are storylines everywhere you look.
In the Genero Adran North, Connah’s Quay are looking strong to retain the title and have a five point gap at the top of the table, but both Flint Town United and Llanfair United have shown their championship credentials at times this season. Nomads duo Ella Jones and Polly Wild-McGregor have been the top scorers across the Genero Adran Leagues in 2025 with 16 goals each.
In the Genero Adran South, a youthful Cardiff Met side are currently top of the tree as they aim to make an immediate return to the top-flight. However, the likes of Pure Swansea, Carmarthen Town, Cwmbran Celtic and Penybont will aim to push the Archers following the turn of the year.
Carmarthen are one of three teams to make their second tier debuts this year, and have made a good impression alongside Taffs Well in the south and Berriew in the north. All three have picked up some eye-catching results and look to be settling into tier two life well.
In the Genero Adran Premier, a mouth-watering title race is brewing. Wrexham, now under the stewardship of Jenny Sugarman, lead the way heading into the new year with a five-point gap to Cardiff City in second, but the Bluebirds do have a game in hand.
The two sides meet in the capital when the top-flight returns from its winter break on Sunday 4 January, in what should be one of the most fascinating games of the season so far. It finished 1-1 when the pair met in October’s reverse fixture.
The race to get into the top four looks like it could go down to the final day of Phase One once again. TNS currently occupy fourth place, but fifth-place Briton Ferry are only two points behind and have played a game less.
With a competitive field forming on the pitch, and a first ever bespoke strategy for the Genero Adran Premier to arrive in the coming months, momentum continues to build in the domestic game. If you thought 2025 was exciting, then 2026 is a year not to be missed.
