The wait is almost over as a new adventure begins in the Novira Cymru Premier, with a new 16-team format expected to deliver more excitement, entertainment and jeopardy than ever before.
Champions The New Saints will targeting title number 19 this season and Craig Harrison has strengthened his squad with the likes of the impressive Rhys Hughes from Connah’s Quay Nomads and the return of Brad Young from Caernarfon Town.
Defender Dynel Simeu has also arrived at Park Hall from Oldham Athletic and could really make his mark in the league this season. The Saints still have a wealth of experience in their ranks despite a few departures but look out for youngsters like Zach Nolan from Ballymena United who offers plenty of potential.
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Connah’s Quay Nomads pushed the Saints into the final weeks of the campaign in what was a very impressive first season in charge for John Disney. The former defender knows the club and the league inside-out and they are expected to once again be the main rivals to The New Saints’ domestic dominance.
It has been a summer of transition with several experienced players including Chris Marriott, Kai Edwards, Declan Poole and Rhys Hughes departing, but Disney has recruited from outside the league to ensure his side are ready for another title challenge. How they adapt to their new surroundings will be key to their success.
The expansion of the Novira Cymru Premier to 16 teams means that three clubs will be competing in the top division for the very first time. Trefelin claimed the Novira Cymru South title on the final day of the season and under manager Andy Hill they have retained the core of an experienced and talented squad.
Despite top goalscorer Luke Bowen returning to Briton Ferry Llansawel, Trefelin have attracted former Penybont captain Kane Owen along with Dan John from Cardiff Met, and both will have an important role to play this season. Former Cymru international Shaun MacDonald has also committed himself for the new season, while the likes of Louis Caramella-Gerrard and goalkeeper Scott Coughlin were also integral to their impressive defensive record in their title-winning season.
Also making their top-flight bow this season are Cambrian United. The Rhondda-based team were runners-up to Trefelin and manager Liam Williams has strengthened his squad during the summer with the arrivals Alex John and Cardiff Met duo Jake Morris and Kelland Absalom.
Williams has also decided to keep faith with the majority of the squad that pushed Trefelin all the way, and a key move will be the retention of striker Liam Eason. A prolific goalscorer in the Novira Cymru South, his 19 league goals last season were crucial for their successful promotion push and he now has the opportunity to show his talent in the top division.
Completing the trio of top-flight debutants are Ammanford. Manager Wyn Thomas is a veteran of the Novira Cymru Premier having made over 500 appearances for the likes of Aberystwyth Town, Carmarthen Town, Haverfordwest County and Llanelli during his playing career, and his experience will be vital.
Elliot Scotcher has joined the club from Haverfordwest County while Joe Hopkins and Gruffydd Morgan have arrived from Llanelli Town and Cardiff Met respectively. Survival will be the main aim for Ammanford this season and their home form could prove decisive.
In contrast, all three promoted clubs from the Novira Cymru North have previous top-flight experience. Airbus UK Broughton have been knocking on the door for a return for a couple of seasons under manager Mark Allen and got over the line as runners-up to Llandudno.
The experienced duo of Danny Warren and Blaine Hudson have departed during the summer for Mold Alexandra and Bangor City 1876 respectively, while the Wingmakers have also lost James Davies and Ryan Edwards this summer.
Jordan Hadaway made national headlines by guiding Llandudno to the league title in the Novira Cymru North last season at the age of just 24, and has wasted little time in adding experience to his ranks with defender Kai Edwards arriving from Connah’s Quay Nomads.
The arrival of goalkeeper Joel Torrance from Bala Town could also be key to their defensive form this season. The 24-year-old is a talented shot-stopper and is an impressive addition for the newly-promoted club.
Holywell Town were founder members of what was the League of Wales back in 1992/93 and now return to the top-flight for the first time since they were relegated for a second time in 1999. It has been a busy summer with a number of notable arrivals and departures, headlined by the exit of striker Jamie Breese.
Manager Johnny Haseldin is now in his second spell in charge at the club and has been pushing to get his side into the domestic top-flight for the last eight seasons. New signings Owen Davies, Elliot Collins, Taner Dogan, Alec Mudimu and veteran Jamie Reed bring a wealth of experience and could be key to their success.
Penybont boss Rhys Griffiths is the longest-serving manager in the Novira Cymru Leagues and guided his side to glory in the Play-Offs last season. Despite a strong summer of recruitment headlined by the arrivals of Ryan Hill, Eduino Vaz and Liam Shephard, it was a disappointing first qualifying round exit for the club in the UEFA Conference League.
Departing Bont this summer are Kane Owen and Clayton Green who move to Trefelin and Haverfordwest County respectively. A negative goal difference was a problem for the side last season, and in addition to the ever-green Chris Venables, they will turn to Ethan Cann, Nathan Wood and Noah Daley for goals.
Caernarfon Town claimed the FAW Welsh Cup last season and have recruited well following their return to European football. Ben Nash and Chris Marriott have arrived from Connah’s Quay Nomads while Offrande Zanzala from Marine will bring something different to the league.
With impressive redevelopments at The Oval, Richard Davies and his squad can expect plenty of support both home and away this season, and the target will be to build on their cup success with what is now a solid and overall stronger squad.
Steve Jenkins has headed over the border for the majority of his new additions at Barry Town United but there are some key departures from Jenner Park with Ben Margetson, Ollie Hulbert and Ieaun Owen all leaving the club during the summer.
Although this is something of a transitional time for the club, they impressed last season to finish third in the table and missed out on Europe following defeat to Haverfordwest County in the Play-Offs. The aim will be to once again challenge towards to top end of the division, but a lot will depend on how quickly their new signings, such as Owen Brain, Elliott Dugan, Jadyn Crosbie and the returning Sion Spence, gel together.
Colwyn Bay manager Michael Wilde returned to Connah’s Quay Nomads during the summer to sign no fewer than five players from his former club. Although they also lost out in the European Play-Offs last season, there is a real ambition to deliver European football to the Blue Turtle Arena.
Although there have also been a number of exits from Colwyn Bay this summer, Wilde has retained the nucleus of his squad and has brought in plenty of experience to compliment them. Expect Declan Poole in particular to play an important role for the side this season, backed by a large home crowd.
The signing of Clayton Green from Penybont has headlined Haverfordwest County’s business this summer as Tony Pennock’s side look to move from missing out on a European place with defeat to Penybont in the Play-Off Final.
The side head into the new campaign with a solid mix of youth and experience having also signed the likes of Ben Phillips and Lucas Myers from Swansea City and Swindon Town respectively, and the target will be to challenge the clubs at the top end of the table.
By comparison, Cardiff Met have lost a wealth of experience this summer and this could prove to be a difficult season for Ryan Jenkins and his side. Adam Roscrow and Dixon Kabongo are two key departures while the likes of Matt Chubb and Kelland Absalom have also moved on.
Spencer Dymond has arrived from Larkhall while former Cardiff City and Newport County midfielder Aaron Wildig headlines the new additions. Meanwhile, Jack Veale has returned to the club and versatile teenage defender Tom English has signed from Bristol Rovers.
Briton Ferry Llansawel continue to make steady progress as they head into their third season in the top division. The return of Luke Bowen in a player-coaching capacity will provide another option in attack, while Matt Chubb from Cardiff Met together with Tristan Jenkins and Joe Lloyd from Llanelli Town make a solid summer of new signings for Andy Dyer’s side.
Departing the club are Dyer’s son, Rio, while Kian Jenkins has made the switch to Torquay United. The club have continued to grow on and off the field from their promotion, and will be targeting a highest-ever finish for the club this season.
Last but not least, Flint Town United reached the FAW Welsh Cup Final last season and it has been a busy summer for manager Lee Fowler with a number of changes to his squad. Apart from Harrison McGahey and Harry Dean from The New Saints and Bala Town respectively, the new additions all come from the English pyramid.
After avoiding relegation last season, Flint Town United have lost the likes of Osebi Abadaki, Darren Stephenson, Ben Wynne and Alec Mudimu. Although their new signings offer potential, their success will depend on how they adapt to competing in the Novira Cymru Premier this season.
