Welsh football bosses want Merthyr Town to join Wales’ domestic set-up.
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has made a presentation to the Martyrs hierarchy with a view to enticing them out of the English non-league system and into an expanded Cymru Premier in 2026.
Merthyr are currently top of the Southern League Premier Division South, which is at step seven in the English pyramid.
They are the only remaining non-league club from Wales in the English set-up, along with the English Football League (EFL) clubs Swansea City, Cardiff City, Wrexham and Newport County.
Traditionally the club has been keen to remain in the English system and in the 1990s Merthyr were part of the rebel group of exiled teams who fought – and won – a High Court battle to stay out of the Welsh pyramid as the Cymru Leagues came into existence, then as the League of Wales.
There has been a long-held ambition among some within the FAW to bring Merthyr into the domestic scene.
But for the first time, Welsh football’s governing body has made a formal approach to the club to consider joining the Welsh domestic set-up.
The initiative has been led by Jack Sharp, the FAW’s head of domestic football, who has provided a detailed analysis of the benefits of pulling out of the England pyramid and becoming part of the Cymru Leagues in less than two years time.
He has made a presentation to the Merthyr board, who have also had the chance to seek clarification on some matters.
The FAW has previously announced the Cymru Premier will expand to 16 teams and include a new end of season split into three divisions from 2026-27.
Wales’ top flight already consists of 12 clubs and, after each plays home and away, the league splits into two divisions of six.
Merthyr are a club with historic pedigree. They have had some eye-catching FA Cup runs and were on the brink of making the Football League in the early 90s, performing strongly in the fifth tier, then known as the Football Conference.
Merthyr have won the Welsh Cup three times, most recently in 1987, which led to their famous European Cup Winners’ Cup tie against Atalanta, which has become part of the town’s folklore.
Their Penydarren Park ground has been modernised and they also have an enthusiastic and loyal following.
The club would undoubtedly enhance the Welsh domestic set-up, but the Martyrs’ faithful also cherish their unique situation in the English system and have built up friendly links with clubs across the border.
After receiving the presentation over the possible move, the Merthyr board have had the chance to clarify certain elements of any possible switch.
This is believed to include where the club would fit into proposals under the “Prosiect Cymru” initiative.
This is a plan for the exiled clubs to be part of an enhanced Welsh League Cup which would currently provide the four EFL outfits – Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham and Newport – with a gateway into European competition.
As a fan-owned club, the final decision on a possible Martyrs switch will be left to a vote of Merthyr’s members.