The National Football League of Wales was formed in 1992¹
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Up until this point Wales did not have a national league of its own and was unique in world football in that it's major clubs played over the border in the English Leagues². Although well intentioned, the Football Association of Wales ³ stirred up a hornet's nest by insisting that every club in Wales, bar the three professional clubs⁴ and Merthyr Tydfil⁵ must enter the new league.

Turbulent Beginnings

Eight semi-professional clubs⁶ refused to enter the League of Wales and the 'Irate Eight', as they were dubbed began legal proceedings against the FAW. However, before the inaugural season the ‘Irate Eight’ were reduced to five clubs as Bangor City, Rhyl and Newtown decided to enter the League of Wales⁷.

Because of FAW sanctions, the remaining five clubs were forced to play their home matches in England and before long, five became four, with Barry Town ⁸ joining the Welsh league system.
A court ruling in 1995 allowed the remaining four clubs to return to Wales to play their home matches whilst still remaining within the English system, however, Caernarfon Town decided to join the League of Wales.⁹

Why?

England, Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland have, as the world's oldest Football Associations, a permanent seat on FIFA's ruling council. This is a sore point with the vast majority of African and Asian associations, especially considering Wales had no national league of its own, and its major clubs played in the English pyramid system.

The FAW decided they needed to set up a national league or face losing their political clout within FIFA, and possibly face a call for the home countries to merge into a single British association.

Good Thing or Bad Thing?

One big plus to having a national league is that since the formation of the League of Wales, more Welsh clubs have participated in European Club Competitions. Previously only one Welsh club participated in Europe each season; the Welsh Cup being the only avenue into European competition. Since 1992, Welsh clubs have also competed in the Champions' Cup, UEFA Cup and Intertoto Cup.

Barry Town's exploits in European competition have certainly raised the standards of Welsh football. Their finest moments came in the 1996/97 UEFA Cup when, having defeated Dinaburg of Latvia and Budapest Vasutas of Hungary in the earlier rounds, Barry faced Scottish side, Aberdeen¹⁰. Having lost the first leg 3-1 away at Pittodrie, Barry needed an early goal in the home leg at Jenner Park and within five minutes O'Gorman did exactly that. Unfortunately for Barry, Aberdeen were too strong and the game ended in a 3-3 draw, Aberdeen progressing to the next round 6-4 on aggregate.

On the down side, the league is not yet big enough to sustain the professional clubs and for that vey reason it is not a truly national league.

Roll Of Honour

League Of Wales Champions