Flint Town General Manager Makhan Rai believes the new changes to the league provide his team with new opportunities.
The FAW have announced changes coming to the JD Cymru Premier Division ahead of the 2026/27 season.
This is part of the vision set out in April, which plans to take Welsh football to a higher level.
Mr Rai says that this change creates a new feeling for the club.
Mr Rai said: ‘’For myself, the competitive edge was the biggest point, with bigger teams dominating the league. The expansion will create that competitive edge.
The new changes make sure the possibility is always on the line in these games.’’
£6 million has been invested in this project, which is taking place until 2029. This is the largest investment in Welsh football since the formation of the Cymru leagues in 1992.
The league looks to create more competition, develop commercial portfolios, strengthen on-pitch performances and provide strength which will encourage new investors.
The biggest change sees the league go from 12 teams to 16.
Flint were promoted last summer and currently sit above the relegation zone. Since the plans have been announced, Rai wants Flint to be in the league when they take place due to the benefits they offer.
’’Trying to get to that next level is very difficult. These new opportunities through the expansion can be very beneficial, so hopefully, we are a part of it.
‘’We can use this to help grow the club and Welsh football in general.’’
Jack Sharp, Head of Domestic Leagues, has been a driving force behind the new changes as he looks to strengthen it.
Dan Davies, creator of Welsh football magazine ‘Top Bins’ believes that this will not only open up new opportunities, but will make the competition better in Wales.
He said: “ The league needs more competition and opportunities for clubs. There are loads of good teams that can play.”
However, one of the biggest issues recently have been the applications for Tier 1 licenses.
This allows teams in the second division to play in the top tier, however, several have been rejected due to poor infrastructure with the stadiums.
Mr Davies believes more must be done to help these teams get their licenses but he thinks some clubs might run the risk.
He said: “ We need teams to go into the league to begin with. We’ve seen loads of Tier 1 applications be rejected so I think we have to work with the teams.
“I think Tier 2 teams will overspend to reach Tier 1. I think the world will hopefully be watching by the time the new league comes around, and this will open doors for Tier 2 teams to take risks financially.”
The Welsh FA have worked close with Tier 2 teams to see what solutions can be made before the changes come into play.
The structure of the league was taken into evaluation with Twenty First Group Global, who are leaders in sports intelligence and previously worked with the Premier League.
The new system put in place is like the Czech Republic League. They switched format in 2018-19.
These changes have been introduced following discussion with the clubs and fans.
Ethan McMullin, coach for Greenfield FC hopes these changes will help generate higher attendance figures for the Welsh Premier League.
He said: “ I think it will mainly benefit Welsh Premier League teams and mainly the spectators across the leagues. In doing so it should make it more interesting.
“Hopefully this will encourage more people to do to the games with the product on the pitch being promised.”
This was the first stage of the plan that was set out, and now the league is looking for clubs to present their plans for the future.
Final Whistle 