After 35 tumultuous years in the English pyramid, Colwyn Bay became the first of the Welsh ‘exiles’ to transfer their loyalties back to the Welsh way after accepting a place in the Cymru North for its inaugural 2019-20 season.

The Seagulls finished their final campaign in the English system in 11th place in Division One West of the Northern League, financial pressures forcing the club’s shareholders to make the huge decision.

Struggling to survive, the board saw the switch as a lifeline for the club and have introduced a five-year plan aimed at getting promotion to the Cymru Premier and to challenge for European football, with manager Craig Hogg signing a new contract for that period. Mark Orme takes on the role of assistant manager, with Neil Coverley joining the board as director of football.

The 2019-20 season marks the second big change to Welsh domestic football since the Welsh Premier league, formerly the League of Wales, came into being in 1992.

The 2010-11 season marked the first major transformation when the league was reduced from 18 teams to the Super 12, but another change of name heralds the dawn of the Cymru Leagues, with the Football Association of Wales taking over control of the second tier of Welsh football following a review of the Welsh league pyramid.

The newly re-branded Cymru Premier now has two feeder leagues, known as the Cymru North and Cymru South. The North replacing the old Cymru Alliance, while the South incorporates most the clubs from the former First Division of the Welsh Football League.

The champions of both leagues can be promoted to the Cymru Premier, subject to acceptable ground facilities, with the runner-up considered if the champions fail to meet the criteria.