The Exiles

Five teams affiliated to the FAW play their football in the English system.

After play-off success against Reading at Wembley in 2010-11 Swansea City were promoted to the Premier League – the top tier in England – but their stay ended in 2017-18 when they finished in 18th place to return to the Championship.

Cardiff City joined the Swans in the top flight in 2012-13 after gaining promotion as champions of the Championship but in 2013-14 the Bluebirds finished bottom of the Premier League and returned to the Championship. In 2017-18 as the Swans dropped down a level the Bluebirds replaced them in the top flight having finished runners-up to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the race for the Championship title. Their stay only lasted one season though, with relegation back to the Championship coming after they finished in 18th place in 2018-19.

Newport County beat Wrexham in the Conference play-off final at Wembley in 2012-13 to return to the Football League after 26 years away, while Wrexham remain in the National League after being relegated from the Football League in 2008-09.

Merthyr Town are affiliated to the Southern League. Colwyn Bay also played in the English pyramid until 2019-20 when they returned to the Welsh system after finishing in 11th place in Division One West of the Northern League. The Seagulls now play in the Cymru Leagues.

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