Welsh Championship. Championship. North
The Welsh Championship Championship North (Cymru North) is the second tier of Welsh football, spotlighting teams from the northern region. It captures the raw passion of grassroots football in towns like Holywell and Flint, where matches draw fervent local crowds. Running from August to April, the 30-match season delivers gritty battles for promotion dreams.
History and foundation
Evolving from the Northern Premier League in the 1990s, it was rebranded Cymru North in 2020 amid pyramid restructuring. Holywell Town's near-perfect 2018 season with just five losses stands out, while Connah's Quay's crossovers added spice. COVID disruptions hit 2019/20 hard, but Prestatyn Town's 2022 playoff heroics against Llandudno revived the drama.
Tournament format
Sixteen teams play a double round-robin: 30 games total. Top side earns direct promotion to Cymru Premier; 2nd-4th vie in playoffs for the second spot. Bottom two face relegation or playouts against southern counterparts from Ardal Leagues, keeping tension high.
Interesting facts
Matches average 3.2 goals, fueled by set-pieces and quick breaks. Standouts include Chris Evans' 25-goal haul for Holywell in 2021/22 and Gary Dozzell's longevity at Porthmadog. Prospects like Jake Davies from Flint Town have climbed to the top flight, with Caernarfon producing Wales internationals.