BARRY OUT IN THE WILDERNESS

ONE of biggest clubs in south Wales football and a record-equalling seven-times Welsh Premier champions, Barry Town have been banished to the wilderness of recreational football by the Football Association of Wales.

Although no official statement has been forthcoming from Cardiff, a meeting of the FAW Council in Betws Y Coed on Thursday is understood to have rejected an application from Barry, as well as phoenix club Llanelli, for membership of the Association and a place in next season's Macwhirter Welsh League.

Barry, who reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup just a few weeks ago, were summarily withdrawn from the Welsh League Division One two games before the end of the season by maverick owner Stuart Lovering.

But the club, which has been run and funded by its Supporters' Committee (BTSC) since January 2009, immediately reformed under the Barry Town United banner.

With security of tenure at its Jenner Park home for next season and wide-ranging support, the club was hopeful of being placed in Division One next season and had apparently received private assurances that the worst-case scenario was Division Three.

"The BTSC is stunned by the news that the FAW Council have refused to ratify a proposal by its own domestic committee to allow Barry Town United AFC to become full members of the Football Association of Wales and the Welsh Football League," says a statement from the BTSC.

The FAW Council appears to have ignored the wishes of the football community.

"The FAW Council appears to have ignored the wishes of the football community, as well as letters of support from Alun Cairns MP, Jane Hutt AM and Vale of Glamorgan Council, and an online petition of over 1,250 signatories in arriving at their decision.

"This decision would appear to contradict their own strategic plan for involving local communities in running their local clubs.

"In addition to snapping a 100-year lineage of competitive senior football, this decision would also mean the demise of Barry Town United's youth teams and those of the Vale of Glamorgan Academy sides, who were to be administered by the BTSC.

"Other affected entities include cancer charity Edgar's Gift, whose logo was poised to adorn Barry shirts in the Welsh League next season.

"The status of our pre-season campaign, which was set to see a match against Cardiff City and others, is currently unknown.

"The BTSC will be taking legal advice and are looking at taking this matter to the Welsh Assembly Government and wherever else necessary in order to ensure justice for our team and our community," the statement concludes.

On May 14, a statement on the FAW's official website said: "The Football Association of Wales recognises the proud history and tradition of the club (Barry Town) and its contribution and success over the years. 

"The Association also recognises the need for a football club in Barry and hopes that the Supporters Club can ensure that football will continue in the town."

Barry seem to have won - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23638992