How our football journey has progressed – onwards and upwards

A comms’ chief has written about his “pride” at Welsh football’s journey – after Connah’s Quay Nomads yesterday lifted the JD Cymru Premier cup.

Football Association of Wales (FAW) deputy communications chief Rob Dowling articulated his confident, heart-felt and uplifting thread on Twitter after Connah’s Quay Nomads beat Penybont 0-2 yesterday.

On a historic day broadcasting-wise, the game was shown live on Sgorio on S4C who also simultaneously broadcast the other crunch game between the New Saints (TNS) and Bala live online which the New Saints won 2-0.  The New Saints also had a chance to win the league, if the Nomads would have lost. In the end, Andy Morrison’s team won the Welsh Premier League for the second consecutive season .

Rob wrote: “A lot of thought and work has gone into the domestic game over the past few years.

“Following the restructure of the leagues, a confident name and brand was needed for identity and confidence in our game.
“The Welsh language was put at the forefront with one bilingual name, therefore meaning Welsh must always be used, never an English translation – Cymru Premier is our La Liga, Serie A or Eredivisie.

A THREAD…

A lot of thought and work has gone into the domestic game over the past few years.

Following the restructure of the leagues, a confident name and brand was needed for identity and confidence in our game. pic.twitter.com/6U1YP9BPDW

— Rob Dowling (@Rob_Dowling) May 15, 2021

“Confidence in the language. An identifier to set us apart from everyone else. We’ve also overhauled the way we do photography so that the sale of the @Cymru images help us to fund domestic imagery. The photos, also made available to media outlets, provide a positive image of Welsh football.

“To change perceptions. To make make it appealing. The process is slow but it is gradually breaking through into the mainstream. Sky Sports, BBC and media further afield now using Welsh language when talking about our top men’s league – Cymru Premier.

“It’s a more identifiable and appealing “product”.

“I’m so proud of the work that is being done and with the excellent coverage of Welsh football provided by Sgorio on S4C, the foundations are there for Welsh domestic football to continue growing.
“To be confident in itself. To be proudly Welsh. And welcome people into its community. The end of my tweets… for now… as the journey continues.”

However, it is not only the dramatic end to the league – with places to compete in Europe still to play for in the play-offs – that has captured the football-watching public but the fantastic two dragons trophy thate is the JD Cymru Premier Cup.

Many people have posted favourably about the cup, claiming it is the best-looking cup in the world or “the coolest trophy in football.”