Just why do Cardiff ply their trade in the ENGLISH league?

[surreyranger]

[dodge-stoke-r]

Or Swansea, Wrexham and once upon a time, Newport County.

[waterbuffalo]

Why not? in cricket, it is the England and Wales cricket board. you would rather play crap teams so as to go up and get hammered in the Premiership?

[Nodge70]

Because historically there was no League of Wales. When Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham formed they applied and were accepted into the Football League competition (the title is important - it isn't the ENGLISH Football League). This is very different from the FA and Welsh FA who do not run the Football League in England. Aside from ensuring application of the laws of the game, the English FA have no say in Football League matters.

Additionally, teams like Bangor City, Llanelli, Caernarfon Town, Merthyr Tydfil, Barry Town etc historically sat in the Northern Premier or Southern Leagues. Only when the FAW introduced the League of Wales were they forced (against their will in most) to play in the Welsh League.

[QPR1234]

the title is important - it isn't the ENGLISH Football League.

but if they get promotion to the ENGLISH Premier league things might be a tad different!

[Nodge70]

but if they get promotion to the ENGLISH Premier league things might be a tad different!

It's just the Premier League - no prefix.

Also - England and Wales were one administrative area for the best part of 700 years (similar to Ireland) before they got partial devolution from Blair.

It's a non-issue IMO and can't see why it causes so much grief. Berwick Rangers have played in the Scottish leagues for 70 odd years

[80sCasual]

It's just the Premier League - no prefix.

Also - England and Wales were one administrative area for the best part of 700 years (similar to Ireland) before they got partial devolution from Blair.

It's a non-issue IMO and can't see why it causes so much grief. Berwick Rangers have played in the Scottish leagues for 70 odd years

It is stated in some places as the 'EPL' What does the E stand for then if it's not for English?

[EYR]

Lets be honest if Cardiff and Swansea were both struggling in League 2 we wouldnt be having this discussion.

[80sCasual]

Lets be honest if Cardiff and Swansea were both struggling in League 2 we wouldnt be having this discussion.

I have always had this view whichever division they've been in.

[Sam-QPR]

It's just the Premier League - no prefix.

Also - England and Wales were one administrative area for the best part of 700 years (similar to Ireland) before they got partial devolution from Blair.

It's a non-issue IMO and can't see why it causes so much grief. Berwick Rangers have played in the Scottish leagues for 70 odd years

Nodge are we not in the English football league system???. with the premier league being top, which means it is the English premier league