THE Welsh Premier - the national league of Wales - will kick-off 2009/10 with 18 clubs.
Bala Town won promotion to the top flight for the first time and replace Caernarfon Town, who were relegated to the Cymru Alliance.
As Welsh League champions ENTO Aberaman failed to meet the ground grading deadline, they missed-out on promotion, allowing 17th-placed Caersws to survive after finishing in the relegation zone for the second consecutive season.
In June 2009, the Welsh Premier voted to move to a 12-club league in season 2009/10.
The highest-placed finishers that achieve an FAW domestic club licence will form the basis of the new league along with two clubs promoted from the feeder system (provided they also gain a licence).
The bottom eight clubs will be relegated if there are successful applicants from the Cymru Alliance and Welsh League.
There is no route for promotion from the Welsh Premier, although the champion side is entered in the Uefa Champions League, with two clubs entered in the Europa league along with the Welsh Cup winners.
The league is sponsored by the Principality Building Society.

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