FAW Welsh Cup


Llanelli claimed the cup for the first time in 2011 [Mike Greenslade/www.mikezite.co.uk].

The Welsh Cup is one of the oldest cup competitions in the world - the first winners in 1878 were Newtown White Star. Over the intervening period, the competition attracted entries from clubs outside of Wales, but was restricted to clubs playing in the Welsh pyramid in 1992.
However, the FAW decided to invite the exiles to play in the 2011/12 competition and Wrexham, Newport County and Merthyr Town accepted.
In its current format, all games are played to a conclusion, with extra-time and penalties if necessary. The semi-finals and final are played at neutral venues.
The Welsh Cup winners qualify for the Europa League (although, at the moment, that would not include the exiles) but, with effect from 2009, the runners-up cannot qualify, even if the winners have already gained a place through league position.

Prize money
Winners £25,000
Runners-up £15,000
Losing semi-finalists £10,000
Losing quarter-finalists £5,000
Last 16 £2,500
Last 32 £1,000
Last 64 £500

Conference dates 2011/12