Wales Football News

Former European Cup entrants Barry Town and Welsh Premier League side AFC Llanelli have been refused entry into the Welsh Football League following both clubs' off-field problems last season.

Barry Town were withdrawn from the Welsh League last season by owner Stuart Lovering but had been reformed by a group of supporters under the name of Barry Town United AFC with the hope of continuing nest season in the Welsh pyramid.

Llanelli AFC were forced out of business earlier this season after the High Court ordered them to be wound-up with tax debts of around £21,000 owed to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

A meeting of the Football Association of Wales Council considered both applications for the newly formed versions of both clubs to be re-entered in the Welsh Football League but they have rejected the idea, recommending that both apply for member of their local association.

In practice that means both clubs will have to start at the very bottom of Welsh football if they wish to cary on.

• Sport
• Barry
• Llanelli

Michael Laudrup has told the chairman of Swansea City that he is committed to his contract at the club despite speculation linking him with a move away.

Laudrup's future had been fast into further doubt last night when it was revealed that the club had decided not to do any further business with Laudrup's agent Bayram Tutumlu over what they described as interference in the club's transfer policy.

Tutumlu hit back at the accusations saying he had spent a lot of moneytrying to help the club and that his relationship with Laudrup wouldnot change.

ITV News has tonight learnt that Laudrup and chairman Huw Jenkins have today held lengthy discussions in which the Dane confirmed his intention to honour his contract and stay at the club.

• Sport
• Michael Laudrup
• Swansea City

Michael Laudrup insists he wants to stay at Swansea City, following a row between the club and his agent.

On Wednesday, club sources told ITV News they no longer wanted to work with agent Bayram Tutumlu, accusing him of trying to influence their transfer policy.

"Again I must say that my intention is to stay - I have repeated it so many times in the last three months" Laudrup told the South Wales Evening Post.

"Bayram is my agent and that’s not going to change."

“If the club do not want to work with him or Bayram does not want to work with them, it’s their problem not mine."

• Sport
• Michael Laudrup
• Swansea City

There are reports tonight that Michael Laudrup's future at the Liberty Stadium is in 'grave doubt' after it emerged that Swansea City has severed all ties with his agent.

The South Wales Evening Post has revealed that Laudrup's representative Bayram Tutumlu wants to take control of transfers and particularly the sale of the club's start defender Ashley Williams.

• Sport
• Michael Laudrup
• Swansea City

Newport County are close to completing a deal for an as-yet unnamed defender ahead of their return to the Football League.

Manager Justin Edinburgh has already confirmed he will not be making wholesale changes to the squad who won promotion back to the top four tiers of English football by beating Wrexham in the Blue Square Bet Premier playoffs, but he is looking to add strength in certain areas.

A new defender is understood to be next on his hit-list and ITV News understands he is close to completing a deal.

Edinburgh has already completed the signings of former Oxford United midfielder Adam Chapman and 6ft 3in Cheltenham Town striker Chris Zebroski.

Northern Ireland U21 international Chapman returns to County after a loan spell at the club during Just Edinburgh’s first season in charge and after spending last term on loan at Conference champions Mansfield Town.

Zebroski arrives from Cheltenham Town having previously had spells at Bristol Rovers, Plymouth, Millwall, Torquay and Wycombe Wanderers.

“We obviously have a hit list and these two players were on top of that list and I am delighted that what we aimed for, we got ” said Edinburgh.

He added: "We kept the majority of the players from last season and now added two quality players that will make us stronger. Zebroski is 6ft 3inches and at a great age of 26.

“Adam was with promoted champions Mansfield this season and he’s a great asset to the team as he gets forward and score goals which will fit into the style of football we want to play here next season.”

• UK
• Football
• Newport County

Newport County have unveiled their new kits and sponsors for its new era in the Football League. Online casino, 32Red, will be on the front of County’s three playing shirts for their debut season in what the club says is a record sponsorship.

Because of betting advertising regulations, 32Red cannot advertise on child sized replica shirts, therefore “Dreams & Wishes” County’s adopted Charity will be featured on front of those replicas says the club.

• Sport
• Newport County
• Football

Mark Hughes has been appointed Stoke City manager, six months after being sacked by Queen's Park Rangers.

He replaces fellow Welshman Tony Pulis who left the Stoke club by mutual consent last week.

Hughes will be unveiled as the new manager at a press conference later.

• Sport
• Football

There has been mixed reaction to Cardiff City's new season kit which goes on sale to the public tomorrow.

The shirts are red with long, loose sleeves and have no collar and will retail for around £45.

Around ten thousand people turned out to celebrate Cardiff City's promotion to the Premier League earlier this month.

• Sport
• Cardiff City
• football