New Welsh Premier secretary

The Football Association of Wales has appointed Gwyn Derfel for the role of Welsh Premier League Secretary, successor to John Deakin, who will retire at the end of the season.

Derfel, who was born in St. Asaph and currently lives in Bridgend in South Wales, has been involved with sports broadcasting and management for over twenty years. For three years, he was responsible for launching and producing the BBC’s ‘Y Clwb Pel-droed’ programme, which broadcast the League’s highlights package on a Saturday evening on S4C.

Over the last twelve months, he has also worked as a reporter and director for the League’s current programme Sgorio. With previous experience on Radio Cymru, Radio Wales and launching the Sport Wales programme, Derfel has a very strong media background.

Mr Derfel, 43, will start his employment with the FAW in the New Year and will succeed the long-serving Deakin from Monday 11th June.

Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the FAW, said on the appointment of Gwyn Derfel “First and foremost our gratitude and thanks must go to John Deakin for his loyal and dedicated service to Welsh Football. “John has been instrumental in taking the League from its inception through to the most recent re-structuring changes of last season. He will be a hard act to follow for sure, but in our appointing Gwyn, we are confident that we have found somebody to take on this opportunity and deliver against the modern media and administrative needs of the League.”

Gwyn Derfel said; “I am delighted to be appointed the League Secretary and very much look forward to taking up the position. The League and Welsh football in general is a key passion for which I will be determined to do my utmost to ensure that it continues to go from strength to strength. ”

Deakin, a former Football League referee, became the inaugural Secretary of the League of Wales when it was formed in 1992 and has carried out the role ever since.