BARRY Town United have moved one step closer to a return to the Welsh Premier League, after being awarded the Welsh Domestic Licence for 2016-17.

The Domestic Licence is a mandatory requirement for all clubs seeking to compete at the highest level of Welsh domestic football.

Across Wales, 20 clubs have applied for the forthcoming 2016-17 campaign, with 14 of these awarded the Domestic Licence by the FAW Club Licensing First Instance Body at a meeting in Cardiff last Thursday, April 7.

These include 11 of the 12 sides currently competing in the Welsh Premier League and Huws Gray Alliance duo Cefn Druids and Flint Town United; two of Barry's Welsh Cup opponents in recent years.

Among those to miss out were long-standing Welsh Premier League campaigners Port Talbot Town and Welsh League Division One pairing Cardiff Metropolitan University and Penybont.

As matters stand, a first or second-placed finish would now open the gateway for Barry to be promoted; an outcome which could bring Welsh Premier League football back to Jenner Park for the first time since 2004.

The Town complete their Welsh League Division One fixtures for 2015-16 at Jenner Park against Briton Ferry Llansawel on Saturday, April 23, following the short trip to Cwrt-yr-Ala to tackle Caerau Ely this Saturday afternoon with a 2.30pm kick-off.

The Cardiff side were 3-2 winners at Jenner Park earlier in the season and will provide a difficult roadblock in the Town’s quest to clinch the Welsh League Division One title in this, their penultimate match of the season.

Barry currently head the table with 56 points from 28 outings, though second-placed Cardiff Met now have some four games in hand to make up the four-point deficit at the top.

In the club’s most recent outing, a brace from home debutant Louis Gerrard helped the Town to a 4-1 win over Goytre United, with in-form Louis Feeley joining his namesake on the scoresheet and forward Drew Fahiya delivering the killer fourth.

The visitors’ consolation came from the penalty spot, but it was not enough to sour another fine afternoon at Jenner Park, enjoyed by a crowd of around 250 spectators.

A full supporters meeting to discuss Barry's potential promotion to the national top flight and its various implications will be held at the Jenner Suite on Wednesday, April 20, commencing at 7.30pm.

An informal Q&A with manager Gavin Chesterfield and members of the backroom and playing staff will also be held on the evening.

The full list of clubs awarded the 2016-17 Welsh Domestic Licence are:

Aberystwyth Town

Airbus UK Broughton

Bala Town

Bangor City

Barry Town United

Carmarthen Town

Cefn Druids

Flint Town United

Gap Connah’s Quay

Haverfordwest County

Mbi Llandudno

Newtown

Rhyl

The New Saints