The New Saints make history by qualifying for UEFA Conference League
The New Saints became the first Welsh domestic league club to qualify for a major European competition group stage after they beat FK Panevezys on aggregate.
Cymru Premier champions TNS won their UEFA Conference League play-off tie first leg 3-0 in Lithuania a week ago thanks to goals from Danny Davies, Ben Clark and Dan Williams.
Having taken a commanding lead, a goalless draw at Park Hall Stadium meant that they progressed comfortably to Friday’s draw in Monaco.
Davies and Adrian Cieslewicz had first-half chances for TNS, but the visitors also created opportunities.
Any hopes that Panevezys had of clawing back the deficit, though, were effectively undone when Rokas Rasimavicius was sent of after 63 minutes when he received a second yellow card.
TNS chairman Mike Harris described the club’s success as representing “a landmark and game-changing achievement”.
Harris said: “This is a momentous moment for not just The New Saints, but for football across Wales as we qualify to represent the nation on one of world football’s biggest stages.
“Tonight represents a landmark and game-changing achievement that has the ability to help the domestic game and TNS move to the next level in many aspects including funding, reputation and exposure for Welsh football.
“We will be looking to take full advantage of this opportunity to ensure that this is not a one-off and we are qualifying for this stage of European competition for years ahead.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Well done all concerned let’s hope the league can grow and other teams can emulate this Da Iawn
I hope this will be the first of many qualifications into the group stages. Now the draw can also bring extra financial gain to the club by pairing them against one of Europes biggest clubs, it could be Chelsea, what a mouthwatering prospect for players fans and the club itself, congratulations to all involved.
They’ll be dancing in the streets of Total Network Solutions tonight!
Unfortunately the one man club from England has made a mockery of the national football league, causing more damage than Linekers ‘farmers league’ insult.
Much better if it was a proper club in this country with proper supporters, but the self perpetuating monopoly means it’ll stay in Shropshire for the long term.
Congratulations & well done…
Da iawn TNS!
Let’s hope it raises the profile & Investment in our league!
The live games on Sgorio/S4C are great!!!
Shame it was an English team from the Welsh Premier though.
The problem isn’t that they’re English, there is a long history of cross-border football and several Shropshire teams play in Welsh football at a low level. The problem is that they are a bankrolled non-entity which doesn’t even really identify with Oswestry (and certainly not with Llansantffraid). Trying to chase the dream has already driven Bangor City and Llanelli over the edge. It is weird seeing people celebrating them as a Welsh club achieving something, if Swansea City won the Champions League nobody would say they were an English team just because they play in the English set-up. Although I… Read more »
They play in our national league, but have a stadium in England, all 3 goal scorers , who got the win to enter the group stages were born in Cymru, as were 8 of the team, the have more ” Cymru ” in the weekly first 11, than Cardiff, Swansea, Wrecsam and Newport, who are considered ” Welsh” playing in England. How much more ” Welsh ” can they get without moving the ground over the border.
Why ‘Wrecsam’ which is just a transliteration of a name derived from Old English and meaningless in Welsh, but not Caerdydd, Abertawe and Casnewydd?
Correct. We’re in the process of removing pigeon English mis-spelling of historic Cymraeg names, so hypocritical to do the same to them. It’s unfortunate that Wrexham has an English name.
I believe the Wrexham team that eventually got out of English non league football didn’t have a single Cymro in their team. Once they get money the English managers just look more towards established players dropping down their leagues. We can’t criticize them when even our national football team has to resort to this policy to be competitive.
Will the new saints use the same ground for the group stage? I am a pana tho somos supported living in uk and was thinking to go for the game but looks small even for the away supporters at this stage. Great effort TNS
Probably play at the Cardiff city stadium , as they have done in the past for bigger games.
They’d be better playing at Wrexham. I saw the old TNS Llansantffraid play a couple of Euro qualifiers there about 20 odd years ago. Lost interest when they became the club they are now though.
I agree, but recently Wrecsam have been cool on the idea, and Cardiff more welcoming, hence previous games held in the capital.
Thanks mate
The club have stated that the Cardiff City Stadium is not an option.
They also mentioned that Cae Ras at Wrexham is unavailable for the home fixtures.
The most likely option is Shrewsbury Town for home games.
Before people get upset about the home ties being played in England,TNS are Shropshire based and even Shrewsbury Town used to play in The Welsh Cup and even won it on occasions.