Welsh champions happy with draw
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Perhaps not unlike Bohemians, Welsh title holders The New Saints (TNS) are viewing the draw for the second qualifying round of the Champions League as favourable in more ways than one.
Speaking to extratime earlier today, TNS physiotherapist and kit man Gordon Evans said the fixture is one the club is happy with, “I’m sure both clubs are equally pleased and it gives us both a 50/50 chance of going through.”
The logistics in terms of travel arrangements will suit both clubs in these early stages. A trip to the Faroe Islands to face Torshavn for instance was one possibility facing Bohs manager Pat Fenlon before the draw was made. Along with hours spent in actually getting to such remote outposts there is also the added disadvantage of financial burdens on clubs with flights and accommodation for a full squad of players and staff.
Likewise, TNS are happy to have the short hop across the Irish sea to negotiate rather than a trip into the unknown.
“From the logistics of travelling it’s good. It’s a relatively short journey so that means less travelling time so that’s got to be good for the players,” said Evans from the clubs base at Park Hall in the town of Oswestry.
“We didn’t want Rosenburg [possible opponents for TNS] so that’s a major plus….we don’t know a lot about Bohemians but we do know they have a fantastic pedigree so we‘ll be taking nothing for granted.”
The Welsh league is currently out of season and on Saturday last The New Saints lost to last years runners up Llanelli 3-2 in a pre-season friendly that doubled as a European warm up for both sides as Llanelli will be playing Tauras of Lithuania in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
TNS finished their league winning campaign on 82 points, conceding a mere 13 goals in 34 games having won 25 of those fixtures. The club is actually based in England but play in the Principality Welsh Premier League where it’s ground at Oswestry, Shropshire sits just across the border from Wales.
Originally from Llansantffraid, the club was later immortalised by the inimitable Jeff Stelling of Sky Sports after a fine result in the guise of their (then) title win.
“They’ll be dancing in the streets of Total Network Solutions tonight,” Stelling yelled at a somewhat bemused Joe Public.
TNS have a long record of participating in European competition, with the highlight coming in 2005 when they took on the then Champions League holders Liverpool. Losing both legs 3-0, it was current Derry City keeper Gerard Doherty who Rafael Benitez cited as the best player over both ties.
“The goalkeeper saved a lot of goals and for me he was the best player in the two games," Benitez said at the time.
Although largely unfamiliar to League of Ireland fans, there is one former TNS player who Bohs fans in particular won’t forget in a hurry.
Jimmy Aggrey signed for the Gypsies from the Welsh side in 2004 and scored on his debut against Shamrock Rovers. He subsequently left and retired from professional football to pursue an acting career (he played Willam Laurent Dioup in Sky One's Dream Team).
Those travelling to the second leg near the Welsh border can expect a one and a half hour drive from either Liverpool or Manchester airports or a two hour trip to Oswestry along the A5 from Holyhead. The town has a number of B&B’s and hotels for Bohs fans to choose from.
Jody Moylan is an ExtraTime journalist based in Dublin and has a major interest in world football
Speaking to extratime earlier today, TNS physiotherapist and kit man Gordon Evans said the fixture is one the club is happy with, “I’m sure both clubs are equally pleased and it gives us both a 50/50 chance of going through.”
The logistics in terms of travel arrangements will suit both clubs in these early stages. A trip to the Faroe Islands to face Torshavn for instance was one possibility facing Bohs manager Pat Fenlon before the draw was made. Along with hours spent in actually getting to such remote outposts there is also the added disadvantage of financial burdens on clubs with flights and accommodation for a full squad of players and staff.
Likewise, TNS are happy to have the short hop across the Irish sea to negotiate rather than a trip into the unknown.
“From the logistics of travelling it’s good. It’s a relatively short journey so that means less travelling time so that’s got to be good for the players,” said Evans from the clubs base at Park Hall in the town of Oswestry.
“We didn’t want Rosenburg [possible opponents for TNS] so that’s a major plus….we don’t know a lot about Bohemians but we do know they have a fantastic pedigree so we‘ll be taking nothing for granted.”
The Welsh league is currently out of season and on Saturday last The New Saints lost to last years runners up Llanelli 3-2 in a pre-season friendly that doubled as a European warm up for both sides as Llanelli will be playing Tauras of Lithuania in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
TNS finished their league winning campaign on 82 points, conceding a mere 13 goals in 34 games having won 25 of those fixtures. The club is actually based in England but play in the Principality Welsh Premier League where it’s ground at Oswestry, Shropshire sits just across the border from Wales.
Originally from Llansantffraid, the club was later immortalised by the inimitable Jeff Stelling of Sky Sports after a fine result in the guise of their (then) title win.
“They’ll be dancing in the streets of Total Network Solutions tonight,” Stelling yelled at a somewhat bemused Joe Public.
TNS have a long record of participating in European competition, with the highlight coming in 2005 when they took on the then Champions League holders Liverpool. Losing both legs 3-0, it was current Derry City keeper Gerard Doherty who Rafael Benitez cited as the best player over both ties.
“The goalkeeper saved a lot of goals and for me he was the best player in the two games," Benitez said at the time.
Although largely unfamiliar to League of Ireland fans, there is one former TNS player who Bohs fans in particular won’t forget in a hurry.
Jimmy Aggrey signed for the Gypsies from the Welsh side in 2004 and scored on his debut against Shamrock Rovers. He subsequently left and retired from professional football to pursue an acting career (he played Willam Laurent Dioup in Sky One's Dream Team).
Those travelling to the second leg near the Welsh border can expect a one and a half hour drive from either Liverpool or Manchester airports or a two hour trip to Oswestry along the A5 from Holyhead. The town has a number of B&B’s and hotels for Bohs fans to choose from.
Jody Moylan is an ExtraTime journalist based in Dublin and has a major interest in world football
