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Dave Roberts

Another vital match for Robins tonight
Tuesday, March 9
Newtown face another vital match in their quest for a top 10 finish with a visit to Bala Town tonight.
Saturday's defeat and points for both Carmarthen and Haverfordwest in the chasing pack means the game is a real challenge for manager Darren Ryan, who missed Saturday's defeat with an ear infection as his side slipped into 13th place.
Ryan hopes to be well enough for the trip to high flying league newcomers Bala but he has more injury woes to overcome with Damien Daniels added to a list that includes Richie Harris and Jamie Breeze.
New boys Bala have slipped down the table to ninth place after a flying start to their time in the top division but they have 14 more points than the Robins, having played two more games, meaning that Newtown must win tonight to stand any chance of reeling in the Lakesiders.
The only change tonight is likely to be the return of on-lolan Dave Roberts in goal as a replacement for Dave Jones with Ryan having to run late checks on a couple of knocks picked up on Saturday.
HOW WE STAND
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts
1. Llanelli AFC 22 17 3 2 60 18 54
2. The New Saints 24 16 6 2 47 10 54
3. Aberystwyth Town 26 15 4 7 41 33 49

4. Rhyl FC 26 14 6 6 56 32 48
5. Port Talbot Town 23 13 4 6 40 18 43
6. Neath FC 24 11 8 5 33 26 41
7. Bangor City 23 12 3 8 50 37 39
8. Prestatyn Town 24 10 8 6 36 33 38
9. Bala Town 24 11 4 9 28 32 37
10. Airbus UK Broughton 24 9 9 6 37 21 36

11. Carmarthen Town 23 9 6 8 28 24 33
12. Haverfordwest County 24 7 7 10 26 29 28

13. Newtown AFC 22 6 5 11 31 40 23
14. Gap Connah's Quay 22 5 5 12 16 37 20
15. Technogroup Welshpool 23 3 5 15 17 46 14
16. Porthmadog FC 23 3 5 15 12 43 14
17. Caersws FC 23 3 2 18 18 58 11
18. Elements Cefn Druids 24 1 4 19 13 52 7

Damien Daniels

Injury jinx strikes again with Daniels blow
Sunday,March 8
Rhayader 4-3 Reserves

The Newtown injury jinx has struck again with Damien Daniels now probably out for the rest of the season.

Daniels was in ther Reserves side beaten 4-3 at Rhayader on Friday night when going one up through Jack Hughes in the first half Newtown suffered a major blow when Daniels' experience was lost through a serious knee injury.

Rhayader equalised soon after half time but Town struck back immediately when a Chris Carroll corner was dropped into his own net by the Rhayader keeper.
Rhayader then gained the upper hand,scoring from a corner and eventually the pressure again told when they were awarded a penalty which was converted.

The young Robins did not give in and from yet another Chris Carroll corner the Rhayader keeper again found the back of his own net.
Heartbreak was to follow as Rhayader kept up the pressure -a home team shot was blocked but eventually dropped down off the crossbar and was forced into the net.

The young Reserves battled well with special mention going to 16 year old Elliot Jones who gave a display worthy of someone much older when coming on as substitute, and also keeper Matt (The CAT) Mumford who performed well in an unacustomed role.

Newtown :- M Mumford, N Mumby, C Sweatman, S Naden, T Foulkes, D Daniels, S Adams, J Russell, K Groves, C Carroll, J Hughes, Subs E Jones & B Hendleman.

Owen Durbridge

Secretary condemns hype around yesterday's game
Sunday, March 7
Club Secretary Owen Durbridge haas condemned the on-line publicity which surrounded yesterday's game with Aberystwyth.
The club was forced to lay on extra stewards and incurred susbstantial policing costs after web site content threatened trouble between rival supporters.
"Many thanks for the support today from the new fans, and many thanks for abiding by our request for good standards of behaviour," he said.
"A special word of thanks to the stewards and fans from Aberystwyth who followed our requests to the letter.
"The Police were very supportive after the silly nonsense on some websites, but the unfortunate aspect of it is that the club has received poor publicity from the exchange of nonsense and a lot of expense was spent policing football in Newtown which has never been needed before and I hope will never need it again.
"We stage football to entertain lovers of football and for no other reason - but once more, thanks for the good behaviour."

Dave Jones

Jones back in goal for crunch clash
Friday, February 5
Dave Jones returns between the posts for The Robins tomorrow against Aberystwyth, his first Welsh Premier League start since breaking an arm at Holyhead back in October.
Jones is back in the side to replace new Number 1 Dave Roberts. Roberts is unable to play as part of his loan deal arrangement with the Seasiders.
Jones is likely to be the only change from the side which won sio well at Haverfordwest last Saturday in a game described by manager Darren Ryan as 'massive' for the club.
"This is the second game in a massive month for the club. Our fate will largely depend on how we figure during this period.
"It was a great performance at Haverfordwest and the lads deserve lots of credit for the way they kept going and got the winner so late in the game..
"But every game is going to be like that for the rest of the season. Aberystwyth have their eye on a European place and Alan Morgan has done brilliantly since taking over from Brian Coyne.
"But we have the ability to win tomorrow and go into the game with the knowledge that we can beat anyone in this league on our day.
"And then it's on to Bala on Tuesday night for another must not lose encounter.
"The good news is that the sides in the mix with us are dropping points and we are reeling them in week by week. The rest of the season will not be for the faint hearted."
The only other absentee will ber Jamie Breeze, who is recovering from his broken jaw.

Rob Williams

Former Robin nets for Wales in heavy defeat
Thursday, February 4
Former Newtown loanee defender Rob Williams scored on his debut as Wales Under-23s suffered a heavy 7-2 defeat in Fatima last night.
Making his first appearance for Wales, Altrincham's Rob Williams, who made 11 appearances and created a big impact when on loan at Latham Park from The New Saints in 2006, pulled a goal back from a Craig Jones corner after coming off the bench, before Bruno Gama and Saleiro added further goals.
Wales Under-23 semi-pros were crushed 7-2 by a classy Portugal side in Fatima on Wednesday afternoon.
With two full internationals in their side as well as players from Benfica, Porto and Sporting Lisbon, the hosts were just too strong for their sem-pro opponents, of which eight of the starters came from the Welsh Premier.
After Jack Christopher had the game's first chance from an Alex Darlington pass, the hosts took the lead on 14 minutes with a Vitor Gomes header.
Within five minutes, Darlington forced Nuno Andre Coelho into a mistake and Christopher took full advantage to equalise.
But a double whammy put Portugal in control with Vieirihna creating two chances, both of which resulted in good finishes from Ribeiro and Bolton's Ricardo Vaz Te.
Darlington was just wide with a good effort for Wales, but fitness told in the second-half with Paolo Machado of Toulouse and Vaz Te extending the advantage.

Mike Jones

Chairman grateful for Domestic Licence help
Thursday, February 4
Following a week of criticism for football authorities in Wales Newtown chairman Mike Jones has heaped praise on the organisations helping the club's Domestic Licence application.
"Secretary Owen Durbridge and Richard Bonfield are busy finalising the paperwork for our Domestic License as work on the ground nears completion," he said.
"As 'D' Day beckons, it is worth reflecting on the assistance provided by the FAW and the WGI, not only with financial assistance but with help and advice whenever needed.
"Andrew Howard has been particularly helpful throughout this whole process and David Miller was here at the Latham Centre on Sunday to oversee a workshop for aspiring media officers. The FAW are trying to encourage greater professionalism in the premier league and are supporting clubs with that aim."

John Deakin

League Cup saga finally resolved

Friday, February 26

The Loosemores League Cup final between Rhyl and The New Saints will be played in midweek for the first time.
The Welsh Premier League announced the final will take place on Tuesday, April 27, which had already been agreed and suggested mutually between the two finalist clubs.
Originally scheduled for Easter Sunday April 4, the final was postponed because the sponsors were unable to attend and a new date of Sunday May 9 was suggested by the League.
This was immediately rejected by Rhyl, as their playing squad would be out of contract.
The final will be hosted at The Airfield with a 7.30pm kick-off and the League says that, in future years, the final date will be announced at the start of the season.
"The League would like to clarify that this is the first time that the match has been announced officially," says an official statement.
"Discussions were held with the two participating clubs, the host club, the board of directors and the sponsors, about staging the match over the Easter period.
"This date was not fixed and it became evident during the consultation process with all interested parties, that the Easter date was not convenient to all. It is regretful that the proposed date was announced by one of those parties, before it was confirmed by the League.
"The League reopened the consultation process and suggested a new date to the host club to check the availability of the stadium.
"This proposal was again brought into the public domain during the consultation process and it quickly became evident that this date was also unsuitable."
League secretary John Deakin said; "Given the location and the reasonable chance of getting good weather on an April evening, I'm confident that the evening kick-off will work for this prestigious final."
Although the league statement says the Easter Sunday date "was not fixed", it postponed Welsh Premier league matches scheduled to be played over the Easter holiday involving the two finalists. Those games are now expected to ahead on Easter Monday.
The prevarication over the date for showpiece has been widely criticised, with Rhyl secretary Kevin Davies saying: "Surely a date could have been confirmed at the start of the season so that clubs would know in advance when the final was to be played."

Jamie Breeze

Breeze injury blow for Ryan
Thursday, February 25
Hours after Manager Darren Ryan named a full strength squad for the trip to Haverfordwest striker Jamie Breeze has been ruled out.
The young striker sustained a broken jaw playing for Powys College agains Swansea college at Newtown on Wednesday.
He underwent surgery at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and is almost certainly out for the rest of the season.
"Jamie has broken his jaw in two places and it is a devastating blow for the player and club," said Ryan.
"He has been like a breath of fresh air since forcing his way into the side and we are really going to miss him."

Darren Ryan

Ryan takes full strength squad to Haverfordwest
Thursday, February 25
Manager Darren Ryan is able to name all his available players for the vital trip to Haverfordwest on Saturday.
The only absentee will be long term casualty Richie Harris as the Robins head south for yet another vital match.
"Every game is a cup final from now on," said the manager. "We have to take the points of Haverfordwest and hope that we can keep winning to reel them in as they sit just above us.
"But there are other clubs in the same situation and the battle for points from now until the end of the season will be on a weekly basis. Evbery game is so important."
And the manager is confident Newtown can still secure a place in the elite Welsh Premier next season.
"The performances have been all that I could ask for," he said. "I know we were all a little disappointed to lose 2-0 to The New Saints last week but you have to remember the huge gulf between us and them, both financially and in playing depth.
"We now have to turn good performances into points, starting on Saturday."
Ryan welcomes back suspended defenders Gavin Cadwallader and Damien Daniels and is also likely to find a starting role for the influential Craig Hutchinson, who has been unavailable for the last two games.

Richie Harris

Richie Harris recovering after first operation
Wednesday, February 24
Midfielder Richie Harris, whose Newtown debut lasted just six minutes, is recovering at home after undergoing surgery on his injured knee.
Harris snapped both his lateral and cruciate knee ligaments in the horrific injury at Elements Cefn Druids, following his switch from Technogroup Welshpool Town.
He has now gone under the surgeon's knife at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital at Gobowen to have the damage to the lateral ligament repaired.
He faces a two month wait before the surgeon can attempt to repair the damage to his cruciate ligament and must then prepare for a long period of recuperation before even considering getting back into the game.
Manager Darren Ryan described the injury as a 'tragedy for the player'.
"As well as being unable to play football Richie is unable to work and all we can do is wish him every success in his recovery. I know that I speak for everyone involved at Newtown Football Club in wishing him a speedy recovery."

Rhys Stephens

Three out as title challengers come to town
Saturday, February20
Manager Darren Ryan will need to shuffle the pack as title chasing The New Saints come to town today with three players ruled out.
Craig Hutchinson is again expected to be unavailable while Damien Daniels and Gavin Cadwaalader are both out suspended.
Newtownwill be bidding to derail The New Saints’ title bid, while also boosting their own survival hopes.
The two rivals have been inseparable at Latham Park in recent seasons, with two consecutive goalless draws, and assistant manager Rhys Stephens says: “We have a great record against TNS and it should be another great derby this weekend.
“We have been in form over the last few weeks and getting something out of the TNS game would set us up nicely for the rest of the season. It has been a stop-start season but since the new lads joined in January we have been playing really well.”
Meanwhile, the visitors could hand a first league start to frontman Chris Sharp following his arrival from Bangor City last month.
"He is a top player and has fitted in really well. He is keen to get a start and he will be included in the squad," says assistant boss Mike Davies.
"Newtown have a good record against us and it is fair to say that they have been our achilles heel since Darren Ryan took over.
"They are a decent side and showed that by beating Neath and handing Rhyl a major fright last week. We’ll have to be at our best because there is no such thing as an easy three points in this league," he added.

Mike Jones

Chairman stunned by late defeat at Rhyl
Thursday, February 18
Chairman Mike Jones has admitted to being 'stunned' by the two late goals conceded at Rhyl last Sunday.
"With two minutes to go I was feeling disappointed that we might not get the three points we deserved. At the final whistle we were all stunned to be going home with nothing."
"The team performance was outstanding but ultimately ended in heartbreak as Rhyl finished the game very strongly and scored the winning goal with two minutes left on the clock.
"For the home team, John Leah showed why Darren is such a big admirer of his as he ran the show for the visitors in the second half.
"All the successful teams have 'big' players who can rise to the occasion when it matters and have the ability to grind out results when not at their best.
"I suspect tiredness may have played a part in the last ten minutes at Rhyl after three very hard games in eight days.
"Today's match is another stern test for our young team and is the last of the 'big four' games which has seen us face Llanelli, Neath, Rhyl and TNS in consecutive matches.
"We put in two very good performances at home and achieved a deserved win against Neath."

Save money and help Newtown FC at the same time
Wednesday, February17.
Newtown FC have joined Utility Warehouse’s Community Fund Raiser scheme. The scheme where everyone can save £100.00’s every year on the household bills.
The Utility Warehouse is managed by Telecom plus PLC, a major UK company listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The Utility Warehouse currently provides phone, internet, mobile phone, gas and electricity to over 300,000 customers throughout the UK. They are an established and reliable company that provide great value services and make life easy by producing a single monthly bill for all your household utilities.
The Utility Warehouse Community Fundraising scheme enables members of our community to help raise funds for Newtown FC at no cost to them.
In fact, by switching their services to the Utility Warehouse they will actually save money for themselves whilst generating a regular monthly income for Newtown FC. For every utility service supplied by the Utility Warehouse to a customer that has been introduced by us, the Utility Warehouse will pay a monthly commission of up to 5% of the total value of the bill directly to Newtown FC.
The Utility Warehouse offers customers the opportunity to make huge savings on their essential household utilities. Customers can receive unlimited free calls at any time of day, to any fixed telephone number in the UK depending on the number of different services taken (e.g. Home Phone, Mobile, Gas, Electricity, or Internet).
The more services you take, the more money you will save. The Utility Warehouse is currently the only utility provider in the UK that can supply customers with both energy and phone services on a single monthly bill.
Utility Warehiouse in the press
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How do you sign up
Simple! Just call the free phone number below and quote the reference number and Utility Warehouse’s UK based customer service will take you through the process and when you are happy arrange to transfer you over.
0800 313 3000
Newtown FC Ref No: F30462

Craig Williams

Defender Williams on stand-by for Wales again
Monday, February 15
Craig Williams has been put on stand-by for the Wales Under-23 semi-professional squad to face Portugal.
Williams was on stand-by for the last international but was forced to withdraw after being called in at the last minute by manager Terry Boyle.
Boyle has also called-up central defender Rob Williams who has been virtually ever-present for Altrincham since being released by The New Saints at the end of last season.
A product of the TNS Scholarship Scheme, Williams spent time on-loan at Newtown but has blossomed at Moss Lane this season.
The match is at the Municipal Stadium in Fatima on Wednesday March 3.
Goalkeepers: Lee Idzi (Haverfordwest County), Stephen Cann (Aberystwyth Town).
Defenders: Lee Surman (Port Talbot Town), Michael Johnston (Bangor City), Kyle Critchell (Dorchester United), Rob Williams (Altrincham), Curtis McDonald (Forest Green Rovers), Michael Pearson (Barrow).
Midfielders: Scott Barrow (Port Talbot Town), Craig Jones (The New Saints), Aeron Edwards (The New Saints), Drew Fahiya (Port Talbot Town), Luke Sherbon (Aberystwyth Town), Ashley Williams (Airbus UK Broughton).
Strikers: Jack Christopher (Haverfordwest County), Craig Moses (Llanelli AFC), Alex Darlington (The New Saints), Jamie Reed (Bangor City).
Stand-By: Craig Williams (Newtown AFC), Ryan Batley (Llanelli AFC), Lee Bevan (Haverfordwest County), Craig Jones (Llanelli AFC), Sion Edwards (Bangor City), Jordan Follows (Llanelli AFC).

Rhyl his by suspensions to 3 players
Sunday, February 14
Rhyl have been hit with suspensions to three key players ahead of our trip to the North Wales coast today.
Phil Doran, Chris Williams and top scorer Mark Connolly are all out suspended.
"It will stretch the squad a bit but give others a chance to show what they can do," says player-manager Greg Strong.
The Lillies hope to welcome back Martyn Naylor and Tyrone Kirk, who both missed the 3-1 defeat at Bangor City.

Craig Hutchinson

Airbus slip up as battle for top places hots up
Saturday, February13
Airbus slipped up with a 0-0 draw as their bid for a top 10 finish was dented last night.
The Broughton men are now feeling the heat and if the Robins can win their games in hand they will go level.
That means that tomorrow's trip to Rhyl takes on an even bigger importance.
The cash strapped Seasiders have had their problems both on and off the pitch recently and will be under heavy pressure to get all three points.
Newtown manager Darren Ryan is asking his side to reproduce the form shown in midweek in the 1-0 win over Neath.
He will again be without the suspended Damien Daniels and the only change will be replacing the unavailable Craig Hutchinson.
At the top of the league it's starting to look like a two horse race after Port Talbot missed out on a chance to close the gap with defeat at Aberystwyth.
Aberystwyth avenged their Welsh Cup exit by climbing above visitors Port Talbot into third place with a 2-1 win at Park Avenue.
The Seasiders established a two-goal lead with a first goal from Tranmere Rovers loanee Ryan Fraughan after 20 minutes and second against his former club from Luke Bowen.
Liam McCreesh notched his ninth goal of the campaign for the Steelmen 12 minutes from time, but they were unable to force an equaliser.
A mistake from Chris Mullock gifted Bala Town a first-minute lead at Plas Kynaston when Ricky Evans made no mistake after the keeper had dropped a Danny Williams free-kick.
Jon Rush levelled for the Druids just before half-time with a contender for goal of the season from 30-yards and Mullock atoned for his earlier error by twice making triple saves in the second half.
Rush hit the bar in the second-half but Druids' efforts were to no avail as Neil Fisher snatched the winner seven minutes from time and just three minutes after coming off the bench to lift the Lakesiders into the top six.

HOW WE STAND

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Llanelli AFC	20	15	3	2	50	16	48
2.	The New Saints	20	13	5	2	42	9	44
3.	Aberystwyth Town	23	12	4	7	33	31	40

4.	Rhyl FC	22	11	6	5	45	27	39
5.	Port Talbot Town	20	11	4	5	30	17	37
6.	Bala Town	22	11	4	7	26	26	37
7.	Prestatyn Town	21	10	5	6	34	31	35
8.	Neath FC	20	9	7	4	29	22	34
9.	Bangor City	20	10	3	7	43	31	33
10.	Airbus UK Broughton	21	7	8	6	33	21	29

11.	Carmarthen Town	19	7	5	7	26	23	26
12.	Haverfordwest County	20	6	6	8	22	24	24

13.	Newtown AFC	18	5	5	8	26	31	20
14.	Gap Connah's Quay	18	5	4	9	15	31	19
15.	Technogroup Welshpool	21	3	5	13	15	40	14
16.	Porthmadog FC	20	3	4	13	12	36	13
17.	Elements Cefn Druids	21	1	4	16	11	39	7
18.	Caersws FC	18	1	2	15	16	53	5

Ian Woan and Avram Grant

Former Robin caught up in the Portsmouth crisis
Former Latham Park favourite Ian Woan is caught up in the cash crisis at Portsmouth.
Woanie is now first team coach under former Chelsea boss Avram Grant at Pompey and is at the centre of affairs as the club careers from one cash disaster to the next.
Four times this season the club has failed to pay staff on time and on Wednesday failed to reach a settlement with the taxman ahead of its High Court appearance - but received a stay of execution when the final hearing was adjourned for a week.
Pompey must now stump up £11m to the taxman or risk going out of business completely, which would see Woan and the rest of the staff and players out of work.
Woan was broufght to Latham Park by then manager Graham Breeze and starred for the Robins in the HFS Loans League before heading off to Runcorn and Nottingham Forest, then managed by Brian Clough, for £80,000.
Woan successfully forced himself into first team contention with consistent displays down the left wing as Forest reached the FA Cup Final, and started as Forest recorded 16 goals in just 3 games, also being called into the England squad.
He later played for Swindon and Shrewsbury before joining Portsmouth as Under-18 coach, and was then promoted by Hart.

Owen Durbridge

Caersws fixture switched by Welsh Premier League
Thursday, February 11
Without any consultation with Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park officials the Welsh Premier League has rearranged our fixture with Caersws.
The game which was re-scheduled for Tuesday, February 23rd has now been moved to Tuesday, April 20th at Caersws' request.
Club secretary Owen Durbridge has challenged Welsh Premier League secretary John Deakin ion the fixture switch and was told that the change was at the request of the village club, who were concerned at having to play successive away fixtures at the end of the season.

Darren Ryan

Manager pleased as new striker breaks his duck
Wednesday, February 10.
Manager Darren Ryan has expressed his delight at seeing new signing Paul Roberts break his duck with last night's match winner against Neath.
The former Wrexham striker, a transfer window arrival from Porthmadog, scored the winner on 81 minutes, having missed a couple of first half chances to put the Robins in front.
"I'm really pleased for Paul," said Ryan.
"He missed a few chances against Llanelli last Saturday and a few in the first half against Neath but he's the sort of player that keeps going and never hides.
"It was a great win for us but no less than we deserved."

Richie Harris

Message of support from Chairman for Richie Harris
Richie Harris has now had a scan and it is thought he will need two operations on the damaged knee, sustained on his debuut at Cefn Druids.
And the news today brought a message of support from club chairman Mike Jones.
"As supporters, it is easy to forget that footballers have 'another life' which involves a full-time job as well as a big commitment of time and travelling to training and matches," said the chairman.
"I know Richie lives for his football and will hate being sidelined for the first time in his career. Of course, he is unable to work either so it is a bitter pill for him to swallow.
"However, he remains very much in the managers plans but both will have to be patient as Richie is unlikely to return to action before next season.

Darren Ryan

Ryan glad to see back of manic January
Friday, February 5.
Manager Darren Ryan is glad to see the back of January - the worst month of his managerial career - as he prepares to face title chasing Llanelli tomorrow.
The manager said January had been the most stressful and probably the worst month of his managerial career as he worked frantiically to bring new players to Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park.
Thwarted on several counts and hit by the RFichie Harfrios injury Ryan's month climaxed with the FA blocking tyhe transfer of Lee Hartshorn from Merthyr because he had already played for two clubs.
"The rule is ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, if everyone was full time with money being paid it's not a problem. We have got part time players in a part time league but they make rules and we have to abide by them."
Ryan os confident his new look side can continue the form shown in the last two matches as they take on the title chasing full timers.
"They are a good team, going for the title, and we have just got to stop them playing and do our own thing. It will be difficult but we have two clean sheets since we started playing again and that has given us confidence and we have to take that into this game.
"We have got Neath, hyl and TNS coming up and there's nothing to stop us matching them now.
"Everyone at the club is in a positive mood and although I was disappointed with our showing in the first half against Carmarthen there was a marked improvement after the break."
And the manager was praised today by club chairman Mike Jones for his efforts during the transfer window.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Darren for all his hard work during the past manic month," he said.
"No-one could have done more for the club and he was again deserted by Lady Luck. I would also like to assure our supporters that the board has backed Darren in the transfer window and no player has been lost due to to financial restrictions.
"However, I think we have to accept that top players are reluctant to join a club lying 14th in the table and a reputed low budget. The time for a club to decide playing policy is in April at the latest and the manager should assemble his squad from May to July at the latest.
"The January transfer window is suitable only for a little tinkering of the squad and is clearly not designed for sensible, businesslike decisions."

Youths draw Llandrindod in semi-finals
Thursday, February 7
The Youth team has been drawn against Llandrindod Wells in the semi final of the Central Wales FA Youth Cup. The tie will be over two legs, home and away with the team drawn away to Llandod in the first leg on Sunday, February 28. The second leg is at home on March 7^th.We are the current holders.

Neath game goes ahead on Tuesday
Thursday, February 7
Neath have turned down a request to re-schedule Tuesday night's rearranged fixture at Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park and the game goes ahead
Club director Terry Foulkes has kindly stepped in to solve the match sponsorship problem by becoming the sponsor.
"When the Club was presented with the re-arranged fixtures by the League it objected to the Neath date as it was too soon to find sponsors and allow them enough time to get together their guests for the night," said club secretary Owen Durbridge.
"We asked Neath to agree to a later date, but they replied to say they would not. The club is grateful to Terry for sponsoring the game at short notice.
"This is a big game for the club as it comes at a time when we are playing all the top clubs in quick succession. We took a point off them at Neath and we will be looking for three more from them next week.
"So ignore the TV and come out to support your side next Saturday against Llanelli and on Tuesday against Neath," said Owen.

Premier League kicks out Newtown's season extension request and proposed Reserves League
Thursday, February 7
The Welsh Premier League Board has turned down Newtown's request for an extension to the 2009-2010 playing season.
Meeting yesterday there was a unanimous decision not to extend the season. Newtown's request for an optional extension was also kicked out on ther grounds that teams playing last would have an unfair advantage.
The Board also considered the matter of forming a Reserve League to consist of two lots of six teams, one in the North and one in the South. Without any consultation with the clubs this was also voted out.

Mike Jones

Chairman calls for an end to transfer windows in Welsh Premier League
Club chairman Mike Jones today called for the scrapping of transfer windows for the Welsh Premier League and labeled them a restriction on trade.
He told The Robins web site, "The January transfer window is an anomoly that should be done away with. It is an appalling restriction of trade and I can think of no other industry that suffers such regulation.
"Can you imagine an office or factory manager who loses an employee to a rival company in August being told they cannot recruit a replacement until January.
"And by the way - if you dont get a suitable applicant within four weeks then 'tough', you'll now have to wait until next May".
"You could'nt make it up, could you?
"In the meantime, every team outside of our own league is free to pick off players at any time and there is not a thing we can do about it."
The chairman said the end of January brought an end to 'four weeks of frantic activity, excitement, frustration, disappointment and every emotion you can think of'.'
"Darren is delighted with the signings he has made but suffered major disappointments in the last few days when losing Richie Harris for the season just two minutes into his debut. "This blow was quickly followed by the news that the agreed transfer of an influential mid-fielder had been blocked by his club at the eleventh hour. Just when we thought it could'nt get any worse, the transfer of a new defender was ruled out by the FAW as the player was discovered to have played for two clubs already this season," said the chairman.

Lee Hartshorn

Hartshorn move from Merthyr blocked by FA
Monday, February 1
The Welsh FA today blocked the move of Lee Hartshorn from Merthyr Tydfil to Newtown
The registration was blocked at the eleventh hour when it was discovered that Newtown would have been Hartshorn's third Welsh club registartion of the season.
It has been discovered that Hartshorn left Merthyr to play in England earlier this season before returning to ther South Wales outfit.
Under FA of Wales rules a player is only allowed to register with Welsh clubs on two occasions during a season.

Chairman's praise for all the volunteers
Sunday, January 31
Club chairman Mike Jones has heaped praised on the volunteers who not only got yesterday's game with Carmarthen ON but also oversaw the running of a successful day.
"Congratulations to everyone involved in staging the game versus Carmarthen," he told the Robins website.
"Firstly the groundstaff for ensuring the game went ahead and the hospitality team for entertaining our sponsors and guests.
"Well done to Paul and the social committee for setting up the post-match pool competition and making the place 'buzz'.
"There was a geat atmosphere throughout the club today so lets have more of the same next Saturday when we host Llanelli."

Lee Hartshorn

Darren finally gets his defender
Manager Darren Ryan has finally landed the defender he has been seeking to sign by bringing Merthyr's Lee Hartshorn to Mid Wales Leisure Laham Park.
Hartshorn joined The Martyrs from Welsh League outfit Merthyr Saints during 2008 and immediately made an impact.
Last season he established himself in The Martyrs central defence scoring a number of important goals in a fine campaign.
This season Hartshorn has found it difficult to command a regular spot in the Merthtyr side.
Hartshorn was not registered in time for today's game with Carmarthen.

Dave McGuire

Mattie Lewis

Lewis and McGuire move to pastures new
Two players have been released by the club today. Both Mattie Lewis and Dave McGuire have moved on.
Mattie Lewis has been released at his own request by manager Darren Ryan and has signed for Rhayader Town after failing to claim a regular place in the side this season.
Goalkeeper Dave McGuire has been transferred to Technogroup Welshpool Town today and will go straight into their side to meet Haverfordwest tomorrow.
Leiws had been with the Robins for five season, making 72 appearances and being on the bench on 30 occasions.
The Llanidloes-born winger who played for Coventry against West Ham in the 1999 FA Youth Cup final, has represented Wales at Under-15, 16 and 18 levels.
He played for Team Bath while studying Coach Education and Sports Performance at the University of Bath, also for Bath City, Kidderminster Harriers, Hinckley United, Evesham United, Solihull Borough and Coventry Marconi.
Manager Darren Ryan had hoped both would stay to fight for their places but has wished them well in their future careers.

Paul Roberts

Roberts vows to score goals in a Newtown shirt
New signing Paul Roberts will make his debut at home to Carmarthen on Saturday and has vowed to score goals in a Newtown jersey.
Roberts has joined from Porthmadog where he was out of favour after a rumoured fall out with manager Tomi Morgan and told the County Times that he will score the goals to power the Robins up the table.
"I am looking forward to getting started," said RFoberts. "I watched Newton at Cefn Druids on Friday and they could have scored more goals.
"Newtown Football Cluib is known throughout Wales as an ambitious club with the best facilities around so I am delighted to be playing here for the rest of the season," he said.
"There are spme good players at Newtown and I know they are all committed to keeping this club in the Welsh Premier League. If I can score some goals to help the cause I will be delighted.
"I have also heard good things about young Jamie Breeze and hopefully with my experience I can help him develop his game."
Andy Webb, a winger signed from Shawbury, is added to the squad and if Manager Darren Ryan has his way he will be joined by another new signing, though the boss is keeping the identity of his target under wraps.
He is in talks with a target as he works against the clock to fill the hole left by the injury to newcomer Richie Harris and the failure to sign John Leah.
Roberts and Breeze are added to the squad after both being unavailable for the victory at Cefn Druids giving the boss the type of selection headache he will be pleased with.

Report say Welsh FA to consider salary cap

A SALARY cap will be introduced in the Welsh Premier once the "Super 12" is up and running, according to the FAW's head of competitions.
Writing in Welsh Premier Times this week, Andrew Howard says that the league should follow the model of the League of Ireland, which introduced financial monitoring and regulation after merging with the Irish FA in 2003.
A financial expert was recruited in the Emerald Isle to help clubs manage their finances more effectively and monitor cash-flow on a monthly basis.
Economic weakness was soon revealed at the majority of clubs, with player salaries at some in excess of 100% of turnover and, in one case, as high as 160% of total revenue.
In 2007, the total income of the member clubs in the top division was €13.1m, yet the expenditure was €19.7m. Player salaries amounted to €10m, with total salaries €12.5m - just €600,000 less than the total income of the League clubs.
Since the introduction of a cap, which limited salaries to 70% of total costs, wage bills have reduced dramatically although Derry City, who tried to cheat the system, have paid the price by going bust and suffering relegation.
"Some positive outcomes of this FAI exercise are that the governing body is showing leadership, there’s stability and strength between the league and its clubs, reduced hyper-inflation in the salary market, reduced use of loans to cover operating costs, an increase in availability of funds for core investment and the governing gody is targeting a breakeven figure for the whole League by 2012," says Howard.
"The benchmarking that UEFA carries out throughout its 53 national associations shows an average salary cost/revenue ratio of 65% in the 53 top-division leagues.
"Interestingly, the Welsh Premier averaged 65% in 2008/9, probably by luck rather than judgement but, worryingly, there was an example of a club over 100% in Wales, which is just not sustainable.
"What the FAI has done to advise and regulate the finances of its top-division clubs is a masterstroke of governance and although we’re not in the same boat now as the Irish were when they acted, I will be looking to introduce a similar style of regulation after the League’s re-structure.
"It can only be for the good of the game, the integrity of the league and to help safeguard the future of our member clubs," adds Howard.

Courtesy: welsh-premier.com

Harris season probably over with knee injury
As was feared new signing Richie Harris is almost certainly out for the rest of the season. Harris was stretchered off at Cefn Druids after just six minutes on Friday night and has sustained torn knee ligamnets.
After being rfeleased from hospital he has been referred to the club's physiotherapist and will see a specialist about the injury which has cut short his return to Newtown.
Manager Darren Ryan has only a few days to find a replacement for Harris with the transfer window set to shut next Monday with the situation worsened by John Leah's decision to stay at Rhyl.
The club has also received seven days notice of approach from Guilsfield for goalkeeper Dave McGuire. The manager is keen to keep Maguire at Newtown and hopes the keeper will stay to fight for his place.

John Leah

Rhyl persuade Leah to stay and Stephens rejects a move
John Leah will not be joining Newtown after all and Ross Stephens has rejected a late bid to move to Prestatyn.
Leah has been persuaded to stay at Rhyl until the end of the season after the club guaranteed the midfielder's wages until the end of the season - a serious blow to manager Darren Ryan's bid to strengthen the squad following the loss of new signing Richie Harris.
Rhyl had agreed to release Leah from his contract this weekend but have come up with a short term soluition to their money problems and now hope to keep their squad together.
"This is very disappointing news as John wouild have been a great asset to the side," said Ryan. "But we have to respect his decision to stick by Rhyl. Loyalty is to be applauded."
And the manager was also full of praise for the decision taken by Ross Stephens to reject a move to Prestatyn.
"It would have been a very big blow for us to lose Ross at this stage of the season and although financially it would have been a good move for him he has decided to stay and help us secure a place in the new Welsh Premeir League," said Ryan.

John Deakin

Welsh Premier League rearranges all postponed matches
The Welsh Premier League will not meet until February 3rd to discuss Newtown's request for an extension to the season and has rearranged all postponed matches.

This is assuming that there will be no extension to the season, which will not now be considered by the Board until their meeting on 3rd February.

"I have scheduled matches up to and including Easter week," said League Secretary John Deakin. "This leaves further time to rearrange any additional fixtures that may be postponed.

"I realise that there will be a degree of disatisfaction and I am willing to accept alternative dates if clubs can propose a mutually agreed alternative. However, this must be done by Friday 29th January after which the dates proposed in the list will be finally confirmed."

Rearranged dates are:
Feb 9 (Tues): Newtown v Neath
Feb 23(Tues): Caersws v Newtown
March 9 (Tues): Bala v Newtown.
March 16 (Tues): Newtown v Port Talbot
March 23 (Tues): Newtown v Porthmadog
April 5 (East Mon): Newtown v Caersws.

Results boost in chase for a top 10 place
Four of the five clubs immediately above us in the race for a place in the all-important top 10 failed to win this weekend as we moved up above Connah's Quay into 13th spot.
Nomads and Bangor City both lost whie Haverfordwest and Airbus only managed a draw. Camarthen and Bala were the teams to pick up maximum points.
Highlight of the day yesterday was a stunning Welsh Premier debut hat-trick by Chris Jones in Neath's 3-2 victory over Porthmadog.
The Grimsby Town loanee hit three goals in the first-half at The Gnoll, one from the penalty spot, as the Eagles threatened to give lowly Port a roasting.
But the Gwynedd outfit showed more resilience after the break and hit back with a goal from Marcus Orlik. And when Rob Folland put through his own goal in the 73rd-minute, it set-up a nervous finish for Andy Dyer's men.
The New Saints and Llanelli extended their lead at the top after slender victories. TNS beat Port Talbot in the clash of the in-form sides at Park Hall with a solitary goal from Steve Evans on the stroke of half-time.
Llanelli trailed 2-0 at home to Bangor City, who scored through Mark Smyth and a Chris Sharp penalty, but hit back through Chris Venables and a brace from Rhys Griffiths, the winner arriving in the 93rd-minute.
Rhyl put a difficult week behind them by beating Gap Connah's Quay 4-1 at Belle Vue. The Nomads' cause was not helped by the 27th-minute dismissal of defender Andy Alston and they fell behind to goals from Mark Connolly and George Horan.
A goal from debutant Aaron Burns gave them hope 11 minutes from time, but Matty Williams settled the home nerves with a late brace.
Bala Town won 3-1 at Caersws with goals from Gethin Lloyd, John Toner and Owain Roberts, while Haverfordwest and Airbus shared the spoils 1-1 at the New Bridge Meadow
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts
1. The New Saints 19 13 5 1 42 8 44
2. Llanelli AFC 18 13 3 2 47 16 42
3. Rhyl FC 20 10 6 4 42 23 36

4. Aberystwyth Town 20 11 3 6 30 27 36
5. Port Talbot Town 18 10 4 4 28 15 34
6. Neath FC 16 9 5 2 27 18 32
7. Prestatyn Town 20 9 5 6 33 31 32
8. Bala Town 20 9 4 7 23 25 31
9. Bangor City 19 9 3 7 40 30 30
10. Airbus UK Broughton 17 6 7 4 30 18 25

11. Carmarthen Town 17 7 3 7 25 22 24
12. Haverfordwest County 18 5 6 7 19 22 21

13. Newtown AFC 15 4 4 7 25 29 16
14. Gap Connah's Quay 17 4 4 9 14 31 16
15. Technogroup Welshpool 18 3 3 12 13 36 12
16. Porthmadog FC 19 2 4 13 11 36 10
17. Elements Cefn Druids 18 1 3 14 9 35 6
18. Caersws FC 17 1 2 14 16 52 5

Paul Roberts

Double striker blow on eve of trip to Cefn Druids
Darren Ryan's plans to unveil a new look striking partnership for tomorrow's trip to Elements Cefn Druids have been dealt a major blow with the loss of two strikers.
New signing Paul Roberts has been handed a one match ban by the Welsh FA and Jamie Breeze has been called up by Wales Colleges.
This is a double blow for the boss who has been thwarted in his efforts to further strengthen the squad in time for the trip with the move of Andrew Webb from Shawbury not likely to take place in time for the game.

Darren Ryan

Ryan keeping fingers crossed for better weather
Manager Darren Ryan is keeping his fingers crossed that Friday night's game at Elements Cefn Druids gets the go-ahead so that he can get his new look squad into action.
Ryan will have his four new faces on display if the match beats the weather and knows that nothing less than three points against the basement strugglers will be good enough.
The Robins boss is desperate to get back into action as a gap has begun to open with the group of clubs ahead of us in the Welsh Premier League since the last defeat against Bangor Cirty back on December 12.
He will have a full squad to select from with Craig Hutchinson available again and all players reporting fit.
That means the squad will include newcomers goalkeeper Dave Roberts, striker Paul Roberts, midfielders Richard Harris and Jamie Russell.
The only one to leave Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park is Nicky Ward, who has moved to Bangor City.
HOW WE STAND

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	The New Saints	18	12	5	1	41	8	41
2.	Llanelli AFC	17	12	3	2	44	14	39
3.	Aberystwyth Town	19	11	3	5	29	25	36

4.	Port Talbot Town	17	10	4	3	28	14	34
5.	Rhyl FC	19	9	6	4	38	22	33
6.	Bangor City	18	9	3	6	38	27	30
7.	Neath FC	15	8	5	2	24	16	29
8.	Prestatyn Town	19	8	5	6	28	31	29
9.	Bala Town	19	8	4	7	20	24	28
10.	Airbus UK Broughton	16	6	6	4	29	17	24

11.	Carmarthen Town	16	6	3	7	23	21	21
12.	Haverfordwest County	17	5	5	7	18	21	20

13.	Gap Connah's Quay	16	4	4	8	13	27	16
14.	Newtown AFC	14	3	4	7	23	29	13
15.	Technogroup Welshpool	17	3	3	11	13	31	12
16.	Porthmadog FC	18	2	4	12	9	33	10
17.	Elements Cefn Druids	17	1	3	13	9	33	6
18.	Caersws FC	16	1	2	13	15	49	5

Club receives £16,000 grant aid towards ground improvements
Newtown secretary Owen Durbridge has declared himself pleased and relieved at the news the club is to receive £16,000 grant-aid towards infrastructure improvements at their Mid-Wales Leisure Latham park stadium.
"We are extremely grateful to the Welsh Grounds Improvement company for their financial support and work will start immediately to bring the stadium up to standard, said Durbridge. The club will still have to fund a substantial part of the costs and obtain a stadium safety certificate.
"Only those clubs that are awarded a Domestic License will be considered for the new Super 12 League which kicks off next season," said Durbridge.
Chairman Mike Jones added his thanks to the WGI for the funding and praised secretary Owen Durbridge for his meticulous work in making the application.
"We knew the pot was'nt big enough for all clubs to get what they wanted and it was vital that our submission was done correctly".
However, the chairman added a note of caution saying; "We have always been quietly confident we could obtain the Domestic License but know this will not be enough to keep us in the top league.
"I am certain there will be more than twelve clubs with a D License and therefore our football team has to get us there on merit. Only a top ten position in the league can guarantee us top flight football next season and at the moment we are a long way off that. It has been a disappointing start to our campaign and it will take a remarkable turnaround in our fortunes if we are to make it.
"The transfer window gives us one last chance to get it right and the manager is working hard to strengthen the squad. It should be a very interesting climax to the season."

Aneurin 'Freddie' Thomas

Former Robin joins the 400 Club as Aber surge into top three

Former Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park favourite Aneurin "Freddy" Thomas joined an elite club of Welsh Premier players when he made his 400th league appearance in Aberystwyth Town's 2-0 win at Prestatyn's Bastion Road on Saturday.
The 37-year-old is only the eighth player to achieve the milestone behind Colin Reynolds, Gary Lloyd, Andy Mulliner, Andrew Thomas, Timmy Edwards, Hugh Clarke and Marc Lloyd Williams - six of them also having worn Newtown shirts.
Thomas arrived in the League of Wales with Llanidloes Town in the inaugural 1992/3 season before joining his home club. He made 37 starts for Newtown.
After spells with Llansantffraid and Newtown, he returned to Park Avenue in 1998 for another two and a half seasons, before linking-up with the Robins again, and then Carmarthen Town.
Since 2004 he has been back with the Seasiders, where he has now made 319 league starts, second only to Gari Lewis (327).
And during a career which has also seen him represent Wales at semi-professional level, he has also weighed-in with 25 goals from ma central defensive position.

Aberystwyth forged into the Welsh Premier's top three with a 2-0 win at Prestatyn Town's Bastion Road.
Missing four key players through suspension, including player-manager Neil Gibson, the hosts went a goal down to Graham Evans who fired a low 20-yarder after 12 minutes, with Luke Bowen grabbing his seventh goal of the season in the second half to seal the win.
The Black & Greens leapfrogged reigning champions Rhyl, who went down 2-1 to a late Nicky Holland goal at the GenQuip Stadium.
Liam McCreesh put the Steelmen ahead in the 17th-minute after a Martin Rose shot had hit the post, but debutant striker Rob Turner, signed from Sligo Rovers last week, levelled for the Lillies by beating ex-Rhyl keeper inside his near post just before the hour mark.
The game appeared headed for a draw until substitute Holland, who has resisted offers from other clubs in the January transfer window to remain with Talbot, ensured the points stayed in south Wales with a well-taken 12-yarder into the top corner in the 86th-minute.
Rose missed a golden chance to extend the Steelmen's lead, firing wide of the far post when well-placed.
The fastest goal of the day came at The Traeth, where Warren Duckett made up for recent inactivity by putting Bala Town ahead in the Gwynedd derby with a deflected 12-yard shot through a crowded box after just two minutes.
Ricky Evans added another early in the second-half from a free-kick on the edge of the area for a 2-0 success to leave Porthmadog still struggling in the basement.

Four named in Central Wales Youth Sqaud
Four Newtown players have been named in the Central Wales FA Youth Squad to play the North Wales FA.
Jamie Breeze, Chris Carroll, Dan Dawson and Keiron Groves have all been selected for the match which takes place at The Venue, the home of The New Saints, on Tuesday, January 26th.

A glum Darren Ryan

When will we ever play again?
Darren Ryan was a frustrated manager when he visited Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park today, Friday.
Ryan travelled to Newtown to see for himself the suituation for the proposed Welsh Premier fixture with Neath.
But as our picture shows Ryan was soon in no doubt that referee Paul Ballamntyne was going to give the match the tumbs down with 4" to 5" of snow still on the playing surface.

Snowbound Latham Park

Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park declared unplayable
A 2pm pitch inspection carried out by referee Paul Ballantyne saw Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park declared unplyable for tomorrow's game with Neath.
There was little chance of the Neath game going ahead with 8-9 inches of snow on the ground in some areas and the grass very hard underneath.
"There was a thaw forecasted for Saturday with rain too, but there are simply tons of snow on the pitch which would be very difficult to clear and will produce a great deal of water when it does melt," said club secretary Owen Durbridge.
Two more of the weekend's Welsh Premier fixtures have been postponed.
Saturday's game between Technogroup Welshpool and Caersws was called-off after Maesydre failed a pitch inspection on Friday.
And the Deeside Stadium is unfit with a three-inch covering of snow for the visit of Llanelli to Gap Connah's Quay.
Meanwhile TNS and Airbus are making every effort to play their game at Broughton by switching tonight's scheduled fixture to Sundayt at 2-10pm.

Mike Harris

Mike Harris has resigned from FA of Wales Council
The New Saints' managing director Mike Harris has resigned his seat on the Football Association of Wales Council it is reported on the club's website.

Representing the Welsh Premier clubs on the ruling body, Harris said: "I feel that I have gone as far as I can in representing the interests of the league and its clubs.
"I have been unable to obtain satisfactory answers to some issues that I have raised and feel that there could now be a conflict of interest between the Welsh Premier and my own club, The New Saints, which will now be best served by my working outside the shackles of being an FAW Councillor.
"I also want to concentrate my efforts and expertise on further developing The New Saints at a crucial time for the league."
Last month, the FAW did a U-turn on moves to remove the Welsh Premier's seat from its ruling Council.
Former secretary general David Collins had circulated clubs with notice of a special meeting to abolish the position, to which the representative is elected by the 18 league clubs, but the threat was withdrawn.
A fresh election will now be needed to find a successor to take over from Mike Harris.

Mark Dodds

Dodds looks destined for Haverfordwest
Haverfordwest County seem certain to beat Newtown manager Darren Ryan and several other clubs to the signature of the experienced defender Mark Dodds.
Ryan will now step up his search for an alternative signing before the window closes.
Currently with Carmarthen Town, the versatile 29-year-old can operate in the centre of defence or upfront and has scored 30 goals from 190 (+12) Welsh Premier appearances for Inter Cabletel, Port Talbot Town and the Old Gold, where he has spent the last five seasons.
A Welsh semi-professional international, Dodds has also played for Goytre United, Merthyr Tydfil and Newport County and has made 12 full appearances for the Richmond Park outfit this season.
"I can appreciate Doddsy’s decision because at the end of the day a move to County makes more sense," said Newtown boss Darren Ryan, a former team-mate of the player.
A confirmed move for Dodds would be a second signing in the January transfer window for Bluebirds' boss Derek Brazil, who has already secured the return of experience defender Tom Ramasut to the New Bridge Meadow.

Talks taking place to re-arrange fixtures
Agreemenmt has been reached over the Caersws cancelled game re-arrangements subject to the Welsh Premier League season being extended.
The clubs have agreed to meet at Caersws on Easter Monday, April 5th with the return taking place at Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park on May Bank Holiday Monday, May 3 - subject to the league agreeing to the requested extension to the season. The Esater Monday fixture at Caerses is unlikely to go ahead if the season is not extended.
The homr game with Port Talbot has been agreed for Tuesday, March 16.

Paul Roberts

Roberts moves from Porth but Marriott stays put

Manager Darren Ryan has captured one of his main transfer targets with the vastly experienced marksman Paul Roberts joining from Porthmadoc but the loan deal for Ryan Marriott from The New Saints has fallen through.
With 139 goals to his name from 269 (+59) appearances, Roberts has ended his third spell at the Traeth to boost the Robins' hopes of a place in next season's "Super 12".
Eleven goals in 12 games for Port in season 1996/7 landed Roberts a £15,000 move to Wrexham, where he gained first team experience and Welsh international honours.
He then joined Bangor after a brief spell back at Port and scored City's winners in the 2000 Welsh Cup Final and the 2002/3 Uefa Cup win over Sartid Smederevo.
A Welsh Under-21 international, he held the appearances record at Farrar Road before moving to Rhyl at the start of 2007.
But he managed just two starts for the Lillies and was released at the end of May 2007, returning to Porthmadog and then signing for Welshpool Town a year later.
After resisting a move back to the Traeth in the January 2009 transfer window, he returned to join his former manager at Maesydre, Tomi Morgan, last summer and has scored three times from 14 (+1) appearances so far this season.
Marriott has been in contractual talks with TNS and it is believed that the has complicated any loan arrangement

Marc Lloyd Williams

Former Newtown striker tops list of world's marksmen
Former Robins marksman Marc Lloyd Williams is officially the world's most successful top division goal scorer amongst still active players.
According to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, Lloyd Williams' record of netting 313 times from 445 appearances in the domestic league tops a list which includes world-famous players such as Henrik Larsson (268 goals/478 matches), Rivaldo (261/518), Ronaldo (240/335), Thierry Henry (230/443), Raul Gonzalez (225/534), Martin Palermo (221/432), Ruud van Nistelrooy (216/316) and Mark Viduka (201/409).
Second in the rankings is Juan Carlos Plata from Guatemala (299 goals), with Lisburn Distillery's Glenn Ferguson claiming third place (296).
Latest to join the players scoring 200 times is FC Dynamo Kiev and ex-Chelsea forward Andriy Shevchenko, who lies 24th in the table.
Lloyd Williams has scored 11 goals for his current club Airbus UK Broughton, with 52 for Porthmadog, 149 at Bangor City, 18 for Aberystwyth, 60 in TNS colours, 16 for Newtown and seven at Rhyl.
The world's current top 10 according to the IFFHS:
1 Marc Lloyd Williams (Airbus UK FC Broughton) Wales, 313 from 445
2 Juan Carlos Plata (CSD Municipal Ciudad de Guatemala) Guatemala, 299 from 553
3 Glenn Ferguson (Lisburn Distillery) Northern Ireland, 296 from 589
4 Aleksandar Duric (Singapore Armed Forces FC) Australia/Singapore, 291 from 493
5 Maksim Gruznov (Sillamae JK Kalev) Eesti, 277 from 405
6 Henrik Larsson (Helsingborgs IF) Sweden, 268 from 478
7 Juan Garcia Rivas (AC Mineros de Guayana Puerto Ordaz) Venezuela, 265 from 576
8 Rivaldo Vitor Borba Ferreira (FK Bunyodkor Tashkent) Brazil, 261 from 518
9 Damian Mori (Adelaide City FC) Australia, 259 from 495
10 Jared Francisco Borgetti (Puebla FC) Mexico, 254 from 582.

Darren Ryan

Two more put pen to paper as search goes on
Manager Darren Ryan has captured two of his signing targets.
Goalkpeeper Daved Roberts put pen to paper on Friday and the signing of former Telford youngster James Russell from Chirk was completed yesterday.
Roberts joins on loan from Aberystwyth to add competition for the goalkeeper's shirt while Russell arrives with good references. He has spent the last month training at The New Saints but missed out on his hope of signing for the league leaders.
The manager will be speaking to Richard Williams Cooke, the popular midfielder who left us a couple of seasons ago, this weekend. Rhos Aelwed insisted on the seven day ruling before the club could make the approach.
The Ryan Marriott lolan deal is expected to be completed early next week, once the winger's contractual difficulties at TNS are resolved on Monday. Welshpool's Richie Harris has already signed.

Club asks Welsh Premier to extend season as big freeze continues
The club has written to the Welsh Premier League seeking at least a nine day extesnion to the season as the snow threatens to wipe out the weekend fixtures.
"I have written to the Premier League to ask for a 9 day extension to the season so that we, and other clubs, can use the May Bank Holiday weekend to get two games in at home, if possible, " said club secretary Owen Durbridge.
"It will be referred toto the League’s Board next week but if the conditions continue nine days might not be enough. The board will need to make sensible decisions."

Two of Friday night's Welsh Premier fixtures have already been postponed.
First to go was the match between Elements Cefn Druids and Gap Connah's Quay after several inches of snow on the Plas Kynaston Lane pitch as well as around the stadium has meant that there is no possibility of getting the match played as scheduled.
Local referee Ceri Richards then ruled that Stebonheath Park was unplayable for the game between Llanelli and Port Talbot Town.

Nicky Ward

Roberts arriving on loan as Ward departs for Bangor
Goalkeeper Dave Roberts will tomorrow sign on loan from Aberystwyth but front runner Nicky Ward has left for Bangor City.
Roberts will complete the loan deal to bring him to Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park until the end of the season as Ward left for the North Wales coast as Bangor beat Connah's Quay to his signature.
Technical issues have held up the loan moves of TNS pair Ryan Marriott and John McKenna with the club only able to take one of the two under loan signing registration rules. Contractual issues at the Oswestry club end are holding matters up now.
Manager Darren Ryan has been thwarted in his move for Andy Evans, who has left Aberystwytyh for Porthmadog. Ryan will now seek to speak with Porth striker Paul Roberts. He will not follow up his enquiry about Steve Rogers at Prestatyn.
Carmarthen are insisting we wait seven days before speaking to Mark Doods, but the defender is also attracting interest from South Wales clubs.
Chirk have agreed to Jamie Russell switching to Newtown

The type of surface facing all clubs this week

Club considering fixture request from Caersws
Caersws have asked us to play our Boxing Day game against them at Caersws on Easter Monday but the club will look at all options with a home game a possibility.
"We will discuss postponed games at this week's Board meeting," said club secretary Owen Durbridge.
"We are already looking at a possible home match on Easter Monday and have to host Caersws as well."
The Carmarthen game has already been fixed for January 30.

Ryan Marriott

Mark Dodds

John McKenna

Three new players in and more on the way
Richie Harris is back at Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park after his transfer from Technogroup Welshpool was signed yesterday and he will be joined by Ryan Marriott who has been loaned to the club by The New Saints.
And Manager Darren Ryan will also take TNS youngster John McKenna on loan once he has returned to full fitness.
The busy boss will also complete the loan signing of Aberystwyth second choice keeper Dave Roberts early next week and is also keen to bring Aberystwyth out-of-favour striker Andy Evans to the club. The Seasiders have allowed Newtown to speak to Evans but there is interest from other clubs.
And in a bid to shore up the defence Ryan is speaking to the vastly experienced Carmarthen defender Mark Dodds.The Non-League International is also speaking to other clubs about a move.
Richard Williams Cooke, the popular midfielder who left us a couple of seasons ago, is possibly going to return. He is currently with Rhos Aelwyd.
The Manager is also talking to Chirk's promising youngster Jamie Williams. He has also asked Bala for permission to speak to Ricky Evans and has given Prestatyn seven days notice of approach in a bid to bring Steve Rogers back to the club.
The club has received seven days notice of approach from Connah's Quay on Nicky Ward, but despite rumours there has been no approach from Airbus for the winger.
Pictures courtesy of welsh-premier.com

Dave Roberts

Ryan keen to sign former Liverpool stopper
Manager Darren Ryan has switched his attention to former Aberystwyth keeper Dave Roberts following his faliure to woo Cefn Druids stopper Chris Mullock.
Ryan is determined to provide competition for regular choice Davbe McGuire with Dave Jones still struggling after breakiung an arm earlier tghis season.
Roberts won two FA Youth Cup winner's medals with Liverpool in 2006 and 2007 but was surprisingly released from Anfield and joined Bangor City, leaving in January 2008 without making a Welsh Premier appearance and signing non-contract terms for Blue Square Premier outfit Weymouth.
He Signed for Aberystwyth Town in August 2008 and made 34 appearances for the club last season

Eleventh hour postponement at Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park

Despite a valiant effort to get the New Year's Day match with local rivals Caersws on the referee deemed the pitch unplayable an hour before kick-off.
Directors, committeemen and supporters worked tirelessly to clear the surface of snow but the referee ruled that the frozen surface was unsafe.
Chairman Mike Jones praised helpers who fought so hard to get the game played.
"A morning inspection revealed that as we cleared the snow the surface underneath was playable but as more snow was removed frozen areas started to appear and it became apparant that the surface was unsafe," he said.
"But I cannot thank enough those that gave of their time to try to get the game played," he added.
Meanwhile only two games survived the elements with a hat-trick from Alex Darlington ensuring The New Saints beat Welshpool to return to the top of the Welsh Premier.

Craig Williams had given the Saints an eighth-minute lead with a superb shot from the edge of the box, and the former Llanelli winger twice hit the woodwork in the second-half.
But the introduction of subs Jamie Wood and Chris Seargeant in the 66th-minute sparked TNS into life, with Wood chasing down a ball to the byline and feeding Chris Marriott, whose cross was converted by Darlington.
The former Wrexham midfielder got his second after persistence from Seargeant had won the ball in the box, and Wood laid on the third for Darlington to fire inside the far post five minutes from time.
A festive double over Haverfordwest County sent Aberystwyth Town into the top three thanks to Luke Sherbon's 32nd-minute goal at the New Bridge Meadow.
Port Talbot were on course to complete a notable festive double over local rivals Neath when their game at The Gnoll was abandoned on 70 minutes due to snow.
Drew Fahiya had given the Steelmen a third-minute lead.
The games at Bala and Cefn Druids were postponed due to frozen pitches.

HOW WE STAND

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	The New Saints	18	12	5	1	41	8	41
2.	Llanelli AFC	17	12	3	2	44	14	39
3.	Aberystwyth Town	18	10	3	5	27	25	33

4.	Rhyl FC	17	9	5	3	36	19	32
5.	Port Talbot Town	16	9	4	3	26	13	31
6.	Neath FC	15	8	5	2	24	16	29
7.	Prestatyn Town	17	8	4	5	27	28	28
8.	Bangor City	17	8	3	6	35	26	27
9.	Bala Town	18	7	4	7	18	24	25
10.	Airbus UK Broughton	16	6	6	4	29	17	24

11.	Carmarthen Town	16	6	3	7	23	21	21
12.	Haverfordwest County	17	5	5	7	18	21	20

13.	Gap Connah's Quay	16	4	4	8	13	27	16
14.	Newtown AFC	14	3	4	7	23	29	13
15.	Technogroup Welshpool	17	3	3	11	13	31	12
16.	Porthmadog FC	17	2	4	11	9	31	10
17.	Elements Cefn Druids	16	1	3	12	8	30	6
18.	Caersws FC	16	1	2	13	15	49	5

Game looks set to go-ahead after all-out effort
Directors, committeemen and supporters were working flat out this morning on the Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park surface.
The loyal Newtown supporters turned out on New Year's Eve as well in an all-out bid to get the playing surface clear for today's game with Caersws.
The team worked valiantly to clear the overnight snow from the surface to ensure the annual local derby match could go ahead.
Referee Paul Ballantyne passed the surface fit at 10-45am this morning

Caersws turn down offer of delaying New Year's Day fixture
Caersws have responded to the offer of a 24 hr delay to tomorrow's New Year's Day fixture by turning it down due to the unavailability of some players who have made prior arrangements.
Sunday was then offered as another alternative, but they have similar problems on that day too. That means that this important fixture must either take place on the scheduled New Years Day or it will have to be rescheduled to a midweek date.

Chris Mullock

Mullock to resist overtures from Newtown
Elements Cefn Druids goalkeeper Chris Mullock has signalled his intention to stay with the Ancients following interest from Newtown, reports the club website.

The Robins had served seven days' notice on the young 'keeper, but Mullock has indicated he is prepared to stay at Plaskynaston for the remainder of the season.

Druids' joint-manager Lee Jones said;

"We're delighted he's staying. It shows he's committed to the club and not go after the money as, I'm sure Newtown would have been able to offer more.

If he keeps doing what he has been doing I'm sure he has a good chance of being at a top six Welsh Premier side in the future

"I think he's made the right choice as we can offer him regular first team football and that might not necessarily be the case at Newtown.

"By the end of the season he could have played in the region of 50 or 60 Welsh Premier League games which is a good record for a young lad of his age.

"If he keeps doing what he has been doing I'm sure he has a good chance of being at a top six Welsh Premier side in the future."

Richard Harris

Two clubs reveal manager Darren Ryan's targets
Technogroup Welshpool have announced that midfielder Richie Harris is to join Newtown while Elements Cefn Druids have said that goalkeeper Chris Mullock is also off to Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park.
Harris will be released after the New Year's Day fixture at The New Saints while Mullock will move this weekend.
Mullock has made eight appearances for the Druids this season in league and cup while Harris has been a first choice at The Maesydre for the past five years since moving from Newtown.
Manager Darren Ryan had been hoping to keep the deals under wraps until the ink was dry on the transfers but both clubs made the announcements today.

Owen Durbridge

Maximum effort to get New Year's Day fixture on - plus alternative offered to Caersws
Frantic efforts are being made to get Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park fit for the New Year's Day fixture with Caersws.
And the club has even gone as far as to offer Caersws a 24 hour delay so that the game can be played on Saturday, January 2.
"The Board of Newtown Football Club have discussed the issue of the potential postponement of this Friday’s game due to possible snow problems on the pitch," said club secretary Owen Durbridge.
"It has been decided that we will offer Caersws the option to play on the Saturday as a contingency plan. As yet there has been no reply from Caersws.
"Maximum efforts have been put into protecting the ground prior to tonight’s snowfall with tarpaulins covering all the problem areas of the pitch to provide for easier removal of the snow.
"Underneath the covers, the pitch is in magnificent condition and will definitely be on If the snow can be removed."

January transfer window beckons and clubs are already at work

With the transfer window not due to open until January 1 clubs are already active with Technogroup Welshpool facing a goalkeeping dilemma ahead of their trip to The New Saints.
Pool have lost keeper Jack Cudworth to Rhyl and are seeking dispensation from the Welsh FA to re-sign Danny Jones in time to play on New Year's Day. Striker Mark Griffiths is also back at Welshpool after two years at Bala Town.
Marcus Orlik has returned to Porthmadog and will be available from the New Year. The 24-year-old midfielder joined Cymru Alliance Llangefni Town in July to regain his fitness, but injuries restricted him to a few cameo appearances.
Newtown manager Darren Ryan is expected to name at least four new faces next week but the boss is keeping his cards close to his chest about the identities of the new arrivals.

Steelemen threaten big three and Porthmadog in more trouble

Port Talbot are emerging as a real threat to the top three clubs and Porthmadog are in deeper trouble after yesterday's games/
Scott Barrow's stunning 30-yard free-kick gave Port Talbot the upper hand in their local derby at home to Neath.
And another goal three minutes later from Neil Thomas sent the Steelmen leapfrogging their opponents into fourth place in the table.
The two goals lit-up an otherwise drab affair in front of live S4C cameras at the GenQuip Stadium.
After Drew Fahiya had been brought down after a mazy run on 40 minutes, Barrow stepped-up to send a rising free-kick into the top corner.
And Fahiya's hold-up play on the edge of the box was followed by a lay-off to Thomas, who hammered the second from 18 yards beyond the grasp of Wyn Walters.
The Eagles rarely threatened, their best effort a stinging Richard Ingram shot which was well parried by home keeper Lee Kendall.
Bangor City took the spoils in the Gwynedd derby at Farrar Road, but it took a last-minute goal from Jamie Reed, his second of the game, to ensure Porthmadog left empty-handed.
Reed had earlier opened City's account in the 25th-minute and the 2-0 win saw them climb to eighth place in the table.
HOW WE STAND

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Llanelli AFC	17	12	3	2	44	14	39
2.	The New Saints	17	11	5	1	37	8	38
3.	Rhyl FC	17	9	5	3	36	19	32

4.	Port Talbot Town	16	9	4	3	26	13	31
5.	Aberystwyth Town	17	9	3	5	26	25	30
6.	Neath FC	15	8	5	2	24	16	29
7.	Prestatyn Town	17	8	4	5	27	28	28
8.	Bangor City	17	8	3	6	35	26	27
9.	Bala Town	18	7	4	7	18	24	25
10.	Airbus UK Broughton	16	6	6	4	29	17	24

11.	Carmarthen Town	16	6	3	7	23	21	21
12.	Haverfordwest County	16	5	5	6	18	20	20

13.	Gap Connah's Quay	16	4	4	8	13	27	16
14.	Newtown AFC	14	3	4	7	23	29	13
15.	Technogroup Welshpool	16	3	3	10	13	27	12
16.	Porthmadog FC	17	2	4	11	9	31	10
17.	Elements Cefn Druids	16	1	3	12	8	30	6
18.	Caersws FC	16	1	2	13	15	49	5

Good news for Robins and late winner takes Llanelli back to the top

Defeats for Carmarthen, Connah's Quay and Haverfordwest were good news for Newtown as a late winner from defender Lee Jarman sent Llanelli back to the top of the Welsh Premier with leaders TNS out of actionin the Boxing Day derbies.
A penalty from Tim Hicks five minutes from time looked to have earned Carmarthen Town a point against their west Wales rivals, but Jarman broke their hearts in the third minute of stoppage time, after Chris Venables had given the Reds a 72nd-minute lead.
Rhyl remain in third after being held to a goal-less draw at near neighbours Prestatyn in front of Boxing Day's highest crowd of 762. The Lillies played all of the second-half without striker Lee Hunt, who was dismissed four minutes before the break.
But Aberystwyth moved into fourth place after Luke Sherbon and Glyndwr Hughes headers had given them an early two-goal lead at home to Haverfordwest County. The Bluebirds' cause was not helped by a second red card of the season for Bobby Briers and, although Jack Christopher pulled back a late consolation from the penalty spot after Steff Williams had been felled, the visitors slipped to a 2-1 defeat.
Airbus UK Broughton failed to turn their domination into goals after Marc Lloyd Williams had headed them into a seventh-minute lead at home to Elements Cefn Druids.
And they paid the price in the 85th-minute, when sub Gary Penlington notched an equaliser for the lowly Ancients in a 1-1 draw at The Airfield.
Despite being without three suspended regulars, John Toner's 12th-minute effort was enough to hand all three points to Bala Town in a victory at Gap Connah's Quay.
The day's other two games, Caersws v Newtown and Welshpool v TNS, were postponed due to frozen pitches.
HOW WE STAND

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Llanelli AFC	17	12	3	2	44	14	39
2.	The New Saints	17	11	5	1	37	8	38
3.	Rhyl FC	17	9	5	3	36	19	32

4.	Aberystwyth Town	17	9	3	5	26	25	30
5.	Neath FC	14	8	5	1	24	14	29
6.	Port Talbot Town	15	8	4	3	24	13	28
7.	Prestatyn Town	17	8	4	5	27	28	28
8.	Bala Town	18	7	4	7	18	24	25
9.	Airbus UK Broughton	16	6	6	4	29	17	24
10.	Bangor City	16	7	3	6	33	26	24

11.	Carmarthen Town	16	6	3	7	23	21	21
12.	Haverfordwest County	16	5	5	6	18	20	20

13.	Gap Connah's Quay	16	4	4	8	13	27	16
14.	Newtown AFC	14	3	4	7	23	29	13
15.	Technogroup Welshpool	16	3	3	10	13	27	12
16.	Porthmadog FC	16	2	4	10	9	29	10
17.	Elements Cefn Druids	16	1	3	12	8	30	6
18.	Caersws FC	16	1	2	13	15	49	5

Andrew Thomas

Boxing Day return for Thomas to club which launched his career
Andrew Thomas returns to the club which launched his Welsh Premier career when Newtown travel to old enemy Caersws on Boxing Day (2.30pm).
The match will be subject to an early morning pitch inspection but is already in some doubt following the frost and snow of the past few days.
However ahead of the crunch clash at the Recreation Ground the 34-year-old defensive stalwart told the County Times there will be no mixed loyalties as he bids to boost Newtown’s Super 12 qualification.
“I’d be lying if I said I did not have a soft spot for Caersws,” said Thomas. “I have a huge amount of respect for the manager Mickey Evans, who gave me my chance in their first team back in 1993.”
Thomas went on to play 421 games for the Bluebirds, winning three League Cups and represent the villagers in Europe, before switching to Newtown in 2008.
“There is a good bunch of people at Newtown and I have been made to feel welcome since I got here, despite the fact that I played for Caersws for so long.
“It will be nice to see some old friends on Boxing Day, but the most important thing is six points from our two games against Caersws. I have faith in the lads, but we need to start winning again after a bad run.
“Everyone at the club know’s we must make the Super 12 and after recent results we know there is more pressure.”
Midfielder Craig Hutchinson is unavailable after his wedding last week, while defender Robbie James should recover in time to take his place at ther heart of the defence following a head injury.
Caersws midfielder Geraint Lewis is suspended, but the return to fitness of veteran midfielder and former Robin, Graham Jones, will provide a boost for the Bluebirds ahead of the festive double-header.

Darren Ryan

Ryan on Christmas shopping mission
Manager Darren Ryan will be having a hectic Christmas as he looks to bolster his squad for the New Year push for a place in the top 10.
Ryan has kept secretary Owen Durbridge busy in the run up to the festive season, serving seven days notice of approach on a number of potential new signings.
"I made no secret of my determination to strengthen the sqaud," said Ryan. "The players know my feelings and they also know that finishing outside the top 10 is not an option for Newtown Football Club.
"So yes I have asked the club to put seven days notice on certain players who I will not be naming at this stage.
"I would like also to thank the board of directors for their faith and for making it possible for me to strengthen things even though we are in a very difficult financial climate," said Ryan.
The manager is looking to strengthen in all departments and has tageted players who he thinks can move to Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park and make immediate impacts.

Newtown chairman calls on FA of Wales to properly fund new league
Club chairman Mike Jones has called on the FA of Wales to 'properly fund' the new Welsh Premier League next season.
"If the new Super 10/12 League really is to be super it needs to have proper funding otherwise what is the point," he told the Robins web site.
"We are all striving towards the 'Promised Land' but no one knows what we will find when we get there.
"The FAW have chosen this route to improve the quality of the league so they have to support it with increased sponsorship, prize money, tv deals and whatever it takes. I feel certain there is a long term plan but they need to communicate it to us better," he said.
"The vote by clubs in favour of a 44 match super 12 league next season has certainly started a lively if somewhat belated debate on this thorny subject.
"The vote was 9 - 6 in favour or put another way, only six clubs out of eighteen eligible to vote were against a 44 match format. However, Haverfordwest and Neath are now demanding another vote.
"Whilst I respect absolutely the views of those clubs, I see no obvious grounds for another vote. It seems very 'European Union' to me that if you dont like the result you simply have another vote until you get what you want.
"Nor should it be assumed that those clubs in favour did'nt know what they were doing. I think it is much more likely that the alternatives put forward were even less palatable than an inflated fixture list.
"In essence, clubs were seeking the least worst option and the idea of a split league, with all its vagaries and complications, did not seem particularly attractive.
"The Haverfordwest chairman now argues that only the twelve clubs in the new league should have a vote but surely those demoted clubs should have a voice too as two of them each year may well be promoted so why should they be disenfranchised along with six or eight current WPL members.
"I have some sympathy with Haverfordwest as their travelling expenses will increase more than any other club. Neath are concerned about their pitch which is not surprising as they may be groundsharing with not one but two rugby teams next season. However, that is an issue for Neath and the FAW to resolve and should have no bearing on the running of the Premier football league.
"So what are the arguments, for and against and do they stand up to close scrutiny?
"Those against a 44 match format claim it is simply too many games but if we look at the English system what do we find. The Premier League play 38 matches, the Championship, League One, League Two and the Blue Square Premier all play 46 matches. A further five top leagues play 42. So are 44 matches really such a big issue for WPL clubs?
"True, it represents an extra ten matches but from a very low base of just 34. Five at home which affects the pitch and five away which costs more in travelling. Not ideal maybe but is it really so disastrous either?
"Until six years ago we played 38 matches so this proposal is only six more. Most of those extra games could be played in the early part of the season when the pitches are in good condition. On the plus side, there is more revenue from the gate, sponsors and the club bar.
"I think a team benefits from playing regularly on a Saturday and then mid-week and the supporters enjoy a regular routine. At Newtown I would welcome more matches as 34 is too few. Over many years we have somehow contrived (despite clear instructions to our manager!!) to be out of all cup competitions by mid October, so we have just one home game every two weeks.
"The Loosemores Cup format could be ammended to accomodate the extra league fixtures and the Welsh Cup is already a straight knock-out/no replay competition.
"Of greater concern to me is the fact that clubs will play each other four times in the season. I would expect home attendances to hold up but suspect away supporters may baulk at a second long distance trip, especially for mid-week fixtures. The key always to attendances is the form of your team and the importance of the fixture.
"Players train during the week so playing is no different for home matches and quite a few 'local' matches. It is the long haul matches, North to South that will impose a greater burden on players, supporters and club finances.
I think the concern of clubs about 44 matches is based on a lack of finance to do the job properly.
"If the new Super 10/12 League really is to be super it needs to have proper funding otherwise what is the point?
We are all striving towards the 'Promised Land' but no one knows what we will find when we get there.
"The FAW have chosen this route to improve the quality of the league so they have to support it with increased sponsorship, prize money, tv deals and whatever it takes. I feel certain there is a long term plan but they need to communicate it to us better.
"The alternative proposal to 44 matches was to split the league into two divisions at the half way point. The top six teams would play in division 1 and the bottom six in division 2. These teams would then play a third fixture, either at home or away or at a neutral venue.
"There was also mention of different options to this system but those in favour failed to provide the details of how it would all work or to put forward one coherant proposal. To say they do something similar in Scotland failed to convince enough clubs to support such a radical change.
"For me, your position in the league should be decided over the whole season and not by Christmas. Under this proposal, the team in 7th position after 22 games would be relegated to Division 2 but the team in 6th will continue in the top division and still have the chance to win the league or gain a European place.
"If you look at the current table the teams in 6th and 7th position are both on 27 points and separated by a goal difference of just 1. This would mean that Aberystywyth would be free to challenge for the title or Europe and Prestatyn would be in Division 2 with nothing to play for.
"Coincidentally, the transfer window would open at the same time and the top 6 clubs could cherry pick the better players in division 2. Thus the top six get stronger and the bottom six get weaker. Is that really condusive to a strong and vibrant league?
"I know that clubs, from time to time, may be critical of the FAW but until we, as WPL members, get our own act together we will continue to be our own worst enemy. All the clubs agree that we are unhappy but we cannot agree on what we are unhappy about. We have been very slow to react to the whole Super Ten League issue and all its consequences.
"Can we really be surprised that the FAW steamrollered this idea through without due consultation as they probably guessed we would never come up with a coherant argument against," he asked.
"Clubs are always likely to put their own interests first but that may not necessarily be in the interests of the league as a whole. The FAW have that responsibility and they have discharged it to the best of their ability. We may not like it, we may not agree with it but where was the alternative proposal from the WPL clubs?
"We have sleep-walked into this and with half a season to go, we are finally awaking from our slumber."
The points raised here are meant to add to the debate and are not intended to represent the views Newtown Football club.

Peter Parry

Rhyl president Peter Parry to leave Belle Vue
President Peter Parry is leaving Rhyl after almost 10 years at the helm, but insists it is business as usual at Belle Vue.
Although leaving the club in the New Year, Parry has left a further financial legacy as a contribution to the end of the current season, says a statement from the club.
A club spokesman said: "What Peter has done for this club is nothing short of amazing.
"He has revitalised the club as well as making Belle Vue one of the best grounds in Wales. "
"The club, its fans and players, and the town, owe him a huge vote of thanks.
"We wish him well for the future and his contribution to the club will never be forgotten for generations to come."
The club has seen unprecedented success during Parry’s 10-year tenure which includes two Welsh Premier titles, two Welsh Cup triumphs and two league cup wins as well as reaching European qualification on six occasions.
"I have enjoyed the challenges within the club in my current role. The club is now on an even keel but my focus will be on other ventures outside football," Parry commented.
"I would like to thank everybody involved for their support in making Rhyl one of the leading clubs in Wales."
Rumours persisted in the summer that Parry was to quit, but they were strenuously denied at the time.
The reports followed news that the Lilywhites had unsuccessfully applied for an advance of Uefa Champions League money from the FAW and that the playing budget at Belle Vue was being cut as a result.
Photo: Peter Parry [Trinity Mirror North Wales].

John Deakin

Deakin says 44 game fixture debate is not over yet
WELSH Premier League secretary John Deakin says the debate over next season’s fixture plan is not done and dusted.
At a meeting in Newtown last week, the clubs voted 9-6 in favour of teams playing each other twice home and away in next season's "Super 12".
But Deakin told the Daily Post: “There is no great hurry to decide on the fixture format for next season - I wouldn’t be putting them together until June."
Earlier this week, Haverfordwest chairman Rob Summons called for another special meeting of those clubs who will be in the league next season, when they are known.
"Potential fixture chaos, the wrecking of playing surfaces, increasing costs by as much as 25%, can be dealt with again by those who will have to live with the consequences of this ludicrous vote," he said.
And Deakin appears to support the Bluebirds' chairman's stance: "It is a constructive point of view at a time when a lot of hot air is being spouted about this particular point, but a democratic vote was taken which went 9-6 in favour of the 44-game plan."
Those in favour of 44 games next season were Aberystwyth Town, Caersws, Elements Cefn Druids, Gap Connah’s Quay, Llanelli, Port Talbot Town, Prestatyn Town, Rhyl and The New Saints.
An alternative proposal for 32-games was supported by Airbus UK, Bala Town, Bangor City, Carmarthen Town, Haverfordwest County and Newtown.
Neath and Welshpool did not attend the meeting while Porthmadog abstained from the vote.
The outcome will be discussed at a meeting of the FAW's domestic committee and Welsh Premier board next month, but no final decision will be ratified until the FAW Council meets in February.

Jamie Breeze

Breeze set to lead attack against Porthmadog
Young striker Jamie Breeze is set to be given his chance to claim a regular starting place in Newtown's line-up.
Breeze will fill the void left by the return of Obi Anoruo to Conference side Wrexham by leading the front line against Porthmadog on Saturday.
Breeze is a Llanidloes-born player, who is a product of Newtown's former partnership with Coleg Powys and who progressed through the reserves to the first-team squad.
And manager Darren Ryan has urged Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park supporters not to heap pressure on the youngster.
"Jamie is in the first team because he has proved himself to be up to the challenge," said Ryan. "I have told him to relax and enjoy his football and hopefully the fans will support him during the rest of the season."
And the manager has also defended his decision to keep the players on the field for an after-match rollocking on Saturday after the 5-2 defeat to Bangor.
"It was not good enough and I told the players collectively," he said.
"Of course I take my share of the responsibility and I am grateful to chairman Mike Jones for guaranteeing board support during the January transfer window.
"I have no choice but to strengthen the squad. We are playing catch up now and it is vital that we get maximum points against Porthmadog and the Christmas games against Caersws.
"What is really disappointing is that we played really well in patches on Saturday and on another day would have got a result, but there is no excuse for concedint three goals in 11 minutes.
"The last thing we want is to have everything needed for qualification for the Super 12 except a top 10 position."
HOW WE STAND

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Llanelli AFC	16	11	3	2	42	13	36
2.	The New Saints	16	10	5	1	36	8	35
3.	Rhyl FC	16	9	4	3	36	19	31

4.	Neath FC	14	8	5	1	24	14	29
5.	Port Talbot Town	15	8	4	3	24	13	28
6.	Prestatyn Town	15	8	3	4	27	27	27
7.	Bangor City	16	7	3	6	33	26	24
8.	Aberystwyth Town	15	7	3	5	21	22	24
9.	Airbus UK Broughton	15	6	5	4	28	16	23
10.	Bala Town	17	6	4	7	17	24	22

11.	Carmarthen Town	15	6	3	6	22	19	21
12.	Haverfordwest County	15	5	5	5	17	18	20

13.	Gap Connah's Quay	15	4	4	7	13	26	16
14.	Newtown AFC	14	3	4	7	23	29	13
15.	Technogroup Welshpool	16	3	3	10	13	27	12
16.	Porthmadog FC	16	2	4	10	9	29	10
17.	Elements Cefn Druids	15	1	2	12	7	29	5
18.	Caersws FC	15	1	2	12	13	46	5

Haverfordwest want another vote on Super 12 fixture plan

Haverfordwest chairman Rob Summons says that the clubs that eventually form the Super 12 should vote again on the fixture format for next season.
"We believe that another EGM of those clubs who will be in the league next season needs to be called when they are known, so that potential fixture chaos, the wrecking of playing surfaces, increasing costs by as much as 25%, can be dealt with again by those who will have to live with the consequences of this ludicrous vote," he says.
At a meeting in Newtown last week, the clubs voted nine-six in favour of playing each other four times in 2010/11 although Summons says that the pre-meeting discussions seemed to favour an alternative plan.
League secretary John Deakin had proposed that each time played the others twice, with the league then splitting into championship and relegation conference of six clubs each.
But only Airbus UK, Bala, Bangor City, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Newtown voted for 32 games and Summons says: "The new format was decided in a mad five minutes with no discussion of how clubs will be able to meet their commitments and a total disregard to the inevitable fixture chaos.
Neath and Welshpool did not attend the meeting and Porthmadog abstained from the vote but, the following day, Neath secretary Tony Melding wrote on the club's website: "Despite there being only 52 weeks in a year, living in a wet climate, not one other top league in Europe playing as many games and most people agreeing it's a terrible idea, the Welsh Premier League will play a 44 League game programme next year- can't wait!
"It will be an unprecedented disaster and this website will refer back to this comment when it happens."
Summons says Haverfordwest proposed adoption of the 32 game solution as a club that has not had one match postponed for weather reasons for seven seasons, but has to travel to others less prepared at inevitably more difficult timings.
"We travel considerably further over a season than any other club, so postponements will be more of a problem for us, so the club with the better ground will suffer more than those with poorer facilities," he said.
"We find it strange that the principal promoter of the 44-game solution, Aberystwyth Town, suffers postponements - their ground was waterlogged in August in the Loosemores Cup against ourselves this season while another, Cefn Druids, postponed our travel on a Saturday morning recently.
"Nine clubs voted for 110 extra matches for the players, to pay extra travel and running costs, volunteer labour, for spectators to attend, to scramble for 25% more revenue! How can the clubs left in the 12 possibly begin to support this?
"The recession is still with us, believe it or not, and we do not think that certain clubs have applied the basic principles of common sense to the arguments that exist at the present moment.
"What happens if only eight or 10 clubs conform to and obtain the necessary licensing requirements and obtain a safety certificate? What are we going to do then?" he added.

Mike Jones

Chairman pledges board's support in bid for Super 12
Chairman Mike Jones has pledged the full support of the board of directors in the club's bid to win a place in next season's Super 12.
And he has told the club that he does not want to be known next season as the club with the best facilities in the Cymru Alliance League with a promoise of support for the manager in the January transfer window.
"The board has to demonstrate that its ambitious plans for the Latham Park facilities are matched by the desire for a successful football team," Jones told the club's web site today.
"The advent of the Super 10/12 league has decreed that one is no good without the other. Arguably, we have one of the best ground in the Welsh Premier League but without doubt it would be the finest in the Cymru Alliance. I dont want us to hold that particular title.
"The players know the importance of this season and the need to step up a gear. The players and our management team are desperate to do well and with the transfer window opening soon, Darren and Rhys have the opportunity to strengthen the squad.
"This will be a critical period for the club and the board has to face up to it squarely. Darren asks that the players take responsibility for their performances and he is right to do so. Managers everywhere take responsibility for the performance of their team.
"The ultimate responsibility, however, rests with the board and we have to accept that responsibility and all the possible consequences. The transfer window (an appalling restriction of trade) affords us the opportunity to breathe new life into our campaign.
"On Saturday we face Porthmadoc whose chairman Mr Phil Jones is the North Wales representative on the WPL board and has always been very patient when explaining to me how the WPL and FAW works. (I said he was patient but I did not say he was successful).
"Their Manager Tommi Morgan is an ex-Newtown player and has been an outspoken critic of the Super 10/12 League and I think, as 'D-Day' looms, his views are now shared by an increasing number of the football world."

Obi Anoruo

Wrexham recall for Obi Anoruo
Wrexham have recalled loan striker Obi Anoruo and last week's performance at home to Bangor looks to have been his last for the Robins.
Dean Saunders, Manager of the troubled Conference side, recalled the talented striker as he prepared for an FA Trophy replay against Altingham tonight aiming criticism at his misfiring strikers..
“I’ve called Obi back, he needs to stand up to the plate now and step forward and bang goals in for us," said Saunders.
“The chances are there, the ball is going across the six-yard box, we work on it in training and encouraging the players to do it.”
Anoruo, 18, is unavailable for tonight’s game, although he is eligible for the next round should Wrexham progress.
Robins boss Darren Ryan was generous in his praise for Anoruo. "Obi has been a delight to work with and has always given us 100% commitment," he said.
"It has been difficult for hom making the step into the Welsh Premier but he a young player wityh a good future ahead of him ion the game.
"I am very grateful to Dean Saunders and Wrexham for allowing us to take him on loan and wish hime well."

Clubs vote for 44-fixture format
Welsh Premier clubs voted to play 44 league games next season at a meeting in Newtown on Thursday night.
Several fixture formats had been suggested for the league when it is reduced to 12 clubs next season, including a split after the clubs had met twice, allowing the top six and bottom six to play each other once more.
But nine of the 16 clubs present agreed to support the Welsh Premier board's plan for each club to play the others twice each home and away, a recommendation that will now be put to the FAW's domestic committee.
The league also hopes that the governing body will make additional funds available to cover increased travelling and match officials' costs.

Darren Ryan

Ryan tells players their future is at stake
Manager Darren Ryan has told his team that they are playing for their futures at Newtown ahead of Saturday's home game with Bangor City.
After disappointing defeats at Airbus and Gap Connah's Quay in the last two away matches Ryan has pulled no punches.
He has told the players that the performances are unacceptable and that he will be looking to bring in new blood during the January transfer window as he bids to secure a top 10 finish for the Robins.
But Ryan's dilemma is that on a restricted budget he will also have to off-load players.
"It's up to the lads now," he told Robins website. "I have told them that they are all playing for their futures. No-one is untouchable and the coming two months are crucial for the club.
"The trouble is that we don't seem to be able to adjust to the conditions. You just can't play away at grounds like Connah's Quay in the same manner as at Latham Park. But the players haven't listened and we have paid the price."
The manager is looking for nothing less than nine or ten points from the next four games.
"We follow up the Bangor match with Porthmadog at home and then have the usual festive games with Caersws, home and away.
"The month ahead will fashion how the rest of the season will turn out. We have to get the points in the bag, starting on Saturday."
Ryan will have a full squad to select from but will definately give a start to Craig Hutchinson, who was on the bench after a five week lay off last Saturday.
"There has been criticism that I should have started Craig last week but it is important that we are sure he is back to full fitness. Craig will always want to play but we have to think of the rest of the season and the bigger picture. We need him and we need him fit," said Ryan.

Jonathan Ford

FAW finally names new chief executive

After a delay of almost a month, the Football Association of Wales today confirmed Jonathan Ford as its new chief executive.
The 39-year-old, who takes over from secretary general David Collins in January, has extensive marketing experience from years spent with MTV and radio station Atlantic 252 and, since 2000, with Coca-Cola.
During that time he project-managed their marketing strategy at the 2004 European Championships as well as campaigns at the 2000 European Championships, 2002 World Cup finals, 2002 Commonwealth Games and the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
The FA of Wales wants its new £100,000-a-year chief to grow the commercial arm including sponsorship, media rights and match-day revenues.
"I'm aware the FAW want a marketing man so it was no surprise they elected to appoint someone who is a business manager but someone who ultimately comes from a marketing background.
"So I will be looking to address some of those issues and hopefully strengthen our brand.
"But there won't be any radical changes immediately."

Welsh Premier League clubs meet at Newtown
Welsh Premier League clubs meet at Mid Wales Leisure Lathamn Park on Thursday, December 10 to discss proposals for the structure of the league and its running in the 2010/11 season.
Premier League representatives have already met with the FA of Wales to prepare proposals which will be discussed before being taken back to the FAW Domestic Committee.
Up for discussion will be the number of games to be played, reserve team structures, representation on the FA of Wales, funding, acadamies, academy players affected by one club one player rule and marketing of the new league.
The structure of the league's management will also be on the agenda.

Mike Jones

Chairman condemns delay in ground improvement funding
Chairman Mike Jones has condemned suggestions that clubs start work on their improvements needed to gain licencing before it is known if grant aid is available.
And he said the club could de damned if they did start the work and damned if they didn't without a guarantee of funding.
It was announced three weeks ago that the Welsh Foortball Trust would now not meet until January to determine what funding was being granted to Welsh Premier League clubs in their race to get stadiums to the required level for the 'Super 10 or 12'. Yet clubs still need their grounds to be ready for inspection in March.
"The uncertaintity over the availability of grant-aid is adding to the tension and of course the clock is ticking away towards the deadline for compliance," said the chairman.
"We now understand clubs can, if they wish, start work on their stadia but without any guarantee of funding. I dont think you'll find that sort of gamble in any normal business plan submitted to HSBC or Barclays Bank.
"Sounds more Northern Rock to me but clubs may feel obliged to make that judgement and take that sort of gamble. I think the term "damned if you do and damned if you don't" sums up the situation quite well for many clubs."
"I think the reality of the Super 10/12 league is beginning to sink in for many clubs. Some are concerned about the implications of playing 44 league games next season plus cup matches."

Sgorio survey shows Super 12 opposition

IN a survey conducted by S4C Sgorio, a majority of Welsh Premier clubs have expressed doubts about next season's fixture plans.
The situation has arisen because of the restructuring of the league, with the introduction of the Super 12 for 2010/11.
It is proposed that each club will play each other four times - twice at home and twice away from home - but, when asked by Sgorio this week, only three of the 18 member clubs were in favour of playing 44 matches next season.
The overriding message from the clubs was that the cost implications of playing an extra 10 games was worrying.
Increased travelling costs, an increase in wages and an increase in the cost of maintaining pitches were all cited as concerns by the clubs when asked about a 44-match season.
Whilst Sgorio's questionnaire was conducted anonymously, a number of clubs have already made their feelings public in the last few days, with Haverfordwest County and Neath both voicing their concerns.
With the obvious opposition to a 44-match season, Sgorio also asked the clubs to suggest a structure which would be acceptable in a 12-team league.
Half of the 18 clubs were keen to investigate the idea of splitting the league in two after 22 matches - an idea mooted by League secretary, John Deakin.
Each of the clubs in the Super 12 would play each other home and away once before the league split into two sections with the top six playing home and away to determine the league champions and with the bottom six playing to decide who is relegated.
When asked to specify the ideal number of clubs in the Welsh Premiership, the majority of clubs plumped for 16.
And as one club pointed out in answering the question: "The FAW have advised all leagues operating in Wales that they must be 16 in number, so why should the national league at the top of the pyramid be any different?"
But, says Sgorio's blog, perhaps the most startling fact to come out of the questionnaire is that 10 of the 18 member clubs do not feel that a reduction in the number of clubs will be beneficial to the league.
Bearing that in mind, it promises to be a fascinating meeting in Newtown on Thursday night when the league's clubs meet to discuss the structure for next season.
Courtesy www.welsh-premier.com

Nomads looking to find the net after four game blank
GAP Connah’s Quay will be hoping to kick-start their season today.
The Nomads have taken just 10 points from 13 games and lie two places behind the visitors going into the weekend’s fixtures, but held Bangor City to a goalless draw last time out to earn themselves a valuable point.
Victory will put them level on points with Newtown who haven’t played since falling to a 2-1 defeat at Airbus two weeks ago, and will be hoping to catch Newtown cold as they look to build on a spirited performance at Bangor.
But failure to find the net in their last four games is something of a concern to player manager Mark McGregor, although he is happy his side are still creating enough chances to worry teams.
“I was really pleased with the way the lads applied themselves against Bangor and I’d have taken a point beforehand, but looking back we could have snatched a win,” McGregor said.
“We need to close the gap on the top 10 teams, but although we havn’t got the points on the board the performances have been there and hopefully we can build on what was a good defensive display.
“Although the goals haven’t gone in I’d be more worried if we weren’t creating opportunities. Of course we need that vital goal but we have to be patient and ready to take our chance when it comes.
“It will be a difficult game but we’ve been strong at home so we’re confident we can perform well.”
The Nomads will give a late fitness test to Sam McNutt who is rated at 50/50 to feature, whilst fellow midfielder Danny Forde is still absent through injury.
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts
1. Llanelli AFC 14 9 3 2 36 11 30
2. The New Saints 13 9 3 1 31 7 30
3. Neath FC 13 8 4 1 24 14 28

4. Rhyl FC 14 8 3 3 30 16 27
5. Prestatyn Town 14 8 3 3 26 23 27
6. Port Talbot Town 13 7 3 3 18 12 24
7. Aberystwyth Town 13 7 2 4 19 16 23
8. Airbus UK Broughton 14 6 4 4 28 16 22
9. Bala Town 15 6 3 6 13 17 21
10. Carmarthen Town 14 5 3 6 21 19 18

11. Haverfordwest County 13 4 4 5 15 18 16
12. Bangor City 13 4 3 6 19 20 15

13. Newtown AFC 12 3 4 5 20 21 13
14. Technogroup Welshpool 14 3 3 8 11 21 12
15. Gap Connah's Quay 13 2 4 7 9 25 10
16. Porthmadog FC 13 2 3 8 8 22 9
17. Elements Cefn Druids 14 1 2 11 7 28 5
18. Caersws FC 13 1 2 10 12 41 5

Neath move back into the top three
Neath moved back into the Welsh Premier's top three with a 1-0 win over Carmarthen Town at Richmond Park.
A 13th-minute Craig Steins goal, his ninth of the season, was all that separated the sides as the Eagles moved ahead of last season's champions Rhyl, with a game in hand.
Chris Llewellyn's right-wing cross provided the opening for Steins to score from 12 yards before the Old Gold had penalty claims waved away after Tim Hicks was brought down by Neath keeper Wyn Walters.
Hicks hit the underside of the crossbar with a first-half shot but, despite dominating after the break, the hosts failed find an equaliser.
Prestatyn Town are fifth after seeing-off bottom club Elements Cefn Druids 2-0 at Bastion Road.
Both the goals came in the second-half, with Ian Griffiths scoring on the hour and Andy Moran notching his seventh of the season from the penalty spot the seal the victory 12 minutes from time.
Airbus UK Broughton's bid for a club record-breaking fourth consecutive win hit the buffers at The Airfield, as they fell to a late goal from Bala Town substitute John Toner.
Both sides found it difficult to create chances, but the Lakesiders' Marc Griffiths hit the post in the first-half.
Courtesy www.welsh-premier.com

Tony Melding

Neath to oppose 44 game proposals
Opposition is mountiung to the FA of Wales proposals for a 44 game Welsh Premier League next season.
Neath are the latest club to join the growing dissent over the plans.
"First and foremost we are not against a 44-game programme in a correct and appropriate stucture," says Eagles' secretary Tony Melding
"However, our League is primarily part-time and played in a wet climate.
"Therefore, 44 games could ultimately reduce the quality of the league and we are led to believe that the whole purpose of a reduction in the number of teams is to do the exact opposite, to raise the quality of the product.
"Due to many games being played midweek, which to most clubs will involve players taking time off work and this could cause problems in itself, you could see clubs being able to pick their best teams on a Saturday but not a Tuesday and that will not add to the quality of the league.
"To play 44 league games as well as Cup matches and European competition in some cases is ambitious at best given our climate, pitches will surely be put under pressure.
"As well as these factors we are not totally convinced that spectators will want to see teams as much as they will under these proposals."
Melding says that formats around Europe should be considered before a decision is made and alternative plans considered.
"For example, playing each other twice (22 games) and then a six-six divide (a further 10 games) could add excitement and engage spectators, everyone loves a race because it is exciting.
"We think that we should think 'outside the box' and come up with a format that will take the league forward - in our opinion that does not involve playing 44 league games, which will become a dour struggle for everyone concerned and will not engage spectators or achieve the aims of reducing the number of teams."

Ryan expects a battle on Deeside
Manager Darren Ryan is not expecting a 'pretty' game as the Robins take on Gap Connahs Quay on Desside on Saturday.
"It's not a pitch that suits our passing game," said Ryan. "But we have to start picking up points from these games so getting our heads down and getting on with things will be high on the agenda.
"You cant always play the way you like to. It's all about adapting to the conditions and we will need to do just that if we are to get anything on Saturday."
Ryan has ben frustrated by the lack of games due to the weather conditions but on the positive side all injuries and suspensions are now cleared up.
Craig Hutchinson has had another week to recover and is desperate to start, though the manager may chose to keep the battling midfielder on the bench against his former club.
"Connahs Quay have shown on more than one occassion this season that they can produce results and we will need to roll our sleeves up and produce ouiselves," said Ryan.

Stuart Fraser

Stuart Fraser returns to Aberystwyth
After netting twice at Nedwbridge on Saturday Stuart Fraser has left the club to move back to Aberystwyth Town.
Stuart was having trouble travelling to training in mid-week and felt his fitness was suffering.
Everyone at Newtown AFC would like to wish Stuart all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing him later in the season.

HOW WE STAND

Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts
1. Llanelli AFC 14 9 3 2 36 11 30
2. The New Saints 13 9 3 1 31 7 30
3. Rhyl FC 14 8 3 3 30 16 27

4. Neath FC 12 7 4 1 23 14 25
5. Port Talbot Town 13 7 3 3 18 12 24
6. Prestatyn Town 13 7 3 3 24 23 24
7. Aberystwyth Town 13 7 2 4 19 16 23
8. Airbus UK Broughton 13 6 4 3 28 15 22
9. Carmarthen Town 13 5 3 5 21 18 18
10. Bala Town 14 5 3 6 12 17 18

11. Haverfordwest County 13 4 4 5 15 18 16
12. Bangor City 13 4 3 6 19 20 15

13. Newtown AFC 12 3 4 5 20 21 13
14. Technogroup Welshpool 14 3 3 8 11 21 12
15. Gap Connah's Quay 13 2 4 7 9 25 10
16. Porthmadog FC 13 2 3 8 8 22 9
17. Elements Cefn Druids 13 1 2 10 7 26 5
18. Caersws FC 13 1 2 10 12 41 5

Opposition mounts to 44-fixtures plan
Opposition is growing, especially in North Wales, to a plan which would see Welsh Premier clubs face a potential schedule of more than 60 matches next season.
The Welsh Premier board are in favour of a proposal which would mean teams in the new "Super 12" playing each other four times - home and away twice - in 2010/11, a total of 44 games and 10 more than at present.
With cup competitions and possibly Europe, as well as pre-season friendlies to contend with, that could lead to in excess of 60 fixtures for the more successful league members and some clubs feel that is simply too much with the strain on players and finances.
Last Thursday the WPL board met members of the FA of Wales' domestic committee to thrash out next season's strategy.
Porthmadog’s chairman Phil Jones told Dave Jones of the Daily Post that "I’m one of the few on the board that is not 100% behind the 44-match plan. It would involve far too many games especially for clubs with smaller squads."
League Secretary John Deakin has suggested a 32-game campaign which would follow a similar format to Rugby League.
Each of the clubs in the "Super 12" would play each other home and away once (22 games) and the league would then split into two sections. The top six would meet home and away (10 games) to determine the league champions and the same would apply to the bottom six to decide who is relegated.
"Having a 44-game season is not ideal," said Deakin. "It's a lot of games and could place a considerable added strain on clubs, but it's the club representatives on the board that want it."
Deakin explained that under the 44-game plan, the League Cup format would be reduced to a straight knockout.
Eight teams would compete in the first round with the other four given a bye directly into the quarter-finals. There would be a one-game semi-final (as opposed to the current two legs) and a final, meaning a maximum of four matches for the winners and runners-up rather than the present eight ties.
Deakin was asked whether the FAW domestic committee could this week overturn the 44-game proposal and make the 32-fixture alternative the forerunner.
"Theoretically they could, but it's unlikely," he said. But the league secretary did stress a final decision is unlikely to made until the New Year.
"There will be a meeting with clubs in January to gauge the reaction," he added. "I believe the meeting of clubs will give them an opportunity to voice their opinions and I believe it would be wrong to make a definitive decision prior to them having their say.
"No firm decision has been made."
Prestatyn Town are one club strongly opposed to the 44-game plan being put forward by the Welsh Premier League Board. Rhyl, meanwhile, are concerned an extended season would increase the club's wage bill.
A spokesman for Prestatyn said: "This proposal presents a host of problems for a part-time club like ourselves.
"Just a few of these-include:
Most importantly, the strain it will place on the players, physically and in terms of getting time off work etc.
The burden on finances especially if the league has a high bias of southern clubs which will mean double the coach trips to Neath, Haverfordwest, Llanelli, Port Talbot, Carmarthen, etc. Inevitably some of these trips will take place in midweek due to postponements, cup commitments etc.
Wear on the playing surface. When you add in reserve fixtures there will be very little time to prepare/repair the pitch between matches leading to more postponements in winter and a fixture burden.
The lack of appeal to supporters seeing the same teams and visiting the same grounds again and again.
The spokesman said: "We are run by volunteers who give up huge amounts of time already. To ask them to give up nearly 25% per more is unrealistic and unworkable.
He added: "The 32-game plan, which with cups would probably end up somewhere around the 40-mark fixtures-wise for most teams, would be far more workable.
"It also has the added appeal of keeping interest going all through the campaign. Theoretically you could finish fifth and still be champions, or you could finish seventh and be relegated.
"The initial push would be to make the cut, then to play for the serious issues of promotion and relegation."
Rhyl managing director Dave Milner is more concerned about the financial implications a 44-game league campaign might have on his club.
He said: "The season currently lasts around 38, 39, 40 weeks, so if they are going to try to squeeze all the fixtures into that period I'm not so concerned.
"However, if they plan to extend the season to 44 or even 48 weeks, that will be of concern as it would put our wage bill up considerably."
Meanwhile, a survey by Soccerfile Wales statistician Mel Thomas reveals that no European team in a 12-club league currently plays 44 fixtures.
While the Scottish Premier Division played 44 games in 1986/7 and 1987/8, the most fixtures currently undertaken is in Belgium, where the eventual champions play 42 matches.
After first playing 30 games (from a 16 club league), the top six play a round robin of 10 games each, with the group winners then facing a two-legged play-off final.
courtesy www.welsh-premier.com

Darren Ryan

Darren Ryan is awarded his 'A' Licence by FA of Wales

Manager Darren Ryan has today learned that he has been awarded his 'A' Licence by the FootballAssociation of Wales.
His success gives a major boost to the club's plans to apply for a European Licence for the 2010/11 season.
To qualify for a European Licence clubs must have a manager in place who either holds a Pro Licence or is working his way towards one.
One of the requirements of gaining the Domestic Licence is that the first team coach must have attained or be in the process of attaining an A Licence (or get a certificate of exemption).
Congratulating the managher club secertary Owen Durbridge said, "Gaining a Pro Licence is a very rigorous procedure and the next course is planned for March 2010.
"Darren will be immediately applying to enrol on this course, which will be run for the FAW by the Welsh Football Trust. Whilst the course enrolment is dealt on a selection procedure by the Football Trust, it is hoped that all the Welsh Premier applicants will gain places on the next course, said Durbridge.
"Newtown AFC are well placed to fit all the remaining criteria to gain the European Licence and will hopefully get all the work they need to do to gain this and the Domestic Licence by the March 2010 deadline, depending on their application for grant aid, a decision on which has been postponed until January."
Picture courtesy of www.welsh-premier.com

Mike Jones

Chairman expands on 'outside influences' comments

Club secretary Owen Durbridge chaired a meeting this week to discuss the effects of the Faw ruling to kick out our reserve team from the Spar Mid-Wales League. The meeting, attended by the clubs managers, coaches and football directors, was called to seek a way forward for next season.
The meeting heard that our reserve team will now have to drop down to the Montgomeryshire Amateur League. "The gulf in standards is enormous and will not produce players for our first team. Any player with ability and ambition will be forced to leave the club and that is not what we want", said club chairman Mike Jones. "The problem is compounded by the lack of a youth team as the League disbanded two years ago. This means that our academy players have nowhere to go when they reach sixteen and the whole system breaks down."
Mike Jones praised the work of his fellow directors. "As a new chairman I am very fortunate to be able to call on the knowledge and experience of Owen, Terry Foulkes, Phil Williams and all our coaches.
"Despite all this, plus the efforts of our WPL representatives, we seem powerless to influence events in any way and the whole thing is one big mess.
"In fairness to the FAW, I do not think they realised the consequences of their action. What works in South Wales does not necessarily work elsewhere and this 'one cap fits all' approach will devistate the football structure at Newtown FC"
Commenting on the delayed announcement of a new FAW chief executive, Jones said "it is absolutly crucial we get the right man". 'Contractual issues' have been cited for the delay in appointing former Coca-Cola marketing executive Jonathan Ford, aged 39. Speculation is growing that Ford may be having second thoughts about accepting the role amid fears that the job of modernising the FAW is seen by some as 'mission impossible'
This week the Sports Council for Wales urged the FAW to modernise and reform. SCW boss Huw Jones told BBC Wales Sport: "If you bring in new people with modern ideas, you then have to go along with those ideas"
In 2007 the Welsh Assembley Government asked the Sports Council to monitor the FAW following a critical reports on the state of Welsh football. The internal structure of the organisation is run by a 30 man council with an average age of 67 with some members in their 80's and 90's.
Outgoing chief executive, David Collins, said of the FAW: "It is slow to change; I tried some years ago to bring in a vastly reduced council but that did'nt come off".
The influence of the South Wales amateur leagues was again in evidence last week when Anthony Griffith (41 votes) and Robert Fry (14 votes) were elected as representatives for the South Wales area. Port Talbot chairman and leading Welsh Premier League representative, Andy Edwards, polled just 5 votes. There are five welsh premier league clubs in the South Wales area.

Rhyl shocked as County win for first time in 10 years at Belle Vue
Haverfordwest County won at Belle Vue for the first time in 10 years and inflicted a first home defeat of the season on reigning champions Rhyl.
The Lillies had led from the 16th-minute with a goal from player-manager Greg Strong, but two goals in two second-half minutes gave the Bluebirds a 2-1 victory, their first win in four games.
Bobby Briers pulled County level on the hour mark, with Robbie Walters hitting what proved to be the winning goal from the penalty spot a minute later.
Carmarthen Town responded to manager Deryn Brace's threats to buck-up or be dropped by winning 3-1 at Bala Town's Maes Tegid, despite falling behind to a fourth-minute Ross Jefferies goal.
Tim Hicks (pictured) struck twice to put the Old Gold in front, with Danny Thomas adding a third before half-time.
The Lakesiders slumped to their third defeat in a row and Colin Caton's side have not won since beating Cefn Druids back in mid-September.
Marc Lloyd Williams failed to mark his 400th Welsh Premier appearance with a goal against one his former clubs, Porthmadog, at The Traeth.
But team-mate Mark Allen did find the target to hand Airbus UK Broughton a 1-0 win and consolidate their eighth place in the league table.
The game between Neath and Prestatyn at The Gnoll was called-off just 20 minutes before kick-off due to a waterlogged pitch, while Newtown's home clash with Port Talbot also fell victim to the elements.
Friday round-up
LLANELLI and The New Saints are joint leaders of the Welsh Premier after both recorded 4-0 victories on Friday night.
The Reds ended Aberystwyth manager Alan Morgan's 100 percent record in emphatic style at Stebonheath Park, opening-up a two-goal lead inside 13 minutes through Andrew Mumford and Lee Jarman.
But the Seasiders kept their hosts at bay until the 88th-minute, when former Black & Green's midfielder Chris Venables added the third, with Rhys Griffiths completing the scoring in stoppage time with his 12th goal of the league campaign.
The New Saints missed the chance to top the table on goal difference despite scoring four in the first half at home to bottom club Caersws.
Jamie Wood converted a Craig Williams cross to open the scoring after six minutes, with Ryan Marriott adding the second on the half-hour.
Alex Darlington and Chris Seargeant extended the lead, but the Saints were unable to prise open the Bluebirds defence again after the break.
Joe Price returned to haunt Elements Cefn Druids, scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot after Richie Harris was brought down by Dan Barnett, to give Welshpool all three points at Plas Kynaston Lane.
There was disappointment for Bangor City who failed to score at home to Gap Connah's Quay, who battled to a vital point in a goal-less draw.

Craig Hutchinson

Hutchinson to give club boost with return
Midfielder Craig Hutchinson is set to provide manager Darren Ryan with a big boost by declaring himself firt for the visit of Port Talbot on Saturday.
Hutchinson has been out for a month with ankle ligament damage but has made good progress in training and should be on the bench.
"Hopefully Craidf will be on the bench which is a big boost because we really miss him when he is not playing," said Ryan.
"He drives us on and gets stuck in which is what you need in the kind of conditins we have been playing in recently.
"We are facing another difficult game. They are going well and we will certainly need to improve on last Saturday's performance.
"We need to learn to roll our sleeves up and realise that we cannot play on great pitches all the year round," he added.
"Finishing outside the top 10 is not an option," said Ryan. "We knew it would be a difficult season. It doesn't matter whether it's eight, ninth or tenth we just have to be there."
With no other injury or suspension worries Ryan is faced with a selection headache of the right kind.

Mike Jones

Chairman unhappy at problems facing Robins
Club chairman Mike Jones is unhappy that the club's future is being dicated by outside influences.
"Everyone will accept that we cannot control the weather but I wonder if supporters realise just how little control we have over our own destiny in a number of areas," he told the club's website.
"Our WPL representation is to be removed at a FAW meeting next month. A decision on funding for the Domestic License has been deferred to mid January.
"Managers cannot enter the transfer market until the 'window' opens in January and our reserve team is to be kicked out of the Spar Mid-Wales League at the end of the season.
"We are well used to overcoming problems but it is very frustrating when decisions are presented to us as a fait accompli and we have to live with the consequences."
The chairman is banking on a break in the bad weather before Saturday's game can go ahead.
"The recent bad weather has proved a nightmare for clubs throughout the WPL with many fixtures lost to waterlogged pitches.
"Saturday's match has been in doubt all week and only many hours of hard work by our groundstaff and a bit of luck weatherwise will enable the game to go ahead. I dont know what state the pitch will be in after 90 minutes but all groundstaff of a nervous disposition should look away NOW."

Dylan Blain

Blain will be a man on a mission on Saturday
Former Port Talbot Town favourite Dylan Blain will be more than keen to impress against his former club on Saturday when Port Talbot visit Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park.
Blain enjoyed two successful seasons at Port Talbot Town in 2006-07 and 2007-08 where he made a total of 57 appearances and scored 8 Welsh Premier League goals.But he is now focused in helping Newtown into the ‘Super 12’ league next season.
Blain spent the majority of his career at Haverfordwest County with three separate spells at the New Bridge Meadow and his experience from making over 200 Welsh Premier League starts made him a target for Newtown manager Darren Ryan at the start of the season.
Currently sitting in 14th place, manager Darren Ryan is well aware that his side must move into the top ten places to guarantee a place and they will be targeting their home fixtures in particular to achieve this. Last season Newtown completed a surprise double over Port Talbot Town, winning 2-1 at The GenQuip Stadium in September before claiming a 1-0 win over Port Talbot at Latham Park in February.
Port Talbot Town manager Mark Jones will wait on the fitness of defender Lee Surman who picked up an ankle injury during Saturday’s win over Bangor City and as a result was forced out of the Wales Under-23 Semi-Pro squad for their match in Northern Ireland on Tuesday night.

Ian Woan

Former Robin in temporary charge at Pompey
Former Newtown midfield star Ian Woan has been put in temporary charge at Portsmouth following today's sacking of Manager Paul Hart.
Woan starred for the Robins in the HFS Loans League before heading off to Runcorn and then
Nottingham Forest, then managed by Brian Clough, for £80,000.
Woan successfully forced himself into first team contention with consistent displays down the left wing as Forest reached the FA Cup Final, and started as Forest recorded 16 goals in just 3 games, also being called into the England squad.
He later played for Swindon and Shrewsbury before joining Portsmouth as Under-18 coach, and was then promoted by Hart.
The timing of Portsmouth's dismissal last night of manager Paul Hart appeared perplexing, until it became clear Avram Grant expected his work permit application to be completed by the end of this week.
Paul Groves and Ian Woan, coaches at the club, have been put in temporary charge but Grant is expected to become Portsmouth's fourth manager in 13 months within a few days.

Grant's permit application is to be the club's director of football, but, as at Chelsea two years ago – when the well-connected Israeli stepped in to replace Jose Mourinho – he should be allowed to become caretaker manager while waiting for his work permit to be adapted. It was applied for last month after Grant was appointed, without Hart's knowledge, seven weeks ago in new owner Ali al-Faraj's first act.

Tell the BBC what you think about coverage
HAVE your say on BBC Wales Sport website's almost non-existent coverage of the Welsh Premier by taking part in an online survey.
While naturally dominated by the Welsh national team, Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham, you will have to search hard to find any mention of the Principality's national football league on the site.
The remainder of the coverage is dominated by news of Welsh managers and players with English clubs and, currently, Matt Green's absence from the ranks of Conference outfit Oxford United rates more coverage than the race for the domestic title, for the tenuous reason that he once played for the Bluebirds.
Audio and video stories are dominated by interviews with Manchester City manager Mark Hughes and Stoke boss Tony Pulis, both of which can be readily accessed via the BBC Sport England site.
And the BBC Wales site recently featured a regular weekly column from Exeter City's Chris Todd, again for the sole reason that he hails from Swansea.
With the loss of the Wales on Saturday slot this season, the Welsh Premier is now suffering from vastly-reduced coverage on the website as well.
To make your views known, complete the BBC's online survey, which takes less than five minutes.

Craig Williams

Craig forced to reject late Welsh call
WALES Under-23 semi-professional boss Terry Boyle called up Newtown's Craig Williams after putting him on stand-by for today's game in Belfast - but the Robins fullback was forced to decline through work commitments.
Five players from the original selections have withdrawn over the weekend, with Port Talbot's Lee Surman and Llanelli's Owain Warlow both picking-up injuries.
Weymouth's Kyle Critchell is unwell, while Kai Edwards (Wrexham) and Michael Pearson (Barrow) have both been called-up to their club squads for Blue Square action on Tuesday night.
Boyle has replaced the five with Sean Cronin of Neath and Haverfordwest's Lee Bevan, along with Curtis McDonald (Forest Green), and Llanelli duo Ryan Batley and Jordan Follows.
The Welsh face Northern Ireland in the first game of the 2009/11 International Challenge Trophy at Portadown's Shamrock Park and the squad flew out yesterday.

Craig Hutchinson

Frustrated boss looking for top 10 place
Frustrated is how manager Darren Ryan feels after another week without a competitive game as he prepares for the trip to Airbus on Saturday.
Despite valiant efforts to get Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park fit the Camarthen game fell the way of almost all of the Welsh Premier League fixtures last Saturday - a victim of the weather.
And that left Ryan and his team kicking their heels for the second week running.
"It's frustrating. We have only played once in three weeks but nobody can control the weather."
Luckily for Ryan Saturday's game is likely to go ahead as the Airbus ground is rarely a victim of the wet weather, though strong winds will certainly play their part.
And the Mananger knows that a win is essential if the Robins are to break into the top 10 group as he prepares for an open passing game.
"We both have reputations for playing the game in the right manner and I rate Craig Harrison as one of the best managers in the league," he said.
"He will have them motivated so we must be ready ourselves and a good passing game is to be expected, if the weather allows it."
The enforced break has allowed Craig Hutchinson to step up his fitness battle, though he is still not ready to return to the squad.
On the plus side Ryan does have both Nicky Ward and Mattie Lewis available after missing the last game.

Mike Jones

Club chairman calls for Welsh FA peace deal
Club chairman, Mike Jones, has called on Welsh Premier League clubs to unite in opposing FA of Wales moves to kick the league's representative off the governing body.
"The shock move by the FAW to remove Welsh Premier League representation must be resisted by all the member clubs," he said.
"The league is going through a period of great change at the moment with the domestic license and the culling of up to eight clubs at the end of this season.
"Rather than facing the axe, the clubs should have a stronger voice on the FAW council.
"The Southern based clubs have already voiced their disapproval and I call on the North and Mid-Wales clubs to follow suit. The FAW must explain their shock proposal to axe the role currently held by Mike Harris of The New Saints FC."
The egm called for later this month has now been deferred to December 14 following legal action by Mr Harris.
"A legal response may well have been necessary but surely this is not the way to conduct the affairs of the premier league of Wales. It suggests to me that there has been a breakdown in relations and that can only be to the detriment of both the FAW and the WPL.
"Our representatives must get together and broker a peace deal to see us through the most important season in the league's history."
Mike Harris has been the WPL representative on the FAW Council since 2007 and will face re-election in June of next year.

Scott Ruscoe

Former Robins to go head-to-head in League Cup Final

Former Robins favourites John Leah and Scott Ruscoe are set to go head-to-head in the final of the Loosemores League Cup.
Holders The New Saints will contest the Loosemores League Cup final with Rhyl after winning the second semi-final on Wednesday night, setting up a midfield contest between the two former Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park clubmates.
Goals inside the first half hour from Barry Hogan and former Robins favourite Ruscoe sealed a 2-0 victory on the night and on aggregate over the Steelmen at Park Hall.
The visitors' high line was caught-out on 22 minutes when Steve Abbott's ball over the top saw Barry Hogan beat the offside trap and lob keeper Lee Kendall from the edge of the box.
And Ruscoe added the second from the penalty spot after being brought down as he homed in on goal eight minutes later.
Talbot were rarely able to test keeper Paul Harrison, with Martin Rose fluffing a couple of chances and Drew Fahiya heading over at the far post in the second half.
It was the Saints who found the net again, but Craig Williams' effort from a free-kick was ruled out for offside in the final minute, as the hosts comfortably booked their passage.

Tomi Morgan

Former Robin takes another swipe at Super 12

Former Robin Tomi Morgan has taken another swipe at the FA of Wales over its plans for a slimmed-down Welsh Premier League next season.
After watching his Porthmadog side record their first win of the league campaign at home to Prestatyn, Morgan (pictured) told the Western Mail: "I was unconvinced by what John Deakin said regarding my remarks last week.
"He talks about the league needing surgery, but to operate you need to diagnose the problem first. Then come up with an answer as to what surgery is needed.
"How does doubling the trips south with the added expense of clubs having to take on additional players to cater for the extra matches provide surgery?
"For a start there will be no representation from Cardiff, Gwent and the Rhondda Cynon Taff, three of the most heavily populated areas in Wales.
"There won't be extra supporters through the turnstiles, many will be turned off by the number of games clubs will be playing against each other. There will have to be 44 matches.
"Twenty two would not be viable and 33 wouldn't work as you need to play home and away the same number of times.
"Every week I speak to managers from other clubs and their supporters and I have yet to meet anyone who agrees with the new proposals.
"Why clubs are not speaking out I don't know as it is an unpopular move with whoever I speak to, it will ruin some clubs."
Morgan also criticised the FAW for seeking to remove the Welsh Premier seat from its ruling Council.
"That puts the tin hat on it," he added. "They have never had any thoughts towards our league and have treated us like dirt, it's a joke."
courtesy www.welsh-premier.com

Andrew Edwards

Fight on to halt FAW plan to kick off representative

The FA of Wales has deferred plans to kick off Welsh Premier League representation from its board as pressure mounts across Wales.
South Wales clubs have vowed to fight the FAW's plan to remove direct Welsh Premier League representation from its ruling council and Mid and North Wales clubs look set to follow suit.
Earlier this week, the governing body circulated clubs with notice of a special meeting in November aimed at removing the league's representative, currently The New Saints' owner Mike Harris, with immediate effect.
That proposal has now been deferred and the Council will instead consider the matter at its December 14 meeting, after Harris - who is currently in South Africa - mounted a legal challenge.
And Port Talbot chairman Andrew Edwards (pictured), who is also the South Wales representative on the Welsh Premier League board, insists his club, along with Llanelli, Neath, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest, will call on the FAW to stick to the plan in place already.
"It is important we don't lose our position on the FAW board," he told the South Wales Evening Post.
"In no way could we, as the Welsh Premier League, lose our representative on the board. It would have too big an effect for us.
"We need a voice on the board to represent the true feelings of our clubs in the current structure.
"The clubs will be fighting their corner," he added.

Training has to be switched to Welshpool
Due to the problems with the Astroturf pitch at Maldwyn Leisure Centre first & second team training will now be at the Flash in Welshpool commencing Tuesday 17th November 8.pm-9.30pm

The Academy on Wednesdays 5.30 pm - 6.30 pm continues at Newtown . Powys County Council realises they have a problem and will be undertaking major works in January to improve the surface and problems when it rains

Book now for supporters coach to Airbus
A players & supporters coach leaves the Police Station at 11.30am for the Welsh Premier League game with Airbus on Saturday. Supporters wishing to travel please contact Gareth Owen ( Gags) or put name on list in clubhouse

Carmarthen Town game is rearranged
The home game against Carmarthen Town called off last Saturday will now be played on Saturday 30th January, 2010

Nicky Ward

We are the underdogs against Carmarthen - says Manager
November 12, 2009
Manager Darren Ryan has warned supporters and players not to be misled by Carmarthen's topsy-turvy start to the season and insists his side start as underdogs on Saturday.
Ryan was again frustrated when the all-weather surface at Maldwyn Leisure Centre was deemed unplayable this week, cancelling training for the second week running and hampering preparations for the match.
But he was quick to dispell any thoughts of an easy game. "Every season we have tough and very tight games against Carmarthen and I don't expect it to be any different on Saturday, " he said.
"I am good friends with their manager Deryn Brace from our times together at Haverfordwest and it will be good to see him. But we wqant these points as much as they do and for 90 minutes any friendship goes on the backburner."
Ryan praised his players for their battling performance at Prestatyn last week as they came from behind to snatch an injury time controversial equaliser.
"I know they complained about our goal but to be fair there was more than a hint of controversy about their goal as well.
"These things tend to swing in roundabouts and I was pleased with the way we stuck to our guns in such difficult conditions against a top side."
And the manager has a selection headache of the right kind with both Nicky Ward and Mattie Leiws avbailable for selection.
There is also better news for Craig Hutchinson with the midfielder back in light training.

Reserves secure point with late goal
November 12, 2009
A 77th minute equaliser from Chris Carroll rescued the young Robins at Latham Park last night.
Hay St Mary's had fought back from going a goal down to hit the net twice in the second half and looked set to take all three points before Carroll's strike rescued the day and earned a 2-2 draw in the Spar Mid Wales League.
Matthew Mumford's second minute strike separated the two sides at the break but Gavin Williams and Kevin Jones looked to have sent the Brecond side home happy until Carroll's strike.

Mike Harris

FAW's shock bid to remove league seat

Tuesday 12 November

THE FAW has launched a shock bid to remove direct Welsh Premier League representation from its ruling council.
The governing body has called a special general meeting in its Cardiff offices on November 19 to vote on various rules changes and deletions, which effectively mean that the major domestic league will no longer have a direct voice in the future direction of the game in Wales.
The Council currently consists of the officers and 19 elected members, six each from north and south Wales, six from the area associations plus the "Football League of Wales representative".
The current Welsh Premier representative, who is voted-in by the member clubs, is Mike Harris (pictured), the managing director of The New Saints.
Currently away in South Africa and not due to return until two days after the meeting, Harris told welsh-premier.com today: "This would mean that the most important part of Welsh football after the national team would have no properly-appointed representation on the FAW Council.
"I am taking legal advice on the validity of the FAW's proposal and will make no further comment until I receive the opinion."
In the letter giving notice of the special meeting, FAW secretary-general David Collins says: "The board submit this proposal to establish the same principle of election for the Welsh Premier League as the other five directly affiliated leagues, ie: the clubs should vote in the triennial election dependent in where the club resides.
"The board would urge all members to support these changes in the interest of Welsh football."
If carried by the vote later this month, the rule changes would come into immediate effect.
Courtesy www.welsh-premier.com

Mike Jones

Chairman praises club's dedicated officials
November 11, 2009
Club chairman Mike Jones will pay tribute to the club's dedicated officials in Saturday's match day programme.
"The new media room is now complete and we can concentrate on the outstanding work to gain the Domestic License," he will tell readers. "Whilst all this is going on it is easy to overlook the 'routine' work that goes on at the club.
"Our pitch remains one of the best in the league, fundraising continues unabated and we host a Sportsmans' Dinner on Saturday. Our football teams all run like clockwork. The new social club committee is up and running and the Vice Presidents Club continue their fantastic work.
"The Robins Business Club held its second meeting this week and the newly named 'Latham Centre' has an enviable reputation as a venue for conferences, meetings and parties.
"None of this 'just happens', it is down to the hard work and dedication of all those involved and for which I offer my sincere thanks to the whole Latham Park Team.
"A win for us today is essential if we are to build on recent good results and to make up lost ground. The team has won many admirers this season for the quality of their football. That was again in evidence at Prestatyn but what pleased me most was the determination and spirit of the team who battled to the end and forced a last gasp equaliser.
"As pitches deteriorate in the winter, we will need more of these battling displays and I am sure the fans will respond with increased vocal support. The Barmy Army help create a real footballing atmosphere and lets hope they 'drum up' even more support today."

Andy Cooke

Former Robin set for first step into management
November 11, 2009
ONE of the Welsh Premier's first and most successful Football League exports has been offered the chance to take his first steps into management.
Andy Cooke, who started his career with Newtown, is in talks to fill the managerial vacancy at his home town club, Market Drayton.
The 35-year-old spent three seasons at Latham Park between 1992 and 1995 under manager Brian Coyne, scoring 35 goals from 79 appearances, before a move to Burnley.
In a successful five year spell at Turf Moor, the striker hit 51 goals from 172 starts before a £300,000 move to Stoke City, where he added another 88 Football League appearances and 21 goals.
He then moved to South Korean club Busan I'cons, returning to the UK with Bradford City, Darlington on loan and Shrewsbury Town.
Drayton chairman Alex Mutch is hopeful of securing the services of one of Shropshire football’s most popular and recognisable figures.
"If we could pull this off, it would be a massive bonus and coup for the club," he said.
Cooke, who has been working as a consultant for a football agency since ending his playing career in August 2008, has declined to comment on the potential role.

Craig Williams

Robins defender Craig Williams on stand-by for Wales
November 10, 2009
Young full back Craig Williams is on stand-by for the Wales Semi-Pro Under-23 squad to face Norther Ireland.
The young Robin heard the news today as Manangter Terry Boyle released his squad and the surprises are the inclusion of Aberystwyth Town midfielder Luke Sherbon and Bangor City striker Jamie Reed for the International Challenge Trophy match.
The duo, who were part of Rhyl's Championship winning squad last season, are both beneficiaries of the new FIFA ruling on eligibility, which now makes them available to Wales. Despite neither the player, his parents nor grand-parents being born in Wales they are both now eligible having studied in full time education in Wales for five years before the age of sixteen.
St. Mirren midfielder Andy Dorman has been included in John Toshack's Wales squad for Saturday's friendly against Scotland under the same ruling, so the Principality Welsh Premier League duo could be just the second and third players to wear the red of Wales under these new circumstances.
Boyle has named a record fifteen League players out of a possible eighteen in his squad to face Ronnie McFall's Ulstermen on Tuesday 24th November 2009 at Shamrock Park, Portadown at 7:45pm.
Wrexham trio Chris Maxwell, Marc and Mike Williams were all declared unavailable by their manager Dean Saunders, as was Bangor's Michael Johnston, but there is a first call-up for Barrow defender Michael Pearson, who was formerly of Oldham Athletic. Defenders Kai Edwards (Wrexham) and Kyle Critchell (Weymouth) are the other two non-Welsh Premier players.
Goalkeepers Lee Idzi and Steve Cann are retained from the Poland friendly in October as are Port Talbot Town trio Scott Barrow, Lee Surman and Drew Fahiya. Others retained from that 2-1 defeat at Richmond Park are Aeron Edwards (TNS), Ashley Williams and Ryan Edwards (both Airbus UK), Owain Warlow and goalscorer Craig Moses (both Llanelli) and Sion Edwards (Bangor City).
TNS winger Craig Jones and Haverfordwest County striker Jack Christopher both return after injury ruled them out last month and Manager Terry Boyle is delighted with their return, as they both know where the back of the net is.
"A win in our first game of this Tournament would set us up nicely in the Group after the other two sides (Poland and Portugal) drew in their opening game. There are plenty of goals in the squad, so we'll go there with confidence and hopefully come away with all three points," said Boyle this afternoon.
The Irish side will be strong with players all coming from the Carling Premiership and in McFall, they have a Manager who boasts a wealth of experience. He is the second longest serving manager in British top flight football having been resident in the Shamrock Park hotseat since December 1986, a length of tenure only bettered by Man. Utd's Sir Alex Ferguson. During that time he has guided the Ports to five Irish League titles and three Irish Cup victories. Ther squad to travel to Shamrock Park, Portadown on November 24 is:Stephen Cann (Aberystwyth Town) (GK), Lee Idzi (Haverfordwest County) (GK), Scott Barrow (Port Talbot Town), Kyle Critchell (Weymouth), Kai Edwards (Wrexham), Ryan Edwards (Airbus UK Broughton), Michael Pearson (Barrow FC), Lee Surman (Port Talbot Town), Aeron Edwards (The New Saints FC), Sion Edwards (Bangor City FC), Drew Fahiya (Port Talbot Town), Craig Jones (The New Saints FC), Luke Sherbon (Aberystwyth Town), Owain Warlow (Llanelli AFC), Ashley Williams (Airbus UK Broughton), Jack Christopher (Haverfordwest County), Craig Moses (Llanelli AFC), Jamie Reed (Bangor City FC)Stand-By: Lee Bevan (Haverfordwest County), Craig Williams (Newtown), Matthew Harris (Neath FC), Curtis McDonald (Forest Green Rovers), Jamie Owen (Chester City), Jordan Follows (Llanelli)

Rhyl back on top, but no goals at Belle Vue

November 7,2009

RHYL returned to the top of the Welsh Premier, but only on goal difference, after being held to a goal-less draw at home to Llanelli.
Neither side was able to find the scoring touch against some resolute defending in front of the weekend's highest crowd, 589 at Belle Vue.
Matty Williams and Marc Connolly both hit the woodwork for Rhyl, while a Rhys Griffiths header and an Andy Legg flag-kick both met with the same fate.
But Rhyl felt they should have been awarded a late penalty when Legg appeared to handle a Chris Williams cross.
All three goals were crammed into the first 14 minutes at the Recreation Ground, as Port Talbot went into seventh place with a 2-1 win at lowly Caersws.
Liam McCreesh opened the scoring for the Steelmen inside the first minute with his sixth goal mif the season, but Matthew Prosser had the Bluebirds level three minutes later.
Drew Fahiya put the visitors ahead once again and there was no further scoring.
Honours were shared at Richmond Park, where Bangor City twice hit back from a goal down to draw 2-2 with Carmarthen, leaving both sides still in mid-table.
Tim Hicks and Nicky Palmer were the Old Gold's scorers either side of a Jamie Reed effort, with newly-appointed assistant manager Marc Limbert grabbing the Blues' second equaliser from a free-kick after 65 minutes.
A double whammy from Welshpool left Porthmadog rooted to the bottom of the table and still without a win.
Peter Doran and former Robin Timmy Edwards scored inside three second-half minutes around the hour mark, to ensure an unhappy return to Maesydre for ex-Lilywhites' manager Tomi Morgan.

Last updated: 07.11.2009

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Rhyl FC	11	7	3	1	26	9	24
2.	Neath FC	11	7	3	1	23	14	24
3.	Llanelli AFC	10	6	3	1	24	8	21

4.	The New Saints	10	6	3	1	21	7	21
5.	Prestatyn Town	11	6	3	2	22	20	21
6.	Aberystwyth Town	11	6	2	3	15	11	20
7.	Port Talbot Town	11	5	3	3	13	11	18
8.	Airbus UK Broughton	11	4	4	3	25	15	16
9.	Carmarthen Town	11	4	3	4	17	14	15
10.	Bala Town	11	4	3	4	8	11	15

11.	Bangor City	11	4	2	5	18	18	14
12.	Newtown AFC	11	3	4	4	20	19	13
13.	Haverfordwest County	11	3	4	4	13	16	13
14.	Gap Connah's Quay	11	2	3	6	9	22	9
15.	Technogroup Welshpool	11	2	2	7	9	19	8
16.	Elements Cefn Druids	11	1	2	8	6	21	5
17.	Caersws FC	10	1	2	7	10	27	5
18.	Porthmadog FC	10	0	3	7	3	20	3

Neath decision to go full time vindicated as they top league
NEATH went top of the Welsh Premier for the first-time ever, while TNS are up to third thanks to a hat-trick from Aeron Edwards against Cefn Druids.
Despite playing with 10-men from the eight-minute following the dismissal of defender Sean Cronin, a quick-fire brace from Craig Steins in the 12th and 13th minutes gave the Eagles the upper hand at Haverfordwest's New Bridge Meadow, but they were made to work hard for their win after Jamie Bradford pulled a goal back on the half-hour.
The New Saints eased past Elements Cefn Druids at Park Hall, with Craig Jones opening the scoring from the penalty spot after Craig Williams had been pushed by Dan Barnett.
Edwards added the second from Phil Baker's through ball on 28 minutes, and completed his hat-trick in the second-half.
Aberystwyth Town handed new manager Alan Morgan a victory on his debut thanks to a 99th Welsh Premier goal from sub Glyndwr Hughes, as Bala Town's recent slump in form continued. The Lakesiders have picked-up just two points from their last five games.
Airbus gained revenge for last week's Welsh Cup exit at the hands of Flintshire rivals Gap Connah's Quay as they beat the Nomads for the first time ever at The Airfield, Carl Owen, Matty Cook, Rhys Roberts and Gary McConnell getting the goals.

Last updated: 06.11.2009

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Neath FC	11	7	3	1	23	14	24
2.	Rhyl FC	10	7	2	1	26	9	23
3.	The New Saints	10	6	3	1	21	7	21

4.	Prestatyn Town	11	6	3	2	22	20	21
5.	Llanelli AFC	9	6	2	1	24	8	20
6.	Aberystwyth Town	11	6	2	3	15	11	20
7.	Airbus UK Broughton	11	4	4	3	25	15	16
8.	Port Talbot Town	10	4	3	3	11	10	15
9.	Bala Town	11	4	3	4	8	11	15
10.	Carmarthen Town	10	4	2	4	15	12	14

11.	Newtown AFC	11	3	4	4	20	19	13
12.	Bangor City	10	4	1	5	16	16	13
13.	Haverfordwest County	11	3	4	4	13	16	13
14.	Gap Connah's Quay	11	2	3	6	9	22	9
15.	Technogroup Welshpool	10	1	2	7	7	19	5
16.	Elements Cefn Druids	11	1	2	8	6	21	5
17.	Caersws FC	9	1	2	6	9	25	5
18.	Porthmadog FC	9	0	3	6	3	18	3

Darren Ryan

Vote of confidence for unchanged side
November 5, 2009
Manager Darren Ryan will give his side a huge vote of confidence by naming an unchanged starting line-up for the trip to Prestatyn tomorrow night.
Ryan was happy with the performance in the 4-1 win against Technogroup Welshpool but disappointed to concede a late goal.
"Overall I am pleased with our recent performances," he said. "We have met some of the bigger clubs and proved that we can compete and now we have to start bagging the points.
We have to be more consistent."
And the manager has his eyes firmly on a top 10 finish.
"At the bottom I think a group will fall away and it really important that we are near the top of the middle group, ready to take advantage of any slips by the top clubs.
"Finishing outside of the top 10 is not an option for me. Everything else is in place at the club and I have to ensure it is right on the pitch too."
While Ryan is likely to keep faith with the same line-up he is still without four players. Matty Lewis is unavailable, joining Craig Hutchinson, Jack Hughes and Nicky Ward.
Hutchinson and Hughes will both resume light training next week after ankle ligament injuries, while Ward completes the second of his two match ban.
"Prestatyn will be a difficult side to beat on their own ground, and the weather could have a part to play if the forecast is anything to go by," said Ryan.
"But I am confident we can get something out of this one. We need to be picking up points on the road and getting into and staying in the top 10."

Morgan named as new Manager at Aberystwyth
November 4, 2009
ABERYSTWYTH have ended a long selection process by naming Bangor City assistant manager Alan Morgan to succeed Brian Coyne at Park Avenue.
The 35-year-old, who works with the Tranmere Rovers' academy and expects to complete his Uefa 'A' licence qualification within the next few weeks, leaves Farrar Road after just over two seasons as right-hand man to manager Nev Powell.
He will be assisted by current Seasiders' caretaker boss Christian Edwards. The duo have known each other for a number of years, having played with each other for the Wales Under-21 side and spent time together at Prenton Park a few years later.
Club managing director Tony Bates said: "We are delighted with Alan’s appointment. This arrangement will bring in Alan’s extensive coaching experience whilst at the same time allowing us to build on the excellent work that Christian has been doing as caretaker manager."
After starting his career with Tranmere, Morgan went on to make over 70 first-team appearances for the Birkenhead outfit before a loan spell at Altrincham during the 1996/97 season and a switch to then Conference outfit Doncaster Rovers in July 2002.
He transferred to Morecambe in December 2002 and then joined Porthmadog in the summer of 2003. His first taste of management came at NEWI Cefn Druids where he was player/manager for a few months the following year, but he decided to concentrate on playing and signed for Rhyl.
Morgan then moved to Connah's Quay in September 2005 and was appointed assistant manager in July 2006, spurning the chance to take over when Powell left the Deeside Stadium in the summer of 2007 and instead following him to the Citizens.
At the time, he said he "did not feel quite ready to step into management again" and felt that a move to Bangor as assistant manager would enable him to continue to fill the gaps in his experience.
As a player, Morgan - who is an uncle of Aberystwyth captain Bari Morgan - made 42 Welsh Premier appearances for Porthmadog, Druids, Rhyl, Nomads and Bangor.
He becomes the Seasiders' eighth manager since the birth of the League of Wales.
Story and picture courtesy of www.welsh-premier.com

Fireworks and song at Latham Park this Friday

Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park will host two spectacular events on Friday Night.
The Round Table Firework display is again being staged at the ground - gates open 6.30pm - display starts at 7.30 pm

ThenThe World Famous Llanelli Male Voice Choir will be at the club on Friday evening ( after the firework display ) around 10.15pm.

They are coming to the club after their performance at Theatre Hafren for a few beers and sandwiches plus giving us an impromptu performance which we are sure everyone will enjoy. All are welcome Don't miss it

Clubs hear news on licensing criteria
November 1, 2009
Newtown Football Club staged an important set of meetings today (Sunday 1^st November) with the top referees in Wales holding one of their regular conferences in the main function room, and in the new Media and Police control room, the FAW held a crucial Domestic Licensing workshop.
"Over 100 of the top officials and administrators in the Welsh game enjoyed our hospitality and an excellent meal by our caterers," said club secretary Owen Durbridge.. All 24 clubs who have applied for the Domestic Licence were asked to attend and they heard from the FAW expert, Andrew Howard and the new Licensing Officer, David Miller.
The clubs have until the middle of March to get all the various criteria in order to achieve the Domestic Licence which will entitle them to compete for the top ten places in the Premier League in the 2010/11 season.
"All the Clubs know that at least six will be demoted to the Cymru Alliance or Welsh Alliance next season, although it is a pretty safe bet that all the clubs who get demoted will actually come from Mid and North Wales, which is the catchment area of the Cymru Alliance League.
"Both the feeder leagues are guaranteed places in the top 12 next season, IF they achieve their licence and IF they finish in the top two of their leagues. If no clubs in the feeder leagues fulfil those stipulations, then only six clubs will go from the Premier League, otherwise, it could be EIGHT," added Mr Durbridge.
"With all those going into the Cymru Alliance league, that means a great number of existing Cymru Alliance sides face the drop to their feeder leagues, which include the Spar Mid Wales League – and both of those leagues are also dropping their numbers from 18 clubs to 16.
"The Spar Mid-Wales are preparing by planning for a second division which will catch all the demoted sides and perhaps some extra sides from their feeder leagues which are the Montgomery Amateur League, Mid Wales League South and the Ceredigion League. "With all that in mind, the Licensing meeting heard that all 24 applicant clubs will be judged on six criteria – Sporting, Legal, Financial, Personnel, Codes of Practice and Infrastructure.
"All these categories have many different aspects to them, but some of the biggest hurdles clubs face are having at least 500 covered seats, new 13 person dug-outs for each team, full press and media facilities, wireless internet throughout club premises and a First Aid room which must be very well equipped, including a defibrillator for helping to re-start hearts in serious cases. "Despite Newtown having some of the best floodlighting in Wales, it is likely to be deemed inadequate as the light quality has to measure 500 lux, which it can only do within the first two years of new bulbs being installed.
"We estimate our lights give us around 370 lux, but as the bulbs are 4 years old, they will have deteriorated in quality and will all need to be replaced – 32 of them at around £180 each. "

Staying with the lighting theme, a new item to enter the “infrastructure” category is Emergency Lighting. Now, all Clubs have to install emergency battery powered lights into every stand, turnstile and ground exit.
"Electrical experts tell us that we may need to install as many as 20 of these units around our Mid Wales Leisure stadium, said the secretary.

"One of the biggest shocks likely to be encountered by clubs new to the process, is the acquisition of a Ground Safety Certificate. Because the FAW have decided to adopt the European standard for the form they ask the Local Authority to certify, clubs will need to engage a Structural Engineer, an Electrical Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer to visit their grounds and thoroughly examine facilities.
"Costs can run into thousands of pounds, depending on the number of buildings and stands a club has. Newtown AFC has the most experience in Wales at getting these certificates as they are required to stage European games, which we have been regularly hosting for the past 5-10 years, but they do not get any easier to obtain as certification can be a very slow and arduous process."Whilst clubs have until March to get everything done, they are all being inspected in the first two weeks of December by FAW officials to see what work still has to be done. One of the requirements is that our First Team Manager must hold an “A” licence or have a “recognition of competence as a Premier League Manager”.
"Darren Ryan is being assessed for his A Licence in the next couple of weeks and, if successful, will immediately sign up for the Pro-Licence course which starts in March, 2010. "All in all, Clubs are struggling to meet the demanding criteria as we are facing a process designed for the likes of Manchester Utd and Real Madrid, with our financial accounts under particularly heavy scrutiny.
"If we successfully meet the criteria in the eyes of the FAW inspectors, then we are referred to a panel of experts made up of auditors, accountants, lawyers etc. These are totally independent of all the clubs and are nothing to do with the FAW or League.
"They then report to another independent body who have already been in existence for the past two years examining European Licence applications by Welsh clubs.
"The whole process must end in April, when any possible appeals will be accepted before they are finally decided in May. All of this means clubs may not know until the last minute where they are playing in the new season."

Fourth round draw throws up three all Welsh Premier ties
THE draw for the fourth round of the Welsh Cup threw-up three all-Welsh Premier ties, but was kind to the remaining top flight clubs.
In the pick of the games, Aberystwyth Town will host Port Talbot at Park Avenue, with the Seasiders again facing a fellow Premier club after winning 2-1 at Haverfordwest in round three.
Bala Town host Caersws at Maes Tegid, while Prestatyn Town and Porthmadog will go head-to-head at Bastion Road.
Most of the remaining feeder league clubs are forced to travel, with last season's Welsh League champions Aberaman at holders Bangor City, and Pontardawe Town at Rhyl.
Holyhead Hotspur face a mammoth task at Llanelli's Stebonheath Park, but Gap Connah's Quay will not relish a trip to former Welsh Premier outfit Afan Lido.
Llandudno Junction, are at home to The New Saints.
The draw in full:
Aberystwyth Town v Port Talbot Town
Afan Lido v Gap Connah's Quay
Bala Town v Caersws FC
Bangor City v Aberaman Athletic
Llandudno Junction v The New Saints
Llanelli AFC v Holyhead Hotspur
Prestatyn Town v Porthmadog FC
Rhyl FC v Pontardawe Town
Ties to be played on Saturday 30 January 2010.

Chairman pays tribute to secretary
Club chairman Mike Jones paid tribute to the work being carried out by club secretary Owen Durbridge(pictured) in his programme column for the Technogroup Welshpool game ast Saturtday.
"I have been making a conscious effort to avoid mentioning the so-called 'Super 10/12' League every week in this column," the chairman wrote.
"However, it has proved impossible this week as Welshpool are the one team in the WPL who have taken control of their own destiny and decided not to apply.
"Difficulties in obtaining the necessary Domestic License have proved insurmountable so they will enjoy life in the Cymru Alliance next season. That leaves the rest of us scrapping for points and living on a knife-edge until the end of the season.
"The cost of obtaining a Domestic License is measured not only in league points or even in £'s sterling. The time taken up in bureaucrecy is incalculable and I must pay tribute in this column to our secretary, Owen Durbridge for the vast amount of work and the quality of work he does for the club.
"On top of that, he has played a leading role in supervising the newly completed extension and is currently engaged in a race against time to submit further applications to the Football Trust."

Snodin replaces Ratcliffe as speaker at Sportsman's dinner

Former Everton and Wales defender Kevin Ratcliffe has been forced to pull out as guest speaker at the club's sportsman's dinner at the Latham Centre on Saturday, November 14.
But the club has moved quickly to bring in former Everton favourite Ian Snodin as a replacement. Snodin, a former terrace hero at Goodison Park, also played for Doncaster, Leeds, Sunderland, Oldham and Scarborough. More recently he has beeen hosting a Liverpool radio show with the great Ian St John and acting as the expert voice in the studio on various tv channels on matchdays.
Appearimng alongside Snodin will be former football hooligan Andy Nicholls, now an author.
Tickets costing £17, including a hot buffet are on sale from club officials or Barry Gardener on 07939-149341.
A raffle draw will be held on the night with tickets available now behind the bar. First prize is a days golfing at Elm Lodge, Ludow plus dinner for four at Fishmore Hall Hotel, Ludlow. Second prize is £50 cash and there are other prizes on offer.

Former Robin gets vote of confidence
October 30, 2009
Former Newtown favourite Ian Woan has received the backing of manager Paul Hart at Portsmouth where he is one of two first team coaches.
Hart believes he does not need any more additions to his coaching staff, not even in the goal-scoring department.
Despite being criticised for a lack of goals Hart said: "We haven't got a striking coach and Guy Whittingham hasn't been doing the job either.
"But obviously it doesn't mean that we can't coach strikers. We always do shooting practise, it's not new. We've not been doing it after a couple of misses, we've always done it.
"I've got two coaches Ian Woan and Paul Groves. I don't need any more. Besides, I've got Avram Grant."
Woan arrived at Latham Park when then Manager Graham Breeze brought in Phil Wilson as his number 2 and although Wilson quickly parted company Woan stayed on and was an outstanding player in the HFS Loans League.
As a non-contract player he was alowed to join Runcorn and was quickly sold to Nottingham Forest, then managed by Brian Clough, for £80,000.
Woan successfully forced himself into first team contention with consistent displays down the left wing as Forest reached the FA Cup Final, and started as Forest recorded 16 goals in just 3 games, also being called into the England squad. While considered to be lacking pace and work-rate, this was more than compensated by his fierce shooting and elegant passing.
He later played for Swindon and Shrewsbury before joining Portsmouth as Under-18 coach, and was then promoted by Hart.

In the picture Portsmouth manager Paul Hart celebrates with coach Ian Woan on the final whistle after recording their first win during the Barclays Premier League game at Molineaux on October 3.

Loosemores League Cup draw keeps Rhyl and TNS apart
October 30, 2009
Port Talbot have drawn holders The New Saints, while Connah's Quay face Rhyl in the semi-finals of the Loosemores League Cup.
The Saints have a mixed record at the GenQuip Stadium, where they are without a win in their last seven visits and lost 2-0 to a Liam McCreesh brace in the Welsh Premier last month.
But the Steelmen have endured an even worse time on their travels to TNS, losing on their last four visits.
The sides also met in the 2006 League Cup final, when the Saints won 4-0.
Nomads had reached the semi-finals for the first time in 13 years and face a stiff task against the Lilywhites, but will be full of confidence after despatching Bala Town 3-2 at Maes Tegid on Tuesday night.
The ties are played over two legs, with Port Talbot and Connah's Quay at home in the first games on Tuesday November 10 and with the second legs played a week later.

Makeshift Welshpool bow out of Loosemores League Cup
Welshpool were forced to send a mixture of reserve team and first team players to Port Talbot and went out of the Loosemores Cup 3-1.
The visitors were forced to play defender George Hughes in goal and named only two substitutes as the Steelmen won with goals from Drew Fahiya, Martin Rose and Liam McCreesh. Max Peate gort Pool's consolation goal.
A brace from John McKenna helped holders TNS overcome Llanelli and surge into the semi-finals of the Loosemores League Cup.
A defensive error allowed Rhys Griffiths to put the Reds in front as early as the fourth minute at Park Hall from Owain Warlow's cross.
But Steve Evans headed the Saints level on 36 minutes from a Craig Williams corner and McKenna's quickfire double put the hosts in control by half-time. The 20-year-old first sent a scorching shot past keeper Craig Morris, before his diving header from a Craig Jones cross.
And Scott Ruscoe's penalty after Chris Venables had handled sealed the win.
Gap Connah's Quay pulled-off a sensational last-gasp win at Bala after trailing 2-1 with 10 men as the game went into stoppage time.
A late Mark Griffiths goal looked to have put the Lakesiders into the last four after Nomads had played without red-carded defender Ben Alston from the 66th-minute.
But Mike Hayes and then Sam McNutt both snatched goals to send the Deesiders into the semis.
Rhyl cruised past Porthmadog 4-1 at The Traeth with a brace apiece for Marc Connolly and Matty Williams.

Show Racism the Red Card’s annual Fortnight of Action takes place
October 27, 2009

Before kick-off against Technogroup Welshpool on Saturday the players from both sides united in calling for a racism-free environment in football and society throughout Wales.
Players in 35 European countries are involved in similar events as part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network against racism and discrimination.

Morgan says Super 12 is league's 'death knell'

Monday, 26 October 2009

Former Robin, Tomi Morgan has cpontyroversially claimed that the new 'Super 12' will be the death knell of the Welsh Premier League.
The manager of Porthmadog, who currently lie two points adrift of the pack at the bottom of the table, told the Western Mail: "I believe clubs like ours who have been going for 125 years will still be around long after I've gone.
"But I fear for some of the other clubs, including those who will form the new structure as I believe this country is too small for this kind of arrangement.
"Next season clubs will be playing each other four times and play 44 matches - that's ridiculous."
But league secretary John Deakin has refuted Morgan's fears.
"The fact is that the greater majority of clubs were initially in favour of the new structure and when Porthmadog proposed a further vote against the proposal at a meeting of clubs earlier this year they had no support whatsoever," he says.
"The fact is that the current 18-club structure is unsustainable in a nation the size of Wales and while this was recognised somewhat belatedly, the change had to be made to improve the standards of a League that many Welsh football supporters think has stagnated in recent seasons.
"To say this will be the 'death knell' for Welsh Football is alarmist and totally wide of the mark.
"Clubs who are not in the Welsh Premier League will be placed in the appropriate feeder league, where they will have the opportunity to regroup and make the improvements that could ultimately see some of them regain Welsh Premier League status in the future.
"Saying that clubs playing 44 League games next season is ridiculous is somewhat premature as no decision has yet been made regarding the structure of fixtures next season.
"I'm sure that any advice that he may have on this would be greatly appreciated given his experience and service to football in Wales.
"The old addage is "if it's not broken don't fix it" and while it would be an exaggeration to say that the Welsh Premier League is broken, it does have significant underlying health problems and is need of surgery and that's just what it's getting," added Deakin.
Courtesy: www.welsh-premier.com

Club receives £76,500 grant money toward cost of new Police Control and Media Centre
October 25, 2009

Newtown AFC celebrated the opening of their new Police control / media and sponsors lounge on Saturday at Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park.

FAW President, Phil Pritchard and the FAW Football Trust Director, Neil Ward presented Newtown officials with a cheque for £76,500 towards the cost of building the new first floor facility from the Welsh Ground Improvements Company Ltd, which is operated by the Football Trust.

Saturday was the culmination of a lot of hard work and some excellent craftsmanship by main Contractor, NEO Fabrications of Tregynon and is part of the club’s strategy to continue to invest in the infrastructure at Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park.

"With the knowledge that the FAW had Hat Trick funding from EUFA, the previous cub chairman, Elwyn Preece discussed the prospect of building the new room with the board of directors who were confident of Newtown’s chances of securing the funding to convert our stadium into a Category 3 stadium," said club secretary Owen Durbridge.

"This would see 3000 seats and a host of new facilities installed to enable the staging of minor Internationals, European games and Welsh cup finals.

"It was felt a Police control room with excellent viewing to all corners of the ground would compliment any stadium upgrade and it was further decided to make it dual purpose and equip it with the necessary press and media facilities to become a media room.

"The main day-to-day use of the room will be as a Sponsors Lounge and viewing area on match days and also as part of the existing conference and meeting facilities at the Latham Park suite of rooms, " he added.

Work began at the end of the 2008/09 season and the exterior work was completed just after the start of this current season.

"The club is very grateful to NEO Fabrications and the host of local trades-people who have provided a very skillful service to produce a first class finish," added Mr Durbridge.Rees Astley Insurance Services from Market Street, Newtown were the first sponsors to officially use the room and they brought with them a host of customers and employees who. (Pictured are some of the Sponsors’ guests co-operating with the “Give Racism the Red Card” campaign)As reported earlier in the year, in late July Newtown officials met with an FAW Delegation to show them the facilities at Latham Park and to explain the Club’s strategy for the future development of the stadium. It is understood the decision on who to award the development to will be made by an FAW meeting towards the end of this week. The choice for the Mid-Wales ground development is between Newtown and Aberystwyth. Picture.

FAW President, Phil Pritchard and the FAW Football Trust Director, Neil Ward, Newtown secretary Owen Durbridge, club chairman Mike Jones and FAW President Phil Pritchard with the cheque for £76.500.

Robins bounce back with biggest win of the season
October 24, 2009
Newtown 4 Technogroup Welshpool 1
Manager Darren Ryan was all smiles after seeing his young Newtown side demolish struggling Technogroup Welshpool at Latham Park.
Welcoming back on-loan striker Obi Anoruo and defender Gavin Cadwallader, Newtown looked different class to their local rivals, who face a long hard season on this showing.
The home fans hardly had time to take their seats before a defensive lapse on the right allowed the ball to be delivered into the box for Neilo Mitchell to net from close range.
And the Robins were soon further ahead to the delight of the watching Barmy Army with Anoruo tucking the ball past visiting keeper Cudworth after a cross from the left.
Ross Stephens (pictured), who was named as Newtown's man of the match, finished his former club off with two second half strikes and the scoreline could have been much greater but for some wayward finishing and smart keeping by Cudworth.
The only consolation for Pool was an injury time goal from George Hughes.
"It was disappointing not to keep a clean sheet," said Ryan. "But overall it was a very good all round performance and we need to take thos kiond of performance forward to our next game."
See how we stand below:

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
1.	Rhyl FC	10	7	2	1	26	9	23
2.	Neath FC	10	6	3	1	21	13	21
3.	Llanelli AFC	9	6	2	1	24	8	20

4.	Prestatyn Town	10	6	2	2	21	19	20
5.	The New Saints	9	5	3	1	17	7	18
6.	Aberystwyth Town	10	5	2	3	14	11	17
7.	Port Talbot Town	10	4	3	3	11	10	15
8.	Bala Town	10	4	3	3	8	10	15
9.	Carmarthen Town	10	4	2	4	15	12	14
10.	Airbus UK Broughton	10	3	4	3	21	15	13

11.	Bangor City	10	4	1	5	16	16	13
12.	Haverfordwest County	10	3	4	3	12	14	13
13.	Newtown AFC	10	3	3	4	19	18	12
14.	Gap Connah's Quay	10	2	3	5	9	18	9
15.	Elements Cefn Druids	10	1	2	7	6	17	5
16.	Technogroup Welshpool	10	1	2	7	7	19	5
17.	Caersws FC	9	1	2	6	9	25	5
18.	Porthmadog FC	9	0	3	6	3	18	3

Neath surrender two-goal lead at TNS

Saturday, 24 October 2009

NEATH failed to complete a famous treble against the Welsh Premier's 'big guns' after surrendering a two-goal lead at The New Saints.
In a comedy of errors at a gusty Park Hall, Phil Baker's back pass to Paul Harrison was intercepted by Richard Ingram who put the Eagles ahead after just eight minutes.
Craig Steins converted a long ball from Carlos Castan to double the visitors' lead on 16 minutes, but a mix-up between keeper Anthony Williams and Castan gifted Matthew Berkeley a goal and Jamie Wood soon added the equaliser on the half-hour as Williams rushed-out of his area to deal with Baker's long ball.
The Saints went on to dominate the rest of the game, but lacked a cutting edge to convert their chances.
The result lifted the Eagles into second-place, while third-placed Llanelli's game at home to Caersws was postponed.
Elsewhere, Aberystwyth continued their revival with a 1-0 win at bottom club Porthmadog, courtesy of a late goal from Luke Bowen.
Port Talbot recovered from their defeat at Carmarthen to see-off Airbus UK Broughton at the GenQuip Stadium thanks to a late winner from Liam McCreesh, after Marc Lloyd Williams had notched his tenth goal of the season to equalise a Neil Thomas effort.
Bala Town were held 1-1 at Maes Tegid by Haverfordwest County, for whom Robbie Walters side-footed an equaliser to cancel out a seventh-minute goal for Owain Roberts from an Osian Jones cross.
But the Lakesiders should have sealed all three points, only for Ricky Evans to see his late penalty saved by Bluebirds' keeper Lee Idzi.
Carmarthen's revival continued, but only a Nicky Palmer goal separated them from visitors Gap Connah's Quay at Richmond Park.
Courtesy: Welsh-premier.com

Robins launch new look website

The new look Robins Website was launched before Newtown's home fixture with local rivals Welshpool Town. Current work to revamp the site by club director Barry Gardner will see more up to date news, match reports plus pictures covering the clubs teams. The site gets a high amount of hits from fellow supporters plus the media with its fans forum always available for messages to be left and to discuss any aspect of the club.

Leaders Rhyl held by lowly Elements Cefn Druids

Friday, 23 October 2009

LOWLY Elements Cefn Druids battled to a 1-1 home draw against Welsh Premier leaders Rhyl at Plas Kynaston Lane.
Both sides spurned what few chances came their way in the first-half, but the game sprang to life immediately after the break when on-loan TNS striker Craig Whitfield raced 40 yards down the left before planting his shot wide of Rhyl keeper James Coates.
Half-time sub Matty Williams spiced-up the Lilywhites' attack and levelled six minutes later with an eight-yard shot from Paul Smith's right-wing cross.
Druids' Gary Penlington forced a tip-over save from Coates with a 30-yarder, while visiting player-manager Greg Strong was twice wide of the target with headers.
But only a superb stop from home keeper Chris Mullock prevented Gareth Owen from netting a winner for Rhyl with the last kick off the match.
Bangor City easily saw-off the challenge of high-flying coast neighbours Prestatyn Town at Farrar Road.
Goals in the 16th and 17th-minutes from skipper Marc Limbert and Jamie Reed put the Citizens in control.
Sion Edwards added the third before half-time, with Chris Sharp netting the final goal five minutes from time.

Obi set to return to lead front line in local derby
October 22, 2009
On loan striker Obo Anoruo (pictured) is set to return on Saturday to lead the Newtown attack in the all-local derby match against arch rivals Technogroup Welshpool.
The Wrexham man will return to the side to replace the banned Nicky Ward, sent off for kicking the ball away at Aberystwyth last week.
And the Robins will be further boosted by the return to the side of Gavin Cadwallader, who can operate in midfield or at the heart of the defence. Cadwallader, a Welshpool target last season, has been out with ankle ligament damage but is expected to be pushing for a start on Saturday.
But Manager Darren Ryan has another headache with strriker Neil Mitchell rated only 50/50 with a shoulder injury.
"Gavin is a big player for us and it is good to get him back for such a big game," said the manager. "The middle of the table is tight at the moment and one win would do any side a power of good.
"We are not expecting an easy game against Welshpool. They play football the right way and I have a lot of respect for their manager Huw Griffiths
"It would be fair to say that we are not getting the rub of the green this season but this is another chance for the lads to show exactly what they are all about," said Ryan.
"We have been playing some beautiful football and praised by our own fans and opposing supporters, but we need to start turning our pressure into goals."
Welshpool have been hit by the shock loss of Calvin Davies. Davies has had an on-off relationship with the club over the last four years but shocked manager Huw Griffiths by walking out to join Wrexham League side Corwen Amateurs this week. The Mananger may have to call up players from the reserve side which is struggling at the foot of the Montgomeryshire Amateur League.

Man to watch out for
Welshpool goalkeeper Jack Cudworth, signed from Preston North End in the close season, has been attracting rave reviews and has just spent a week on trial at Peterborough.

Four for former Robin in Llanelli cup romp
Wednesday, 21 October 2009 LLANELLI booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Loosemores League Cup with an 8-1 thrashing of sub-strength Aberystwyth. Striker Craig Moses (pictured) led the way with four goals for the Reds but, needing a win to reach the last eight, the visiting Seasiders virtually waved a white flag before kick-off.Caretaker boss Christian Edwards named only six players with first team experience and handed rare starts to goalkeeper Jon Hartnell and outfield players Eilian Evans, Karl Seliaerts, Gwion ap Dafydd and Anthony Hartnell.Llanelli wasted little time in booking a date at The New Saints in a week's time, with Rhys Griffiths scoring the first after 11 minutes and Moses virtually settling the tie a minute later.Moses added another before half-time after Andy Evans had put through his own goal.Aberystwyth got their consolation from the penalty spot through Luke Bowen on 65 minutes, but Corbisiero completed his brace from the spot, before Moses added two more in the last 10 minutes.

Ex-Robin making a name for himself in the golf world
October 20, 2009
Former Newtown defender Mark (Bomber) Williams is making a name for himself outside of football as the director of a golf holiday company based on the Costa del Sol.
Based in the south of Spain between Marbella and Malaga Vipgolfingbreaks is now recognised as a provider of high quality golf holidays on the Costa del Sol for groups, families, executive parties or couples, with a choice of over 50 courses to chose from.

Williams started his career at Crewe but was taken to Latham Park by then Mananger Graham Breeze to bolster the team then competing in the Northern Premier League. He later moved to Shrewsbury Town, where in 1993/94 season he picked up a Football League Division 3(4th tier) championship medal.
After three seasons with the Shrews he moved to Chesterfield. In the 1996–97 season, he was part of Chesterfield's historic run to the FA Cup semi final, playing in both the semi final and semi final replay against Middlesbrough.

In 1999, he was signed by newly-promoted Premier League side Watford. However, at the end of the season the Hornets were relegated in bottom place with just 24 points and Williams moved to another relegated side Wilmbledon. Although an integral part of the team in his first season, he lost his place and was loaned out to Stoke City for the 2002-03 season. After Wimbledon's relocation to Milton Keynes he stayed with the new team and spent his last season of football with Rushden & Diamonds.
He also had a spell with Major League Soccer team Columbus Crew in 2003, playing five games.

Williams played for Northern Ireland between 1999 and 2005 and won 36 caps, scoring once.
He has recently got back into the game acting as a football agent.

Tommi finding it tough at Porthmadog
October 20, 2009 Former Robin Tommi Morgan is finding the going tough at bottom of the table Porthmadog and problems are mounting for the former Latham Park winger. Winger Mike Thompson is expected to be out of action for up to three months after being injured in last week's 1-1 League Cup draw at Caersws.Morgan has already lost four players to feeder league clubs since the transfer window closed and Saturday's trip to Haverfordwest was made without injured central defender Ryan Davies and Chris Jones.The squad at The Traeth is now reduced to just 11 senior players, with teenage reserves called-up for the bench at the New Bridge Meadow as Port struggle at the foot of the table.A summer signing from Welshpool, Thompson had been virtually ever-present this season, making seven Welsh Premier appearances.
Picture coutesy of www.welsh-premier.com

Former Latham Park favourites hitting the net
October 20, 2009 Two former favourites at Latham Park are in the top four of the Welsh Premier League scoring charts.Mark (Jiws) Lloyd Williams is proving his critrics wrong since his move to Airbus and currently heads the chart with nine goals - all scored in the league.And Craig Moses, whose scoring potential was there for everyone to see before he left the Robins, sits fourth with seven league and two cup goals.

Holden features for Addicks' reserves
October 20, 2009 Former Rhyl and TNS winger Luke Holden featured in a Charlton Athletic Reserves side against a Glenn Hoddle Academy X1 yesterday.Watched by Addicks manager Phil Parkinson, Holden made some impressive runs as he stepped up his claim for a first team outing. Holden joined Charlton on transfer deadline day in September on an initial loan deal until January after scoring four goals from nine Welsh Premier appearances last season.

Rhyl's 26 match unbeat run ends at Neath
Stephen Pockett put the Eagles ahead after just 10 minutes with a low shot from Chris Llewellyn's byline cross and a 52nd-minute header from Craig Steins went in off the crossbar to seal the victory to put the hosts into third place.
Llanelli took full advantage and closed the gap at the top to just two points with a comfortable 4-0 home win over struggling Elements Cefn Druids.
Jason Bowen opened the Reds' account in the third minute and further goals from Rhys Griffiths, Craig Moses and Antonio Corbisiero sealed the fate of the Ancients, who ended the game with 10-men following the late dismissal of Gerard Maloney.
The New Saints dropped two more home points as they were held to a goalless draw by a backs-to-the-wall performance from Bala Town, for whom keeper Leon Bimpson made outstanding late saves from Steve Abbott, Jamie Wood and Tommy Holmes.
Port Talbot led Carmarthen for the best part of an hour at Richmond Park thanks to a Martin Rose goal, but Tim Hicks levelled with a header from Nathan Cotterrall's cross.
Two late goals then gave the Old Gold the spoils, Danny Thomas getting the final touch to a Mark Pritchard header and Nicky Palmer lobbing into an empty net from 30 yards after keeper Lee Kendall had raced out of his area to clear.
Bangor City gained a much-needed win, 2-1 at Welshpool, with goals from strike duo Chris Sharp and Ashley Stott, before Mark Stewart grabbed a late consolation.
A brace from Danny Desormeaux ensured Airbus UK Broughton a victory at Caersws, former Robin Marc Lloyd Williams (pictured) and Carl Owen also on target in a 4-0 win.
But Porthmadog still prop-up the table despite holding out for 70 minutes against Haverfordwest at the New Bridge Meadow. Jamie Grimes put the Bluebirds in front, with Jamie Bradford sealing the points deep into stoppage time.
Courtesy of www.welsh-premier.com

Defensive woes for Robins
October 15,2009
Defenders Robbie James and Damien Daniels have both been declared fit following knocks in the Haverfordwest game and will travel to Aberystwyth tomorrow night. Both took an elbow in the face and James has also shrugged off a groin injury.
The news is not so good on defender Craig Williams who is suffering from a chest infection and is rated only 50 - 50 to play. Meanwhile, centre-half Gavin Cadwallader (pictured) has resumed training after four weeks out with an ankle problem but is unlikely to start against his former club. Both players will have a fitness test before the match.
In-form striker Obi Onaruo sits out the last of his three match suspension so 17yr old Jamie Breeze will continue in attack.
"Everyone in the squad has done really well", said manager Darren Ryan, buoyed by a much needed win last Saturday. "We've played all the top teams and not got the points we deserved but team moral remains high", he said. "We go to Aber knowing it will be a hard game for us but the lads believe they can get a result"
Meanwhile, acting manager Christian Edwards has ruled himself out of the Aberystwyth hot-seat on a permanent basis. Edwards, who lives in Cardiff, cited work and family comittments for turning down the job.

Chairman issues assurances over Manager's future
I would like to reassure our supporters that recent press speculation linking Darren to the vacant managers job at Aberystwyth is entirely without foundation. Darren has made it clear that he is very happy at Newtown FC and is enjoying the challenge of developing young players into the first team squad.
This is the club's long term policy and we are beginning to see this bearing fruit with a number of local youngsters getting their chance and impressing this season. It is inevitable that Darren has caught the eye of other clubs and we take that as a compliment.
I feel I must take issue with the reference in the press to the clubs' alleged failure to attract players to Mid-Wales Leisure Latham Park due to 'severe financial constraints'. We may not be in the top six of the leagues big spenders but we have supported the manager in bringing in the players that he wanted to achieve hopefully, a top ten finish.
It is just about impossible to lavish large amounts of money on the team and at the same time build a stadium and facilities that are amongst the best in the WPL.
Other clubs were free to make their own choices and that is a matter for them. We can concern ourselves only with Newtown FC.
I was a little disappointed with Mark Williams comments about the Newtown team when we played Holyhead last week in the Welsh cup. The match was played in a gale force wind which turned the game into a lottery. I'm sure the successful Newtown team which Mark played in, turned in the odd poor performance and our playing budget was a lot bigger then.
Mike Jones,
Chairman

Friday nights get turnstiles clicking

Wednesday, 14 October 2009 09:36

FRIDAY night Welsh Premier fixtures are proving popular with fans who are turning their backs on traditional Saturday afternoon kick-offs.
Rhyl v Llanelli

The league's average attendance has increased by nine percent this season, with an average gate of 314, compared with 289 last season.
Friday nights - with some excellent attendances at newly-promoted Bala Town - have seen an average of 420 spectators pass through the turnstiles, with just 244 on average attending Saturday matches.
Sundays are also more popular, with the nine games played yielding an average of 335 spectators.
But, whilst some clubs such as Neath are keen to play as many games as possible on either a Friday or Sunday, the majority still prefer the traditional Saturday 2.30 kick-off.
When the fixtures were announced at the start of the season, many could not wait to switch Friday or Sunday games to Saturday, even though they are local derbies involving little travel.
Whilst it is understandable in a predominantly part-time league that players can have difficulty arranging time-off from work, managers such as Craig Harrison at Airbus claim that playing at night on a workday puts players at a disadvantage.
The Wingmakers recently refused to switch their Welsh Cup tie at nearby Connah's Quay to a Friday night for this stated reason.
Arrangements for next season's "Super 12" have yet to be revealed but, if clubs play each other four times, they will face the need to play a dozen or so games on Tuesdays or Wednesdays and will need to revise their attitude to weeknight fixtures.
Despite the overall increase in gates, 10 clubs are showing a decrease from last season, led by Welshpool, Rhyl and Prestatyn, whose gates are down by 38%, 24% and 23% respectively.
The largest increase is at Port Talbot (up 66%) and Haverfordwest (46%), while Bala currently have the highest average gate of 597.

Source: www.Welsh-Premier.com

Kevin Ratcliffe and a football hooligan at Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park
Former Everton and Wales defender Kevin Ratcliffe will be special guest when the club holds a sportsman's dinner at the Latham Centre on Saturday, November 14 along with former football hooligan Andy Nicholls, now an author.
Tickets costing £17, including a hot buffet are on sale from club officials or Barry Gardener on 07939-149341.
A raffle draw will be held on the night with tickets available now behind the bar. First prize is a days golfing at Elm Lodge, Ludow plus dinner for four at Fishmore Hall Hotel, Ludlow. Second prize is £50 cash and there are other prizes on offer.

An auction will also he held on the evening for a signed Everton football plus a signed Wales 1980's shirt signed by Kevin Ratcliffe, who has also enjoyed spells as Manager at both Chester and Shrewbury.

Two wins and a defeat for Academy sides
The Academy sides enjoyed two wins and a defeat in Sunday's games against Airbus.
Results:

U - 12 Newtown 1 - 0 Air Bus
U- 14 Newtown 0 - 3 Air Bus
U - 16 Newtown 3 - 0 Air Bus

A Must Read for all Welsh Football and Rugby Fans

A new guide, The Football and Rugby Playing Fields of Wales by Richard E Huws will be published this week, featuring Mid Wales Leisure Lataham Park on the front cover
A life-long passion for sport led Huws to undertake a decade of research into the history of playing fields and parks in over 600 towns and villages throughout Wales. The result is this informative and comprehensive volume packed with fascinating facts and stats. The entries detail the teams that have played on each pitch and some famous matches that have taken place.

The author explains further: “I have endeavoured to record the playing fields used by all current senior football and rugby teams in Wales. Fields used by some defunct teams have also been included if they can be clearly identified. I have also attempted to record some special events which have been held on certain fields. These range from agricultural shows to national eisteddfodau, and to other sporting events and unique occasions such as papal visits.”

The book will appeal to sports fans and those with an interest in local and family history. Huws is surprised at the lack of information about sport in general local history books. He says, “I very much hope that this work will inspire local historians to delve deeper into the history of sport in their area and to record in greater detail this somewhat neglected aspect of community activity. I feel that this is especially important as an alarming number of traditional playing fields are falling victim to commercial, housing or transport developments.”

The book is published by Y Lolfa and is priced at £8.95.

www.ylolfa.com

Author Biography:
Born in Carmarthen, the author has spent most of his adult life in Ceredigion. He worked at the National Library of Wales for almost 40 years, and recently retired from the post of Head of Reader Services. He has published widely on the history of printing, local history, family history and sport. He lives in Bont-goch, near Aberystwyth, and is a keen follower of most sports, and especially of his beloved Swansea City.

First Aid course organised at Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park
Newtown Football Club has arranged a First Aid course with the Welsh Football Trust. The course is totally geared towards football related injuries and actions and is being held on Monday 19^th October, 2009 between 6pm and 9pmThe course costs £25 per person, with all the money being allocated to the Football Trust who provide the training.The Football club have invited all Newtown Sunday League Managers and Trainers, all the Newtown Academy coaches, the Newtown trainers/physios and Whitestars Junior Football Club.Anyone wishing to attend this course can contact Newtown Secretary Owen Durbridge on 01686 628627.

Show Racism the Red Card’s annual Fortnight of Action takes place in Wales from 16th - 31st October, 2009.

Before kick-off against Technogroup Welshpool on October 24 the players will be united in calling for a racism-free environment in football and society throughout Wales. Players in 35 European countries are involved in similar events as part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network against racism and discrimination.

Show Racism the Red Card is calling for a joint effort to make racist abuse as unacceptable in Welsh society as it has become in professional football. While racism has reduced in the professional game it is still occurring on a daily basis in society and within grass roots football. The support from the Welsh Premier League clubs has helped the campaign progress their work throughout Wales over the past years and last season saw Llanelli AFC and Airbus AFC hold events with young children educating them about racism and its effect along with the consequences of being a racist. These sessions gave local schoolchildren across Wales an opportunity to ask the players questions about their own experiences of racism in football and while growing up in school; it provided an opportunity for discussion about dealing with racism. This season will see other clubs involved in these educational workshops delivered to local school children around Wales promoting the anti-racism message, along with having an anti racist team poster produced for the first time. We will see the first grass roots stance of actions taking place in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan region’s, which will see many young children following the actions of this weekend’s players. Football is a sport that is followed by all, and should be an enjoyable experience for all, whatever their racial or ethnic background. We hope you enjoy the game this weekend and ask you to support the player’s action before kick-off. We all continually have a role in stopping racism in sport and society in Wales and while progress has been made, with the current recession and the rise in far right activity during the recent European Elections, more united and persistent effort is needed. "The Fortnight of Action, which Show Racism the Red Card coordinates in Wales, is a hugely important event in the Football Calendar. The Football Association of Wales believes that the support from its clubs during this campaign, will help to educate and re-educate football fans of all ages in order to stamp out the threat of Racism in the terraces and on the football pitches in Wales." This period of concerted action encourages participation from all sections of communities to celebrate diversity and tackle racism. A major aim of the Fortnight of Action is to encourage anti-racist actions, events and initiatives to take place throughout the year. Many organisations begin their actions during October and run follow-up events during the year. One proven way of making a difference is to act on a local level to break down barriers that lead to racist attitudes and behaviour. These barriers can include:

Racial stereotyping
Ignorance of other cultures
Excluding practices
The idea that any one culture or racial group is superior to another

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

This year’s SRTRC Fortnight of Action will once again see players in Wales put aside their rivalry for the anti-racist cause. Action at games will include:
1 Players ‘RED card’ action at WPL games
2 Anti-racist tannoy announcements
3 Articles in match programmes
4 Articles on club websites
5 Unveiling of anti-racist stadium hoardings
6 Involvement with local clubs and communities Football is a sport that is followed by all, and should be an enjoyable experience for all, whatever their racial or ethnic background. We hope you enjoy the game this weekend and ask you to support the player’s action before kick-off. “The continued efforts during this important month has helped towards the decrease in racism at grounds across Wales, however, we still have a long way to go in eradicating racism from the terraces, pitches and in our society, we must all stand together and show racism the red card”.Sunil Patel – SRtRC Wales Project Manager "The Fortnight of Action, which Show Racism the Red Card coordinates in Wales, is a hugely important event in the Football Calendar. The Football Association of Wales believes that the support from its clubs during this campaign, will help to educate and re-educate football fans of all ages in order to stamp out the threat of Racism in the terraces and on the football pitches in Wales." Andrew Howard, FAW Head of Competitions

Bala finding it tough and Llanelli lose at Neath
October 10, 2009

Bala are dropping off the pace after going down 4-0 to Rhyl last night and Neath are up to third place after beating Llanelli.
Caersws remain close to the bottom after drawing at Elements Cefn Druids.
Neath gained revenge for their Welsh Cup defeat a week ago by beating Llanelli 2-1. The victory moved the Eagles into the top three for the first time in their history in front of their best-ever top flight crowd of 511 at The Gnoll as Rhyl extended their lead at the top to five points with a 4-0 thrashing of Bala Town at Maes Tegid.
The Reds took the lead with a 26th-minute goal from Rory Smitham, but Neath were level in first-half stoppage time thanks to Chris Llewellyn.
And the expensive summer signing from Grimsby Town went joint-top of the goal chart with the winner on 72 minutes as Andrew Dyer's men held on to the finish.
Bala's first home defeat since promotion always looked inevitable once Paul Smith had fired the Lilywhites into a 28th-minute lead in front of a bumper crowd of 809.
A fine individual goal from Phil Doran extended the visitors' lead before half-time and, after Ross Jefferies had missed a golden chance to score for the Lakesiders, defender George Horan headed past Leon Bimpson from a Gareth Owen cross.
Lee Hunt got the credit for the final goal with a header from Smith's delivery and the game ended on a sour note for Bala when their former Rhyl midfielder Ricky Evans was red-carded for throwing the ball at Doran.
Strugglers Elements Cefn Druids and Caersws shared the spoils at Plas Kynaston, where on-loan TNS youngster Craig Whitfield gave the Druids a flying start in the fourth minute. But Jacob Smith levelled for the Bluebirds.

Squad stretched to the limit for visit of Haverfordwest

Manager Darren Ryan has issued a rallying call to his depleted squad as Haverfordwest County head to town today.
With defeats in both the Welsh Cup and the League Cup in the last week Ryan feels the season would normally be over. But he knows, with a top 10 finish the target, there is still much to do.
"With the league being trimmed to 12 teams it is imperative that we finish in the top 10," he said. "And I am confident that we have the players here to do that."
The squad is decimated for today's game. With Obi Anoruo sidelined for a further two games through suspension and the medical room is overcrowded.
Craig Hutchinson will be out for the rest of 2009 with cruciate knee damage and goalkeeper Dave Jones also faces a lengthy spell out of the side, leaving the door open for a swift return for Dave McGuire.
Nicky Ward is also battling to be fit though Craig Williams should shake off a knock. Gavin Cadwallader (pictured) is still a couple of games away from a return to the side.
Ryan may turn to the relatively new strike partnership of Kevin Breeze and Neil Mitchell if Ward fails to make it and he will certainly ned to shuffle the pack.
"We have some options and perhaps Dylan Blain could be shifted into a more central position," he said. "He is up against his former club and obviously he wants us to get one over on them.
"We need to stay in touch with the top group and must bounce back from Saturday's Welsh Cup disappointment."

Former Robin is scathing about current Newtown side

Former Latham Park favourite Mark Williams has made scathing comments about the current Newtown side.
Williams, now manager of Holyhead Hotspur, who dumped the Robins out of the Welsh Cup on Saturday, told the Daily Post that he was not impressed with the side he saw last Saturday.
"Personally I thought they were nowhere near as good as the side when I played for them six or seven years ago," he said.
"As far as the Welsh Premier is concerned there seems to be thyree sections in the leage, a top six, a middle six and a bottom six.
"The top six are very strong but if Newtown are in the middle six I can't imagine the bottom six are that good."
Williams was in charge for the first time after taking over as boss. He played at Newtown for eight seasons, clocking up 210 full appearances and scoring 73 goals, making him the club's record marksman in the Welsh Premier.

Caersws Academy Vs. Newtown Academy 17/09/09

Under 16's
Caersws 1 - 1 Newtown
The Robins went 1-0 down early in the first half via a Caersws penalty. After the goal, Newtown seemed to wake up and battle for an equaliser before the end of the half. After the break, Newtown dominated wasting a number of chances. Eventually, Elliot Jones pulled the scores level to give Newtown a point in their first group game of the Academy Cup.

Under 12's
Caersws 0 -10 Newtown
In a one way match the Robins controlled the game and never looked like conceding. With four goals coming from Kieran Matthews, a double from David Williams and a goal each for Alex Jones, Kamal Lloyd-Jones, Sam Hamer and Ryan Sears, gave the Robins a convincing 10-0 victory over thier rivals, in their first game in the Academy Cup.

Newtown Football Club’s Academy Administrator has written to the Football Association of Wales complaining about the recent Academy fixture with Caersws. The fixture was re-arranged from this Sunday to last Thursday (17^th Sept) with the agreement of both Clubs. Our Under 14s were disappointed to be left out as Caersws could not field an Under 14s side when the expectation is that every member club will put a side out at U16s, U14s and U12s for all fixtures. What was more concerning was that Caersws fielded FIVE over-age players and refused to supply Newtown with a team-sheet. Obviously, in such a small community our Under 16 players knew all the Caersws team and one of them held his 18^th Birthday party at Newtown Football Club recently! Furthermore, the same player is registered with Llanidloes Town FC which is totally contrary to the FAW registration procedures. Whilst the Newtown AFC appreciate that Caersws may be short of Academy members it is inexcusable to field over-age players as it immediately affects the confidence of the 15 year olds we turned out and who, as young U16s last season, had to endure hefty defeats everywhere they went and were looking forward to a more competitive season this year. As it was, the lads drew 1-1 and our Under 12s had a very emphatic victory. The costs associated with running our Academy are huge, particularly in relation to transport as a bus to take all the players to places like Bangor and Rhyl etc will cost hundreds of pounds so it is important that the League is properly administered and standards maintained. Newtown have also complained that some Clubs do not offer any hospitality or refreshments, despite the fact that as a visiting team the players could be away from home for 8 hours or so. Following discussion with the Academy Director this week, the Club intends to organise an Academy Forum for players, coaches and parents to attend and discuss how things are proceeding thus far this season. This will take place in the next week or two.

Welsh Cup

We have been drawn away at Holyhead Hotspur in the 2nd round on Sat Oct 3rd

Newtown Academy - League Week 1 (Cefn Druids AWAY)

Under 16s
After a good start to the match, the Robins came in at the break drawing 0-0. However, a collapse in the second half led to Newtown conceding 4 goals in the last 25 minutes to come away with a 4-0 defeat.

Under 14s
A slow start from the Robins led to Cefn Druids scoring 2 early goals. After the break Newtown conceded a 3rd goal, however Jahmal Roberts pulled a goal back to make the score 3-1. Another late goal from Druids completed the scoring at 4-1.

Under 12s
The only point to come back to Latham Park came from the Under 12s 4-4 draw. First half goals from Ryan Sears and Alex Jones saw the Reds come in at half time at 2-2. Second half goals from Kieran Matthews and Oliver Lewis gave the Robins their first point of the season.

Latest Academy results

Under 16s (Jammy and Pek)
Oswestry Boys Club U'16 1-5 NFC
NFC 4-1 Trewern U16s
NFC 5-1 Knighton Youths

Under 14s (Tom Foulkes and Jack Ellis)
Oswestry Boys Club U14 10-1 NFC

Under 12s (Liam Gregory and Dan Baker)

Oswestry Boys Club U12s 0-6 NFC
NFC 3-0 Newtown Whitestars U12s
NFC 1-0 Newtown Whitestars U13s

Shirt Sponsorship

Newtown F C have signed a two year extension with shirt sponsors Dave Smith (Newtown) Ltd
The deal will cover all first team home games and all reserve team fixtures. Dave, pictured far right, is seen with the Newtown team before their Welsh Premier League match against Bala Town. The company have a long record of supporting local sport including the Newtown Ladies team and they continue to sponsor the Ladies football League which carries the company name. Dave has also recently returned as a director of the club.

The club are pleased to announce a new shirt sponsorship deal with local company NEO Fabrications Ltd of Tregynon. The company's logo will appear on the first team shirt for all away matches for the next two years. Company owner Noel Owen is pictured 2nd left with the Newtown team before the Loosemores Cup match against Bangor City. Noel is a long standing director of the club and has served as vice chairman.

Robins Media Room takes Shape

The new Robins Police and Media room is taking shape with completion on track for early September. With the brickwork complete and the interior well on its way, Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park will again lead the way in the Welsh Premier.

New Chairman makes his Newtown goals

New Chairman Mike (JM) Jones has moved into the hot seat with high praise and a rallying call for his fellow directors, supporters and players.

And he has described the year ahead as the most important since the formation of the Welsh Premier League.

Elected at an extraordinary general meeting on Thursday night Mike replaces outgoing chairman Elwyn Preece and will focus firmly on the club’s future both on and off the field.

“My main reason for taking on the chairman’s job is my desire to focus on the commercial side of the club. It may be a football club but we are running a business to support that,” he said.
”Thanks to the foresight of my predecessors, we have excellent facilities at Latham Park.
”We have hosted European games and under-21 International matches and have a reputation for doing it well.
”The function suite is well established and current developments will enhance our reputation as a venue for parties, conferences, business meetings etc,” he added.
But the new chairman has warned that commercial activities must be increased and a wider audience involved if the club is to prosper and grow.

”We must aim to increase these commercial activities and reach a wider audience,” he said.
”Despite the recession, I feel the club is well positioned to ride out the storm.
The club is owned and run by the members on a voluntary basis. I continue to be amazed at the dedication, hard work and enthusiasm of so many people.

”The coming season is the most important since the WPL was formed. The reduction in size to just 12 clubs for season 2010/11 has put tremendous pressure on all the clubs to get their grounds up to standard and also finish in the top ten,” he added.

“To be asked to do this in the middle of a recession is not great timing on the part of the FAW but we must deal with it.”

But the new chairman warned that qualification would not be at the expense of the club’s future.

“Newtown FC will do everything it can to qualify for the so-called ‘Super 10/12’
but we will not risk the club’s future to do so.

”Manager Darren Ryan has retained most of last seasons squad and added a few new faces. The team is still very young and if we can become more consistent we should improve on last years top ten finish.”

Mike Jones is no stranger to the club’s boardroom. He first joined the committee in 1979 and although business commitments have limited his involvement he has always retained an active interest in the club’s well being from the sidelines.

He served as secretary for two years and formed the Vice President’s Club in 2002, which has become a successful and vital part of the infrastructure at Latham Park

New Chairman elected at Special AGM

J.M.Jones has been elected as Newtown AFC's new chairman during a special AGM held on Tursday the 6th of August 2009.

Also at the same meeting Kevin Hughes and Dave Smith were elected to the Board of directors.

J.M Thanked previous chairman Elwyn Preece for all his hard work and looked forward to working with everyone at Newtown AFC.

Dave Smith present Newtown firsts with the 2009/2010 kit

Dave Smith, the first team kit sponsor, presented the new season kit before the Shifnal game on the 1st of August 2009

Press Release

FAW delegation meet with club officers

As a voluntary body, Newtown Football Club proudly recognises the achievements of its workforce from the newly formed ground staff team, to the small group who are regularly carrying out installations and maintenance in the stadium to the Directors who devote time and money to the running of the club and its infrastructure and finally to past Directors and workers who have built the Club over the years.

The Club’s Officers presented the newly named Mid Wales Leisure Latham Park to a four man FAW team on Friday 24^th July and all were delighted with what they saw. They were extremely complimentary of the quality of the pitch, not only its current state, but the excellent appearance at the end of last season, the efficient drainage system that saw no first team games postponed over a ridiculously wet season and all this despite the heavy use the pitch received last year.

The FAW delegation was also impressed with the quality of the infrastructure in the stadium, in our view, the best equipped, over all, in the whole of the Welsh Premier League and were surprised at the speed with which the new Police Control / Media Room was progressing over the close season.

Visiting both Newtown and Aberystwyth grounds on the same day, the delegation had a very important choice to make – which stadium to invest over half a million Pounds in. Using UEFA Hat-trick finance, the FAW have to choose a ground in Mid-Wales that is suitable to develop into a 3000 seater stadium in the very near future. Not only that, but they would build new changing rooms to fit enlarged criteria; drug testing rooms; a medical suite with examination rooms with its own toilet and shower facilities for a Doctor; disabled spectator accommodation in stands; new turnstile entrances; spectator segregation structures. All of this would be in return for us staging whatever European and International (under age games) matches they wish. The build would be supplemented by an annual fee which would compensate for increased council tax fees, extra maintenance costs and energy usage.

The Club’s Board of Directors have discussed this matter over the past year and had decided that this was the correct way forward for our Club and proudly showed off all our hospitality features to their visitors. No other club can boast the number of seats we have (1374, of which over 1000 are covered), a huge 200 capacity function suite, conference facilities, separate rooms for different levels of hospitality and a first class pitch. Additionally we have a huge band of experienced Stewards to call upon and, together with an experienced group of administrators have a vast level of acumen in dealing with UEFA delegates from the ELEVEN European matches we have held at the stadium, together with TWO Welsh Cup finals and several League Cup finals.

Above all, the Club owns its own ground, together with a car park outside the ground which is available for developing the area behind the top goal with new stands, if required. Very few clubs actually own their own grounds and will hopefully prove to be a crucial issue in the decision making process as a 25 year rental agreement would be required between the FAW and Club.

The one factor against us is the lack of hotels in Newtown, although it was pointed out to the delegation that The Elephant And Castle Hotel had recently been taken into new ownership and is due for refurbishment. This is clearly a stumbling block compared to Aberystwyth, but we have excellent communication links with Llandrindod Wells, Oswestry and Shrewsbury areas, all of which lie on the direct routes to three International airports for visiting teams to use.

The FAW group will doubtless receive a spirited presentation from Aberystwyth, but Newtown’s Officials will be surprised if our vast experience, excellent location and, above all, our superb facilities does not sway the decision in our favour. FAW Secretary, David Collins said he hoped his team would arrive at a decision in the Autumn.

Newtown Football Club Special AGM

The Club has also reluctantly accepted the resignation of Chairman Elwyn Preece who has been an enthusiastic and hard-working member of the Board for many years, and latterly as the Chairman for three years. Elwyn is now working away in Cardigan all week and did not have the time to devote his typical lengthy commitment to the Club this season. A Special AGM is being held on Thursday 6^th August, 2009 to elect a new Chairman and a new President as Richard Edwards is also stepping down from that role which he has held with dedication for the past twelve years.

Nominations have already been received for both positions. Both Elwyn and Richard have been massive members of the Club, but neither are walking away from the Club with Elwyn having to complete his period of work away from home and Richard having other sporting pursuits which keep him very occupied. The Club gratefully acknowledges their work and have decided to make both honorary life Vice-Presidents of the club, an honour given to very few.

With building well under way in constructing the new Police Control / Media room (which will also double as an excellent sponsors lounge) above the existing boardroom, it promises to be an exciting year for the Club as it welcomes an FAW commission later this month who will assess the possible enhancement of the stadium to meet EUFA standards. The FAW are committed to developing three stadia in Wales to satisfy a requirement by the European body, and this involves increasing the stadium size to 3000 seats as well as many other enhancements. Aberystwyth will be the only other expected candidate, but such is the vast experience held at Newtown in staging big football matches, the Club hopes to see the decision rewarding the Club for its perpetual infrastructure development over the past years.

Colege Powys / Colts Football Team

Newtown Football Club has recently decided to move away from its partnership with Coleg Powys with funding being one of the major causes. Sponsorship income was raised by the Club two to three years ago and that was only sufficient to fund two campaigns in the English Colleges League. The enormous distances having to be travelled to compete in this league meant that the Sponsorship income soon ran out – one match alone, to Plymouth last season, cost £800 and with the lengthy run in the Colleges Cup (the Newtown side lost in the Semi-final) the funds quickly expired last season. The college were not able to increase their commitment which left the Club having to reluctantly step down their involvement. There will continue to be support for the College this season with facilities and pitches, but they will be using their own staff to provide the coaching and team management. As a consequence, the Newtown Colts side has also been dissolved as it mainly consisted of college players. The players who the Club wishes to retain will compete in the new look Reserves outfit being assembled by former Colts Manager, and new Reserves Manager, Martin Carroll. The Club is delighted with the success of the college partnership with some notable signings coming from it in the rising starts of Tyrone McFadden, Richard Evans and Jamie Breeze. It is hoped that the partnership can be renewed in the future, should funding become available.

Newtown’s Manager, Darren Ryan will be channelling his coaching time from the college to football in the community with Newtown Football Club aiming to provide after school football clubs for 25 schools. The target is to recruit 20-25 children from each school to take part in after-school soccer clubs and a specific aim is to attract at least five girls per school to supplement the thriving Ladies section of the Club who run U12, U14 and U16 girls teams, as well as the adult Ladies side.

Newtown Academy Trials

Darren Ryan is running trials for the Newtown Academy age groups of Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 at 5pm on Tuesday 28^th July at Mid-Wales Leisure Latham Park. These age groups apply to school years and not to actual birthdays, so the new Year 7s from 1^st Sept will be U12, whilst Years 8 and 9 will be under 14s and U16s will be Year 10. Academies have limited numbers they can recruit and interest has already been shown by several players from outside the Newtown area which is why trials are being held. The Academy will be run throughout the year with training sessions once a week for 90mins.

New Name for Robins Home

Newtown AFC will have a new ground name from 2009 after agreeing a sponsorship deal with Mid-Wales Leisure Sales Ltd, which is the static caravan and chalet sales arm of the Holiday Home parks owned by Pat and Trevor Bebb in Montgomeryshire. The agreement will see the Robins home ground be named "Mid Wales Leisure, Latham Park".

Following six years of superb commitment from GF Grigg Ltd, the club would like to thank them for their support and continued support over the coming season.

Shirt Sponsorship

It is recently been decided by the Club’s Board of Directors that the new shirt Sponsors for 2009/10 and 2010/11 will be Dave Smith (Newtown) Ltd for the HOME kit and NEO Fabrications Ltd for the AWAY kit.

Formal ceremonies are scheduled to take place later this month to mark the new sponsors of the kits and the ground.

Pre-season friendlies

Pre-season starts on the 27^th of June when the players return to the club.

Sat 18^th July - Ruthin Town 0 - 2 Newtown
Tues 21^st July – Rhos 2 - 5 Newtown
Sat 25^th July – Cambrian & Clydach 1 - 2 Newtown
Wed 29^th July – Wrexham 0 - 1 Newtown
Sat 1^st Aug – Newtown 4 v 1 Shifnal
Tue 4th Aug – Beriew 0 v 7 Newtown
Fri 7^th Aug – Buckley Town 4 v 3 Newtown
Tuesday 11th Aug Newtown 2- 1 Rhayader