TNS might play house European video games in Shrewsbury

The New Saints might play their house Europa League Convention matches on the house of EFL League One facet Shrewsbury City, membership chairman Mike Harris has instructed.

Craig Harrison’s side beat FK Panevėžys 3-0 on aggregate within the play-offs to turn into the primary membership from the top-flight Cymru Premier to succeed in the group part of a European competitors.

Oswestry-based Saints will tackle Fiorentina, Djurgarden, Astana, Shamrock Rovers, Panathinaikos and Celje within the group stage.

However chairman Harris dominated out taking part in the house matches – towards Djurgården, Astana and Panathinaikos – at Cardiff Metropolis Stadium, as a substitute favouring to play nearer to the Saints’ Park Corridor house.

“Locations like Cardiff are three hours away from the place we’re, so our followers and stakeholders can’t actually get there. It’s obtained to be someplace extra native,” mentioned Harris.

“It’s (Shrewsbury’s Croud Meadow) a floor that matches Uefa standards and it’s 20 minutes down the highway from us, so it’s an choice.

“Wrexham and Shrewsbury could be most ultimate for us, however I’m unsure the Racecourse is obtainable, so it’s our precedence to get the video games in a stadium that may cater for the video games, but in addition giving the individuals round us an opportunity to go and watch.”

The Saints beat Decic 4-1 on combination within the opening spherical of Champions League qualifying this summer time earlier than shedding 7-1 over two legs to reigning Hungarian champions Ferencvaros in spherical two of qualifying.

Harrison’s facet had been then overwhelmed 1-0 by Petrocub on combination within the Europa League third qualifying spherical, however cruised to a 3-0 victory away over FK Panevėžys earlier than drawing the second leg 0-0 to e book their place within the Europa League Convention group stage.

Former Wales midfielder Owain Tudur Jones instructed Radio Wales Breakfast that it will be “no massive drama” if TNS performed their European video games at Shrewsbury.

“TNS play their house video games in England anyway in Oswestry, so there gained’t be that a lot of a change regardless whether it is Shrewsbury,” he mentioned.

“They need to do what’s proper for the membership, there’s going to be individuals saying ‘why not play the video games in Wrexham?’, I don’t assume Wrexham is a chance from what we hear, that (Shrewsbury) could be the primary (choice) in all probability.

“Cardiff is much away, European soccer has been performed at Cardiff Metropolis Stadium over time by numerous golf equipment, TNS being one among them, and it’s three hours away from what could be classed as their ‘house’, so Shrewsbury for me shouldn’t be the top of the world, no massive dramas.

“Maybe the FAW (Soccer Affiliation of Wales) would disagree with that, however as a membership they’ll be taking a look at all avenues, finest -laid plans for them and if that’s Shrewsbury then so be it.”

Having seen his facet make historical past, Harris hopes the Saints’ success may also help increase the profile of home soccer in Wales.

“I’ve to say, I’ve at all times been aggressive, and I like taking a look at issues in a different way to different individuals,” Harris added.

“I noticed a possibility in Welsh soccer, and I backed it.

“I prefer to assume now that the Welsh public will begin getting behind us and their native Welsh groups. Hopefully, we will all try to push the league ahead.”

A plum tie with Italian giants Fiorentina is arguably the best reward for Harris’ funding into the Saints’ throughout his tenure as chairman of the membership.

On the journey to Italy, Harris mentioned: “Now that’s going to be some enjoyable.

“I like that space of the world, I’ve travelled round there a number of occasions, it’s a stunning place.

“They’ve some nice wine and nice meals. I’ll come again fatter than after I went.”

Dates and kick-off occasions for the Saints’ six group stage matches will probably be confirmed by Uefa on Saturday, 31 August.