Shamrock Rovers’ visitors TNS: Welsh Champions On A Mission
The big names of Welsh football are best known for plying their trade in the English Premier League. The Cymru Premier, on the other hand, struggles by and competes for the support of locals who flock to Cardiff City, Swansea, or even Hollywood-backed Wrexham instead.
One club trying to buck that trend is The New Saints, or just TNS for short. The club have been crowned champions three years in a row and have now smashed through another glass ceiling in becoming the first domestic Welsh side to qualify for European competition. Even if they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, their journey has been a long and impressive one. One that has been in the making since 1996.
In the 1990s, a small Welsh club named Llansantffraid F.C. were quickly rising to the top of the domestic pyramid. The club was from the tiny border town of Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain in the very north of the country. They were sponsored by IT company Total Network Solutions and were about to take their first step in European football in the Cup Winner’s Cup against Polish side Ruch Chorzów.
Total Network Solutions Are Born
Their deal with Total Network Solutions was due for renewal, but local businessman Mike Harris declined but chanced his arm with a throwaway remark to call him back if they “ever fancied changing the name of the team.”
Hours later, he got a completely unexpected callback that changed the course of the club’s future. In a deal worth £250,000 the club would be known as Total Network Solutions Llansantffraid, they took to the pitch for their European debut under their new name and began an era of dominance in the Cymru Premier.
The following year they dropped Llansantffraid from their title and became the only British club to be known solely by their sponsor.
The club were one of the few professional outfits in Wales at the time and soon merged with nearby Oswestry Town, who also competed in the Welsh league system despite being situated over the border in England. A unique situation, as it is one of few instances of clubs in different jurisdictions merging together in Europe.
Domestic Dominance
Some incredible statistics serve as evidence of the club’s remarkable dominance over the past 20 years. Since the 2001-2002 season, TNS have finished on the podium without fail, a period of unrivaled success with sixteen league titles, making for a very crowded trophy cabinet at the 3,000-capacity Park Hall stadium.
In the midst of all of this, BT acquired Harris’ Total Network Solutions, and the club was required to come up with a new name—not exactly typical for a football team.
Despite even listing their naming rights on eBay, no interest was found, so it was decided the club would rebrand to ‘The New Saints’. A nod to the history of both clubs either side of the border, along with a new badge featuring the Welsh Dragon and a Lion.
European View
Under the outspoken and influential Harris TNS have become the outstanding force in the Cyrmu Premier. As they look to develop further, their attention has turned to Europe. TNS’ first ever European win was over Irish opposition in the 2010-11 Champions League when they defeated Bohemians 4-1 on aggregate.
Since then, there’s been a number of near misses in qualifiers, but this year they have finally broken through.
A 3-0 win in Lithuania over Panevėžys was enough to see TNS through the Conference League play-offs and embark on the first ever European adventure for a Welsh side.
New Phase, New Challenges
The aforementioned Park Hall is situated in Oswestry and has a capacity of 3,000. However, the champions’ average attendance is just 300, so Shamrock Rovers needn’t expect a packed away end on Thursday.
Just getting to this stage was a massive step for TNS but they now have a new set of challenges to overcome. They sit second in the domestic table after losing their 587-day league unbeaten run back in October against Penybont.
A relentless schedule, playing 10 games last month, meant the club suffered a dip in form that was serious by their lofty standards. They lost their first home game in two years against Bala Town but quickly threw the form book out the window to make history in their first ‘home’ Conference League game against Astana of Kazakhstan.
Maiden Victory
New Meadow in Shrewsbury has been TNS’ adopted home for their European clashes, a fact that has drawn criticism from some who scoff at a side representing Wales moving even further into England to play their games, but they had very few options. With Cardiff City’s ground fully booked and the Millennium Stadium busy, the short trip to Shrewsbury was the best option.
There they produced one of the shocks if the tournament so far, downing the most successful team in Kazakhstan 2-0 infront of 2,200 fans. Nearly twelve times their usual crowd.
That result should serve as a reminder to Rovers that the Welsh champions aren’t here to make up the numbers. With one win under their belts, a second in Tallaght would instill a real belief in making it to the play-off round after Christmas. That’s in addition to the €400,000 prize for a win that would be almost like winning the lotto for a side like TNS.
A 2-0 defeat away to Fiorentina to start off the campaign was nothing to be ashamed of and the trip to Florence itself was a sure sign of how much this team have grown. An opportunity to take in and enjoy the novelty of a European away day at a giant club like the Viola. Opportunities for points are still on the table against Rovers and Djurgardens at home.
Love-Hate Rivalries
Domestically, TNS are the team everyone wants to beat. That’s what constant success will do to a club. Rival clubs often celebrate any positive result, even a draw, showing the grip they have at the top end of the table.
Despite this, you would think most Welsh football supporters and those in and around Oswestry will be rooting for TNS and happy with them showcasing the Welsh game on the continent.
Everyone Needs Points
Undefeated in seven games, TNS want to capitalise on the Irish champions giving up their title to Damien Duff’s Shelbourne last week. The Hoops, however, will want to exercise their demons and take a giant step towards qualification.
Both sides fancy their chances, and the three points up for grabs could be crucial for qualification hopes.
About The Author
