By Paul Jones
Mike Harris – chairman of Cymru Premier dominant force, The New Saints – has welcomed the Football Association of Wales’ plans to improve the league.
The FAW has promised an investment package worth more than £739,500 in the on-field product.
As part of the revamp, the Cymru Premier is to be increased from 12 clubs to 14 or 16, there will be a switch to Friday night games, and VAR will be introduced to help referees.
The FAW has suggested money will also cover professional contracts for players, a review of the loan system, greater contact time with players and enhanced support programmes for clubs in European competitions.
Harris hopes the changes and additional cash will help improve the record of TNS and others in European competition.
“Any investment that helps grow the infrastructure for clubs is vitally important to help continue to move the domestic game to the next level,” said Harris.
Finally getting around to posting a few words on today’s long-awaited Cymru Premier announcement.
The league will be 34-years-old when the new structure fully launches in 2026/27 – and it feels it’s taken this long for our national men’s league to finally reach maturity…
— Matthew Burgess (@1matthewburgess) April 24, 2024
“We look forward to hearing further details from the FAW on how this funding will be invested to help supporting the overall growth of the game in Wales.
“It is crucial for Welsh clubs to flourish on the European stage. This ultimately helps build the reputation, commercial viability and audience for our domestic league, so we hope this funding will allow both
“The New Saints and other clubs in Wales continue to grow and proudly represent the nation in elite competition.
“Investment is growing across many of Europe’s domestic leagues, so it’s vital that we bridge the gap as much as possible in order for Welsh teams to be as competitive as possible both in our own domestic league and against clubs from nations across the continent.”
Sixteen times the JD Cymru Premier champions TNS joined an elite group of clubs in world football after completing an invincible unbeaten league season.
BREAKING: FAW reveals its plans for the Cymru Premier#JDCymruPremier https://t.co/C9UssXuOWD
— Y Clwb Pêl-Droed (@YClwbPelDroed) April 24, 2024
The Saints sealed the unbeaten league campaign with a 2-0 victory over fierce rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads last weekend.
It means the UEFA Champions League regulars finished the league season with 30 wins and two draws in their 32 league matches played this term.
They joined an exclusive club of teams who have completed this feat such as Arsenal, Rangers, Porto and Juventus.
TNS have firmly put themselves on the map after a remarkable campaign that has seen them go undefeated in every single Welsh domestic fixture in league and cup, with just the JD Welsh Cup final on Sunday standing in their way from winning a domestic treble.