THE NEW Saints have eclipsed some traditional football giants to become the third most popular Welsh club on twitter.

The Saints 29,000 social media followers mean the Oswestry club is only behind Swansea City and Cardiff City in Welsh club on-line popularity.

The Saints have surpassed traditional North Wales giants Wrexham who have amassed 26,800 on-line followers since their relegation to the English Conference in 2008 while Football League side Newport County have 25,900.

Rhyl boast 11,800 followers while Bala Town have seen their emergence as a Dafabet Welsh Premier force recognised by 8,000 followers.

Bangor City can boast 7,700 followers with the exiled duo of Colwyn Bay and Merthyr Town amassing 7,169 and 6,914 followers respectively.

Aberystwyth Town also break the 6,000 mark while the rest of the Dafabet Welsh Premier clubs are ranked as follows: Airbus UK Broughton (5,533); Newtown (5,138); Carmarthen Town (4,844); Gap Connahs Quay (4,840); Port Talbot Town (4,657); MBi Llandudno (4,000); Haverfordwest County (2,650).

The New Saints managing director Mike Harris said: “It shows the power of social media when managed by professionals like Planet Hippo and BH inspire as this interest is now turning into sponsorship to the club and will ultimately get more through the turn style.”