SHOCKED New Saints fans are contemplating life away from Park Hall, after the club applied for the right to play home games at Chester City’s Deva Stadium.
TNS managing director, Mike Harris, has accused the media of “getting their knickers in a twist” over the proposed move, which could hinge on whether The Saints’ current home can meet FAW requirements for next season.
The application comes after TNS were denied funding from Welsh Grounds Improvement, having asked for help to finance a new 1,000-seater stand ahead of next season’s new ‘Super 12s’ format.
The Saints are just over two years into their tenure at The Venue, but they were left reeling by the decision to deny them the grant, which would have allowed them to bring the ground up to the standard set by the FAW.
With some fans seeking assurances as to the future of the club, general manager Ian Williams did claim it had no intention of turning its back on Oswestry, despite some concerns that a move to Chester could lead to them applying for a place with the English FA.
He said: “The club is very much rooted in the Welsh system and it is not true that we are considering a move to the English FA, but we need to cover all bases at the moment because the licensing regulations are a priority.
Rewards
“Time is not on our side and we are looking at Chester as an alternative, although we are fully committed to developing the Park Hall site.
“We want to ensure that we get the new Welsh FA licence, and the UEFA licence to allow us to keep competing at this level.
“To play in Europe is of great financial reward to the club, and should we fail to meet the criteria, we will certainly appeal.”
The proposal to move to the Deva Stadium appears to be the only serious option being considered by TNS, who had hoped a grant for £250,000 towards a new stand at Park Hall would be forthcoming.
But FAW Secretary, John Deakin, advised that the decision had been taken out of their hands, and recognised that it would be a loss to the new Super 12 format if the potential league and cup double winners could not take part.
“The club have applied to the Welsh FA and contacted the league about the proposal,” he said.
“TNS is a valued member of the FAW and it would be very disappointing if they didn’t qualify, but all the teams have been aware of this situation for a number of years.
“My hope is that the 12 teams with the best sporting merit can gain a licence, but the guidelines they have to meet are not based solely on their achievements on the pitch.
“The club licensing matter itself is independent of the league, and the decision on how to award grants is not one which the Welsh FA is responsible for any more, but rather it is down to the people at Welsh Ground Improvement,” he added.