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Licence and Appeal update

12th May 2010

 Licence and Appeal progress update

I thought this would be a good time to update all of our supporters and interested parties on the current state of play with the Domestic Licence, which of course is intrinsically linked to our promotion hopes.

Our on field exploits are widely known and acknowledged, with a new management, a small squad and no reserves; we aimed for a top 6 safety spot. Having won the league, produced both the best defensive record and best striking record plus a respectable disciplinary position, I think over achieved is an understatement. My thanks to Lee, Ian Mike, Tony and of course all the players, for everyhting they have done.

Off the field my season has been dominated by the pursuit of the elusive Domestic Licence, culminating with the decline at the 31^st March first instance and the appeal process in place now with the deadline of 10^th May for all supporting documentation now passed, we await the outcome of the hearing on 17^th May.

To put into perspective the enormity of this task, let us consider that the criteria required were on a par with all other national premier leagues! The UEFA licence meanwhile (the pass to allow a team to play in European competitions),  could be sub contracted to another club, as in Bangor City's case, they gained a UEFA licence by getting their games switched to Wrexham's ground which is UEFA approved. We did something similar when in the Premier League with Rhyl involved; it was mostly about crowd capacity levels in addition to the Domestic Licence needs.

Back to the Licence needs, this became a part of the Premier League ground criteria for promotion and was interwoven with the FAW decision to reduce the number of Premier League teams from 18 to 12 and ultimately 10, all of whom must hold the Domestic Licence.

Whilst I cannot go into confidential club matters, suffice to say that we failed on such issues as Stadium Safety and related certification and documentation, along with close neighbours Bangor and Porthmadog among others (16 clubs in all). 10 of us appealed and the FAW, without changing the criteria needs, circumvented some of the issues by appointing an independent company to carry out the safety certification; these papers now form part of our appeal. 

We have given it our best shot and are optimistic that the authorities involved will see sense, protect the pyramid promotion structures held dear for many years and grant us out rightful place.

To say the whole process was not a ‘level playing field' would be an understatement. Large financial assistance was given to existing Premier League clubs, preferential financial assistance in gaining qualifications was provided to existing Premier League clubs, with the needs, somewhat greater, of the 2^nd tier clubs, generally ignored; although all original 24 clubs were part of the same process.

Final game 3-0 away at Bethesda

1st May 2010

Our final game bright us a 3-0 win away and revenge against a Bethesda side who beat us earlier in the season.

With the league title sown up a few changes were made but as all of our squad are equally good, there was no hint of an under strength side.

Respect to our hosts for applauding us on to the pitch, class gesture.

Line up Shannahan, Gibbs, Mitchell, Craven, Williams C, Gowans, Roberts, Lloyd, Roberts DG, Evans, Gwynedd subs, Austin, Kehoe, Thomas, Jones, G, Williams, R, Pearson.

A damp, hard pitch and a good travelling support, we started evenly but we took time to settle and Bethesda always a good footballing side could easily have gone 2 up but for some outstanding shot stopping from Shanners. We created a few chances too, but they defended resolutely and caused problems on the counter, but the midfilelds dominated overall. 0-0 at the turn.

2nd half we came out with a bit more fire and both Kev Lloyd and Loggs brought good stops from the keeper and some desperate defending, with our middle and back having more control. Austin came on for Gwynedd, Kehoe for Lloyd and Thomas for Evans. This released Chris Williams and Craven and also freed up the outstanding Gowans. Good work from Lee Craven brought Ozzy in who layed a good ball inside the full back from Chris Williams to nip and beat the keeper close in. Darren Thomas had a similar chance but it went wide. Then a bit of a flare up saw a player down with play waved on and another pin point ball from Austin to Williams and a deft chip over the advancing keeper to go 2 up. The protests were loud and fierce resulting in a red to put the hosts down to 10. Old Bethesda manager Danny Glyn got the third on 85 mins when he sold the keeper a dummy from range and scored at the near post, 3-0 at the end and more celebrations with bubbly, singing and photos to round off a great day and great season.

CHAMPIONS!!

25th April 2010

Champions !!  well done to all the team, managers and supporters.

Nice to win the league at home in front of our fans, but a game not to be taken lightly with Penrhyncoch beating Flint last week and sitting nicely in the top six after a very good season for them. This was a must win for us as we didn't want the pressure of going to rivals Bethesda (who beat us earlier in the season) and win in our last game; but not to worry the boys were all up for this one with a full squad available.

Starting lineup: Pearson, Jones G, Gibbs, Austin, Kehoe, Williams  C, Williams R, Gwynedd, Thomas, Gowans, Roberts DG, subs: Higham, Craven, Roberts K, Mitchell, Evans,

We kicked up towards the clubhouse first half on a dry, hard pitch in the hot sunny weather and in front of a reasonable crowd for our final home game.

The visitors played with a lone striker and packed midfield, which was never going to make for an open game, but we set to the task in style. With the defence rarely under much pressure, we played quickly through the middle and wide getting Chris Williams pushing on the left flank and Darren Thomas wide right. Robbie Williams anchored the middle and fed out through Gowans and Gwynedd to run the ball and Danny Glyn putting himself about against their physical defence. The defended resolutely and gave little away and what did come to the keeper was well handled, it took something special to open up and it came from Darren Gowans cutting first wide right, then inside to beat two men taking a neat deflection back and crossing for Chris Williams at the back of the 6 yard box to beat the keeper on his near post for 1-0. Penrhyn came back with some good midfield possession and getting a good blocked shot on target, but it was another Chris Williams cross that fell to Danny Glyn who's shot into the ground was well smothered on the break.

2^nd half followed a similar pattern, with our well marshalled defence winning the aerial battles and spraying diagonal balls to either wing and it was Chris Williams again who popped up at the back post to meet a great Darren Thomas deep cross to score the 2^nd. This took some pressure off us but Penrhyn were not rolling over and some robust set piece challenges went unpunished in the main. Marc Evans came on for Danny Glyn , Rich Higham for Gerallt Jones and latterly Lee Craven for Darren Gowans, a strong bench with fresh legs to secure the game for us. Darren had a good one on one with the keeper that was blocked with his legs,  Yws Gwynedd also had a shot well tipped round and Loggs sent clear by Robbie Williams rounded the keeper who did an excellent recovery job to pounce on the ball as a goal looked certain, but another clean sheet and the title winning result of 2-0 was the final score.

Big celebrations all evening and why not, these things rarely come in a playing career and should be enjoyed, who would have thought in the dark days of last June that Lee and Ian could have pulled this off and all credit to the small squad of players who have all played their part; which I will be covering after next week in a player by player season review.

For now let's enjoy the moment and hope that the FAW do the right thing and promote us as champions and the traditional manner of the pyramid of Welsh Football.

Thanks to all concerned for a great campaign.