Welsh Football Pre-Season Round Up

Welsh Premier outfit Carmarthen Town cruised to a 3-0 home success over neighbours Haverfordwest County.

Liam Thomas bagged a brace for Town in an entertaining encounter at Richmond Park.

Sasha Walters put the home side in front early on before Thomas fired home on 26 and 57 minutes as they eased to victory.

Meanwhile, Ian Sheridan bagged a first half brace as Bala Town continued their preparations for the new season with a 3-0 home success over Denbigh Town who will be playing in the Huws Gray Alliance this season after being Welsh Alliance champions.

Sheridan found the net twice either side of the half hour mark after Mike Hayes had put the hosts in front after 20 minutes.

There was a nine-goal thriller at Old Road as Port Talbot ran out 6-3 winners against Briton Ferry.

The visitors were three up inside 20 minutes with Luke Bowen, Keyon Reffell and Keiron Lewis all getting on the scoresheet, although a brace from Gavin Jones pulled the hosts back to within one goal at the break.

Reffell put the visitors 4-2 up just before the hour mark and, although Darren Mills netted again for the home side, a goal from Martin Rose and another from Bowen dashed any hopes of a home comeback.

Elsewhere, Ryan Wade’s 36^th minute strike handed Airbus UK a narrow 1-0 win at Llandudno in what was a stereotypical pre-season game as both sides continue to build up for the new campaign.

In other action, Newtown AFC ran out convincing 3-0 winners at home against Penycae FC thanks to goals from Luke Boundford, Jason Oswell and Jamie Price.

Gap Connah’s Quay, meanwhile, drew 2-2 at Ashton United in a topsy-turvy encounter that saw them take the lead and then come from 2-1 down to grab a share of the honours.

Finally, Rhyl were no match for a strong Stoke City development side as they went down to a comprehensive 3-0 home defeat at the Corbett Sports Stadium.

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Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League Awards Winners

At the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League Annual Awards dinner on Saturday night, Chris Venables scooped the WPL Player of the Season award.

Carl Darlington was chosen as Manager of the Season and Sam Finley won the Young Player of the Season award. Swansea City Ladies’ Sarah Adams was voted Player of the Season in the WPWL.

A full list of winners below.

Corbett Sports WPL Young Player of the Year / Chwaraewr ifanc

SAM FINLEY (The New Saints / Y Seintiau Newydd)

Welsh Premier Women’s League Player of the Year / Chwaraewr y Tymor Uwch Gynghrair Merched Cymru.

SARAH ADAMS (Swansea City Ladies / Merched Abertawe)

Corbett Sports Unsung Hero Award / Arwr Tawel

RICHARD BONFIELD (Newtown  /Y Drenewydd)

Long and Meritorious Service Award / Gwobr Cyfraniad Arbennig

GRAHAM CARTLIDGE (Y Rhyl)

Corbett Sports WPL Leading Goal Scorer / Prif Sgoriwr UGC

CHRIS VENABLES (Aberystwyth)

Welsh Premier Women’s League Leading Goal Scorer / Prif Sgoriwr UGMC

LYNDSEY DAVIES (PILCS)

Corbett Sports WPL Manager of the Season

CARL DARLINGTON (The New Saints / Y Seintiau Newydd)

Corbett Sports WPL Player of the Season / Chwaraewr y tymor UGC

CHRIS VENABLES (Aberystwyth)

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Welsh Cup: Aberystwyth 2 TNS 3

A magnificent second half comeback led to Welsh cup heartbreak for Aberystywth as Saints showed their pedigree to land a league and cup double for the second time in three years.

But it was a desperately close call after the golden boot of Chris Venables threatened to end Saints’ double dreams and lift the cup for Aberystwyth for the first time in 114 years.

Venables struck an early double blow to put the Seasiders on the road to one of the biggest upsets in the 127 year history of the competition before Saints hit back in a thrilling finish to complete cup glory at Wrexham’s Racecourse ground.

After early Saints pressure, the Seasiders stole a 10^th minute lead, Chris Venables smashing a right foot volley into the roof of the net after Antonio Corbisiero’s free kick into the box was deflected into the path of the Golden Boot winner.

Aber sensationally went two up a couple of minutes later when Sam Finley caught Mark Jones in the area to concede a penalty and Venables sent Paul Harrison the wrong way to give the underdogs a fairy tale start.

Those two shock early strikes blew the final wide open with Aber looking to use Geoff Kellaway’s pace down the right flank to cause Saints further problems.

Saints’ growing frustration was shown by Phil Baker who blasted a 40 yard shot high and wide of the target as Aber squeezed the space in front of Lewis to restrict Saints to long range attempts.

Finley did create a good chance from the edge of the area, only for Lewis to deny the youngster with a comfortable diving save to his left.

Leading 2-0 at the interval and with one hand on the trophy, the challenge for Ian Hughes’s side was to continue to keep Saints out of striking range and to keep their concentration.

Saints’ boss Craig Harrison made a half-time tactical change, bringing the more attacking Jamie Mullan off the bench for defender Baker in a bid to break their duck.

Although Saints succeeded gaining a stranglehold on possession and forced Aber to defend much deeper, they could not break the challengers’ defence as precious minutes ticked away.

In a last throw of the dice Harrison sent on the prolific Greg Draper and the substitutions played a key part in dragging Saints back into the final on 73 minutes as Draper scored from the penalty spot after Peter Hoy had handled Mullan’s cross from the left.

That set up an enthralling finale and with just over 11 remaining Draper met a drilled free kick from the right into the danger area with a point-blank header to net the equaliser.

It was a huge blow to the tiring Seasiders in the face of relentless second half pressure from the full-timers and Aber’s hopes were dealt a final blow three minutes from time when Michael Wilde was on hand to smash home the winner and to complete a famous fight back.

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Aberystwyth deducted 3 points by FAW

The FAW have deducted Aberystwyth three points for playing suspended defender Peter Hoy in a match against Connahs Quay at the beginning of January.

The deduction could prove crucial in the race for a top six Championship place, with Aber currently sitting in sixth, but a win for seventh place Rhyl on Saturday at home against Port Talbot would see the Lilywhites leap above the Seasiders.

The Seasiders were also fined £250 and must pay costs of £60 on top of the points deduction.

A statement from the Seasiders read: "As yet the club has not received the panel’s reasons for its decision but as it is manifestly obvious that the panel did not take into account:

• (a) the fact that the Club accepted it had made an administrative error and took responsibility for it and
• (b) very significant mitigatory factors put forward at the hearing, the Club is seriously considering an appeal.

"No further statement will be released until after a decision on the appeal is made. 

"Aberystwyth Town Football Club takes its responsibility towards Welsh Football and the Welsh Premier League very seriously indeed and will have to consider in particular whether any further appeals are in the best interests of the League."

Aberystwyth have until Friday, 7th February 2014 to submit an appeal against the decision of the Disciplinary Panel.

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Welsh Cup Second Round Northern Section Round Up

In the Northern Section of the Welsh Cup Second Round, Conwy Borough produced a fantastic second half performance at home to knock out Flint Town 3-2.

Chris Herbert’s side went in at the break trailing 2-0 but a Mike Jukes header and a double from Ellis Healing ensured a remarkable turnaround.

The hosts also had defender Teddy Whelan sent off for two yellow cards but still managed to pull through.

Bodedern Athletic were the big winners in the North as they slammed Tywyn Bryncrug 5-1 at home

Goals from Ryan Taylor, Chris Evans, James Burgess, Iwan Jones and an own goal from a Tywyn Bryncrug defender gave Boded a ticket to round three in a comfortable afternoon’s work.

Rhydymwyn also ran out easy winners as they disposed of a lacklustre FC Nomads side 4-1.

Conor Kendrick, Gary McConell, Chris Guy and Richard Griffiths all scored for the home side whilst Mark Ellis got a consolation goal for the Nomads.

Holywell Town are into the third round after a 3-0 home defeat of Penycae in awful conditions at Halkyn Road.

Sam Jones and Graham Boylan both struck for Holywell as well as a Penycae own goal from Tim Manuel.

Llanidloes Town knocked out Llandudno 2-0 thanks to goals from Tom Evans and a penalty from striker Will Thomas.

Chris Gethin bagged a brace for Llanfair United to beat Guilsfield 2-1 and Nick Wood, Scott Quigley and Steve Blenkinsop all scored for Cefn Druids in their 3-1 defeat Barmouth & Dyffryn United.

In the remaining ties, Buckley Town beat Rhayader Town 1-0, Caernarvon Town lost 2-1 to Portnmadog Town and Caersws beat Nefyn United 3-1.

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WELSH CUP SECOND ROUND SOUTHERN SECTION ROUND UP

Sully Sports produced the shock of the day in the Welsh Cup as they ran out deserved 1-0 winners over Welsh League Division One side Ton Pentre.

The South Wales Senior League Division Two outfit were superb throughout as they never let their opponents settle at any time during the game.

Striker Daniel Lawlor struck just before the hour mark to give his side the shock win and send them through to the next round.

The Bulldogs will be the first to admit that it was not their day and performed nowhere near the level they are capable of as they were beaten by the better side.

Monmouth Town steamrolled their way into the third round with a 7-1 thrashing of Treharris Athletic Western.

Striker Elliot Ford tormented the Treharris all afternoon with his pace, movement and directness and was rewarded for his troubles by helping himself to a sublime hat-trick.

Elliot Evans scored twice for The Kingfishers as well as a Rob Laurie strike and a Matty Selleck own goal.

Jason Bertorelli and Kieran Lewis both scored for Cambrian and Clydach to knock Pontardawe Town packing.

A brace from Gareth Jones was not enough for Briton Ferry Llansawel as they were knocked out by Aberdare Town losing 3-2.

In the remaining game of the Southern Section, Jason Thorne scored in the 89^th minute for Chepstow Town to break Goytre United’s hearts and end the match 1-0.

The remaining four fixtures were postponed due to the weather.

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Word Cup Second Round Preview

The second round of the Word Cup takes place tonight with a few old friends ready to be reunited.

The Aberdare v Port Talbot Town fixture will see former Cardiff City defensive partners Lee Phillips and Scott Young pitting their managerial wits against each other.

Scott Young and Lee Phillips spent four years together as central defenders at Cardiff City before going their separate ways.

Phillips captained Llanelli to victory in the old League Cup in 2007/08

Both ex-players are now managers and this Tuesday night’s Word Cup second round match brings both men together again as Phillips’ Aberdare Town host Port Talbot.

“Lee’s been on the phone already and it’s been nice to catch up – and while I’m really looking forward to a bit of banter during the game it’s a great chance for us to prove how good we are,” said Young, who is forever adorned by Bluebirds fans for that famous winning goal in the 3^rd Round of the FA Cup against Leeds United back in 2002.

“We were together for at least four years and will have some great banter on the touchline on Tuesday night.”

“We haven’t started as well as we’d have liked in the League so the Word Cup gives us a chance to grow stronger and show what we can do.

Their players will have a point to prove against a Welsh Premier side but I know one thing for certain – it’s Lee’s round when we get to the bar after the game whatever the result.”

The remaining fixture in the Southern section of the draw has Cambrian & Clydach taking on Afan Lido.

The Northern section has Conwy Borough host Bala Town with Gap Connah’s Quay travelling to Rhyl.

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Barry win their Biggest Battle

Welsh soccer bosses were left red-faced after a High Court judge ruled that they had made an unlawful decision in rejecting Barry Town United’s bid for full membership of the Football Association of Wales and a place in the Welsh League this coming season.

Barry one of the biggest names in Welsh non-league football over the years- they once beat Porto in European competition- were pulled out of the Welsh League by their maverick owner and secretary Stuart Lovering just three days before the end of last season.

Supporters rallied around to re-form – and they then applied to the authorities for Welsh League entry which was refused – a member of the FAW Council Andrew Edwards quit in protest at the way the matter was handled.

But Barry’s committee vowed to fight on and took the FAW to the High Court.

And in the High Court in Cardiff the Judge Mr.Justice Seys Llewellyn ruled that the FAW had acted unlawfully and gave Barry two-thirds of their costs.

Barry had been represented by sports barrister Jonathan Crystal,a former Director of both Cardiff City and Tottenham Hotspur .

Now the FAW are expected to formally accept Barry’s entry into the Welsh League third division after their next meeting on Wednesday.

“We are absolutely elated. It is justice. All we were after was a bit of justice and that is what we have got,”said secretary David Cole.

Throughout the past week Barry have received tremendous support on social network sites from around the country.

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Welsh Football Friendlies Round Up

Colwyn Bay left it late to shoot down Welsh Premier Champions TNS 2-1 in an enthralling pre-season friendly at Llanelian Road.

The Saints stunned the home faithful early on with full back Simon Spender finishing off a weaving run to score with a good shot after just two minutes.

The lively visitors dominated and ‘keeper Josh Ollerenshaw had to be at his best to keep the Seagulls in contention with a fine reflex save to deny Greg Draper.

Seagulls Manager Frank Sinclair called on the cavalry at half time, making seven changes, which proved to be a game-changer as Steve Connor and Jamie Ellison were denied in quick succession.

With just ten minutes remaining, Louis Moss set up John McKenna who equalised from the edge of the area and just two minutes from the end, Cameron Darkwah won possession in the TNS half to send Ellison clear and lob the advancing ‘keeper to net the winner.

Meanwhile, newly formed Penybont played out a highly entertaining 3-3 draw with Merthyr Town at Bryntirion Park.

The Division One Welsh league side Penybont, who formed this summer with the merger of Bridgend Town and Bryntirion Athletic, looked more assured on the ball in the early stages, and the hosts took a deserved 2-0 lead into the interval after a brace from ace marksman Robbie Walters.

The Martyrs' Ryan Prosser halved the deficit five minutes after the interval, stepping up to convert from 12 yards after he was felled in the area, as Garry Shephard’s men grew in confidence.

However, against the run of play, Bont restored their two goal cushion with Walters once again at the centre of the attack as the striker ran at the Martyrs' defence before sliding a neat ball through to Jack Delve, who coolly converted.

However, the Evo Stik Southern Division One side would not go away and continued to bombard the hosts, and with five minutes remaining, Alex Long headed in at the back post to reduce the deficit.

The once assured Penybont defence now looked in disarray and with pressure mounting, referee Colin Jones once again pointed to the spot for an infringement in the hosts' box, and replacement Ryan Newman stepped up to clinch a well-earned draw. 

There was also late drama at Park Avenue where Aberystwyth were held to a 1-1 draw by Haverfordwest.

Both sides fielded a hatful of trialists seeking to impress and it led to a midfield stalemate with chances at a premium.

And fans had to wait until eight minutes from time for the first goal when Aber’s Sion James found the net with a close range shot following a corner from Antonio Corbisiero.

Corbisiero set up another chance which Rhydian Davies failed to convert, and the visitors snatched a late equaliser through Dale Griffiths to earn the Welsh League side a share of the spoils.

Meanwhile, Newtown surrendered a two-goal lead as they lost 3-2 at another Alliance club, Guilsfield, Welsh Premier new boys Rhyl knocked four past Conwy Borough, while Port Talbot Town made the long trip to Bedfordshire and returned from Biggleswade with a 3-3 draw.

Elsewhere, Jordan Follows scored a late consolation goal for Carmarthen Town in a 3-1 defeat at Bath City, David Pratt bagging a brace, while Karl Murray was on target as Prestatyn Town drew 1-1 at Vauxhall Motors.

Finally, Bangor City completed a miserable week as they crashed 4-0 at Nantporth to Burscough, managed by ex-City defender Derek Goulding.

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Caton calls on experienced campaigners to lead club in to Europe

Bala Town manager Colin Caton labelled his side’s European debut this week as “phenomenal”, and has called on experienced footballers like Kenny Lunt to lead the squad in to the unknown.

The Lakesiders have been drawn to play Estonian club FC Levadia Talinn in the Europa League first qualifying round, playing the home leg at Rhyl’s Belle Vue Stadium on Tuesday and the return fixture in Talinn on July 11.

Their qualification for Europe came on the back of a stunning 13-match winning streak that culminated with a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Port Talbot Town in the Europa League Play-off final.

Caton said: “Many players will be playing in Europe for the first time, and Kenny has said playing in Europe will be a career highlight for him despite playing more than 500 games in the Football League. We will rely on him massively – his composure, his ability and his experience.

“But we do have other lads with European experience who won’t be fazed by it.”

Despite the short break since that famous win at the GenQuip Stadium in May, Caton believes his squad are in “great” shape going in to Europe, adding: “They are looking sharp, the fitness levels are great for this time of year and the lads have trained hard and are looking forward to it. To be in the Europa League is phenomenal because we’ve only been in the WPL for four years.”

While their Estonian foes may not be household names in this country, Caton says his side are well prepared to face them. He continued: “We know quite a bit about them as people are helping us out with scouting, which is great. We have DVDs arriving including individual run-downs.

“We were unsure of the smaller teams in the draw and wanted either a big name or an easy tie. If we can do well at home we might have a chance going in to the second game.

“We have to give the players a structure and shape and they have to be patient and stick to it. We don’t want to be out of it by half-time.”

They are not the only debutants. Airbus UK Broughton and Prestatyn Town will also make their first tentative steps in to mainland Europe this week.

Airbus, the surprise package of last season who edged Welsh Premier titans Bangor City in to third place, face tough opposition in Latvia’s FK Ventspils whom their management team travelled to watch this week in preparation, while Prestatyn also face a Latvian club in FK Liepajas Metalurgs – the side Ventspils were playing during the spying mission.

Airbus will play their home tie at Wrexham’s Racecourse ground on Thursday, while Prestatyn will also play at Rhyl on Thursday.

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Morrell still undecided over playing future

Wrexham boss Andy Morrell says he won’t make a decision on his playing future until his club have gone through pre-season.

There has been much speculation over whether the former Coventry, Blackpool and Bury star would continue his dual player/management role after making 28 appearances and scoring four times during his club’s third promotion failure in succession, culminating in defeat to Newport County in the play-off final at Wembley.

While he will definitely lead the club from the dugout this season, he said of his playing prospects: “The staff believe I still have a part to play. I will join in the pre-season as it keeps you fit but we have to see what my body can take.

“It’s dependent on what bodies we can get in. It’s all a bit up in the air, but if my body can take it I don’t see why I can’t feature as much as I did last season if not more.”

The Dragons lost prolific marksmen Danny Wright to Forest Green Rovers at the end of last season and Morrell is keen to replace him as he believes the club did not score enough goals during their promotion push.

“It’s definitely a priority, and we’ve had a couple of disappointments this summer with players choosing Football League clubs over us, but that’s part of it all.

“We still have a couple of irons in the fire, and we’re hopeful of getting something sorted soon.”

One of those irons will not be Bury striker Andy Bishop, a personal friend of Morrell who spent part of last season on loan at the Racecourse, despite recent speculation linking him to the club.

Morrell continued: “He is contracted with Bury, and it would take quite a lot of money to get him out of that. We speak regularly because he is my mate, but I want to iterate it is not a possibility. I don’t really like talking about players contracted to other clubs anyway.”

Morrell also believes the disappointment of a third successive play-off failure is “out of the system” and his squad are “raring to go” for the new campaign. Despite losing Wright and defender Martin Riley to Mansfield the majority of the squad have stuck by the club, which the boss believes is testament to what they are building.

“Wrexham are a good club and that’s why people want to stay here,” Morrell continued. “We look after them and with one or two coming in we have a good chance of another crack at promotion.

“We want promotion this time but there are one or two big hitters in the division again so it’s going to be tough. Our team spirit is fantastic and there’s no reason why we can’t be there or there about at the end of the season.

“Everyone at the club is pulling in the right direction. We are sound financially, which we haven’t really been before, and the club is in a very good place.”

This is a sentiment echoed by secretary Geraint Parry who said: "We had money out of the FA Trophy victory, which reduced forecast losses dramatically.

"We are not badly off - we are very competitive but we don't have rich owners to back us. We have fantastic supporters making us sustainable and we are much more manageable. Our support at this level is also very good, and that will bring its own rewards."

Wrexham have also announced another stellar pre-season friendly against Stoke City at the Racecourse on August 4, to add to those already announced against Blackburn Rovers on July 6 and Wolverhampton Wanderers on July 16.

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WPL set for explosive return

The Welsh Premier League is set for an action-packed return over the August Bank Holiday weekend with clubs set to play two gruelling rounds of matches in just three days.

The league kicks off a week later than usual with first-time European qualifiers Prestatyn and Bala Town squaring up on August 23, and the rest of the teams in action on Saturday, including defending champions TNS welcoming Scott Young’s Port Talbot Town to Park Hall in front of the live S4C cameras on August 24.

Completing the August bank holiday weekend, all 12 teams are in action again on the August 26.

Rhyl are back in the top flight after a three year absence, gaining promotion by remaining unbeaten throughout the last league campaign, winning 24 games and scoring more than 100 goals to become the first team to achieve that feat. They kick off their season with a home fixture against Aberystwyth, who finished 10^th last season.

Another team with a home fixture as their first game is last year’s surprise package Airbus UK, who finished in second place ahead of WPL stalwarts Bangor City last time out, gaining a place in this year’s UEFA Europa League first qualifying round. They start their season against Carmarthen, who earned qualification to the UEFA Europa League play-offs last time out by finishing sixth.

Afan Lido finished last season bottom of the league by nine points, but due to Llanelli’s liquidation, they stayed in the WPL as the Reds were demoted. They will look to get some early points on the board with an away clash against Gap Connah’s Quay.

The other opening day fixture is contested between Newtown and Bangor City, which will take place at Newtown’s Latham Park.

The last games of the season before the league splits promise to be a great spectacle as last season’s top two go head to head at TNS. Other key matches include Bangor making the trip to Aberstwyth, while Rhyl face Port Talbot in a home fixture.

Other key dates include TNS travelling to Rhyl on October 12, Airbus taking on Bangor in a home tie on the November 15 and Prestatyn taking on Port Talbot at their home ground Bastion Road on October 19.

S4C will cover several fixtures throughout the season, the first five being:

24/08/2013: TNS v Port Talbot (15:45)

26/08/2013: Bangor v Rhyl (14:45)

31/08/2013: Afan Lido v Airbus UK (15:45)

07/09/2013: Prestatyn v Gap Connah’s Quay (15:45)

14/09/2013: Bala v Newtown (15:45)

Opening fixtures:

23/08/2013:

Prestatyn v Bala

24/08/2013:

Airbus UK v Carmarthen

Gap Connah’s Quay v Afan Lido

Newtown v Bangor

Rhyl v Aberystwyth

TNS v Port Talbot

26/08/2013:

Aberystwyth v Afan Lido

Bala v Airbus UK

Bangor v Rhyl

Newtown v Carmarthen

Port Talbot v Gap Connah’s Quay

Prestatyn v TNS

30/08/2013:

Aberystwyth v TNS

Bangor v Prestatyn

Carmarthen v Port Talbot

Gap Connah’s Quay v Bala

Rhyl v Newtown

31/08/2013:

Afan Lido v Airbus UK

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What does the future hold for Ashley Williams?

Ashley Williams has been a true revelation in South Wales, as the Swansea skipper has lead the club to a top half finish in the Premier League, cup glory in the Capital One Cup and Europa League football next season.

The Swansea captain has since been heavily linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium, with Arsenal rumoured to be his club of choice.

Just a few weeks ago, Williams was reportedly very close to finalising a deal to join the Gunners though the transfer has seemingly stumbled in recent weeks.

Despite this, the speculation surrounding Ashley Williams’ future has been on-going with several newspapers publishing articles claiming that the Swansea and Wales captain is ready to quit the club in search of a new challenge.

Although the main club that look to be chasing Williams’ signature is Arsenal, both Merseyside clubs - Liverpool and Everton - have also been linked with moves for the man who completed 86% of his passes last season in the Premier League.

Liverpool, and manager Brendan Rodgers in particular, are reportedly keen to link up with Rodgers' former defensive star, Ashley Williams, as a replacement for Martin Skrtel, who has been heavily rumoured with a move away from Anfield.

Everton have also emerged as a destination for Williams since the appointment of former Swans’ boss Roberto Martinez as the club’s new manager. Martinez was the manager to first notice Williams’ talent as he spent around £400,000 on the former Stockport centre-half.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Ashley Williams as a replacement for an outgoing centre-half that is currently on the Arsenal books.

The two players who may be heading for the exit door at the Emirates are Thomas Vermaelen - who is said to be keen to push a move through after falling out of favour with manager Arsene Wenger towards the end of the season - and Laurent Koscielny, to whom Barcelona and Bayern Munich are said to be interested.

Williams would undoubtedly be a good fit for Arsenal should he decide to move to the North London club. He has won more aerial duels than Per Mertersacker, made over 100 more accurate passes than Vermaelen, and has also won more ground 50-50s than Laurent Koscielny.

With Swansea’s style of play being similar to the style of play that Arsenal are famous for, Williams looks a perfect replacement for either Laurent Koscielny or Thomas Vermaelen.

However, Swansea will not let one of their prized assets go for anything less than £10 million, while Chairman Huw Jenkins has reiterated the fact that the club are in no rush to sell their best players. This reluctance to sell seems to have put off Arsenal from purchasing the man who has 41 international caps, and is most likely the reason why the deal has stalled recently.

The Swans are of course used to seeing players come and go, with former stars such as Joe Allen, Gylfi Sigurdson and Scott Sinclair all top performers who have recently left the club.

If Williams did leave the Liberty Stadium outfit, the on field captaincy would more than likely go to club stalwart and midfield maestro Leon Britton, with Gary Monk remaining as Club captain.

The current Champions, Manchester United, are heading to the Liberty on the opening weekend of the season and it is not yet clear whether Williams will still be playing for Wales’ top footballing side. If he did go, who does Laudrup see as his successor at the back?

Sevilla defender Alberto Botia looks the likely candidate to fill Williams’ boots with Michael Laudrup confirming interest in the player, and Botia himself claims that Swansea did make a bid for him in the January transfer window.

Espanyol defender Jordi Amat has also been rumoured with a £2 million switch to the Principality as Laudrup once again looks to the good value Spanish market to replenish his squad. 

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County snap up Worley

Newport County have made former Chelsea defender Harry Worley their third summer signing.

Worley, 24, began his career at Stockport County before Chelsea paid £150,000 to take him to Stamford Bridge.

He failed to make a first team appearance under Jose Mourinho, despite being an unused substitute in the 2007 Community Shield loss to Manchester United, but had loan spells at Doncaster Rovers, Carlisle United and Leicester City, where he moved permanently.

But again a lack of first team action at the King Power Stadium saw him loaned out to Luton Town and Crewe Alexandra before he joined Oxford United in 2010, making more than 50 appearances and scoring twice.

He was released by the Us at the end of last season, where he was a team-mate of fellow new signing Adam Chapman who joined earlier this month. The 6ft 4inches defender has been given a one-year deal at Rodney Parade.

As with Chapman and new striker Chris Zebroski, Newport boss Justin Edinburgh said he had got the man he wanted, adding: “Things are starting to take shape as we head into a busy pre-season schedule next month.

“There are a couple more targets I would like to add, but as in the past I will not name them until it’s done and dusted and the ink is dry.”

Newport’s ‘silence until signed’ policy seems to have worked for them so far as they continue preparations for their first Football League campaign in 25 years. They managed to beat off other suitors to Worley’s signature, with a utility full-back also said to be close to signing.

Edinburgh is then set to run the rule over a number of trialists when the playing staff return for pre-season, with a goalkeeper to provide competition for No1 Lenny Pidgeley a priority.

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Newport, Swansea and Cardiff supporters pull out their maps for the new season

Fans of Welsh football clubs in the English pyramid were rushing to their computers at 9am this morning as the fixtures for this season were released.

Newport and Cardiff diehards in particular would have been beaming to see a host of new names on the list after achieving respective promotions last season, while Swansea fanatics would have been anxious to discover who they could be playing so soon after potentially long mid-week trips in the Europa League.

Newport’s return to the Football League after an absence of a quarter of a century sees them given a home fixture first against Accrington Stanley as part of the Football League’s 125^th anniversary celebrations.

The League’s newest club (and newest ground) will host one of its founding members as part of the festivities, which gives Exiles fans the chance to welcome the club back in to the Football League with a vociferous backing.

Just three days later, they travel to Brighton in the Capital One Cup or League Cup first round, a competition many young fans won’t ever have seen them play in before. Parallels can be drawn between the two sides’ nomadic recent existence, and the County hierarchy may be dreaming of emulating Brighton’s climb up the divisions.

They then travel to Northampton and face Severnside rivals Bristol Rovers at home in what could be a tough opening month.

Boxing Day sees the Exiles travel to Wycombe before a game at Burton just three days later, while they close their campaign by going to York on April 26 before facing Rochdale at Rodney Parade on May 4.

Cardiff City will begin their first top flight campaign in over half a century with a trip to West Ham United, where Malky Mackay had his first game in charge two seasons ago in the Championship when Kenny Miller sent the travelling fans in to hysterics with a last minute winner.

They then face dethroned champions Manchester City in the Welsh capital on August 24, and welcome Roberto Martinez’s Everton to the Cardiff City Stadium on August 31, which will be big tests for both those club’s new managers.

Boxing Day sees Southampton come up to South Wales, while Cardiff’s end to the season is equally tough should they require results as they make the long trip to Newcastle on May 3 before Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea roll in to town for the season’s climax on May 11.

For Swansea the start couldn’t be more difficult, as they welcome Premier League champions Manchester United under new boss David Moyes to the Liberty, before travelling to take on a Gareth Bale-inspired Tottenham Hotspur in their second fixture.

The Swans face a difficult Christmas and New Year period where they take on Everton, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City, United and then Spurs in just under a month, but the end to the season looks a little easier with home games against Aston Villa and Southampton before going to Sunderland on the final day.

They will also learn their Europa League qualifying round opponents when UEFA make the draw on Monday.

Meanwhile, Wrexham are awaiting the release of the Conference fixtures on July 5 as they prepare for another season at that level after play-off final defeat to Newport at Wembley last month – their third successive play-off defeat.

All fixtures are of course subject to change when TV commitments, Cup runs and European commitments come in to consideration.

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Barry and Llanelli kicked in to touch

The Football Association of Wales have decided that two former heavy-weights of domestic football in Wales, Barry Town and Llanelli AFC, were to be denied membership to the Welsh Football League structure.

The FAW released the following statement that will condemn both sides to park leagues soccer next season.

"The FAW Council held their bimonthly meeting at Betws y Coed on Thursday, June 13th 2013. On the agenda was the application of both Barry Town United AFC and AFC Llanelli for full membership to the FAW for the 2013-14 season. The Council members considered a recommendation that both clubs should be admitted into the Welsh Football League. The FAW Council voted against this recommendation. Both Barry Town United AFC and AFC Llanelli have been instructed to apply for membership to their respective Area Associations.”

The council voted overwhelmingly to deny both Barry and Llanelli entry into the Welsh League by 21 votes to three, despite the domestic committee of the FAW recommending that both sides were to be placed at the lower echelons of the Welsh League system.

As is always the case in life, this was not a black and white scenario - Barry Town in my opinion are the unlucky ones in this instance. They were removed from the Welsh League towards the end of the season by their maverick ‘owner’ Stuart Lovering, but plans were in place to reform under the new name of Barry Town United.

Barry, who won the Welsh Premier League title seven times, had got the support of a 1,250 signature online petition, and yesterday supporters were stunned by the news.

“It appears the FAW have ignored the wishes of the local football community and this flies in the face of what the Association say they are about in involving local communities," said secretary David Cole.

Many will sympathise with the way Barry have been treated and realise that it is through no fault of the Supporters club that they were in this position and perhaps some common sense should have played a part. The Supporters club have run the team since 2008, raising money to do so and involving the community in enterprising initiatives, but their efforts were ultimately deemed to be worthless by the FAW council.

On the other hand, we look at Llanelli who only two years ago defeated Dynamo Tbilisi in Europe but were wound up at the High Court earlier in the year.

It is obvious the powers that be would find it difficult to condone a side that ran up huge debts to simply be allowed back into the Welsh League system - it would be a dangerous precedent to set.

However, South Wales is severely lacking in football clubs striving for Welsh Premier League status and to see the loss of two such clubs is a huge blow, as North Wales teams continue to dominate at domestic level.

While Barry look set to start all over again and play in the Cardiff and District League, Llanelli would have to apply to the Carmarthenshire League, although their supremo Bob Jeffrey says it is unlikely to happen.

“It is a dark day for Welsh football when two clubs with so much history are treated like this.”

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Colwyn Bay earn the respect of their peers

Blue Square Bet North side Colwyn Bay have been rewarded by their fellow clubs for the welcome offered to opposition sides throughout last season.

The club picked up the ‘Respect’ Team of the Year award at the league’s annual bash held at Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort for their relationships with officials, opposition clubs and their community, the welcome offered on match days and the behaviour of their supporters at away grounds. It was voted for by their fellow clubs.

It continues a magical couple of months for the club who on the field secured their status in the division for another season with a miraculous ‘Great Escape’ that saw them win their final six games.

Chairman Bob Paton expressed his surprise at The Seagulls getting such recognition, saying: “It came as quite a shock when the award was announced as we are not used to winning things!

“When the significance of the award was explained it meant a lot to us. It seems people have been impressed with the reception and welcome they received at the Red Lion Foods Stadium last season.

“We pride ourselves on being a family club at Colwyn Bay. The club would not have won this award without the efforts of our officials, staff and volunteers who work hard to ensure matchdays run smoothly. I would like to thank them for their continued support.”

On the pitch, things are also progressing nicely towards the new season. Of those who participated in the ‘Great Escape’, 11 have signed on for the new campaign. Chris Sanna, Danny Taylor, Danny Meadowcroft, Tom Smyth, Mike Lea, Gaz Evans, John McKenna, Jamie Crowther, Rob Hopley, Paul Ennis and James Ellison will all turn out again next term.

Sinclair also has verbal agreements with three new players he expects to sign on when pre-season training starts in a few weeks’ time.

Goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw (22), released by Oldham this summer, is expected to provide competition for Sanna between the sticks, while Rhyl-born striker Luke Wandless (18), also at Oldham with Ollerenshaw, should also be joining the club.

The third is former Everton wide midfielder Steve Connor (24), who spent last term with Conwy Borough and helped them win the Cymru Alliance League Cup. While at Everton, he won four England Under-17 caps, while he has subsequently turned out for TNS, Bangor City and Airbus UK Broughton in the Welsh Premier League.

Sinclair has also been building on his own experience by studying for his UEFA ‘B’ license in Cardiff as he continues his journey in to full-time management.

He wants a squad of around 18 players for the new campaign, meaning up to seven signings in total, including the three named above, could be coming in before the big kick off.

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County bring two in to start summer recruitment

Newport County have snapped up free agent Chris Zebroski and Oxford midfielder Adam Chapman.

Manager Justin Edinburgh started his club’s preparations for the Football League by bringing in two players with huge experience at that level, and hinted that more may be on the way.

The Exiles boss returned from a family holiday to put the final touches to the deals and make them his first signings since County’s magical play-off victory over Wrexham at Wembley that saw the club seal promotion.

Zebroski (26) started at Plymouth Argyle and subsequently turned out for Millwall, Torquay United and Bristol Rovers.

He spent the first half of last season at Cheltenham Town before leaving due to disciplinary problems, and finished it at Eastleigh Town in the Blue Square Bet Conference South, scoring three goals in four appearances.

He signs a one-year deal at Rodney Parade, and paid tribute to his new team-mates for negotiating their way out of a “hard league” over the past 10 months.

“Any team coming out of that league last season must be good,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to playing here.

“The boss has put a lot of faith in me and I want to repay him with performances and goals and give him 100 per cent. I can’t wait for the season to start.

“I know a few of the players that played at Bristol which obviously helps me to settle in to the club and they are a good bunch of lads as well.”

Chapman (23) previously spent a month on loan at County during 2012 and fans will know what to expect from the talented midfielder. He has been handed a two-year contract, with the option of a third on the table after County paid a five-figure fee for him.

He has spent most of his career at Oxford United, where he spent time in a young offenders’ institute on a death by dangerous driving charge, but spent the second half of last season on loan at Blue Square Bet Premier winners Mansfield Town, starring as The Stags sealed their own return to the Football League.

Chapman also indicated Edinburgh had been instrumental in the Yorkshire-born playmaker coming to South Wales, as Mansfield had also wanted him permanently, and he can’t wait to bring his young family down to the area.

He said: “The manager was a massive part of it. Me and him stayed in contact since I was last here and he got in touch after the play-off final and seemed really keen. I was really interested from then on.

“You could see he had plans to move this place forward in the month I was last here and I genuinely believed it. Now, 18 months down the line the proof is here.

“Me and my girlfriend are looking at houses. With the length of the contract it allows me to settle down and bring my boy up.”

Edinburgh was delighted to seal the deals, saying the two had been “on top of the list” with regards to his Football League plans.

He said: “Adam and Chris were number one targets in the positions that we were looking for and I am more than pleased to acquire both their signatures.”

He also hinted that a third deal, possibly for a defender, was close to completion and could be in place over the next week, but added there was “no magic number” when it came to their summer recruitment plans, and they would seek the right players when are where they became available.

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Backlash over shorts colour, so why not the shirts?

Cardiff City revealed their new Premier League strip last week to widespread furore on the internet and in local press.

Shocked supporters voiced their disapproval at the club’s attempts to make themselves “stand out” among the competition next term – a two-tone red number.

Such was the outrage that the club quickly backtracked and gave supporters the chance to vote on the shorts colour for this season. The choices were the original darker red, the same shade of red as the shirt, black or white.

Quickly, mock ups appeared on internet forums giving supporters a fifth choice – the traditional blue shirt and white shorts worn by the club before last year’s controversial rebrand by Malaysian owner Vincent Tan.

Even Cardiff City left back Andrew Taylor, who captained the side on occasion last term, mocked lightly the choice of colour scheme on his Twitter account.

For the record, black won through, which of course matches the kit worn during this season’s title-winning Championship campaign that put the club back in to English football’s top flight for the first time in 51 years.

This raised one question - if so much fuss could be made to force the club in to a change of mind over this, why did a similar action not occur last summer?

Firstly, of course, people will point to the fact that the colour of a pair of shorts is not the same as changing a club’s image, dispensing of their badge and, according to many, destroying their history.

This is true. It is not. But this time around the vote offered showed a willingness by the club to listen to supporters, which is what did not occur on any level 12 months ago.

There were supporters who turned their back on the club last summer, saying it was no longer the one they had fallen in love with. An interview with Tan earlier this year enraged these further by describing ‘supporters’ as ‘customers’, and claiming that up to 25 per cent could be lost as long as they had the majority behind them.

Cardiff continued to attract large crowds as they marched towards promotion, showing that either Tan was correct, or some of those dissenters had returned. The feet will always march to see a successful team, and it would have been interesting to see what the reaction would have been if Cardiff sat 12^th and without a win in six matches.

The evidence points, then, to the fact a large number of fans accepted what happened, either reluctantly or with open arms, as the club soared to the top of the league.

Most Cardiff supporters are thankful to Tan and the board for bankrolling the club through financially difficult times and laying the foundations for Premier League promotion. So it seems strange they would voice their disapproval more vociferously over a faux-pas relating to the colour of the shorts rather than a complete overhaul of the club’s image.

Was it a case of one step too far? Too much tinkering? Or is it a sign that those who have at varying volumes been calling for a return to blue over the past year are starting to be noticed more?

Another issue of note is how strong social media has become in broadcasting a timely reaction to an announcement, either positive or negative, and how this backs up Joanna Lumley's recent claims in a TV interview that such tools have turned us in to a world of reactionary thinkers rather than proactive ones.

Whatever the thinking behind the row, the club have started the season off on the wrong foot by bringing up another opportunity for rivals to sneer and point derogatory fingers. Besides, some pessimists may ask what does it matter about the colour of the shorts when we are 5-0 down every weekend?

Boss Malky Mackay would shoot those thoughts down straight away of course as he goes about preparing for life at the top table. But it would be interesting to know what the playing and coaching staff thought of such bickering before their big season, if they had any thoughts at all of course.

It seems only Cardiff City could row so openly with each other going in to their biggest season of the past half a century.

Those who have vociferously been calling for a return to blue will be heartened by the latest row as a sign they may well get their wish if they push harder and louder.

But the majority that have stuck with them this far will be praying that stability isn’t lost as the Premiership season kicks off, and Cardiff can give a good account of themselves whatever colour they emerge from the tunnel wearing on day one.

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TNS clinch trio of Welsh Premier Awards

Welsh Premier champions The New Saints enjoyed further success on Saturday night at the Corbett Sports WPL Annual Dinner held at St David’s Hotel in North Wales.

TNS picked up a clean sweep of awards with striker Michael Wilde bagging the coveted player of the season award ahead of Airbus UK Broughton’s Lee Owens and Prestatyn’s Andy Parkinson. Wilde also picked up the Golden Boot award as the 30 year old fired in 25 goals this season.

Meanwhile, the excellent Ryan Fraughan took home the prize of young player of the season, the flying wing seeing off opposition from last year’s winner Kai Edwards and Steve Tomassen.

Unsurprisingly, the Saints head coach Carl Darlington clinched the award for Manager of the Season for the second consecutive time, edging out Airbus UK’s director of football Andy Preece.

Other awards handed out on the evening saw Lauren Price of Cardiff City pick up the Women’s player of the season, while Dave Jones of the Daily Post got the unsung hero award.

Finally, Carmarthen Town stalwart Jeff Thomas was honoured with the Long and Meritorious Service Award.

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