From WP.com:

REIGNING Welsh Premier champions The New Saints are being claimed as an English club by the Shropshire FA.
The Saints, who have represented Wales in Europe nine times, recently moved to a new ground in Oswestry with the approval of the Welsh FA and Uefa, but now find themselves at the centre of a cross-border tug-of-war.
The Shropshire FA say TNS should come under their jurisdiction and have written to the English FA following a £445,000 Football Foundation grant for the development of Park Hall, money which is only available to English clubs.
The FA have raised the matter with the FAW and discussions are taking place at the highest level to try to sort it out.
Welsh Premier secretary John Deakin conceded the whole issue would again throw into public debate the issue of Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham being barred from Europe.
"This is something fans of Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham will perceive as an anomaly. I cannot dispute that," Deakin told the Western Mail.
"As far as the issue goes of the Shropshire FA claiming that TNS are English, I can confirm correspondence and discussions have taken place.
"However, as far as I’m concerned, I believe TNS will be permitted to play in Europe again next season ... and for many years beyond that."
Originally known as Llansantffraid, TNS played their home league matches in the Mid Wales village before a merger with Oswestry Town in 2003 when the club received assurances from the European governing body that they would be allowed to move over the border and retain their "Welsh" status due to Oswestry's founder membership of the FAW.
Club managing director Mike Harris says that the Football Foundation grant was used to develop Park Hall as a community football base, not for the first team.
"Let me get something absolutely clear ... we are Welsh through and through," commented Harris.
"Our aim is to win the Welsh Premier again this year and enter the Champions League as Wales’ representatives.
"Yes, we play across the border. But come on, we’re talking about three to four miles at most.
"I’m surprised that this issue has been raised because, to be perfectly honest, we work very closely with the Shropshire FA and have an excellent rapport with them.
"Many people thought that when we merged with Oswestry, we were doing so in order to try to move up the English pyramid system.
"On the contrary, we wanted to develop a ground, which we were unable to do in Llansantffraid, in order to keep us at the top of the Welsh Premier. That remains the case."
The FAW say the TNS issue was raised at an official meeting last week and will be discussed further at the next full FAW council meeting.
Deakin accepted some people would raise questions about whether TNS should be permitted to play in Europe next season, but insisted he did not see it as a problem.
"Suddenly, we have a situation where the Shropshire FA are saying TNS should be a Shropshire club and under their jurisdiction," added Deakin.
“However, it is not as simple as that.
"When the Llansantffraid-Oswestry merger took place, and TNS moved home, we wrote to Uefa to check they would be permitted to still play in European competitions.
"The answer came back on the lines of yes they would, and there was also correspondence from the English FA on that subject.
"As far as I’m concerned, that will continue to be the case."

The Shropshire FA have well and truely been conned out of cash there. How didn't they see that coming!! How long can all this sort of thing go on for...?

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Come on the Crows!
www.crows-online.co.uk

I've said all along this move was opening up a whole new can of worms.

How it can it be fair that TNS FC can benefit from Grants from both the Welsh FA and the English/Shropshire FA and yet the rest of us can only gey aid via the Welsh FA?

Craig wrote:

I've said all along this move was opening up a whole new can of worms. How it can it be fair that TNS FC can benefit from Grants from both the Welsh FA and the English/Shropshire FA and yet the rest of us can only gey aid via the Welsh FA?

Its grim, very very grim

The FAW nor the WPL will do anything about this. They'll just let TNS carry on taking the micky. I really wish UEFA would step in and do something useful, like boot them into the English pyramid where they can amble around like Colwyn Bay.

The countless antics and name-changing makes the league look daft, and now they're getting money from two different football associations. Crazy. And unfair...

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Come on the Crows!
www.crows-online.co.uk

Does the same company own the club AND the stadium ? Argument would probably be that the FAW control the club but the FAE contribute to the stadium which can be used for various community activities in Oswestry.

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Syni Rhyl - Cartre Stadiwm 3000 y Gogledd

Whichever way you look at it the same should be impossed upon them as has the Wenglish clubs - no European football for whatever position TNS gain!!! Although I would say that being a Reds fan!!!!

The way you lot are scoring goals I don't think it'll make much difference. You've got to fancy your chances this season.

After yesterday's drab performance I certainly don't fancy ours

At the same point last year we fancied our chance more then than now, but we blew it to Aber in the cup then lost it in the league!!! Same could happen this year, not taking ANYTHING for granted regardless the position we are in!!!!

And after today's result it would seem a very sensible attitude

What a result for Port! Brilliant lads! Let's hope we can build on this result and have a few more wins before christmas then sign a few players in the transfer window.

Watched Aber v Llangefni today, Aber played well, Jamie Reed up front looks like a very good player (on loan from wrexham i understand) and Luke Sherbon had a good game with a cracking first half goal.

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Viv Williams Barmy Army!

Reed played really well at Belle Vue last week, looks a decent player but needs to get his head up and pass abit more. Good signing though.

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