The proposed merger between T.N.S and Oswestry Town is looking increasingly doubtful according to the official TNS site.

T.N.S Managing Director Mike Harris is still awaiting written ratification from the FAW that the merged club would be able to represent Wales in Europe whilst playing over the border in Oswestry, some two months after the idea was originally proposed to the countries' governing body. Last month Harris insisted he would not proceed with the merger unless this was received before the season began.

With their now just being 6 days until the league kicks off, it seems unlikely Harris and co will receive any confirmation from the FAW in time. The collapse of the merger will leave the future of Oswestry Town in lingo. The club released all senior players and management at the end of the season in preperation for the merger and were ready to resign from the league. 

League secretary John Deakin has insisted Oswestry could be easily slotted into the fixture list if the merger collapsed, but with the Salopians only having a youth team it seems unlikely they'd be able to compete in the Welsh Premier. Oswestry secretary James Bond complained "We were told everything would be fine with the merger. We only have a youth team and they'll get hammered every week if we put them up against Welsh Premier clubs." The club have also been threatened with a £15k fine for late resignation from the league - even though it's the league's failure to approve the merger which has enforced this delay!

T.N.S will still look to relocate to Oswestry even if the merger falls through, with Harris looking to take the club into the English pyramid. Just four days before the club's biggest ever game against Manchester City in the UEFA Cup the uncertainy over the merger is an unwelcome distraction for the Llansantffraid club.

Set as Homepage

Contact the Author

Add to Favourites