By Chris O'Brien
May 2 2004

Rhyl's 2-0 victory at Y Traeth against Porthmadog secured a first league title, but the North Wales club still have plenty to play for this season as they face 3 cup finals in only 9 days. The League Cup, the Welsh Cup and the FAW Premier Cup could all be on their way to Belle Vue this season.

Beating professional big-spenders Total Network Solutions in the Welsh Premier title race is a fantastic achievement for Rhyl, but the North Wales outfit can't stop there as they face three massive games over in only nine days which could make this season even more memorable!

John Hulse will lead his side into three cup finals, starting on Monday against Carmarthen Town in the Welsh League Cup, currently under the handle of the Loosemoore's of Cardiff Challenge Cup. Rhyl take on Carmarthen Town at Newtown's Latham Park, and victory could seal up a perfect bank holiday weekend for Lilywhite supporters. There is an added incentive for Rhyl to win the cup, as they are the current holders, and although the competition is not top priority for any Welsh Premier club, lifting it would add icing on the cake for the club following Saturday's success.

Only two days recovery following Saturday's heroics at Y Traeth against Porthmadog will mean Rhyl could well be suffering from fatigue but the possibility of a domestic quadruple will spur the ambitious side on, who then face rivals TNS in the Welsh Cup final on Sunday 9th May. Airbus United Kingdom, Llanfairpwll, Afan Lido and Cwmbran Town have all been swept aside as Rhyl marched to the final, but they will face a tough test against Ken McKenna's Llansantffraid-based side, who will be desperate to lift some silverware after failing to win the league championship.

The game is also taking place at Latham Park, although the decision by the FAW to play the national cup final at Newtown's ground has caused uproar amongst many Rhyl supporters. The Deva Stadium, Wrexham's Racecourse ground and even the Millennium Stadium have all been suggested as possible venues for the final, but the Belle Vue masses will have to settle for another trip to the 5000-capacity ground.

Rhyl then finish their exhausting but historic season four days later, as Second Division Football League side Wrexham visit Belle Vue for the final of the FAW Premier Cup. Denis Smith's Robins take the competition very seriously, and will certainly field a full-strength side for the short trip north. However, the £100,000 winning bonus should keep the Rhyl players going as they complete the final leg of a long, but successful season.

Whatever the result of these three cup finals, Rhyl's season has been a huge success, and the highly impressive gates they have attracted to Belle Vue is testament to the excellent brand of football they are playing this season, and signs of the improving standard in the Welsh Premier League. Almost 3,000 watched Rhyl steal the initiative in the title race as a late Andy Moran strike secured a 1-0 win over TNS, and attendances like that being a regular occurrence across the national league is a mouth-watering prospect for Welsh football.

The potential quadruple is unlikely, but the fact that Rhyl could still collect a clean sweep at this stage of the season shows what an excellent side they are, and in Andy Moran they have a striker who possesses tremendous ability. Everyone at Rhyl Football Club should be congratulated for their achievement of lifting the league title, and John Hulse's side will have the ambition to make an impression in next seasons Champions League.