The Cymru Premier club will make their first-ever appearance in the Europa Conference League this season after making it through the qualifying process. After beating Lithuanian side FK Panevezys over two legs, they advance to the group stages of the competition but will play their home matches at Croud Meadow, the ground owned by Shrewsbury Town – who are competing alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham in League One this season.
THE EXPLANATION
UEFA rulings mean The New Saints’ Park Hall Stadium does not meet the required standards and regulations to host such high-profile matches. But thanks to the support of Shrewsbury, the Welsh side have been permitted to host their matches outside of Wales this season on a special-merit basis. The New Saints can usually attract a crowd of around 3,000 to their stadium but now will now boost their attendance up to 9,875 at Shrewsbury.
WHAT THE NEW SAINTS SAID
The New Saints chairman Mike Harris was very grateful to Shrewsbury, saying in a statement: “We’d like to thank Shrewsbury Town for allowing us to host these historic matches at the Croud Meadow. We are hopeful the community will come out in full force to support The New Saints as we face some of the continent’s biggest clubs.
“Being so close to our Park Hall home will mean that supporters from Oswestry, Mid Wales, and North Wales can travel to cheer on the team.”
WHAT NEXT FOR THE NEW SAINTS?
The New Saints will face some big hitters in the Conference League, including two-time finalists Fiorentina. Their biggest home tie will come against Panathinaikos on December 12.
