New Saints earnt reported five-figure sum from this season’s European campaign
(Image: Matthew Lofthouse)
Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints earnt almost a million pounds for their European campaign this season it has been revealed.
Scott Ruscoe’s side were knocked out in the first round in Champions League qualifying by Macedonian champions KF Shkëndija. They were eventually knocked out of Europe by Danish giants FC Midtyjlland, having beaten Lincoln Red Imps in the Second Round of Qualifying in the UEFA Europa League.
It was their best qualifying performance since 2010/2011, when they reached the Play-Off stage of the UEFA Europa League, losing 5-2 to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, having lost in Round Three of Qualifying in the Champions League to Belgian giants Anderlecht.
Football-Coefficient.EU says The New Saints earnt €1.080.000,00 for participating in three rounds of European qualifying.
The New Saints were just £53k short of pocketing almost £1m from their European campaign last summer.
It means they earnt more money than English Premier League side Burnley, who only earnt €840.000,00 having been knocked out of the Play-off Stage of the Europa League.
Cefn Druids who were playing in only their second European campaign were knocked out by Lithuanian side FK Trakai, 2-1 on aggregate at the first hurdle. They gained €220.000,00 from their participation. Bala Town who were also knocked out in the same round by Sammarinese side, who had won their first ever European tie against the Lakesiders. Bala Town earnt the same as the Cefn Druids for their preliminary round exit.
Welsh Cup winners Connah’s Quay Nomads bypassed the preliminary round due to Atletico Madrid’s Europa League win the previous season. They were unable to navigate their way through to the next round, losing to Belarusian side FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk. 5-1 on aggregate. The Deeside club earnt €240.000,00 from their third consecutive European campaign.
Welsh Premier League clubs earnt a combined £1.6m in the four clubs qualifying campaigns. After The New Saints victory over the Lincoln Red Imps, they secured crucial ecoefficient points for the league that would ensure the Welsh Premier League would have four European spots.
(Featured Image: Matthew Lofthouse)
