The New Saints’ defeat to Bulgarian champions Ludogorets last night ended Welsh club’s interest in European competition for another year, however we won’t be forgetting this campaign for a while.
With Welsh teams traditionally struggling to make much of an impression on the European stage, we were treated to some memorable moments in the last month or so.
The New Saints, Connah’s Quay Nomads and Cardiff Metropolitan all secured wins in the qualifying rounds, and were rewarded with some impressive prize money heading into the new league season.
So, exactly how much of a boost did each club see to its coffers, and how does it compare to some of the more well-known names?
The New Saints
The New Saints take on Ludogorets in Bulgaria. (Brian Jones)
Prize money – €940.000,00 (£858,074)
Once again Wales’ best performers on the European stage, the Saints had another rollercoaster campaign which included games in the Champions League as well as the Europa League.
They’re dramatic late win against Kosovan side KF Feronikeli was the stand-out moment, and was a result which did wonders for the Cymru Premier; considering Wales are competing closely with Kosovo in the UEFA Coefficient.
Things didn’t get any easier for Scott Ruscoe’s side, as they were drawn to face Danish champions Copenhagen in the next round, and despite performing well over the two legs, they bowed out after a 3-0 aggregate defeat.
After dropping into the Europa League qualifiers, they were once again handed a tie with a league champion – this time the winner of the Bulgarian league – Ludogorets.
A 9-0 aggregate defeat against a side which has previously appeared in the group stages of the Champions League was no disgrace; and their total earnings of €940,000 is not be sniffed at – a figure which sees them placed 45th on the list for revenue distribution.
The Park Hall side picked up more prize money than Aberdeen, Polish champions Piast Gliwice and Feyenoord.
Connah’s Quay Nomads
The Connah’s Quay Nomads side that secured a famous win against Kilmarnock. (NSM Media)
Prize money – €500.000,00 (£456,422)
The Nomads secured what was surely the stand-out result of all of the Welsh teams in Europe, as they overturned a first leg deficit to stun Kilmarnock – who finished third in the Scottish Premiership – at Rugby Park.
Andy Morrison’s were written off by the majority of onlookers after a 2-1 defeat at Rhyl’s Belle Vue in the first leg, but forced all doubters to eat their words after staging a remarkable comeback.
They, too, were presented with a stern test in the next round with a tie against Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade. An respectable performance in the first leg meant they headed to Belgrade with just a one-goal deficit, and despite a 0-0 scoreline at half-time, the Serbians showed their class in the second half to pull away.
Their total earning of half a million Euros was equal to what the likes of Maccabi Haifi, Shamrock Rovers and Crusaders picked up.
Cardiff Metropolitan
Jordan Lam of Cardiff Met opens the scoring against Progres Niederkorn in the Europa League Preliminary Round. (Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
Prize money – €220.000,00 (£200,825)
In what was their first ever foray into European competition, the Archers proved a lot of people wrong.
After being drawn to face Luxembourg outfit FC Progrès Niederkorn – who can count knocking Rangers out as their best European achievement – not much was expected of the Students.
After holding Progrès to just a one-goal lead from the first leg, they looked set to complete the biggest European upset in recent years, leading 2-0 on the night before a late sucker punch sent Roland Vrabec’s side through on away goals.
The £200,000 they received in prize money should go a long way towards ensuring that this was not a fleeting visit from Christian Edwards’ men.
Their share of revenue was equalled by Sammarinese side SP Tre Fiori, who knocked Bala Town out in the 2017/18 season, as well as Kosovan’s Prishtina.
Barry Town United
Barry Town v Cliftonville in the Europa League Preliminary Round at Leckwith Stadium. (Lewis Mitchell/YCPD)
Prize money – €220.000,00 (£200,825)
The Linnets, making their first appearance in Europe for 16 years, exited the qualifying rounds at the preliminary round after defeat to Cliftonville.
A keenly-contested first leg at Leckwith Stadium meant Barry supporters headed to Solitude with reason to be hopeful, however they were taught a harsh lesson as the Reds turned the screw to win 4-0.
This setback, of course, must be used as a springboard to help the club push even harder this season to ensure that they experience the thrill of European football once more.
They have used their European money, in part, to bring in some exciting new players in the form of Jack Compton, Eli Phipps, Keyon Reffell and experienced Cymru Premier defender Luke Cummings.
(Featured image: Brian Jones, NSM Media and Lewis Mitchell)
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