Connah’s Quay Nomads winning the title, albeit on a points per game basis, was a huge indication that the balance of power at the top of the Cymru Premier may be shifting.
We’ve seen it for a couple of seasons now, as Andy Morrison’s dragged themselves closer and closer to the ever green TNS.
Everyone involved in the league knew at some point they may well topple the long reign of the Saints.
The Nomads title victory last week was the biggest story to come out of the league for many a year.
So it came as somewhat of a surprise for Welsh football fans, when arguably one of the other big stories to come out of the Cymru Premier dropped just days later.
Announcing the signing of Aeron Edwards, who in most eyes has been the league’s best player on a consistent basis, wasn’t just a statement, it was a huge statement.
Not only has Morrison stolen the silverware from the clutches of the Park Hall men, he’s also snatched their talisman.
Edwards has been the catalyst for many of the Saints’ titles and their famous treble trebles.
Everything that the Saints have done in their dominant last ten years has gone through the classy midfielder.
So losing him to their close rivals is an absolute hammer blow. Not only does it set down a marker for next season, it shows that the power at the top of the league could be very much shifting.
Morrison and co now have Edwards, former TNS title winner Danny Holmes and the TNS legend Mike Wilde in their ranks.
That experience of titles and trophies goes a long way. It would have contributed to this season’s title success, and bringing in one of the most successful players in the league will only strengthen next year’s title credentials.
It remains to be seen if he’ll be followed out of Park Hall by any other big names, but it is certainly a body blow to Scott Ruscoe’s side.
Former Saints boss Craig Harrison, now the Nomads number two is sure to have been a major player in attracting Edwards to the Deeside Stadium.
And for some it may come as a bit of a strange move, going from a club who plays Edwards’ style of attracting and flowing football.
Morrison’s sides are traditionally known for being strong and direct, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
The best sides play the way that suits the players they have. In recent years Morrison has added technical players that mean the Nomads have mixed it up, playing direct but also being able to turn on the style.
And with this signing next season we may see the latter come into force even more.
Edwards signing certainly swings the balance of power more towards the new champions, and it will set up a fascinating title defense when football does resume/
Eric Hall
I think you’ve missed the point that no Champions League football next season means that TNS have had to “rethink” their budget