Guilsfield land massive coup as New Saints legend Greg Draper joins

Greg Draper has joined Guilsfield in what is a major signing for the Cymru North outfit.

The 31-year-old, who left Park Hall this summer after ten years of service, will play at the second tier of Welsh football for the first time in his career.

Draper’s new manager, Leonard said on his newest signing: “It’s a dream signing for Guilsfield, to get a player of Greg’s standard at the club. 

He links with Nathan Leonard of whom he would have worked with during the Guilsfield coaches’ time in the Oswestry as an academy coach. 

The New Zealand international will remain with the Cymru Premier outfit in a non-playing role. He will oversee the Foundation as an Elite Football Coach, as well as working as a Football Ambassador.

• Greg Draper on becoming The New Saints’ all-time record goalscorer

The Guils are getting an eight-time Cymru Premier winner, as well as five Welsh Cups and four League Cups.

On a personal level, he was named three times in the Team of the Year and won two Golden Boots.

In the past season, he scored 14 goals in 30 appearances for TNS, as they finished just short in the title race.

Commenting on Guilsfield’s newest signing, manager Leonard said to The Sport Report: “It’s a great signing for the club, probably a once in a lifetime signing for a club of our size to be honest.

“We’ve been very fortunate to get Greg in and I’m sure it will give everyone at the club a huge buzz. That said it doesn’t guarantee anything in the Cymru North as its such a tough league.

“Our targets still haven’t changed, get as many points as quickly as we can to stay in the league then let’s see where that takes us.

“The top six will be hugely competitive and just looking at the fixtures there really isn’t any easy games. The signing came off from a nice chunk of luck and the fact me and Greg are good friends.

“He has been given a great opportunity to stay on at TNS in a full-time role, which has opened the door for us as he couldn’t play in the Welsh Prem.”

He added: “TNS deserve a huge amount of credit for looking after two of their ‘legends’ and keeping them on at the club it’s great they are looking after Greg and Simon after all the commitment and years of service they gave the club.

“Greg gave me his word a few weeks back that he wouldn’t sign for anyone else in the league and after a few offers from various clubs he has stayed true to his word.

“I’ve now got to get the best out of our attacking players and getting as many of them as I can on the pitch.

“I would like to thank Matt Owen for all his help, this wouldn’t have been possible without his backing. Also TNS and most importantly the Guilsfield committee for always backing myself and the players.”

(Featured Image: Colin Ewart)