OUR guide to the runners and riders racing for the Welsh Premier League title this season and a place in the "Super 12" in 2010.
  ABERYSTWYTH TOWN
Celebrating their 125th anniversary, the Seasiders have lost three influential midfielders over the last 12 months in Luke Sherbon (to Rhyl), Ross Stephens (Newtown) and Chris Venables (Llanelli). Manager Brian Coyne's five acquisitions don't look in the same class and, while the Seasiders are nailed-on for a top 10 finish, anything better might be a bonus.
IN Luke Bowen, Cledan Davies, Adam James, Richard Evans, Michael Waters.
OUT Tom Bradshaw, Stuart Fraser, Ross Stephens, Chris Venables.
MANAGER Brian Coyne LAST SEASON 8th LATEST ODDS 14/1
KEY PLAYER Christian Edwards ONE TO WATCH Robert Evans. |
  AIRBUS UK BROUGHTON
The Wingmakers are ambitious for a place in Super 12 and hope that on-field strengthening will match considerable off-field investment. Marc Lloyd Williams may be in the twilight of his career, but the league's leading scorer will almost certainly guarantee a 20-goal haul alongside Carl Owen and some exciting youngsters who could improve on a best-ever 11th-place finish.
IN Jack Abraham, Rhys Roberts, Simon Law, Marc Lloyd Williams, Paul McManus, Andy Mitchell, Carl Owen.
OUT Mark Cadwallader, Phil Molyneux.
MANAGER Craig Harrison LAST SEASON 12th LATEST ODDS 33/1
KEY PLAYER Marc Lloyd Williams ONE TO WATCH Ashley Williams. |
  BALA TOWN
Manager Colin Caton promised to strengthen his Cymru Alliance championship winning side and has brought in a raft of new faces, notably TNS striker John Toner, midfield journeyman Ricky Evans and full-backs Peter Moore and Jay Bell. The defence may prove an Achilles heel and the newcomers face an uphill task to make the cut and achieve a domestic licence at the first attempt.
IN Jay Bell, Ricky Evans, Ross Jefferies, Danny Jellicoe, Peter Moore, Mark Powell, John Toner.
OUT Dave Cunnah, Tommy Mutton, Gary Penlington.
MANAGER Colin Caton LAST SEASON Promoted LATEST ODDS 50/1
KEY PLAYER Ricky Evans ONE TO WATCH Gethin Lloyd. |
  BANGOR CITY
Welsh Cup winners for the past two seasons, the Citizens have failed to find sufficient consistency in the league to break into the top three. On paper, the strike partnership of Chris Sharp (if he stays) and Ashley Stott looks highly potent, but a relatively small squad may again prove City's undoing.
IN Craig Garside, Dave Morley, Jamie Reed, Chris Roberts, Mark Smyth, Ashley Stott.
OUT Christian Seargeant, Mike Walsh.
MANAGER Nev Powell LAST SEASON 6th LATEST ODDS 10/1
KEY PLAYER Marc Limbert ONE TO WATCH John Owen. |
  CAERSWS FC
Mickey Evans is determined to restore some of the Bluebirds' pride after returning to partner Dave Taylor at the helm. The return of Hugh Clarke should add steel to the backline with Kevin Davies an interesting arrival at full-back. But scoring goals was the main problem in the last campaign with leading scorer Chris Melia managing just six.
IN Hugh Clarke, Kevin Davies, Mark Griffiths, David Jones, Cory Jenkins, Lee Jenkins, Gareth Mansell, Matthew Prosser.
OUT Dan Dawson, Aeron Edwards, Ross Jefferies.
MANAGER Mickey Evans LAST SEASON 17th LATEST ODDS 100/1
KEY PLAYER Hugh Clarke ONE TO WATCH Mark Griffiths. |
  CARMARTHEN TOWN
Always a tough proposition, the Old Gold threatened the domination of the top three last season before falling away towards the end of the campaign. The squad is largely unchanged, with Mark Pritchard joining from Llanelli and Craig Hanford from Haverfordwest and Deryn Brace's men should again go close to European qualification.
IN Craig Hanford, Mike Jones, Mark Pritchard, Sam O'Sullivan, Steve Williams.
OUT Liam Hancock.
MANAGER Deryn Brace LAST SEASON 4th LATEST ODDS 10/1
KEY PLAYER Craig Hughes ONE TO WATCH Sam O'Sullivan. |
  ELEMENTS CEFN DRUIDS
The Druids' hopes of a bright new future have been temporarily put on hold with delays to their new stadium plans and a subsequent lack of cash. Joint managers Waynne Phillips and Lee Jones have done their best to assemble a squad under trying circumstances and a place in Super 12 looks out of reach this time around, both on and off the field.
IN Adam Hunter, Josh Johnson, Bobby Jones, Gary Penlington, Kieran Quinn, Rob Thomas, Martin Welsh.
OUT Carl Edwards, Ricky Evans, Kevin Holsgrove, Gerard McGuigan, Mark Powell, Joe Price, Mark Stewart.
MANAGERS Lee Jones/Waynne Phillips LAST SEASON 13th LATEST ODDS 50/1
KEY PLAYER Aled Rowlands ONE TO WATCH Lee T Jones. |
  GAP CONNAH'S QUAY
Nomads ended a summer of uncertainty by appointing experienced ex-Football League player Mark McGregor as their new player-manager. But the loss of several key players, including playmaker Liam Loughlin, striker Aden Shannon and exciting prospect Mike Cronshaw leaves the Deeside outfit facing a difficult challenge to reach the top 10 or 12.
IN Chris Boulton, Barry Calder, Chris Herbert, Alan Hooley, Mark McGregor, Sam McNutt, Tom Price, Stuart Scheuber, Gary Staines.
OUT Paul Armstrong, Phil Clarke, Michael Cronshaw, Peter Doran, Phil Doran, Liam Loughlin, Kieran Quinn, Aden Shannon.
MANAGER Mark McGregor LAST SEASON 9th LATEST ODDS 25/1
KEY PLAYER Mark McGregor ONE TO WATCH Craig Jones. |
  HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY
Manager Derek Brazil has fashioned a young and exciting side during his three years at the New Bridge Meadow and the addition of Welsh semi-pro central defender Lee Bevan will add more strength to the back four. If prolific striker Jack Christopher can continue his form, the Bluebirds could fly higher than last season's seventh place.
IN Lee Bevan, Jamie Bradford, Kyle Graves, Jamie Grimes, Jarrod Price, Robbie Walters.
OUT Luke Bowen, Craig Hanford, Lee Jarman, Neil Thomas.
MANAGER Derek Brazil LAST SEASON 7th LATEST ODDS 16/1
KEY PLAYER Jack Christopher ONE TO WATCH Jamie Grimes. |
  LLANELLI AFC
Andy Legg's side look more than capable of regaining the crown after a summer of comings and goings at Stebonheath Park. Four-times Golden Boot winner Rhys Griffiths remains the league's most potent goal scorer, while Lee Jarman, Lee Jenkins, Craig Moses, Chris Venables and Owain Warlow all look useful additions to the squad.
IN Craig Frater, Lee Jarman, Steve Jenkins, Craig Moses, Chris Venables.
OUT Nicky Holland, Mark Pritchard.
MANAGER Andy Legg LAST SEASON 2nd LATEST ODDS 5/4
KEY PLAYER Rhys Griffiths ONE TO WATCH Jordan Follows. |
  NEATH FC
The summer's big spenders, the Eagles will be expected to deliver a vastly-improved performance on last season, if not a European-qualifying finish. High profile signings include keeper Anthony Williams, striker Chris Llewellyn and defender Ian Hillier, with plenty of strength in depth in a large squad. Should at least finish in the top six.
IN Carlos Castan, Stephen Davey, Ashley Evans, Liam Hancock, Matthew Harris, Ian Hillier, Chris Llewellyn, Craig Steins, Liam Thomas, Anthony Williams.
OUT Lee Bevan, David Burrows, Richard French, Jarrod Price, Rob Thomas, Michael Waters.
MANAGER Andy Dyer LAST SEASON 14th LATEST ODDS 6/1
KEY PLAYER Chris Llewellyn ONE TO WATCH Sean Cronin. |
  NEWTOWN AFC
With a limited budget, manager Darren Ryan has been forced to rely mainly on youth, although the capture of midfielder Ross Stephens from Aberystwyth Town is a bonus. The Robins could struggle to break into the "Super 12" on merit, but a domestic licence could prove to be their saviour.
IN Michael Collister, Dan Dawson, Stuart Fraser, Tom Jones, Brian Keddle, David Maguire, Ross Stephens.
OUT Hugh Clarke, Richard Evans, Mark Griffiths, Danny Jellicoe, Gareth Mansell, Craig Moses.
MANAGER Darren Ryan LAST SEASON 10th LATEST ODDS 28/1
KEY PLAYER Gavin Cadwallader ONE TO WATCH Jamie Breeze. |
  PORTHMADOG FC
Tomi Morgan's side will need to work hard on and off the field to claim a place in the slimmed-down Welsh Premier in 2010. Only 24 goals from the now-departed Marc Lloyd Williams spared them from relegation in the last campaign although the arrival of Paul Roberts and Aden Shannon will go some way towards filling the gap.
IN Paul Dowridge, Ceri James, John Keegan, Richard Morgan, Dan Pyrs, Euron Roberts, Paul Roberts, Aden Shannon, Mike Thompson, Craig Wilkinson.
OUT Mike Foster, Steve Kehoe, Marc Lloyd Williams, Marcus Orlik, Richie Owen, Rhys Roberts, Liam Shanahan, Mark Thomas.
MANAGER Tomi Morgan LAST SEASON 16th LATEST ODDS 50/1
KEY PLAYER Ryan Davies ONE TO WATCH Marc Evans. |
  PORT TALBOT TOWN
Failed to spark last season until the return of manager Mark Jones, who led them to fifth-place. More is expected this time around with highly-rated keeper Lee Kendall joining ex-Haverfordwest Neil Thomas, ex-Queens Park defender Andy Boslem and former Llanelli midfielder Nick Holland in the squad. Martin Rose and Drew Fahiya can form a potent striker partnership.
IN Andy Boslem, Lloyd Grist, Nicky Holland, Lee Kendall, Daniel Thomas, Neil Thomas.
OUT Darren Davies.
MANAGER Mark Jones LAST SEASON 5th LATEST ODDS 7/1
KEY PLAYER Neil Thomas ONE TO WATCH Mark Jones. |
  PRESTATYN TOWN
Ambitious to claim a place in the Super 12, the Seasiders are investing heavily in their playing staff and Bastion Road ground. The local policy has gone out of the window, with Andy Moran, Paul O'Neill, Steve Rogers and Gareth Wilson all experienced campaigners alongside the core of last season's squad, but need to defy long odds to succeed.
IN Andy Moran, Paul O'Neill, Steve Rogers, Matthew Towns, Gareth Wilson.
OUT Steve Bowes, Jamie Duffy.
MANAGER Neil Gibson LAST SEASON 15th LATEST ODDS 50/1
KEY PLAYER Neil Gibson ONE TO WATCH Mike Parker. |
  RHYL FC
Another Barry Town or TNS dynasty looked on the cards until the financial problems emerged following the shock dismissal of Allan Bickerstaff. New manager Greg Strong has a very small roster - assuming he can hold-on to the players that remain - but there is still the core of an excellent squad that can go close to ensuring that the title remains at Belle Vue for another season.
IN Lee Hunt, John Leah, Martyn Naylor.
OUT Josh Johnson, Craig Jones, Lee Kendall, Paul O'Neill, Carl Owen, Jamie Reed, Chris Roberts, Gareth Wilson.
MANAGER Greg Strong LAST SEASON 1st LATEST ODDS Evens
KEY PLAYER Gareth Owen ONE TO WATCH Luke Holden. |
  TECHNOGROUP WELSHPOOL
Lack of a suitable ground means the mid-Wales Lilywhites have no Super 12 aspirations, but manager Huw Griffiths has made a couple of astute signings in ex-Nomad Michael Cronshaw and returning striker Calvin Davies. Losing stalwart Geraint Windsor for half the season is a blow and Griffiths is relying heavily on youth making a step-up in grade.
IN Phil Clarke, Mike Cronshaw, Calvin Davies, Peter Doran, Steff Edwards, Joe Price, Aaron Pritchard, Mark Stewart.
OUT Paul Dowridge, John Keegan, Andy Muiliner, Paul Roberts, Steve Rogers, Will Thomas, Mike Thompson, Craig Wilkinson.
MANAGER Huw Griffiths LAST SEASON 11th LATEST ODDS 33/1
KEY PLAYER Richard Harris ONE TO WATCH Mike Cronshaw. |
  THE NEW SAINTS
Coach Andy Cale has gone for youth over experience with summer signings Aeron Edwards, Danny Holmes, Chris Marriott and Chris Seargeant, while Steve Abbott looks a decent acquisition up-front. A variety of midfield options also promises plenty of goals and, with plenty of strength in depth, the Saints should go closer than last season.
IN Steve Abbott, Aeron Edwards, Danny Holmes, Craig Jones, Chris Marriott, Chris Seargeant.
OUT Alfie Carter, Stephen Connor, Duane Courtney, John Leah, John Toner, Rob Williams.
MANAGER Andy Cale LAST SEASON 3rd LATEST ODDS 3/1
KEY PLAYER Steve Evans ONE TO WATCH Danny Holmes. |
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