The future of Welsh Premier football in Oswestry is again up for debate after it was revealed that The New Saints could move from their base at Park Hall – having applied to ground share with Chester City next season.

The revelation comes after the ambitious Welsh Premier title chasers were refused grant aid from the FA of Wales to install the required seating at their Park Hall ground.

So in order to meet requirements to play domestic and European football next season, the club’s owner Mike Harris confirmed the application to ground share.

The move will certainly give the FAW plenty to ponder, particularly with the Welsh Premier set for a major shake-up next season with the formation of the new Super 12.

And local fans will also be wondering what lies ahead with Oswestry’s Park Hall unable to meet the required criteria to stage Welsh Premier and European football next season.

“We are exploring all options at the moment, of which ground sharing with Chester is one,” said Harris.

“My aim is to make sure we have a club who not only meet the domestic criteria but also for that for European football.”

The fact that Chester play in England could be an obstacle if TNS want to continue in the Welsh Premier, although the club would point to the fact they are currently based in another border town, Oswestry.

Logistics could also be a snag for the proposal, with fans having to make an 50-mile plus round trip for home games.

Chester are currently bottom of the Blue Square Premier, with minus three points following major financial problems, so could welcome a chance to share with TNS.

The application could also spark speculation of the Saints switching into the English set-up.

However, the Welsh Premier will be anxious not to lose one of their top clubs, particularly at such an important time for the future of the league.

The move follows Harris’ frustration at being refused grant aid from the Welsh FA towards a new 1,000 seater stand that would have enabled the Park Hall ground to meet the criteria.

He described the FA’s move to deny TNS help towards upgrading their ground as “short sighted”, adding: “Our ground has first class facilities, and we staged European football successfully last summer.

“So we were very disappointed with the FA’s decision which has made it very difficult for us to adhere to the March 31 deadline to ensure our ground passes the criteria.”

Welsh Premier secretary John Deakin said: “I can’t really comment until the FA of Wales have considered the application.”

By JOHN BRIDGWATER