Manager Mike Davies hailed The New Saints’ historic Champions League triumph – and paid tribute to the old guard after finally laying to rest the club’s European jinx.

Playing their 12th season in Europe, the Welsh Premier champions finally made it past the first hurdle when sweeping aside fancied Irish side Bohemians 4-0 (4-1 on aggregate) at rain-drenched Park Hall last night.

The stunning show saw the Saints overcome a one-goal deficit from the first leg, and they can now contemplate a meeting with Belgian giants Anderlecht in the third qualifying round, the first leg of which will take place at Wrexham next Tuesday.

Massive achievement

Even if they fail to progress further to the lucrative group stages, the Oswestry-based side are already assured of a bumper pay day with possible TV rights while they will automatically qualify for the Europa League play-offs

And Davies, in his first home game since being installed as manager during the summer, was delighted for the whole side, notably the senior members who have suffered seasons of European anguish.

“I’m chuffed for all all the lads, the whole squad, but in particular for the older ones like Steve Evans, Barry Hogan, Scott Ruscoe who really deserve a night like this,” he said.

“A result like this has been a long time coming, it is a massive achievement for the club. Everyone worked their socks off, I could not have asked for any more.

“We trained really hard and everything we planned worked for us. Bohemians are a quality side, but they struggled to adapt to our pitch.”

Shrewsbury-based midfielder Scott Ruscoe, an integral part of the side, had good reason to savour TNS’ long overdue Champions League success after years of heartache.

“It was my 20th game in Europe so it was about time,” he said. “What we said was that we didn’t want to be coming back into the dressing room after the game thinking what might have been.

“All the lads were terrific, we made sure we took our chance with both hands. I couldn’t believe it when all the goals were going in, I was thinking this doesn’t happen to us in Europe.

“It was a great night for the club and we showed everyone how we can play football.”

Stunned Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon said he was contemplating his future.

“I’m embarrassed. It was disgraceful,” he said. “I’m really sorry for all our fans.”

By JOHN BRIDGWATER