Shropshire Star

FIFA chief Sepp Blatter praises the stunning New Saints

The New Saints' historic Welsh Premier League title win has been praised by FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

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The Football Association of Wales received a letter from Blatter congratulating the Oswestry-based champions on their third consecutive league success which was confirmed last weekend.

TNS rubber-stamped that triumph, which earned them their eighth Welsh Premier title overall, last Saturday when the claimed the point that they needed in a 1-1 draw against second-placed Airbus UK Broughton at Park Hall.

It makes them the most successful club in Welsh Premier history, having overhauled Barry Town's record of seven league titles, and it prompted the world football chief to put pen to paper.

Welsh FA president Trefor Lloyd Hughes received the letter from FIFA headquarters in Zurich, which read: "Please pass on my warmest congratulations to The New Saints on winning the national championship, they thus won their third consecutive championship and their eighth overall.

"Please convey my warmest wishes to all of their players, the manager, the technical and medical staff as well as all of the team's supporters, as each part of this organisation have no doubt been instrumental in their club's victory.

"On behalf of the world football community, I would like to thank The New Saints for the excitement they bring to fans of the beautiful game, and wish them all the best for the future."

TNS's latest title win ensured they will once again represent Wales in the Champions League next season.

They emerged with plenty of credit following their 4-1 aggregate second qualifying round defeat against Polish high-flyers Legia Warsaw in the last campaign, which saw them take the lead before going down 3-1 at home and losing 1-0 away.

Craig Harrison's record-breakers, who thumped Bangor City 9-1 on Good Friday and faced Rhyl away today, could add to their silverware haul when they contest the Welsh Cup Final against Aberystwyth Town in Wrexham on May 3.

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