I went to a Champions League game in Shropshire - I wasn’t expecting an EasyJet marshaller

Few things beat a Champions League night under the lights.

When you think of Europe’s premier club competition, rural Shropshire is probably one of the last places that comes to mind.

Yet most summers, thanks to their dominance of the Cymru Premier, The New Saints bring the Champions League to Oswestry. This week, I experienced it first-hand as the Welsh champions hosted Azerbaijan Premier League title winners Sabah in the first qualifying round.

Let’s get the disappointment out of the way first.

I had foolishly failed to familiarise myself with Uefa’s qualifying stage rules and was looking forward to hearing the famous Champions League anthem. It turns out the competition doesn’t quite reach full Champions League mode this early on.

No anthem. No starball. No sleeve badges. Barely any Champions League branding.

Still, it did little to take away from the occasion.

Instead, my lasting memory came before a ball had even been kicked.

Rather than the famous anthem, the players emerged onto the pitch led by a mock aircraft marshaller dressed in EasyJet clothing, complete with runway props and signals directing them onto the field.

It was wonderfully quirky, brilliantly different and, judging by how vividly I still remember it, a marketing success.

Another thing that stood out was Uefa’s strict no-standing policy. The stewards enforced it throughout the evening, although the travelling Sabah supporters behind the goal seemed less concerned. They produced excellent backing throughout.

One of the best parts of European football is meeting people you would never otherwise cross paths with. Both TNS and Sabah’s media team were welcoming and friendly, with one member even sharing his fries with me - hopefully he enjoyed a taste of British football food.

Credit also goes to TNS, whose hospitality and food offering for guests and supporters was excellent.

On the pitch, it was all set up for a stunning comeback.

TNS needed to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit to reach the next round, but Sabah quickly ended any hopes of a dramatic fightback. The tie was effectively over before half-time.

Little did I know that my car being reversed into on arrival would prove an omen for the evening. The dent in my bumper was nothing compared to the damage Sabah inflicted during the opening 45 minutes.

Even so, there was a genuine buzz around Park Hall.

Supporters arrived hours before kick-off, filling the parking areas and creating a sense that something special could happen. After all, it’s not every day a Champions League tie comes to a town on the Shropshire-Wales border.

The atmosphere around the ground reflected that excitement. The television crews, packed press box and healthy support all added to the sense of occasion.

There was no shortage of belief either. The Welsh dragon mascot entertained supporters and owner Mike Harris could be heard constantly urging his side on from the touchline.

Whatever you think of TNS, you have to admire what Harris has built. The club is a well-run operation, and everything surrounding the match was organised superbly.

Although Sabah eventually controlled the game and saw the game out comfortably, TNS never stopped trying. Josh Lock’s goal on his Champions League debut at least gave the home supporters a moment to celebrate before the final whistle.

The Champions League dream may be over for another season, but spending an evening watching Europe’s premier competition in Oswestry remains a wonderfully surreal experience.

Elite European football in rural Shropshire. It really is something special.

And the European adventure is not over just yet. TNS now drop into the Uefa Conference League, where they will take on Estonian side Flora Tallinn in the second qualifying round. There is still at least one other chance this season for supporters to experience a European night at Park Hall - and perhaps it will prove the first step on a journey towards the league phase.