LLANSANTFFRAID Football Club have underlined their ambitions by applying for promotion to the Ardal North East League.

The Treflan club is one five fourth tier clubs to apply for a place in the third division next season, joining Barmouth United, Abermule, Hay St Mary’s and Radnor Valley in making their ambitions known.

The MMP Central Wales League North club is currently in the title chase as well as enjoying a fine run in the Welsh Trophy as manager Marc Griffiths bids to bring the glory days back to the border club.

Treflan has a long history as a venue for higher league football having once been home to the club which was renamed Total Network Solutions in 1996 as part of a sponsorship deal with Mike Harris’ Oswestry-based computer company.

The current club was formed in 2007 after TNS departed the village and merged with Oswestry Town to form the JD Cymru Premier perennial champions The New Saints.

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The Saints won back to back promotions to join the Mid Wales League in 2009-10.

The Saints resigned in 2016 and forced to drop down to the second division of the Mid Wales League but soon bounced back and competed in the first division until the league was dissolved in 2020.

After last season’s mid-table finish the Saints appointed ex-Llanrhaeadr manager Marc Griffiths in the summer and have been in the title race since the onset of the campaign.

The club’s ground exceeds third tier seating criteria while also home to a vibrant social club.

Griffiths said: “As a club we are keen to push on.

“We are fortunate to have some of the best facilities in mid Wales and we are aiming to progress the club over the coming years.

“We are awaiting a ground inspection in the next few weeks but we are not expecting to have any issues.

“If we need anything additional put in place then we will be sure to address it to ensure our application is successful.”