THE NEW Saints' Football Club are beginning the work on new stands at Park Hall which will meet UEFA's standards for next season. 

The plans to transform their stadium took a major step forward today, with the club hosting a project commencement ceremony at the stadium to mark the breaking of ground in the construction of two new stands. 

The new developments will overhaul Park Hall Stadium, the club’s ground since 2007, and will allow the club to continue to host UEFA Qualifying Rounds One and Two in Oswestry next season. 

Chairman Mike Harris called this a 'momentous day' that they have all been waiting for, thanking Shropshire Council for its support around the development.

He said: "The development of the stadium is crucial to maintaining the club’s status both domestically and in Europe.

"In the past we’ve had to play big European games at neutral grounds across Wales, but now with the upgrades, we will be able to continue competing against Europe’s best teams at Park Hall and put Oswestry right on the map in terms of European football."

OTHER NEWS:

The ceremony was attended by current first team players Chris Marriot and Blaine Hudson, Club Secretary Will Catterall, as well as some of the project’s key planning, construction, and engineering team.  

The plans, which have been approved by Shropshire Council, will see the construction of a brand-new cantilever 800+ seated stand, which will be built alongside The Venue building, alongside an extension to the existing stand behind the Woodland end goal.

The new development, which will cost approximately £1 million, has been part funded by the Premier League Stadium Fund and will ensure that Park Hall stadium complies with the current UEFA Category Two Stadium Infrastructure Regulations, which will mean it can continue to host Qualifying Rounds One and Two in UEFA Club Competitions next season. 

The works are expected to be finished by the end of June, in readiness for the UEFA Qualifying rounds in July, and will create additional jobs for operational and hospitality staff within the local community.

The changes to the stadium will see some of the older seating removed and with the creation of the new stand,Park Hall’s seated capacity will increase from 1,000 to 1,600.

With 14 league titles to their name and the record number of European appearances by any Welsh side, The New Saints FC are the Welsh JD Cymru Premier’s only professional side. 

On the pitch the club are on the verge of winning the Welsh JD Cymru Premier League again, which will see them qualify for European competition next season. 

Mr Harris added: "We’re more than just an elite football club.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest stories from Oswestry and the surrounding area? Click here to sign up for our morning and daily email newsletters and click on the + for the ‘Morning Briefing’ and the 'Daily Catch-Up'.

"The new developments will overhaul Park Hall, transforming the match day experience and providing improved facilities for the local community to benefit from.

"I want the club and stadium to be the centre of the local community.

"We have a role to play, and we want to use the power of football to inspire and help people from all walks of life."