NEWLY-promoted Prestatyn, who have picked up an admirable four points out of six in their first-ever Welsh Premier campaign, are far from overawed by their visit to Park Hall this Friday.
Prestatyn will not only have to handle the full-time might of TNS, but many of their players also face the prospect of playing a competitive match on an artificial surface for the first time.
“We certainly won’t be going there with an inferiority complex – we’ll go with a fresh outlook and to get a result,” the Seasiders' player/manager Neil Gibson (pictured) told the Rhyl and Prestatyn Visitor.
“I’ve had reports that the surface is something different but we’ll prepare as well as we can, get there early, have a run on it and decide on the most suitable footwear.
“I know all about TNS, they’re a strong full-time outfit and I’ve played alongside a few of their players in the past so I know what to expect," added Gibson who, at 28, is the league's youngest manager.
A former Wales Under-21 international who made one Football League appearance for Tranmere Rovers in 1988, he also had spells with Sheffield Wednesday, Rhyl, Southport, Halesowen and Leigh RMI before returning to Prestatyn in the 2005/6 campaign.
Appointed manager for 2007/8, he led the club to the Cymru Alliance title and promotion to the Welsh Premier last season.
SOME TNS fans were shocked by an announcement on BBC Radio Shropshire
on Friday that the club had changed its name for a third time.
Managing director Mike Harris (pictured) told the radio station's sports editor James Bond
that "when
we surveyed the fans it became apparent that the majority wanted to see a greater inclusion
of Oswestry within the club, so that is what we are putting into action.< Read more