2011–12 The New Saints F.C. season

The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid
2011–12 season
Welsh Premier League Champions[1]
Welsh Cup Winners[1]
Welsh League Cup Semi Final
UEFA Europa League Qualifying round
Top goalscorer League: Greg Draper, 22 goals
All: Greg Draper, 28 goals
Highest home attendance 1468 vs Bangor City, 21 April 2012
Average home league attendance League:
Home colours
Away colours
← 2010–11 2012–13 →

The 2011–12 season of The New Saints F.C. is TNS's 19th consecutive season in the Welsh Premier League along with being the club's 53rd season in existence. The club began their pre-season friendly schedule on 12 June 2011 with a win against a team representing Ynys Môn.

Season review

After completing early pre-season friendlies, the club played its 2011–12 UEFA Europa League qualifying round matches, winning on aggregate in the first qualifying round against Clifftonville before being eliminated in the next round against Danish club Midtjylland. In the domestic competitions the season was a successful year with the club regaining the Welsh Premier League in April,[2] by a five-point margin, in a season that saw the club lose just four league matches. Greg Draper finished the season as the club's leading scorer with 21 league goals, just one behind the Llanelli's Rhys Griffiths. The club became the first side to score in every game in a Welsh Premier season since the birth of the League of Wales in 1992.[3] They completed the double on 5 May 2012 beating CEFN Druids F.C. 2-0 in the Welsh Cup final, and thus kept a record on not conceding a goal for the entire Welsh Cup campaign.[1]

The club also progressed to the semi-final stage of the Welsh League Cup.

At the end of the season came the news that the club had submitted entries for the English FA Cup and FA Trophy for the 2012-13 season. This decision meant that the club wished to play in both the Welsh and English domestic cup competitions.[4]

Head coach Carl Darlington received the Welsh Premier League's manager of the year award for 2011/12 at the end of the season.[5]

Season squad

As of 9 February 2012.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
— England GK Paul Harrison
— Wales GK Alex Ramsey
— England DF Phil Baker
— Wales DF Steve Evans
— England DF Marcus Giglio
— England DF Jermaine Johnson (until January 2012)
— Wales DF Chris Marriott
— Wales DF Connell Rawlinson
— Wales DF Simon Spender
— Wales MF Aeron Edwards
— England MF Sam Finley (from January 2012)
— England MF Ryan Fraughan (from January 2012)
— England MF Barry Hogan
No. Position Player
— England MF Luke Holden (January–February 2012)
— Wales MF Craig Jones
— Republic of Ireland MF Richie Partridge (retired in August 2011)
— Wales MF Tom Roberts
— Wales MF Scott Ruscoe
— England MF Christian Seargeant
— Wales MF Nicky Ward
— England MF Chris Williams
— Wales FW Alex Darlington
— New Zealand FW Greg Draper
— Wales FW Charlie Proctor
— Scotland FW Chris Sharp (until end of August)
— Wales FW Matthew Williams


First Team Transfers

In

N
 P
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 EU
 Moving from
 Type
 Transfer
window		 Ends
 Transfer
fee		 Ref.
— FW New Zealand Greg Draper 21EU Basingstoke TownEngland Transfer Summer The New Saints FC[6]
— MF England Sam Finley 19EU Warrington TownEngland Transfer Winter The New Saints FC[7]
— MF England Luke Holden 23EU ChesterEngland Transfer Winter The New Saints FC[8]
— DF England Jermaine Johnson 21EU Stafford RangersEngland Transfer Summer The New Saints FC[9]
— MF Wales Tom Roberts 18EU Aston VillaEngland Free Agent Summer The New Saints FC[10]
— DF Wales Simon Spender 25EU BarrowEngland Transfer Summer The New Saints FC[11]
— MF Wales Nicky Ward 33EU Bangor City Transfer Summer The Daily Post[12]
— MF England Chris Williams 26EU Rhyl Transfer Summer The New Saints FC[13]

Last updated: 1 January

Out

N
 P
 Nat.
 Name
 Age
 EU
 Moving to
 Type
 Transfer
window		 Transfer
fee		 Source
— FW Saint Kitts and Nevis Matthew Berkeley 23EU Hyde Released Summer
— MF England Luke Holden 23EU Formby Released Winter
— DF England Danny Holmes 22EU Tranmere Rovers Released Summer The New Saints FC[11]
— DF England Tommy Holmes 31EU Airbus UK Broughton Released Summer The New Saints FC[14]
— DF England Jermaine Johnson 22EU Hednesford TownEngland Released Winter Welsh Premier League[15]
— DF Wales Sean Jones 20EU Stafford Rangers Released Summer The New Saints FC[16]
— MF England John McKenna 20EU Colwyn Bay Released Summer The New Saints FC[16]
— MF Wales Ryan Marriott 22EU Released Summer The New Saints FC[16]
— MF Republic of Ireland Richie Partridge 30EU Retired Summer BBC Sport[17]
— FW Scotland Chris Sharp 25EU AFC Telford United Transfer Summer Undisclosed The New Saints FC[18]
— FW England Craig Whitfield 21EU Airbus UK Broughton Released Summer The New Saints FC[16]
— MF Wales Craig Williams 28EU Aberystwyth TownWales Released Summer The New Saints FC[16]
— MF Cayman Islands Jamie Wood 32EU Released Summer The New Saints FC[16]

Loans out

# Pos Nat. Player To Start End Source
— DF England Jermaine Johnson Wales Newtown 8 October 2011 31 December 2011 The New Saints FC[19]
— FW Wales Charlie Proctor Wales Llandudno August 2011 ?

Last updated: 20 October 2011

Matches

Competitive

Welsh Premier League

The club started the season with a draw, followed by a defeat by a late goal at Port Talbot Town. Seven wins followed propelling the club to the top of the table and earning first team coach Carl Darlington the Welsh Premier League's manager of the month award for August/ September.[20] This was followed by the club's best win of the season, a 4-0 win against Carmarthen Town, and a draw away at Bala Town.[21] A narrow win at home to Port Talbot Town returned them back to the top of the table.[22] Their first match of November saw them go six points clear at the top of the table, having won eleven of the past twelve matches[23] and Darlington claimed his second manager of the month award on the back of the team's results throughout October.[24] The following matches however saw a reversal of the team's previous good form, with a draw followed by two defeats, at home to Bangor City and away at Afan Lido.

The following week, Director of Football Mike Davies resigned after eighteen months in charge of team affairs.[25][26] The club received more than 50 applications when they advertised the full-time post.[27] On 30 December the club announced the appointment of Craig Harrison as his replacement.[28]

The team ended the year strongly with four wins and a draw, leaving them second at the end of first phase of the season.

Phase one
Phase Two

After a disappointing home defeat to Neath, two away wins saw the team keep up the preasure on league leaders Bangor City.[51] The beginning of March saw the first home league win of the second phase with a home win against Bala Town.[52] The following week saw an away victory over leaders Bangor, and the club moving to the top of the table.[53] The remainder of the season, saw the club win three of the next four games, with a final day of the season match against second placed Bangor City for the second consecutive season. This time they won the final game with a comprehensive 5-0 win,[54] resulting in them being crowned champions for the sixth time.[55]

Results by round

Phase one
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
GroundHAHAHAHAHHAHHHAHAHAAAH
Result D L W W W W W W W W D W W W D L L D W W W W
Position 8           1 1 1 1   1 1 1       2 3 3 2 2

Last updated: 26 December 2011.
Source: welsh-premier.com
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.
Phase two
Round12345678910
GroundHAAHAAHHAH
Result L W W W W W W D W W
Position 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

Last updated: 21 April 2012.
Source: welsh-premier.com
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.

League position

Pos Club Pld W D L F A GD Pts
1The New Saints 3223547531+4474
2Bangor City 3222377245+2769
3Neath 3218866036+2462

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

  Champion   Runner-up   Top 6[nb1]   Play-off   Relegated

UEFA Europa League

The club entered the Europa League in the first qualifying round as a result of having been runners-up of the Welsh Premier League in the 2010-11 season. In the first round they were drawn against Northern Irish side Cliftonville, drawing the first leg at home before winning away 1-0, progressing 2-1 on aggregate. In the second qualifying round they played Danish club Midtjylland losing both times; 3-1 at home and 5-2 away.

Welsh Cup

Main article: 2011–12 Welsh Cup

The club were drawn against reigning Welsh League champions Bryntirion Athletic in the third round of the FAW Welsh Cup,[70] a game the which saw a comfortable victory.[71] In the next round the club were drawn against Newport County.[72] County were forced to play a youth team as their first team were playing league game at the same time in Gateshead. As a result, the Saints ran out 4–0 winners.[73] A narrow victory over fellow full-time club Neath[74] saw them progress to the semi-finals where they played Bala Town, securing a comfortable 4-0 win.[75] In progressing to the final against Cefn Druids, they had cleared each round without conceding a goal. The club completed their second league and club double with a 2-0 win on 5 May.[1]

Welsh League Cup

The club received a bye in the first round as the holders of the competition. After a 3-1 aggregate victory over Airbus UK Broughton, they were drawn against Newtown in the regionally focused two leg semi-final. After leading the home leg 3-0, then conceded two goals. In the second leg, Newtown scored a late goal, therefore winning on away goals.[81]

Pre-season

Shropshire Senior Cup

Season goalscorers

As of 5 May 2012.[92]
Place Position Nation Number Name Premier League Welsh Cup League Cup Europa League Total
1 FW New Zealand -- Greg Draper 22 6 0 0 28
2 FW Wales -- Alex Darlington 12 3 2 3 20
3 FW Wales -- Matty Williams 9 1 0 0 10
4 FW England -- Christian Seargeant 6 0 2 0 8
5 MF Wales -- Chris Jones 4 1 0 0 5
= MF Wales -- Nick Ward 4 1 0 0 5
7 DF Wales -- Steve Evans 3 0 0 1 4
= DF England -- Phil Baker 1 1 1 1 4
= MF Wales -- Aeron Edwards 3 1 0 0 4
= MF England -- Ryan Fraughan 3 1 0 0 4
11 MF Wales -- Tom Roberts 3 0 0 0 3
12 MF Wales -- Scott Ruscoe 2 0 0 0 2
= DF Wales -- Simon Spender 1 1 0 0 2
14 MF England -- Sam Finley 1 0 0 0 1
= DF Wales -- Chris Marriott 1 0 0 0 1
= DF Wales -- Connell Rawlinson 0 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 75 15 6 5 101

Notes

  1. nb1 The Welsh Premier League will be played over two phases. Phase one will last twenty-two weeks, culminating on 2 January 2012. Phase two will be played between January and April, this is followed by play-offs to decide the last 2012–13 UEFA Europa League spot.[93]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Welsh Cup final: Cefn Druids 0-2 The New Saints". BBC. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  2. ↑ "No slip as classy Saints reclaim the title". www.welsh-premier.com. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  3. ↑ "This side can get even better, says Harrison". The New Saints. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  4. ↑ Blanche, Phil (22 April 2012). "Saints alive as Welsh Premier champions get FA Cup go-ahead". Wales on Sunday. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Darlo wins manager of the year award". The New Saints. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  6. ↑ "Kiwi international striker Greg signs for the Saints". The New Saints. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  7. ↑ "Young midfielder arrives from Warrington". The New Saints. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  8. ↑ "Harris slams FAW over delayed Holden debut". The New Saints. 1 January 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  9. ↑ "Centre-half Jermaine is first new Saint of the summer". The New Saints. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  10. ↑ "Saints welcome former Aston Villa youngster". The New Saints. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Saints sign former Wales Under-21 defender". The New Saints. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  12. ↑ "Nicky Ward signs for The New Saints". The New Saints. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  13. ↑ "Davies captures wingman Willo from Rhyl". The New Saints. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  14. ↑ "End of an era as Tosh is released". The New Saints. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  15. ↑ "Defender Johnson leaves Park Hall". Welsh Premier League. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Six players not offered new deals". The New Saints. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  17. ↑ "Richie Partridge has to retire but TNS sign Tom Roberts". BBC Sport. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  18. ↑ "Striker Sharp transfers to the Bucks". The New Saints. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  19. ↑ "Defender 'JJ' loaned to Newtown". The New Saints. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  20. ↑ "Darlington is manager of the month". www.welsh-premier.com. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  21. ↑ "Bala hit back to share the spoils". www.welsh-premier.com. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  22. ↑ "TNS back on top despite missed chances". www.welsh-premier.com. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  23. ↑ "Stylish Saints open-up six point lead". www.welsh-premier.com. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  24. ↑ "Back-to-back awards for TNS management". www.welsh-premier.com. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  25. ↑ "Mike Davies leaves The New Saints role". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  26. ↑ "Director of football Davies quits TNS". www.welsh-premier.com. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  27. ↑ "Saints drawing-up shortlist for vacancy". www.welsh-premier.com. 9 December 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  28. ↑ "The New Saints name Craig Harrison as their new manager". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  29. ↑ "10-man Saints held at home by Bala". www.welsh-premier.com. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  30. ↑ "Blain's late goal a pain for the Saints". www.welsh-premier.com. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  31. ↑ "Saints off the mark despite late scare". www.welsh-premier.com. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  32. ↑ "Draper fires Saints to important win". www.welsh-premier.com. 3 September 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  33. ↑ "Impressive Saints beat fellow full-timers". www.welsh-premier.com. 7 September 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  34. ↑ "Saints make it three wins in a week". www.welsh-premier.com. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  35. ↑ "Saints stroll to the top". www.welsh-premier.com. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  36. ↑ "Airbus UK Broughton 1-2 The New Saints". www.welsh-premier.com. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  37. ↑ "Saints made to battle by Abersytwyth". www.welsh-premier.com. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  38. ↑ "Saints glitter against Old Gold". www.welsh-premier.com. 9 October 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  39. ↑ "Saints surrender two-goal lead". www.welsh-premier.com. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  40. ↑ "Saints avenge early season defeat". www.welsh-premier.com. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  41. ↑ "TNS good value for Prestatyn win". www.welsh-premier.com. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  42. ↑ "Scintillating Saints light-up Bonfire night". www.welsh-premier.com. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  43. ↑ "Full-timers share the spoils". www.welsh-premier.com. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2011.
  44. ↑ "City win seven-goal Park Hall thriller". www.welsh-premier.com. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  45. ↑ "Lido stun full-timers". www.welsh-premier.com. 18 November 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  46. ↑ "Saints steady the ship". www.welsh-premier.com. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  47. ↑ "Aberystwyth Town 1-1 The New Saints". www.welsh-premier.com. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  48. ↑ "Saints grateful for early Christmas present". www.welsh-premier.com. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  49. ↑ "Saints survive Newtown scare". www.welsh-premier.com. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  50. ↑ "Saints turn-on New Year style". www.welsh-premier.com. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  51. ↑ "TNS and Neath maintain the title pressure". www.welsh-premier.com. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  52. ↑ "Draper completes the Saints' comeback". www.welsh-premier.com. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  53. ↑ "Saints win at Bangor to hit the top". www.welsh-premier.com. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  54. ↑ "Scintillating Saints are just champion!". www.welsh-premier.com. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  55. ↑ Haylett, Trevor (21 April 2012). "TNS recapture Welsh title from Bangor". UEFA. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  56. ↑ "Saints gift the points to the Eagles". www.welsh-premier.com. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  57. ↑ "Prestatyn Town 0-4 The New Saints". www.welsh-premier.com. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  58. ↑ "Prestatyn Town 0-4 The New Saints". www.welsh-premier.com. 18 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  59. ↑ "The New Saints 3-2 Bala Town". www.welsh-premier.com. 2 March 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  60. ↑ "Bangor City 1-3 The New Saints". www.welsh-premier.com. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  61. ↑ "Neath 0 -1 The New Saints". www.welsh-premier.com. 17 March 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  62. ↑ "Last-gasp winner keeps TNS on title track". www.welsh-premier.com. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  63. ↑ "Saints frustrated by 10 man Reds". www.welsh-premier.com. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  64. ↑ "Sam's the man for the Saints". www.welsh-premier.com. 15 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  65. ↑ "The New Saints 5-0 Bangor City". www.welsh-premier.com. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  66. ↑ "The New Saints 1-1 Cliftonville". BBC Sport. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  67. ↑ "Cliftonville 0-1 TNS (1-2 agg)". BBC Sport. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  68. ↑ "The New Saints 1-3 Midtjylland". BBC Sport. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  69. ↑ "Midtjylland 5-2 TNS (agg 8-3)". BBC Sport. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  70. ↑ "Saints handed home tie in Welsh Cup". The New Saints FC. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  71. ↑ "Darlo hails job well done". The New Saints FC. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  72. ↑ "Exiles at home in Welsh Cup fourth round". The New Saints FC. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  73. ↑ "Saints cruise past the Exiles". www.welsh-premier.com. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  74. ↑ "TNS into semis, but holders crash in shoot-out". www.welsh-premier.com. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  75. ↑ "Super Saints clinch cup final berth". The New Saints FC. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  76. ↑ "Six-goal TNS overpower Bryntirion". www.welsh-premier.com. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  77. ↑ "The New Saints 4-0 Newport County". www.welsh-premier.com. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  78. ↑ "The New Saints 1-0 Neath". www.welsh-premier.com. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  79. ↑ "Saints cruise past the Lakesiders". www.welsh-premier.com. 31 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  80. ↑ "Saints win the cup to make it a double". Welsh Premier League. 5 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  81. ↑ "Late goal wings Robins into League Cup final". Welsh Premier League. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  82. ↑ "The New Saints 2 - 1 Airbus UK Broughton". The New Saints FC. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  83. ↑ "Sam's the man as Saints maintain League Cup grip". The New Saints FC. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  84. ↑ "The New Saints 3 - 2 Newtown AFC". The New Saints FC. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  85. ↑ "Newtown AFC 1 - 0 The New Saints". Welsh Premier League. 3 April 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  86. ↑ "Proctor and Darlo at the double in warm-up". The New Saints FC. 12 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  87. ↑ "Saints fall to stoppage time winner". The New Saints FC. 18 June 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  88. ↑ "Sharp double helps Saints beat Luton". Border Counties Advertizer. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  89. ↑ "Happy return to Treflan for the Saints". The New Saints FC. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  90. ↑ "Dave Hughes praises Shrewsbury Town's young guns". Shropshire Star. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  91. ↑ "Harrison villain to hero in cup victory". The New Saints FC. 6 August 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
  92. ↑ "Teams & Stats 2011/12". The New Saints. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  93. ↑ League format welsh-premier.com Retrieved 12 August 2010
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