Welcome!

I have noted over the past few months that various WPL-related chatrooms, forums and blogs have carried posts relating to the way the league is structured and most seem to a) favour an increase in the number of member clubs, b) doing away with the January split but c) keeping the exiciting end-of-season Europa League play-off format.

The play-offs are certainly an excellent way to bring down the curtain on the season and well worth keeping but the mid-season split seems irrelevant given the balance and division of power currently held among the Welsh Premier League's clubs.

Surely the men in suits must have a serious chat about increasing the membership of the league back to 16 clubs - it's unlikely to happen next season (2012/13) but a workable and satisfactory system could surely be found and put into place for season 2013/14?

I read with interest this week that a root and branch reform of the English non-league system has been thrown out. This involved cutting leagues at step five (eg North West Counties League) from 14 to 12 and then reducing the numbers of clubs within those leagues.

Unsurprisingly this caused widespread opposition and instead, a review group at the Football Association has been looking at leaving things as they are but increasing the numbers of clubs in the Northern Premier, Ryman Premier and Southern League Premier divisions from 22 to 24 with 'feeder' divisions below these also increasing their numbers.

Additionally all 14 step five leagues must contain a minimum of 20 clubs and a maximum of 22.

It has also been widely reported for quite some time now that the Scottish Premier League are looking at upping their numbers to avoid the stagnating 'Groundhog Day' effect of playing the same teams over and over again, year in, year out.

With our other two mainland football associations seeing larger divisions as the way forward, surely the FAW must follow suit and reintroduce a 14 or 16 team division for the WPL?

There is widespread criticism of the WPL as a 'product' at the momemnt and certainly crowds are dwindling by the season but it needn't be that way. No-one really wants to see, for example, Prestatyn v Airbus four times a season - we could have theoretically played Bangor City EIGHT times last season - twice in phase one, twice in phase two, twice in the League Cup (had we not lost to Newtown) and the potential was there to draw them in the Welsh Cup and Coast FA Cup.

That is clearly too much, Afan Lido and Port Talbot played each other seven or eight times last season and even the most diehard followers of the league's closest derby rivals must have been sick of the sight of each other by meeting number five!

A league where everyone plays each other once at home and once away with occasional 'extra-curricular' cup meetings is inifinitely preferable to most supporters who after all, are among the most important people in all of this as its their money, time and commitment that keeps clubs going and gives them their off the field traditions.

Some would argue there are not enough clubs with the Domestic Licence to merit a 16 club league but if there is a shortfall, give those without it a 'licence amnesty' and a fixed timescale - say 18 months - to achieve the criteria with the caveat that if they don't pass every module at the end of that timescale then they are out and will be replaced by a club that does meet the criteria. No arguments, no appeals, simple as.

I would be interested to see what our supporters at PTFC think should happen to the Welsh Premier League over the next couple of seasons. Leave a message in the usual way on this board or email me via the Contact Us page.

Mark Jones

Opening the season will be Warrington-based Eagle Sports FC of the Cheshire League.

The Eagles secured a top three finish in their league this season and will be at Bastion Gardens on Saturday July 7 for what will probably the traditional pre-season 'squad/triallists' opener.

Also confirmed is a home game with Rhyl on Saturday August 4 which should prove a real crowd puller.

More friendlies should be announced in the next fortnight.

Whilst everyone involved at Prestatyn Town FC are obviously disappointed with our defeat at Bala (and I know the players are devastated), I would like to place on record how proud I am of what has been achieved by Neil, his backroom team and playing staff.

We were as good as Bala and certainly in the first half played the better football. However what will be will be. Congratulations to Bala and I genuinely wish them every luck in the final.

The fact that former Town striker Lee Hunt scored the winner is ironic and in itself tells a story.

Hunty was one of three key players who left at the end of last season because we couldn’t match the wages and financial incentives offered by other clubs and whilst the squad have coped admirably we were always going to find it difficult to compete at the very top level.

When I joined in September there were a number of people who said that we might struggle this season so to get to the semi final of the Europa play-offs is a fantastic achievement by Gibbo and his players.

And for those of you who say that we were helped by Neath being kicked out of the play-offs, please remember how they got there – by trying to buy success and giving false promises to players.

My view is that we have had a very successful season. The league structure has meant that since Christmas we have only played the top teams and whilst results haven’t always gone our way some of the performances have been very impressive.

Injuries and suspensions to key players allowed us to blood some of our youngsters and this means they now have invaluable experience making us stronger for next season. The future is very bright with many local players coming to the fore.

Thank you to the numerous volunteers who have helped our club throughout the season and also to our sponsors who give us critical financial support.

A great deal of work goes on behind the scenes and we wouldn’t be able to function without everyone’s help. Our presentation night is being held on Saturday May 19th and there is an open invitation to everyone involved with the club to come and join us.

Finally I would also to thank our brilliant supporters. Apart from being extremely vocal at matches many of them help as volunteers and it should be applauded that they raised over £2,000 pounds this season towards the running of the club.

The players genuinely appreciate your support – last night a ‘gutted’ Paul O’Neill sent me a text saying: "Could you please thank the fans for their amazing support for me. I just wish we could’ve done it for them as they more than deserve it."

So onwards and upwards. We have some great young players coming through, we are strengthening the academy, we will shortly be launching a new football in the community programme and we have plans to develop the ground and its facilities. I will keep you updated as things develop – news about the academy will be published very soon and look out for our new signings for next season!

A big thank you again to everyone involved with the Seasiders. We are Town!

Phil Merrick, chairman