RHYL GET UEFA LICENCE

RHYL have been given the go ahead to compete in Europe by the FA of Wales after meeting stringent new criteria.
The Lilywhites were one of seven clubs which appealed to the Club Licensing Appeals Body for a UEFA Licence. All were successful at the meeting held in Cardiff on Wednesday morning.
The outcome of the appeals at the Football Association of Wales headquarters means the four Welsh nominees for UEFA Club competition matches in 2008/09 are confirmed as follows: -
UEFA Champions League Llanelli AFC
UEFA Cup Bangor City FC and The New Saints FC
UEFA Intertoto Cup Rhyl FC

Following the meeting, FAW Club Licensing Manager and head of competitions, John Deakin said: "It is very pleasing to see seven Principality Welsh Premier League clubs granted a UEFA Licence, which will enable all of those who qualified for UEFA club competitions to participate, which is a just reward for their endeavours throughout the past season."
The Club Licence is a pre-requisite for competing in UEFA club competitions and this season has seen the introduction of UEFA's new Version Two criteria.
The criteria is much more stringent and demanding on clubs than the previous document, which was one of the reasons why no clubs were granted a Licence at the First Instance Body meeting held in April.
Deakin added, "This is a particularly commendable achievement, given the fact that the clubs were expected to achieve enhanced standards in all of the criteria, particularly financial.
"Since the introduction of Club Licensing five years ago, the majority of Welsh Premier League clubs, have made sterling efforts to improve all aspects of their activities, which has resulted in their off-field activities being conducted in a significantly more professional manner."
The most challenging criteria for clubs to achieve has been within the financial section as well as the introduction of player medicals, where all players have to undergo an Echocardiogram, ECG and annual medical.
The three other clubs to get licensed were Carmarthen Town, Welshpool Town and Aberystwyth Town. Indeed, the Seasiders are one of only three clubs to be licensed every season, with Rhyl and TNS being the other two since its inception in 2003/04 season.
All clubs in the UEFA Family of 53 nations, which participates in UEFA Club Competition, must meet the minimum criteria set by UEFA.
Therefore, Welsh clubs like Llanelli, Rhyl, TNS and Bangor City have all met the same minimum requirements as the likes of Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Man. Utd.
UEFA views the Club Licence system as a crucial and obligatory step forward for European clubs. They regard it as evidence to UEFA that clubs have reached a minimum quality of set standards. A licensed club will therefore have proven its commitment to a continuous improvement process and, importantly, to self-regulation and control in the area of finances.