ANDY MORRISON believes the decision to deny Prestatyn Town promotion to the Cymru Premier is “so cruel”.

Connah’s Quay Nomads boss Morrison spent just over eight months working with Prestatyn manager Neil Gibson, who was first-team coach under the former Manchester City captain at the Deeside Stadium in 2018.

Gibson opted to return to Prestatyn, where he spent over a decade as both player and manager, leading the club to numerous promotions and Welsh Cup success for the first time in their history in 2013, which brought about Europa League qualification, with the Seasiders struggling at the wrong end of the Cymru North.

Significant investment in the playing squad last summer, including bringing in former Connah’s Quay Nomads quintet Kai Edwards, Mike Parker, Jon Rushton, Jack Kenny and Rob Hughes, transformed Prestatyn.

Gibson’s men had opened up a 16-point lead at the top of the Cymru North when the season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, but promotion won’t happen after Prestatyn were denied a Tier One domestic licence, despite an appeal.

The rejection is thought to surround the TV gantry not being up to the required standard at Bastion Gardens - the club failing to receive planning permission to solve the issue - and the need for additional hardstanding.

Morrison, who has led Nomads to the top of the Cymru Premier, could only sympathise with Gibson and Prestatyn.

“Gutted for my mate Gibbo,” said Morrison. “No idea of the politics and not interested, I’m a football man like him we do our talking on the pitch.

“Had the most incredible season, that only comes with hard work, drive and a will to win. To lose that on a licensing issue is so cruel.”