It's been quite the ride: Connah's Quay Nomads go from top-flight strugglers to Cymru Premier champions

Five years ago such a statement appeared little more than a pipe dream, but as of Tuesday, it was very much a reality as they were crowned deserved top-flight title winners.

Andy Morrison walked through the doors of the Deeside Stadium just over four-and-a-half years ago. Monday, November 2, 2015 to be exact. And something changed.

Increased investment in the team had already started, but now there was a leader who was looking to make Nomads the powerful force in Flintshire, overtaking Airbus, with whom he’d led into European competition on three successive occasions alongside Andy Preece before his sudden departure.

The task facing Morrison, and trusted lieutenant Jay Catton, when the former Manchester City captain arrived at Nomads was to get the club out of trouble. He did that in some style, not only dragging them away from the drop zone, but into the end of season play-offs.

It was written in the stars that Nomads would go toe-to-toe with Airbus in the final, a Europa League place up for grabs as Flintshire foes did battle with Morrison and Preece locking horns on the sidelines.

Wes Baynes grabbed the winner for Nomads as they secured a first ever foray into Europe, and the rest as they say, is history.

Reflecting on that memorable play-off final victory, which recently celebrated it’s four-year anniversary, Morrison tweeted: “What a day I could manage my country in a World Cup final and not feel what I did on the day

“Carpenters TOP OF THE WORLD on repeat in the car on way home.”

It’s been described as the beginning of it all, and it’s hard to argue with Nomads going from strength-to-strength.

Their first Europa League campaign brought about a memorable first qualifying round success over Norwegian outfit Stabaek.

Since then there have been another three Europa League campaigns on the spin, a victory over Helsinki an appetiser for a memorable success over Kilmarnock, who were stunned 2-0 on their own turf having led 2-1 after the first-leg.

Nomads had already all-but conquered Scotland the previous season, reaching the Scottish Challenge Cup final, where, but for some wasteful first-half finishing, they could have beaten Ross County to lift the trophy.

A Welsh Cup final victory over Aberystwyth Town in 2018 proved that Nomads were hungry for silverware, and although they missed out on retaining that trophy the following year, the League Cup is in their grasp after they beat STM Sports in January at Newtown’s Latham Park.

With the Cymru Premier title arriving at the Deeside Stadium, it means Nomads have completed a domestic double.

What’s next? Nomads have the chance to make an impression on the Champions League, while retaining their league title will be a mouthwatering prospect with The New Saints sure to come back strongly after failing to lift the trophy for the first time since 2012.

Morrison took time to reflect on what has happened since he arrived at Nomads, and saluted his players.

“He tweeted: “5 years ago bottom of the league. Since, 1 play-off win, 2 Welsh Cup finals - 1 win, 1 League Cup win, 1 Scottish Challenge Cup final, 5 back to back European campaigns, 1 TITLE ....

“Wait till we start playing football. Take a bow lads.”

It’s been quite the journey for Nomads and Morrison, and you get the feeling it’s far from over.