RHYDYMWYN joint managers Jordan Parry and Anthony Weaver believe the decision to end the Welsh National League Premier Division early had to be made.

Parry and Weaver earned promotion to the league for the start of the 2019/20 campaign, and took their side to 11th in their first season of tier-three football with a number of games in hand before all football across Wales was suspended in mid-March.

The Football Association of Wales subsequently made the decision to finalise tiers one to four on a points-per-game basis, and the joint managers fully understand.

Parry said: “No-one could’ve predicted that the season would be disrupted like this, and although it’s disappointing, we accept that the league couldn’t be continued in the interests of health and safety.

“During lockdown there was a lot of talk of perhaps playing games behind closed doors, but at our level there was no easy way to achieve that whilst maintaining social distancing measures.

“As a club, we always say ‘person before player’, and we wouldn’t anyone risking their own health for the sake of a football game, regardless of how much we want to get going again.”

Weaver added: “Although the season has come to an early close, we’re really pleased with what we achieved from August through to March.

“The league is full of quality teams and we made our mark with some great results to establish ourselves as a third-tier club in our own right, and we can now look forward to starting next season.

“We have plans in place to grow the club, with a fantastic board supporting us and a committed set of players that want to see us competing amongst the best in North Wales.”

Chirk AAA, meanwhile, have appointed former player Andy Pryde as their new manager with immediate effect.

Pryde will be the head of a management team which will include assistant boss James Williams and Jack Ellis, who will be club coach.

Pryde said: “Looking forward to a new challenge in men’s football. Thanks to Chirk for giving me the opportunity. Can’t wait to get started.”