FLINT TOWN UNITED are just 10 days away from their long-awaited return to the top-flight.

The Silkmen have been away from the Welsh top table since being relegated way back in 1997/98, some 22 years.

But, driven by a loyal band of hard-working volunteers off the field, and led by Niall McGuinness and his coaching staff who have put together an eye-catching squad, Flint can finally look forward to being back amongst the elite.

Flint kick off their 2020/21 Cymru Premier campaign with a home encounter against Newtown on Saturday, September 12.

“To get promoted in five years from where we were is great,” said chairman Darryl Williams, who is the figurehead of the off-field activity, with Keith Roberts, Ian Norbury, Dai Beck, Paul Duncan, Tony ‘Brummie’ Forster, Mike Redshaw and Paul Davies part of the furniture at the Essity Stadium.

“They are Flint Town United Football Club,” continued Williams. “Since I became chairman in 2015 I’ve wanted the club to win promotion from these people who live and breathe the club and for the town as a whole.

“I’m privileged to be the chairman of Flint Town United Football Club.”

Williams hails from Oakenholt, but has close ties to Flint courtesy of his prolific goalscoring father Graham, who found the net on a regular basis at the old London Road Ground.

“It was on my bucket list to get Flint into the Cymru Premier,” said Williams, who celebrated with family when Flint’s promotion as Cymru North runners up was rubber-stamped in June.

“It was a very special day. My son Ed was 21 on the day the news broke and my phone was going crazy. I was trying to cut the cake when all I wanted to do was scream.

“I also went to the cemetery to say hello to my dad.”

Since Williams arrived at Flint in 2015 the club have been awarded a domestic licence every single year, but while things were going right off the field, winning promotion on the pitch proved tricky.

Chris Herbert and Andy Holden came and went from the Essity Stadium before McGuinness arrived having resigned from his role as Rhyl boss less than two months earlier.

“We weighed things up with Niall, whose dedication and insight were very impressive,” said Williams. “The decision to appoint Niall has paid off in the bucketload.

“Niall has worked very well with Aden Shannon and Johnny Hill and there’s a good structure, which has shown in our results since he arrived at the club.

“Our academy director, Danny Bell, is also working closely with the first-team and helping bring young players through the system.”

Consolidation is the name of the game this season for Flint, who have strengthened their squad this summer with ex-Connah’s Quay Nomads trio Wes Baynes, Rob Hughes and Conor Harwood, as well as former Football League ace Nathan Craig impressive signings.

The latest addition is central defender Darren Thornton, who heads to Flintshire from Cymru North outfit Colwyn Bay, replacing George Macready, the youngster deciding to return to the English system with Northwich.

“Looking forward to this one,” tweeted Thornton after his signing was announced by Flint, who tackled neighbours Connah’s Quay Nomads on Tuesday night in a behind-closed-doors friendly, Andy Morrison's men winning 2-0 courtesy of goals from Michael Wilde and Danny Davies.