THE coronavirus crisis has had a huge impact on sport but 2020 will go down as a historic year for Connah's Quay Nomads.

Nomads were crowned Cymru Premier champions for the first time in the club's history under an unweighted points-per-game method after the 2019-20 season ended early because of the pandemic.

It meant Andy Morrison's side made their Champions League bow in 2020-21 and although they lost 2-0 against Sarajevo, Nomads have picked up where they left off in the top-flight, emerging as title challengers once again.

Director of Football Jay Catton looked back fondly on the last 12 months on the club's official website.

"2020 was certainly a year not to forget!" said Catton. "For the first time in the football club's history we were crowned Cymru Premier champions and competed in the UEFA Champions League!

"Just over ten years ago the club had been relegated from the Welsh Premier League and the journey over the last decade and prior, to finally reach this milestone was incredible for all involved at the football club.

"What the players achieved last season was immense and was the culmination of so many peoples great work over such a long period culminating in the team being crowned champions.

"Following on from this we moved quickly to prepare for our Champions League debut where we faced Sarajevo. From my personal perspective this was the most difficult period for the club I have ever known.

"We entered a totally different challenge with Covid regulations and had to find solutions in totally different scenarios which were new to all including signings, training sessions and match day preparation amongst so many others.

"All players deserve huge credit as their level of professionalism and commitment to home based sessions and fitness-based work when lockdown happened back in March right through till we returned to train in June was top draw.

"On an historic night in Cardiff it was amazing to hear the Champions League anthem, even more special when you look at the journey all had taken to get to that point. Unfortunately, a 2-0 defeat in the fixture, but an amazing event to look back on and in different years and circumstances who knows what that result could have been against the Champions of Bosnia."

Although they exited the Champions League, Nomads took on Dinamo Tbilisi in the Europa League and although they were missing a number of players due to the coronavirus, were more than a match for the Georgian champions, losing 1-0 after conceding a last-gasp goal.

Catton said: "Who could of predicted the challenge we would of faced when a number of our players fell ill to Covid just two days before the game! We faced a European tie with only a 13-man squad with only two subs.

"Being involved as a member of staff, it was incredible to see first-hand how the players reacted and came together within these circumstances, falling to a stoppage time winner to the Georgian champions. It was one of the proudest moments to ever be associated with the club and shone our club ethos of finding a way and adaptability to any challenge."

Nomads are once again battling it out at the top of the table and although top-level domestic football in Wales has been suspended because of the pandemic, Catton is delighted with the Nomads' form.

"To date the team has recorded 13 wins, two draws and only one defeat from the opening 16 games and fully in contention and competing again for this seasons Cymru Premier title along with numerous other clubs," said Catton.

"The first team has progressed immensely over the last few years with solid foundations and personnel that have been successful for a sustained period and progressed year on year.

"Like all clubs the most important element of any teams success is and will always be the players. The players deserve huge credit for a fantastic 2020 of work, but all will be fully aware the most important stage of the season is yet to come."