Player-manager Dylan McPhee admits there is a buzz around The Weirglodd as Rhayader Town prepare for life in the Huws Grays Alliance.
It has been a meteoric rise for Rhayader who found themselves without a team for the 2006-2007 campaign. The club reformed 12 months later with McPhee appointed player-manager and went on to complete a Watson Associates Mid Wales (South) League and Cup double.
Sixth in the Spar Mid Wales league the following term, Rhayader finished runners-up to Penparcau last season to gain promotion to the second tier of Welsh football.
The Radnorshire side last played in the Cymru Alliance in 1996-1997 when they finished champions above Rhydymwyn and Llandudno to start a memorable five year stint in the then League of Wales.
In a normal season, consolidation would have been Rhayader’s aim but this time the word might just be survival judging by the strength of the Alliance.
Rhyl, Welsh Premier League champions just two seasons ago, will be desperate to return to the top flight and probably start as favourites. And with Powys rivals Caersws and Welspool Town, plus Cefn Druids, GAP Connahs Quay and Porthmadog also having been relegated from the Welsh Premier, Rhayader know they will have to fight for every point.
But McPhee, who himself made 141 starts in the Welsh Premier plus 53 sub appearances for Rhayader, Carmarthen Town, Newtown and Caersws, says even if Rhayader are relegated after one season: “We had to join the Alliance.
“Rhayader is an ambitious club and to remain in the Spar Mid Wales League could have seen us possibly stand still and lose key players.”
But McPhee admits pre-season is going well, adding: “We have not gone out after players but players have come to us which is nice.”
Several have followed new assistant manager Tim Broome from Presteigne with Sam Williams, Nick Evans, Joe Price, Tom Evans and Robbie Steele all having signed while keeper Ian Havard is also expected to put pen to paper. Tom Goodwin, who missed much of last season with knee trouble, is another new face having made the switch from Llandrindod Wells.
But on the down side, the unfortunate Chris Murphy is unlikely to figure this side of Christmas having chipped a bone in his ankle while Michael Collister could also miss the opening months as he awaits further x-rays on his ankle injury.
Dave Sivell (groin) will also miss Rhayader’s Huws Grays Alliance opener at Penrhyncoch next Friday night. Rhayader then host Rhydywyn, travel to Rhos Aelwyd before welcoming TecnoGroup Welshpool to The Weirglodd on September 4.
Town stepped up their preparations with a tremendous comeback to draw 4-4 with Welsh Premier outfit Carmarthen Town. They were 4-1 down but stormed back with goals from Rhys Thomas (2), Sam Williams and Joe Price.
Rhayader then beat Malvern Rangers 3-2, Oliver Richards, Rhys Thomas and fit-again Tom Bethell netting.