Cymru Premier sides to share 1m euro windfall, says Harris

The New Saints have won the Cymru Premier in each of the last three seasons

The New Saints' 11 Cymru Premier opponents will split a windfall of 1m euros as a result of the domestic reigning champions' European success so far, according to Saints chairman Mike Harris.

Craig Harrison's side became the first domestic Welsh club to win in the league or group stage of a major European competition by beating Astana 2-0 in Shrewsbury.

They are set to bank around 400,000 euros as a result of that triumph, while also collecting in the region of 5m euros for reaching the group phase of the Uefa Conference League.

But Saints chairman Harris says funds TNS would normally have received for failing to reach the group phase will now be spread between their 11 top-flight domestic rivals by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) given that the club progressed beyond qualifying for the first time.

"One of the things we have done, 600,000 euros of what we would normally get for appearing in the qualifiers, that money has gone into the FAW and will be distributed amongst the other clubs," he told BBC Radio Wales' Call Rob phone-in.

"It's called the consolidation payment which is normally part of your Champions League payment for not getting to the group stage.

"But instead of us getting that now, that goes into the main pot, and I think there's a million euros there now to be distributed to the other 11 clubs."

Goalkeeper Connor Roberts produced a number of key saves to help the Saints keep a clean sheet during their success against Astana.

It came after the 31-year-old made eight saves in the Saints' European opener against Fiorentina - the most of any goalkeeper in the competition on matchday one.

His form has led to some Wales fans suggesting he should earn a call-up to Craig Bellamy's squad given the lack of game-time for Welsh goalkeepers such as Danny Ward, Karl Darlow and Adam Davies.

And Harris feels Roberts should be looked at by Bellamy given his performances in Europe.

"It's very important that goalkeepers play," he said.

"If you don't play, you're not getting the exposure that you need to be sharp and match fit.

"Connor Roberts is proving in Europe that he is of the quality that Craig should be looking at to perhaps bring into the squad."

Ex-Everton youngster Roberts is a former Wales Under-21 international, and was called up to the senior international squad a decade ago.

The Wrexham-born player says it would be a "dream" to be called up by Bellamy, but believes it is unlikely to happen.

"I think it’s a long shot isn’t it," Roberts told BBC Sport Wales.

“I know two of the boys who are in there at the moment, Adam Davies and Danny Ward, and they are top cats.

“Listen, there are dreams... I think I am on the wrong side of 30 now for that maybe, but it’s always nice to get that little bit of recognition.”