CPD Y Rhyl 1879 manager Gareth Thomas is looking for a proper pre-season schedule once restrictions are lifted ahead of next season.

The newly formed club will have to wait a little bit longer for their first-ever competitive match after the Football Association of Wales ordered the cancellation of all league below Tier 2, which was a significant blow to the grassroots game after a year of complete uncertainty across the board.

Thomas said he’s been keeping in regular contact with his playing staff since the announcement and highlighted his desire for proper preparations to be allowed providing cases continue to drop across the country.

He said: “I’m not sure on whether we will see impact next season. In my opinion, it could go either way.

“Lads who have previously stopped playing due to other commitments may start again or players may have started working weekends so could have an impact, along with the volunteers of the clubs who are the heartbeat. It will be difficult to say until the season starts.

“Hopefully, normality will return for the start of the season which will allow fans to return to watching their clubs. But it will only be normality if all clubs get to have a proper pre-season to allow preparations to be conducted properly.”

Thomas also highlighted the individuals associated with the North Wales footballing community who the game has lost over the last year, including his much-loved father who sadly passed away recently.

“The last 12 months have been really difficult for all but think the sadder part is the loss of various respected Individuals we have lost during the pandemic from various clubs within North Wales football,” he added.