MILLENNIUM RULES OUT LIVERPOOL MATCH
TNS landed their dream draw against the all conquering Merseysiders last week, but Sergeant has been in consultation with club chairman Mike Harris over the weekend and the hectic event schedule at Wales’s 74,500 capacity national ground has proved too big an obstacle to overcome.
“It’s a fantastic draw for TNS. For them to host the champions of Europe in their first game is incredible and I wish them all the best,” said Sergeant. “But from our perspective at the Millennium Stadium, we have the REM concert on 10 July and then the International Watchtower Convention on 15, 16 and 17 July. That doesn’t leave much time to bring in a pitch for either the 19th or 20th.”
TNS, based in the tiny Welsh town of Llansantffraidd, are unable to play European games at their home ground because their Treflan stadium does not meet strict UEFA criteria. And their last big European clash saw them switch their 2003 UEFA Cup fixture with Manchester City to the Millennium Stadium.
“We took 48 hours to examine all the logistics,” Sergeant added. “We have been known to pull rabbits out of hats in the past and we examined all the possibilities.
“But there just isn’t the time in the calendar for us to bring this event to the Millennium Stadium. The game is bound to be hugely popular and we wish TNS every success in finding an alternative venue.”
