14/08/2008 - Parekh: Summer special can lift league to new heights
Nitin Parekh believes a summer of quality investment will carry the Welsh Premier League onwards and upwards.
The Llanelli chairman has welcomed the arrival of big-name players at rival clubs as the league looks to strengthen following a disappointing Welsh campaign in Europe.
The likes of Neil Roberts, Danny Williams and exciting young winger Josh Johnson - a Trinidad & Tobago Under-20 international - have arrived at Rhyl, while Port Talbot have secured the loan signings of Swansea City trio Stefan Morrison, Scott Evans and James Burgin.
Former Wolves defender Jamie Smith - a team-mate of Reds midfielder Stephen Evans at Crystal Palace - has been snapped up by Airbus as the North Walian outfit compensate for the loss of Gareth Owen to Rhyl.
And Parekh admits he has been encouraged by the ambition of his fellow chairmen as they look to take the league crown away from Stebonheath Park.
"Things are coming together now and that has been aided by some of the signings being made throughout the league," said Parekh.
"Rhyl, in particular, have made some quality signings and that signals their ambition.
"Port Talbot as well, who have a great chairman in Andrew Edwards, have really strengthened their squad.
"We could go through a few other teams as well and look at their activity throughout the summer and agree that it has been very positive.
"We have also added quality to our team.
"Maybe some supporters would have wanted to see more players come in, but we feel we had a nucleus of a good squad already in place, so there was no need to bring players in for the sake of it.
"We did bring in Jason Bowen, who I feel will be an excellent signing for us, and Craig Morris - a Llanelli lad who has returned to his hometown club to fight for the No. 1 shirt with Duncan Roberts.
"Also in the squad is the cream of our academy set-up, which hammers home the message that we are doing our best to promote local lads into the team.
"It all adds up to an exciting season for us, and we can't wait to get started."
Llanelli kick-off their league defence with a tough trip to Bangor.
Following the heartbreaking defeat to the Citizens in the Welsh Cup final in May, the Reds will be desperate to repay Neville Powell's side by inflicting an early defeat on their home turf.
Parekh insists the scenes that marred the Welsh Cup final at Newtown are now water under the bridge and an issue which should not be highlighted ahead of Saturday's opener.
But what he is looking for is another highly competitive game between two of the league's top clubs.
Following miserable performances from Welsh clubs in Europe, a good start to the campaign would give either team a major lift.
Bangor were thumped 10-1 on aggregate in the Uefa Cup while The New Saints lost 2-0 in the same competition.
Llanelli, despite leading 1-0 after their first-leg victory at Stebonheath, lost 4-1 on aggregate to Ventspils as their Champions League adventure fell at the first hurdle.
And as the summer soccer debate continues to clock up considerable mileage, Parekh feels it is not too far around the corner.
"A few years ago there were one or two clubs interested in it," he said. "Now there's almost half the amount of teams swaying towards it.
"It's the way forward for Welsh football. We can't compete with rugby, especially in Llanelli. The Scarlets are our much bigger brother, and playing throughout the summer will certainly help our attendances.
"Playing when the Scarlets are not gives supporters the chance to come and see what Llanelli Football Club are all about.
"We are a team on the up. We have won the league for the first time and brought Champions League football to Stebo.
"The quality of football has considerably increased and we now have a 1,000-seater stadium.
"It will take time to bring fans in - we know that - but summer football will bring in even more.
"The pitches would be of a far better standard which will allow teams to play football and it would also help our teams in Europe.
"I am not thinking just about Llanelli. We want to see the whole league improving domestically and in Europe.
"We were delighted to have staged our first ever Champions League game at Stebo along with winning the first leg, but the players let the club and supporters down in the second leg.
"They know that, and they are desperate to put that right this season in the league.
"We didn't perform to the level we know we can play at, but everyone is working very hard to ensure that we get off to a winning start at Bangor."