There would’ve been plenty of tentative enquiries and CVs landing on the desks of owner Mike Harris and chief operating officer Ian Williams in the wake of Craig Harrison’s departure to Hartlepool United.
The club were wise to take a measured approach as they contemplated how to fill Harrison’s footsteps and the interim appointments of stalwarts Scott Ruscoe and Steve Evans ensured disruption was kept to a minimum ahead of their Champions League qualifying campaign.
Although their European run was short-lived this summer, nobody can have any complaints about their second qualifying round exit, given the quality and operational budget of their Croatian opponents Rijeka.
Expecting Ruscoe and Evans to use those Champions League games to prove their management credentials would have been extremely harsh, but it was hard not to have been impressed by the team’s committed performance away in Croatia which gave every indication the players were playing for Ruscoe with desire and discipline.
In the build-up to those games Ruscoe announced that little had changed in terms of the club’s preparation for games and why would it? Ruscoe was a key-part of Craig Harrison’s management team and would’ve been an important cog behind the scenes of everything the side have achieved in recent years.
Amidst the various possibilities when choosing Harrison’s successor, it was obvious their answer lied closer to home. The New Saints model is not broke – so why fix it? And that is exactly why the club’s hierarchy are right to appoint Ruscoe and Evans on a permanent basis.
The pair have played for the club, they have coached at the club, they have won at the club – they understand the league and identify with the fabric of the club and they will look to carry that forward as they develop in their roles, as Craig Harrison did when he was first appointed back in 2011. Change always brings with it an air of uncertainty but in passing the managerial baton on to Ruscoe and Evans the Saints have taken a cautious approach.
For the first time in several years, there’s a growing sense that the Saints’ dominance in the national league is under threat. Bangor City, Bala Town and Connah’s Quay are all gradually improving and a genuine title challenge looms on the horizon.
This coming season was always going to be tougher than most regardless who was sat in the Park Hall hot seat but utilising Scott Ruscoe’s understanding and passion for the club, at a time where their rivals appear primed to capitalise on any slip-up, should just keep the balance tipped in The New Saints favour.
Weekend’s friendly results:
Briton Ferry Llansawel 1-2 Aberystwyth Town, Cardiff Met 3-0 Merthyr Town, Cefn Druids 4-3 Widnes, Hyde FC 2-1 Connah’s Quay, Llandudno 5-0 Tranmere Rovers, Newtown 2-3 Rushall Olympic, Port Talbot 2-5 Carmarthen Town
