ALL eyes will be on Caernarfon Town as they make their long-awaited return to the JD Welsh Premier League.

The Cofis enjoyed a remarkable campaign of success last season under former boss Iwan Williams and current manager Sean Eardley, who took over in November and remained unbeaten in his first experience at the helm to secure promotion for the well-supported club.

There is no doubt that they are going to be a huge asset to the top flight given their loyal fanbase and the departure of Bangor City, and Eardley has stuck with the majority of the squad that got them to the promised land as they look to re-establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with within the division.

That, of course, will be easier said than done given the quality littered throughout the WPL at the present time and the amount of investment made by various clubs as they look to improve their respective fortunes.

Eardley has looked more at the business end of the field in his acquisitions, with Porthmadog duo Sion Bradley and Cai Jones eager to prove themselves at the highest level of the Welsh pyramid after really catching the eye against second tier opposition.

Ben Maher and Ross Stephens have also joined from Prestatyn Town and have experience of playing at WPL level, and they are a composed pair who both possess incredible vision and play the way that Eardley demands.

Key man: Darren Thomas

The Cofis talisman finally gets the opportunity to play in the WPL with a club he has a great affiliation with, and Thomas can do no wrong with Cofi Army such is his standing within the set-up.

Any success that comes the Canaries’ way will be ultimately down to how Thomas adjusts once again to the rigours of the league, and given his high reputation and ability to influence games there will be a bullseye on his back from the outset which he must handle.

He has the ability and seems to still possess the desire to prove himself, and there is nothing he would not do for the club and it would be a surprise if Thomas did not emerge as one of the shining lights of the season.

Player to watch: Joe Williams

There will be nobody plying their trade in the WPL with most heart or desire than Williams, who became an instant fan-favourite at The Oval thanks to his tireless efforts down the right flank so far during what has been a very impressive spell.

He is a stout defender who is always willing to get forward and support others, which are traits that are going to stand him in very good stead as he looks to make an impact against a far greater standard of opposition on a consistent basis.

Williams’ influence within the dressing room also cannot be underestimated, with his willingness to motivate, organise and communicate with others around him another notable feature of his standing within the squad.

Verdict:

It is not going to be easy, not by any stretch of the imagination, but there is enough talent within the Caernarfon Town squad to ensure they can make a real go of things and cause some surprises along the way.

There are going to be difficult times throughout the season, which normally comes with a newly promoted side looking to find their feet, but they are a close-knit group who are all pulling in the same direction, and in Eardley they have a very talented manager who they will run through brick walls for, which can only be a good thing going forward.

Prediction: 8th (JD Welsh Premier League)

First five games: Aug 12: Cefn Druids (H), Aug 17: Newtown (A), Aug 26: Cardiff Met (A), Aug 31: The New Saints (H), Sept 11: Connah’s Quay Nomads (A).