By Chris O'Brien
May 30 2005

Total Network Solutions chairman Mike Harris has underlined his proposals of a European Cup play-off between Liverpool and the Welsh Premier Champions. Is this the solution to a football's big problem, or another farcical idea from the man who loves controversy?

Mike Harris, chairman of Total Network Solutions, has never been one to avoid a little bit of controversy. The owner of the Welsh Premier and Welsh Cup holders has spent the last month promoting an audacious idea of a Champions League play-off between his Llansantffraid-based side and Liverpool in an attempt to solve a problem expected to give Uefa a real headache over the forthcoming weeks.

Liverpool's Champions League success on Wednesday was the fifth of the club's illustrious history, but the Merseyside outfit could well not have the opportunity to defend their continental crown next season. Finishing 5th in the Premiership, outside of England's four qualification spots, effectively means that Rafael Benitez's side have failed to qualify with a snag in Uefa's rule book meaning winning the tournament does not guarantee entry the following season.

The problem arises with numbers. England are allowed four qualification slots, and have already promised those places to the top four finishers in the Premiership. This means Chelsea, Arsenal Manchester United and Everton have been nominated by England's governing body in a move that has frustrated and infuriated the powers that be at Uefa. A public outcry from fans, players and the media have meant an alternative route is now being looked for to get Liverpool back into the distinguished competition.

Harris has proposed that TNS, the only professional side playing in the Welsh Premier, face Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in a 'play-off' style fixture with the winner qualifying for the Champions League. With the issue so contentious, Harris' foolhardy solution to Liverpool's dilemma has seen a club who averaged gates of 333 in a double-winning season have enjoyed mass-media coverage across Great Britain taking the back pages of the big broadsheet and tabloid newspapers.

'Totally Nutty Solution' said one paper, with Harris also being interviewed exclusively by TalkSport. Whatever you think of the saga, it's coverage the league needs desperately. Perhaps the F.A.W could take a lesson from Harris' management of the media. The press joked at the expense of Harris, but bar the odd joke from Sky Sports' Jeff Stelling, how else are TNS or the Welsh pyramid as a whole going to get such widespread exposure?

"If it was done properly, I think I would be in favour of it. It would have to be in the form of one 90-minute match, decided by penalties if it was a draw." said Harris, perhaps Wales' most conflict-ridden figure in footballing circles.

"We would get the benefit of the gate, and should we be unfortunate enough not to get through, we would want a percentage of Liverpool's income from the competition. We would want it covered by a national television station, and from a personal point of view, it would be nice to stage it at the Millennium stadium."

Soho Square have confirmed that they support the idea. No surprises there. David Davies, chief executive of the FA, has said he will be lobbying Uefa to look at the proposals as they seek to avoid a very awkward situation should Liverpool be denied entry to the European Cup.

"If Liverpool are admitted at an early stage they could play one, if not two, of the smallest sides in Europe. For those clubs, it would be a fantastic prospect in terms of football and finances to face the European champions." said Davies.

However, the game looks very unlikely to take place. For one, Uefa have said that if Liverpool were to be entered for the competition they would want them to avoid the qualification process. Victory in a 'play-off' against TNS would not only involve a Millennium Stadium showdown, but three qualification rounds which would severely disrupt pre-season preparations at Anfield.

The idea has also been meant by dissaproval from the Football Association of Wales. Secretary-general David Collins has totally dismissed the proposals as "farcical" and has underlined the importance of having a Welsh club properly competing in the Champions League. Without he support of the FAW, any game between TNS and Liverpool will struggle to happen.

Love him or loathe him, Harris has certainly made life a little more interesting for supporters of Welsh football. He was the man who did the unthinkable by bringing TNS to the Millennium Stadium for their Uefa Cup qualifying tie against Manchester City. He also recently angered football supporters across North Wales by telling highly-rated Wrexham forward Juan Ugarte to leave the Racecourse and join the Saints.

With the situation seemingly at a stalemate, we have certainly not heard the last of Harris' plans. It's a bizarre idea and rather degrading to Welsh football, but with our national league in something of a pathetic state it could be the best way to get some much-needed coverage. It also offers a solution to what many consider a footballing injustice, with Liverpool struggling to find a route back into the Champions League - a competition they won in such spectacular fashion.