Llandudno deserved a much better reception in their first home game as league champions

Your first league game since being crowned champions, you’re at home, facing your local rivals and the weather is absolutely gorgeous.

Llandudno’s opening match of the 2022-23 Adran North season against CPD Y Rhyl 1879 last Sunday should have been a dazzling occasion.

Instead, it was decidedly low key.

A big crowd should have been present to greet the champions onto the field, but the turnout was very poor indeed. No fanfare whatsoever. More like the lowest note on the tuba.

These girls did the town of Llandudno proud last season – the first-ever winners of Wales’ tier 2 north league.

They proved themselves over the season to be the best of the north, cream of the crop.

On the day they won the title, beating Wrexham 3-2, the atmosphere at Maesdu Park was magnificent.

Both teams were well supported, lots of neutral interest, FAW officials in attendance, everything befitted the occasion.

Therefore it was sad to see the champions get such a downbeat reception on their first major engagement since that wonderful showpiece in March.

The match was well-publicised on social media, so it was disappointing that not more locals came out to cheer on the title-winners.

It is not as if Llandudno have stood still over the summer. Manager Sarah Colville has made some tremendous signings in the close-season, the sort of names to put numbers on the gate.

It was a game I did not want to miss, and I thought many others would see it that way.

Cymru have just qualified for a World Cup play-off for the first time ever, England won the Euros.

Women’s football in the UK is buzzing as never before.

Llandudno Ladies should have benefited from that on Sunday, but they didn’t.

Those that did turn up were treated to an absolute feast of fine football, especially from the home side.

While Llandudno dominated in their 8-0 victory, tier 2 newcomers Rhyl, who did have key players missing, put everything into the game.

Some of Tudno’s play was sublime; the short-passing, one-two’s in and around the box, killer balls delivered in attacks.

The only slight criticism I could have of Llandudno is they should have scored more. The goal frame was hit at least five times, and but for the heroics of Rhyl keeper Loz Jones, it would have been double figures.

This is tier 2 football and deserves better support.

I do hope Llandudno’s attendances improve, because on Sunday’s evidence they deserve so much better.