Kirstie Kural announces swift departure from The New Saints

Midfield maestro Kirstie Kural has left The New Saints without playing a game for them.

The 34-year-old was an unused substitute in Saints’ thrilling Genero Adran Premier 4-4 draw at Cardiff Met on Sunday.

She announced a day later on social media that she had departed from Park Hall.

“I just didn’t enjoy it there at all so decided to leave and look for something else,” she revealed on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Adding she would ‘train with a few teams’ before deciding on her next move. Kural added: “Time to find a new team a start enjoying my football again.”

Kural joined Saints last month from local rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads, having represented the Deeside-based club throughout both of their Genero Adran North campaigns.

The goal-scoring midfielder has also played for Aston Park, Wrexham, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Manchester City and Northop Hall throughout a lengthy career, and also has an extensive background in futsal, competing at a high level for both Cheshire and Bolton in recent years.

For fans of Welsh football, it is Kural’s time with the Nomads that makes her a familiar name for supporters.

Enjoying a sensational return of 59 goals in 44 appearances at the Deeside Stadium, including 37 in 25 in the league, she captained the team to a second-place finish in the Adran North last season.

She also led the side to back-to-back NEWFA Challenge Cup successes.

Kirstie was the star player when Nomads played Genero Adran North champions Wrexham live on S4C on March 26 last season – her 34th birthday.

The attendance of 9,511 at the Racecouse that day was the biggest-ever turnout for a women’s domestic football match in Wales.

Despite her team falling to a 2-1 defeat, a standout performance in midfield earned Kirstie huge plaudits from the global TV audience.

There should be no lack of interest in her sudden and unexpected availability!