FOR the foreseeable future, European football nights have been lost from local towns and grounds.

Thanks to Uefa, all matches involving North Wales' Welsh Premier clubs will now have to take place at the Racecourse Ground.

In a few months, when clubs like Rhyl, TNS, Aberystwyth and Bangor know where they will finish in Wales' top league, they will have to approach a Uefa-inspected ground and ask to use it for next season's competition.

"They have to do it off their own backs," said League secretary John Deakin. "What will happen is if they can show us that their finances and youth system is in order, as well as agreement that they can use a suitable ground like the Racecourse, then they can go into European competition."

Wrexham was inspected two years ago and passed with flying colours.

Chief executive David Rhodes has always stressed it is available for Welsh Premier clubs to use and it has hosted Bangor City matches in recent years.

"There's no problem as far as we're concerned," said Rhodes. "The ground is passed up to Champions League standard.

"As long as they fit in with our fixtures, we will help. We'll even try to arrange something if they don't."

The Millennium Stadium, Wales other Uefa-approved ground, is also a viable alternative - if clubs can afford it.

* AFTER the débâcle involving Mickey Evans, hats are being thrown in the ring to become Wales' semi-professional boss.

Last week the Caersws manager was given the post, then offered it, before finally refusing it.

Unfortunately for the FA of Wales, it was in that order. Evans didn't have a clue he had been made boss.

But one man who does want the job is TNS manager Ken McKenna, with the Treflan club writing to FAW chairman David Collins to register his interest.

TNS general manager Ian Williams said: "Ken may be English but just speak to him in Welsh. He loves the language. Seriously, Ken is a full-time manager who can give the job the time it deserves."

However, McKenna has been beaten to the position by Merthyr Tydfil boss Andy Beattie for the time being.

He has been handed the job for next spring's Four Nations tournament.

We can only hope Beattie has been informed.