WREXHAM manager Denis Smith has given the beleaguered FAW Premier Cup a vote of confidence as the future of the BBC-backed competition hangs in the balance.

The Dragons face Rhyl in the final next month, knowing victory would land them a £100,000 jackpot.

But the game could be the last in the competition's eight-year history as negotiations between the BBC and the Premier Cup board to strike a deal for next season's competition remain unresolved.

With the FAW having snubbed the BBC to agree a lucrative contract with Sky Sports to televise Welsh football, the chances of the corporation backing the Premier Cup next season appear remote.

Wrexham boss Smith, however, has said he hopes the competition - which gives Welsh Premier clubs the chance to compete with the Dragons, Cardiff City and Swansea City - will continue.

'The Premier Cup has been good for us and it's been good for the likes of Rhyl too,' said Smith, who led his side to victory in last season's final.

'Financially, it's been a massive help and I'd be very disappointed to see it go.

'I believe it's good for Welsh football to have ourselves, Swansea and Cardiff involved in a cup competition with Welsh Premier sides.'

Smith's views on the Premier Cup are in complete contrast to those of Cardiff City owner Sam Hamman, who says he would withdraw his club from next season's competition if it goes ahead.

The Bluebirds' outspoken chief said: 'It's not even a Mickey Mouse cup - it's Minnie Mouse!'

Hamman was reacting angrily to the FAW's decision to turn down his appeal to allow the three Welsh Nationwide League teams to field a reserve side in the Welsh Premier, handing the winners a chance to compete in the Champions League.

'Exiled' sides such as Wrexham would not be allowed entry into Europe if they were to win the Premiership or the FA Cup because of their allegiance to the Welsh FA.

But Hamman believes UEFA would have no objections to clubs playing two sides in two separate leagues as a way around the problem.

Welsh clubs playing in the English leagues were once regulars in Europe thanks to their inclusion in the Welsh Cup.

But a reshape of the Welsh league ended those clubs' chances of playing against Europe's elite.

However, the FAW is believed to have offered the five clubs competing outside the Welsh pyramid a chance to enter the Welsh Cup a move Smith said he would welcome.

'It's news to me but, in principle, it sounds like a good idea,' he said.

'Whether or not we would be eligible to play in Europe if we won it is another matter.'