WALES' brilliant success in breaking a six-decade drought to reach the FIFA World Cup Finals will offer a major boost to grassroots football.

That's the view of Denbigh Town Football Club chairman Shon Powell and his Ruthin Town counterpart Alan Jones, who were delighted as Wales defeated Ukraine 1-0 to book their place in Qatar over the winter.

Wales' last involvement in the World Cup Finals came way back in 1958.

 

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Mr Powell said: "It's fantastic, absolutely amazing.

"Wales being such a small nation and getting to the best tournament means so much more to football in Wales and the grass roots.

"It's tremendous for Wales.

"It will be amazing and people will get there.

"It's a wonderful opportunity, if you look at the group, but also Welsh grass roots football will benefit.

"People will get involved in football because of it, both girls and boys."

At the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, the vital moment came before the break. Gareth Bale's free kick from the left hand side some 25 yards out was deflected into his own net by the head of Andriy Yarmolenko.

MORE: See our live blog of that momentous match with Ukraine

There as part of the fabled Red Wall was Ruthin Town FC chairman Alan Jones, who said it was becoming a norm for Wales to qualify for major tournaments.

"Well, I mean, after qualifying for the last two Euros, I thought we were in with a chance," he said.

"It was fantastic. The defence was superb."

Mr Jones added: "I was 18 months old when we qualified in 1958!"

 

Denbighshire Free Press: Gareth Bale and Wayne HennesseyGareth Bale and Wayne Hennessey

 

As for what qualification will mean going forward, Mr Jones said that chief executive Noel Mooney and the Football Association of Wales seem to be taking a lot of interest in the grassroots aspect of the sport.

MORE: 'From Corwen to Qatar' - Harry Wilson on his love for Wales after World Cup qualification

From Ruthin's perspective, that means continuing to support the youth side of the club, plus setting up a girls and women's team.

"Any profit goes into the infrastructure," he added.

Wales' next World Cup game will be against the United States in the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan on November 21.