But the Clwyd League weren`t happy and kept Town waiting until they decided whether to accept their resignation. The Clwyd League argued that their rules said only champion, not runner-up, clubs could move up under pyramid rules - but a dangerous precedent had been set by the Welsh FA who had allowed Llandudno, fourth in the Alliance, to make the move upwards into the Cymru Alliance.

After two meetings and a delay of three weeks, the Clwyd League (President - FAW President Elfed Ellis of Mostyn!) decreed Town could leave for the higher level but by this time relations between Prestatyn and their old league had become badly strained.

Prestatyn then set to preparing for their new status with a vengeance as the red tape wrangle had meant long delays to their plans and a busy programme of fundraising activities and ground improvements was begun.

During the 1993/4 season, Town - now under the management of former Queen of the South professional Eddie Garrett who replaced Westwell after he resigned citing work commitments - finished in eighth place but won the Alves Cup for the first time, beating St Asaph in an exciting final at Connah’s Quay. The following season, 1994/5, saw the Seasiders set up an incredible end of season run of 14 straight wins to finish just four points behind champions Rhydymwyn.

They also reached the semi-final of the Alves Cup while the reserve team, managed by Dave Jones, won the Clwyd League’s Clwyd Cup with a comfortable 3-1 victory over British Steel and gained promotion to the Premier Division via the back door after a decision was taken to expand the competition to 16 clubs.

Garrett had brought a new edge to the way team affairs were run, even if his occasionally old-fashioned and disciplinarian ways rubbed some younger players up the wrong way!

Born in Nethermill, Dumfriesshire, Garrett had been with local East of Scotland League club Glenafton Athletic where a string of hardworking performances up front brought him to the attention of his nearest professional club, Queen of the South. He was not the biggest of strikers but he could put himself about and his quick temper and robust attitude saw him make 68 appearances for Queens scoring 23 goals - including the winner in a 1-0 victory over Celtic at Parkhead.

In 1963 he was released from Palmerston Park and moved over the border to Carlisle United but things didn`t go so well at Brunton Park and he made only one Football League appearance before moving to Wales in 1964/5 season and signing for Rhyl on semi-professional terms.

Garrett based his management ethos around pride, punctuality, commitment and the basic aim of playing a quick, passing game on the deck, he established Prestatyn as one of the leading clubs in the Alliance and when he resigned at the end of 1995/6 after a 3-1 defeat at Porthmadog, he had left the club in good shape on the field and with a solid platform for his successors to build on.