22-10-08: MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER
I have now been here just over 3 weeks and I thought the time was now right to make a statement to all our fans and the people associated with our club.

I know 3 weeks is not a long time and the games have been coming thick and fast but I have been very impressed with the club set up and the level of support that we have received from the board and the staff at the club.

I fully understand people’s frustrations regarding our current league position and our exit from the F.A. Trophy last night but we must all understand I have come into this job with my eyes wide open and I know the size of the task which is required to get us challenging for promotion to the Unibond Premier League.

The squad in which I inherited was not the biggest squad and to lose key players for most of my time in charge has not been easy.  We have brought in some experienced players who I know you will see the best of in the coming weeks, while Gary Jones myself and are working hard behind the scenes to improve the squad.  Improvement is what we are looking for and we will not be bringing players in who will not improve our squad.

To address the issue of only 12 players at last nights game I was more frustrated and embarrassed than anybody that we only had 12 players available, but when you have 7 players out through injury, suspension and work commitments it more than ever emphasises the need for new players.

Football is all about opinions and that is what makes the game so great, but I have the feeling at times that certain areas are very quick to criticise and only want to pick out the negative points in any performance.  I know at the moment it may look like a team in turmoil but, believe me, it is far from it and I know what is required for us to compete successfully at this level.

At the time I have come to the club it has been quite a difficult period to bring in players due to the Welsh Premier window being closed and most of the better players which we are looking at in the English system are tied up.

The players are together as a group and there is a good team spirit. I will be making two additional signings this week in midfield which will give us a boost and more strength in depth and I can guarantee you all the structure of the football team will become more solid over the coming weeks.

I fully understand everyone’s frustrations but with the team building well underway and our own internal coaching structure coming together I know you will see a vast improvement over the next few months.

I am a very approachable person and I know I have already had some good conversations with a number of fans and I understand your passion for the club. If anybody thinks they need to speak to me on any football matter I am always willing to talk, obviously in the right circumstances as long as it’s respectful and constructive.

Finally, keep supporting the lads as you have done since I’ve arrived as confidence will play a big factor in the players achieving the right results on the field.

Many thanks,

Neil Young

21-10-08: NEW SIGNING
Colwyn Bay FC have agreed a deal with GAP Connah’s Quay to sign former Everton and Wales youth international midfielder Craig Garside. A team-mate of Wayne Rooney at Everton, whom he played alongside in the 2002 FA Youth Cup final, Craig has captained Wales at U15, U16 and U19 level and has also previously, had a brief spell at the Bay. Craig has played for Connah's Quay in 2006/7 before a move to Rhyl in the close season. He scored in Rhyl's Inter Toto Cup tie against Haka before returning to Nomads in August 2008.

Manager Neil Young commented "It is an area I identified needed strengthening but only when the right players became available. Craig is a player with lots of ability and is the type of player we have been looking for.

The FAW have sanctioned the move after Nomads gave permission for the deal, although the Welsh transfer window is now closed.

"The manager is also hopeful of signing another midfielder tomorrow if terms can be agreed.” I said when I came here that the squad needed improving and that is what I’m in the process of doing".

This Saturday: COLWYN BAY vs CHASETOWN - FA Trophy
This Saturday sees Colwyn Bay playing at home to Chasetown in an important FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round tie. Chasetown, based in Staffordshire, currently occupy 6th position in the B.G.B. Football League Division One (Midland). In the 2007–08 F.A Cup they made the third round for the first time in their history after holding Port Vale to a 1–1 draw and winning the replay 1–0. They lost the third round match 3–1 to eventual finalists Cardiff City. In doing so, they became the lowest ever ranked club to reach as far as the third round proper of the FA Cup.

Manager Neil Young is hoping to be able to call upon the returns of influential midfielder's Steve Aspinall(pictured right) along with Robbie Williams & Danny Hughes. All 3 players missed the Presidents Cup game on Tuesday night against Trafford through injury, illness and suspension respectively. It is hoped that their return will provide a welcome boost to a central midfield where manager Neil Young had to fill in with defenders Neil Coverley & Scott Lycett on Tuesday night.
With around £2,300 prize money at stake for the successful winner of the tie, a win will provide a big boost to club funds.

Further squad news... 7 days notice has been served on two midfielders in an effort to boost the squad. Both deals are hopefully due to be finalised within the next week subject to players agreeing terms. Daniel Thompson has been released from Colwyn Bay FC.

16-10-08: Community Award Nomination for Colwyn Bay FC
COLWYN Bay Football Club has been nominated for a Your Champions award for their support of a Conwy Valley children’s charity as well as their work in the community.

Following in the footsteps of Barcelona FC, the Seagulls opted this season to feature the logo of Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospice in Ty’n-y-Groes instead of featuring a revenue-generating sponsor.

Barcelona FC pioneered the idea of featuring the Unicef charity logo on their shirts last season.
Ty Gobaith offers respite care for many seriously unwell children and their families and relies totally on fundraising and does not benefit from any Government funding.

The club has already organised various charity events such as football matches and has also handed out free match tickets to school children as well as running soccer schools at Colwyn Leisure Centre.
Darren Cartwright is the managing director at Colwyn Bay FC and said he was delighted to be nominated for the award on behalf of the club.

"It is great for the club to be nominated, it is great people have recognised us for our support of the charity along with the other community work we do," he said.
"We went without sponsorship to put the logo of Ty Gobaith on our shirts - it is a locally based charity which works with children and provides respite to their families, it is a very worthwhile cause. Obviously the charity needs as much support as they can get to run the facility.

"Working more with the community is certainly something we’ve been working more on in the last 12 months, we recognised we needed to be a lot more active in the community. We’ve launched soccer schools at Colwyn Bay leisure centre and we’ve also handed out over 8,000 match tickets to kids in the community. There are further plans to increase our involvement with community projects over the coming months."

http://www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk/conwy-county-news/news-in-focus/your-champions/2008/10/02/yc-team-award-nomination-colwyn-bay-fc-55243-2195325

13-10-08: BOOTS FOR AFRICA APPEAL
Colwyn Bay based company Inner Frame are pleased to announce the official launch of the “Boots for Africa” Appeal in North Wales. It was launched on Saturday 20th September 2008 with the help of locally born Peterborough United captain and Welsh International, Craig Morgan.

The appeal, a charity formed by the oldest football team in the world, Sheffield FC aims to provide opportunities for children and communities to have fun within the African nations. It was on the back streets of a South African township where Sheffield FC Chairman Richard Tims dreamed of doing something to help change the face of football for those living in Africa.

Seeing Children playing the game in their bare feet on rubble strewn pavements left Richard asking what can be done to help. It was obvious to him those kicking a ball to each other shared the same passion and love millions of more fortunate fans around the globe have for the sport. This was where the ‘Boots for Africa’ appeal was born. Given the close working relationship between Sheffield FC and Inner Frame, on learning of the appeal, Inner Frame volunteered to be involved and move the campaign forward in North Wales.

The way the appeal works is that Inner Frame will be approaching schools within North Wales during the coming months and asking for a donation of any old football boots. If a pupil wishes to make a donation of £2.00, Inner Frame will supply a boot bag where the boots can be placed.

The appeal is not just aimed at children but adults too. If there is no wish to make any financial donation and a boot bag is not required, Inner Frame would be more than happy to accept your boots. All that is asked is that the boots are laced, clean and tied together.

Your support, however large or small, can make a real difference. Any donated boots will be the first ever pair worn by those children and will offer a generation of young people affected by poverty, poor health and lack of opportunity a new sense of hope, pride and ambition for themselves and for their country, especially as the World Cup will be held in Africa in 2010.
Anybody wishing to donate boots can contact Inner Frame on Tel:
01492 531406 or 07521 443781 and they will make arrangements to collect them from you.

Inner Frame can also be contacted by email:- chris@innerframe.co.uk In partnership with Colwyn Bay Football Club, any pupil who wishes to bring their football boots to the collection point at their ground on a match day will gain free entry into the ground.

Sue Roberts, Partner of Inner Frame commented “Once we heard of the appeal, we were eager to get involved, especially as there was an opportunity to help to change the lives of children less fortunate within the third world and we hope that we can gather as many boots as possible to send out to Africa.

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Craig Morgan who jumped at the chance to help us launch the appeal in North Wales and was only to pleased to assist us in getting the campaign off the ground”.

More details regarding the appeal can be found by visiting either www.innerframe.net or www.bootsforafrica.org

COLWYN BAY FOOTBALL CLUB SUPPORTS WALK TO SCHOOL MONTH - OCTOBER 2008
The message for this year’s Walk to School Month is ‘Charge up your energy levels and boost your brainpower!’

Conwy County Borough Council is inviting schools to take up the challenge, supported this year by Colwyn Bay Football Club. 

The Walk to School Month is launched at the match against Salford City on Monday evening 6th October.  Pupils in Old Colwyn will walk from Colwyn Bay Football Club to their schools on Friday 10th October accompanied by a director and two players from the Club.

The number of children travelling to school by car has doubled over the last 20 years.  Getting children back in the habit of walking to school has obvious environmental benefits, and it helps with the fight against childhood obesity too.  A brisk walk to school is an easy way to boost energy levels for the day ahead and improve overall health.

‘Currently only around half of seven to eleven year olds are doing the recommended one hour of moderate physical activity a day.  So it’s essential to get kids moving.  The journey to and from school is the perfect place to start.’   (www.walktoschool.co.uk)

Other schools taking part during the month are Ysgol Glanwydden, schools in Abergele, Ysgol Babanod Conwy Road, Ysgol Capelulo, Ysgol Tal y Bont,  and Ysgol San Sior, Llandudno are launching their participation in the CWL scheme (Cerdded Wythnosol) for more regular walking.

Even if your school isn’t planning an event perhaps parents could walk more with their children.  Keep fit, get healthy, and get the walking habit!

For further information contact:  Mrs Linda Beagan, Safer Routes to School Officer, Highways & Transportation Services, Conwy County Borough Council
Tel: 01492 575475 or E-mail safer.routes@conwy.gov.uk

Timetable for Walk to School Month, October 2008
Monday 6th October – Colwyn Bay Football Club:
Launch of Walk to School Month
7:45 p.m. Colwyn Bay v Salford City, Match sponsored by Conwy CBC, Flyers promoting Walking to School distributed.   

Monday 6th October – Capelulo, Ysgol Capelulo & Colwyn Bay, Conwy Road Infants School:  Walks to school planned every morning through the week, at 8.30 a.m.   

Monday 6th October – Llandudno, Ysgol San Sior: 
Launch of the CWL scheme Cerdded Wythnosol:  Walk for parents and children starts at 8:30 a.m. from West Shore to the school.

Thursday 9th October – Penrhyn Bay, Ysgol Glanwydden:
Walk for parents and children start at 8:30 a.m. from the playground next to Penrhyn Bay Medical Centre, following the Link path to Ysgol Glanwydden.  Children may be dressed in their favourite sportswear.

Friday 10th October – Old Colwyn, Ysgol Bryn Elian, Ysgol Babanod T Gwynn Jones & Ysgol Iau Hen Golwyn:  Accompanied by a director and players from Colwyn Bay Football Club.

Walk for parents and children start at 8:30 a.m. from Colwyn Bay Football Club, along Llanelian Road passing Ysgol Bryn Elian, crossing the following footpaths to the infant then junior schools. Children may be dressed in their favourite sportswear.
   
Through October other schools are planning Walks to School, including, Ysgol Babanod Conwy Road, Ysgol Tal y Bont, and Abergele Schools. Ysgol Glan Morfa has a successful Walking Bus each Friday from Tesco car park to the school, which also supports the CWL scheme Cerdded Wythnosol, Walking Weekly

05-10-08: ANOTHER STRIKER SIGNS
Not content with his latest signings, Neil Young has added Danny Edwards to the strike force.  Danny Edwards joins Colwyn Bay FC from Poulton Victoria where he has been consistently top of the scoring charts in the West Cheshire League for the last two seasons and has already bagged a hatful this season.  He is also a player who can set goals up and has an assist rate that is equal to his strike rate.

Danny has also represented the ‘League Rep Side’ on a regular basis, scoring last time out against the Liverpool Premier League.

Danny Edwards is a player Neil Young rates highly and has been after for some time now and see’s him as a great addition to the squad

04-10-08: BLACKIE’S BACK!
Neil Young has completed yet another sensational signing to secure the return of last seasons fan’s player of the year and leading scorer Neil Black.

The pacey striker, who scored over 30 goals (including 3 hat-tricks) in the Unibond First Division South last season, is set to form a potentially devastating strike partnership with this season’s current leading scorer Rob Hopley.

Neil Black commented on his return”I am delighted to have signed again; it was a difficult decision to leave in the summer. Since my time at Lairds I got to know Neil Young quite well and trust that he will bring success to the club. I am sure with the players that the club has already got and the calibre of players that Youngy has brought in, we’re capable of challenging. I am now looking forward to playing for the Bay again in front of, what I regard, as the best supporters in non-league.”

Colwyn Bay Manager Neil Young (right)along with Neil Black
(left) pictured on Saturday afternoon after securing
return of last seasons prolific striker.

Black, who left the Bay to join Cammell Laird’s a little less than 4 months ago, becomes Manager Neil Young’s 4th major signing since taking on the Colwyn Bay hot-seat just over a week ago.

Manager Neil Young said “We’ve been looking for a striker since taking over and Neil is a proven goal scorer at this level. We’re made up to get him after he became available and we reached an agreement with Lairds.”

After already capturing former Tranmere Rovers stars Graham Branch & Dave Challinor along with Chris Taylor, the manager is also looking to further bolster attacking options having already put in 7 days notice of approach for an, as yet, unnamed striker. Negotiations are also underway to secure a current football league midfielder on loan.

Black is set to make his return in this Monday night’s home game (06/10) against bottom side Salford City, kick off 7.45pm.

04-10-08: CLUB PRAISED FOR RESPONSE TO RACISM
Colwyn Bay Football Club has been praised for banning a spectator for life following a racist remark.
The incident occurred during the recent home game against Curzon Ashton when the spectator shouted the remark which was overheard by an away player.

The player involved made a complaint to club officials who reacted quickly to identify and deal with the culprit, who was immediately removed and given an automatic lifetime ban from the stadium

Conwy County Cllr Chris Hughes is an avid Colwyn Bay supporter, he said: "I spoke to two or three people at Saturday's game and all those I spoke with condemned the incident and praised the club for its quick actions. I can only applaud the action of the club. There is no place for racism in any walk of life.

Cllr Hughes said he was impressed with the work the club has done to accommodate disabled supporters and the strides it has taken to end any kind of discrimination at the ground.

County Cllr Bob Squire also praised the club, he said: "It is commendable the action they have taken. There is no place for racism in sport or in any other walk of life. This shows how well Colwyn Bay Football Club is run. It is a really good thing that they have done."

After the match the player said he was thankful for the actions taken by the club and did not wish to take the matter further.

A link to the full article as it appeared in the Pioneer here:

 
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