COLWYN BAY FC VERY EARLY HISTORY HELP REQUIRED
I am currently researching the history of the club from its earliest days up until the 1st World War.  If anyone is able to assist with any mementos or information on family members who may have been involved with the club then, or any photographs of Colwyn Bay teams from this era, I would be extremely grateful.  I have details on all grounds the club definitely played on and some they may have played on in the very early days when the town was regarded as nothing more than a small village.   I am however, particularly keen to discover the exact location of the pitch Colwyn Bay played on in Rhos Fields from the 1901/02 season on.

This ground was given various names, Rhos Fields - The College Ground, Bryn Euryn Field, The Cayley Enclosure, though contemporary maps have not indicated any football ground on what was then a vast expanse of fields from what we now call the West End of Colwyn Bay to Rhos village. 

There were many club stalwarts from the 1880’s on who gave service to  the club as players and then committee men up until the 1940’s and 50’ s.  Amongst these were Edward Ned Griffiths, a long serving solid centre half. The Allen brothers Dan and Edgar who may have possibly  been the first brothers to play for the club and may have been related  to the family who ran the high class furniture store Daniel Allen and  Sons which operated from the 1890’s until the early 1970’s in the  building now called The Litten Tree pub on Station road. 

Take a walk down Ivy Street and on the back of this building you can still see the Allen company name in the brick work.  Edgar Allen could hold the  record as the club’s longest serving player as he appears to have  playing career lasting over 25 years from the 1880’s to the early 1900’s. 

Other well known club men from this period were Tom McCann, E Reckless, A Downes, Tom Wellings and others.  Some of these people must surely still have relatives in the area who may have valuable information.  If anyone can help please email me at raisetheroof@tiscali.co.uk or contact the club at 01492 514680 who can pass your details onto me.

Thanks Arthur Holden

30-11-08: WIN £5,000 FOR CHRISTMAS
Write a testimonial about Colwyn Bay FC and you could WIN £5,000 FOR CHRISTMAS!
We would be very grateful if you would write a testimonial about the club.

All you have to do is click on the following link and complete the simple form
www.thebestof.co.uk/testimonial
Then click on submit.

The closing date for the draw is the 20th December 2008 and the prize will be drawn on the 23rd of December just in time for Christmas.

Many thanks and good luck

28-11-08: CHAIRMAN SENDS HIS THANKS
Colwyn Bay FC Chairman Geoff Cartwright, who is currently engaged on business in India, has sent out the following message of thanks to all club staff & supporters who have expressed concern regarding his wellbeing owing to recent events in Mumbai.

“As some of you may be aware I am at present in India consulting on a large Biogas renewable energy project, on behalf of my company. Owing to the recent tragic events in Mumbai over the last few days, I have received several messages expressing concern with regards to my wellbeing. I would like to take this opportunity to assure you all that I am safe and well, and that every precaution is being taken to ensure that I, along with other Foreign Nationals, remain that way. I would like to express my deepest thanks to all of those who were gracious enough to show their concern and let you know that I will be back in the UK at the beginning of December and look forward to being present at the Staff Christmas Party & the game on Saturday to thank you personally.

In the meantime, enjoy the game against Skelmersdale Utd and, hopefully, we can achieve yet another good result on Saturday.

Come on the Bay!”

26-11-08: COLWYN BAY FC TO HOST WALES UNDER 18 INTERNATIONAL
Colwyn Bay FC are delighted to announce that Llanelian Road has been selected as one of the venues for the prestigious Centenary Shield Under-18 Schoolboy international fixtures in 2009.

Colwyn Bay’s Director of Football Chris Whitley comments “As Chief Executive of the Welsh Schools' Football Association and also working with Colwyn Bay Football Club, I am delighted to announce the return of Schoolboy International Football to Colwyn Bay for the first time since 1996 when Wales played Holland in the Arena at Eirias Park. On Monday 20th April the Under-18 Centenary Shield International between Wales and Northern Ireland will be staged at Llanellian Road. This will be a first for the Club and I’m sure that we will make the occasion a great success.”

Hosting the match is an honour for the club and town and is a great opportunity for football fans to come along and watch potential stars of the future. Further details on the game will be released nearer to the date

The club previously hosted international fixtures when the 4 Nations Semi-Pro Tournament was staged at Llanelian Road in the summer.

MORAN RETURNS ON LOAN
For the second time this season, Andy Moran has signed for Colwyn Bay FC on loan for a month.

Managing Director Darren Cartwright commented “This evening we have reached an agreement with Fleetwood Town that allows us to bring Andy Moran back in on loan. The club has a very good relationship with Fleetwood and I’d like to thank their Chairman Andy Pilley for agreeing to the deal.  

Unfortunately, Andy picked up an injury during his last spell with us and we probably didn’t see the best of him. Neil Young was keen for us to work out a deal for Andy having worked with him during his time at Rhyl and the player was also very keen to return for another spell“.

Moran is the second striker to join this week following the signing of Lee Davey from Heswall. The club is now working against the clock in order to get the necessary clearances through from both the FA & FAW to allow Andy to feature at Harrogate.

CANNING COMMITS
Colwyn Bay Football Club is pleased to confirm that Dean Canning has committed his future to the club and has now been taken off the transfer list.

Dean, who has scored 3 goals in his last 2 games, commented “I’m enjoying my football here and I want to play for Colwyn Bay Football Club”. The forward, who recently rejected a move to Curzon Ashton, was signed from Ashton Utd in the summer and has produced his best performances for the club in recent weeks.

Neil Young stated that he is pleased Dean has asked to come off the transfer list and committed the rest of the season to the club.  Neil went on to say “Deano has proven qualities and has been in excellent form over the last few games.  Hopefully Deano can keep the current vein of form. going.”

LEE DAVEY SIGNS
On the transfer front, Neil Young has completed the signing of promising young striker Lee Davey who has signed from Heswall.  Davey, who is 21 years old, has scored 6 goals in 8 games for Heswall this season and has previously attracted interest from Crewe and Bournemouth. 

Davey will go straight into Neil Young’s squad for Saturday’s trip to Harrogate Railway.  Manager, Neil Young said “I have watched him a few of times this season and have been very impressed.”

It was a very gracious Heswall FC who left these kind words on their website.
"All the Club wants to wish Lee Davey well following his transfer to Colwyn Bay FC tonight. Lee is our leading goalscorer with 6 goals in 10 games and a clean disciplinary record. He is also top of our Fantasy Stats - a position which he was very proud of!"

Also returning for the Harrogate Railway fixture is Colwyn Bay's Carl Frost, who has been out injured. Neil Young said " Carl will travel on Saturday and will also be part of the squad."

Tim Brandreth is also expected to travel on Saturday, but the club can confirm that Neil Coverley has left Colwyn Bay FC. The club wish Neil Coverley all the best for the future and thank him for his efforts at Colwyn Bay FC this season.

20-11-08: PLAYER ISSUES APOLOGY
Defender Graham Branch has issued an apology to the management and supporters of the club for leaving the ground following his substitution before half time in the Monday night game against Skelmersdale United.

Graham added that he was very disappointed by his own performance which added to his frustration on the night. The apology was issued after internal discussions with Manager Neil Young.

THE CHALLINOR CHALLENGE
Stoke City's Rory Delap may have an amazing throw-in but, ten years ago, former Tranmere Rovers and now Colwyn Bay player, Dave Challinor officially held the record for the world's longest throw-in. So feared was he that opposition teams wouldn't even give him a towel to dry his hands at away games.

He may not be the record holder anymore, but last week, Dave gave Five Live a master class on how to get maximum distance on the ball. Here you can see what happened when he tried to match his own record with the help of Five Lives reporter Stephen Chittenden.

Challinor - King of the Flingers

Challinor - Throw In Master Class

18-11-08: CHALLINOR INTERVIEW ON CHANNEL M
With all the media coverage about Delap, the original long throw expert gives his opinions to Channel M's Ian Irvine.

Colwyn Bay won the monthly ‘Fair Play Award’ with just two cautions in four games throughout the month of October. Although Colwyn Bay’s record was equalled by both Mossley and Trafford, Colwyn Bay won the award on the strength of a better disciplinary record in FA competitions.

UniBond League official, Gareth Davies was present to make the award at this weekend’s fixture (15th November) at Llanelian Road where the Bay entertained Clitheroe.

On the field, Colwyn Bay proved that although being fair play award winners, they were still prepared to mix it after beating Clitheroe 3-0 in a very physical battle.

11-11-08: TICKETS FOR SCHOOL KICKS-OFF
Colwyn Bay Football Club are once again providing local youngsters with the opportunity to watch the Seagulls in Unibond League action for free.

The club will this week distribute over 2,000 free matchday tickets to selected schools, and also students at Coleg Llandrillo, for this Saturdays home match against Clitheroe at Llanelian Road, Kick-Off is 3pm. All primary and secondary schools in the area will be distributed tickets during the course of the remainder of the season.

This season the scheme has also been extended to offer parents accompanying their children a discounted half-price entrance fee on the normal charge of £6.

Managing Director Darren Cartwright comments "The free tickets for schools scheme was very successful in encouraging kids and their parents to come along to games last season and gave a real boost to the atmosphere at the ground. We look forward to welcoming plenty of youngsters & their parents through the turnstiles at Llanelian Road during the remainder of this season. With the team just needing a few wins to get back into the top half of the table we are hoping that the extra vocal support will also help to give the team a lift."

Prior to the game on Saturday the clubs Director of Football, Chris Whitley, will be running a Football Skills Session for Under 8’s at the ground. The session runs from 11:30 -1pm and costs just £2 per child. To book your child’s place please call the club on 01492 514680 or email cbfcsoccerskills@live.co.uk

11-11-08: GOALKEEPER SIGNS
Neil Young has secured a replacement for work tied Matt Parry with the signing of highly-rated 24 year old goalkeeper Michael Langley from Alsager.

Langley has been in fine form for Alsager this season and was also a former team-mate of Rob Hopley at Winsford Utd during their successful North West Counties League 2 Championship winning season.

Further approaches have also been made for a midfielder and a forward as Neil Young looks to strengthen the squad for a climb up the league table.

09-11-08: LYCETT LEAVES FOR WILLENHALL
After receiving 7 days notice of approach from two Unibond Division One South clubs, Scott Lycett has opted to leave the Bay and sign for Willenhall Town. Scott, who is based in Kidsgrove, cited an increased workload and inability to commit to training and midweek matches due to the travelling involved as the main factors in his decision. The club would like to thank Scott for his efforts during his time with us and wish him well in his future career.

07-11-08: FRIENDY CONFIRMED
As Colwyn Bay FC have not got a competitive match until the 15th of November, a friendly has been arranged against Poulton Vics on Tuesday the 11th November, kick off 7:45pm.

With further free weekends on the horizon, further friendlies are already being scheduled against stronger league opposition. This will give manager Neil Young a chance to look at some of the fringe players who haven’t started in recent weeks as well as keeping the squad match fit.

There has been a lot of talk recently regarding the throw-in capabilities of Rory Delap of Stoke City.  This has started quite a debate amongst the national media as to who has the better throw, Rory Delap or the original long throw expert Dave Challinor.

Dave Challinor has been busy taking calls from the press this week as well as from national radio stations and will once again be under the spotlight on Tuesday nights match as Channel M will be at the ground armed with their cameras to interview him and see his long throw in action.  The interview will take place prior to the match, so arrive early if you want to see Dave Challinor launching a few long throws without the hindrance of the advertising boards.

Channel M are Manchester based TV Company who can be found on Channel 203 on Sky or 878 on Virgin.  Tuesday nights feature will be aired on Friday nights ‘Greater Manchester Football Show’ but don’t worry if you haven’t got access as the show is archived and will be available from Monday night on Channel M’s website http://www.channelm.co.uk

Such has been the speculation over who has the better throw amongst the football pundits, Radio Five Live have asked Rory Delap if he would take up the challenge and try and beat Dave Challinor’s record, a challenge he is yet to accept.

Season ticket holders and membership card holders will gain free entry to the ground, while all paying fans will only pay half price, £3.00 Adults, £2.00 concessions.

05-11-08: YOUNG GOES TO ICELAND!
Colwyn Bay Manager Neil Young has this evening completed the signing of defender Andrew Pew from Icelandic team Selfoss UMF.

Young commented on the signing, "Andy has been playing his football in Iceland
and when I was made aware he was back home and available I made the move to sign him quickly as I believe its another area that we need to strengthen. Andy is a quality player."

Described as tall, strong in the air and comfortable on the ball, Pew played under young at Poulton Victoria before moving to Cammel Laird then onto Selfoss of Iceland where he has been for the last two seasons. Young is also hoping to make a further two signings ahead of the next home league game against Clitheroe on Saturday, 15th November (KO 3pm).

Efforts are currently being made to arrange a friendly game for next week against football league opposition.

03-11-08: JOIN COLWYN BAY FC ON FACEBOOK!
Social networking website's have been the phenomenon of the last couple of years and is a great way to connect to large numbers of people. Facebook is the most popular social networking site and by using it to its full potential could help to give the club access to a large proportion of our target fans. But we need your help!!!

The best way to access people is through the "friends" of our supporters. If every supporter on facebook forwarded the group to all their friends, eventually nearly every facebook user in Colwyn Bay and the surrounding areas would be made aware of the club and the facebook group.
Once signed up to the group, it allows the club to inform group members of upcoming fixtures and news from the club.

By promoting the club in this way, we can increase interest in the club.
All that you have to do is join the "Official Colwyn Bay FC Group" on facebook and click on the "invite friends" link. Then just invite all your friends, We are initially looking to recruit 1,000 members!!!

To join, click here for the link for the Colwyn Bay FC Facebook group

Facebook helps you keep in touch with your friends and family and reconnect with people you lost touch with. You can share unlimited photos, plan events and join discussion groups. It's free and everyone can join. To register, go to: http://www.facebook.com

 
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