YOUNG: STARTING TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS
Ahead of tomorrow’s pre-season friendly against TNS, which is also long serving physio Colin Edwards testimonial game, manager Neil Young has given his thoughts on the progress that is being made during the pre-season:
“Pre-season so far has brought a mixed bag of results although we have had some excellent but extremely tough opposition. With around 12 new players to integrate into the squad and after a lot of hard work on the training ground, myself and Gary are now starting to see the improved understanding in the way we are asking the team to play.”
“Without taking anything away from the excellent squad we had last year, I believe the squad we have now gives us more options on the field and from the bench but also allows us through the experienced players we have brought in to play a more expansive game and what which not only helps to excite our supporters but also and most importantly should bring us the results.”
“With success you will also bring expectation and although last year we did not win anything the achievements of the team in those final 7 months was fantastic and now I am well aware that the directors, club officials and fans expect us to build on those achievements. I hope with the signings we have made so far and the ones that we are still working on show everybody that as a management team and a club that we are ambitious.”
“I am really looking forward to tomorrow’s game which gives me a chance to meet up with some good friends from TNS from my Welsh Premier days.
TNS along with Rhyl have been the standard bearers for a number of years both on and off the field in the League of Wales, so as our first friendly was against Rhyl we will hopefully see how far we have cone over the last 4 weeks.”
“We must also remember that tomorrow it is Colin Edwards’s testimonial game tomorrow and it is a massive credit to him to have been such an excellent servant to the club over a ten year period, which nowadays is rarely heard off. I would also like to personally thank Colin for all his assistance and encouragement to myself since arrived back in September and I hope the game gives him the memories he deserves.”
Kick off against TNS at Llanelian Road is 3pm. Season ticket holders are able to make a contribution on the gate towards Colin’s testimonial.
CLUB SECURE RECORD SPONSORSHIP DEAL
Colwyn Bay Football Club are delighted to announce that they have secured the biggest ever shirt sponsorship deal in the clubs history for this forthcoming season.
The company are a multi-national organisation with local links, and who pride themselves on supporting local communities. The sponsorship is for season 2009/10 and the club hope to officially announce the partner at this Saturdays home game vs. TNS (3:00pm kick-off).
Mal Jackson, the club's Community Development Director commented “The securing of this deal has taken a lot of negotiation with the sponsors Head Office and by nature of the high profile of the company; it has meant that we have had to wait until now to confirm the partnership."
"It has given us the opportunity to enjoy the largest ever shirt sponsorship in the clubs history, and importantly the company have strong links with the local community and also are an excellent partner to raise the profile of the clubs community projects."
"The club have obviously now decided not to action the forthcoming raffle, as the offer from this sponsor far exceeds anything we could have hoped for by doing a raffle. We have had lots of interest in the raffle but had not entered into any commitment with any customers."
"Sometimes, timing is out of our control, I can only put it into perspective by the waiting for a bus analogy!"
"We have already contacted businesses who expressed an interest, thanked them for their support, explained the situation and have received a very understanding response, and messages of good luck for the season, some companies were quite willing to support in other ways."
The raffle had generated considerable interest in the club and the Board of Directors would like to thank all of the businesses and also individuals who expressed an interest in the raffle and would hope that the clubs decision to accept the record breaking offer, especially in light of the current financial climate, will be met with understanding.
SCOTT SET TO SIGN
Manager Neil Young is set to sign former Rotherham & Altrincham player Gary Scott. Last season Gary, 30 years-old, appeared for Witton Albion where he was voted “Players player of the season”.
A versatile player, who is equally adept in either full-back or wide midfield positions, Gary began his career at Tranmere Rovers before joining Rotherham United for whom he made 23 first team appearances. Released in 1999 he had a season playing for Leigh RMI before finally settling down with Altrincham. He made almost 300 appearances for the Robins a figure that would have been significantly bettered but for a few spells out of match action due to various injuries.
Gary featured for Colwyn Bay in the recent friendly against Wrexham and impressed at left-back. Manager Neil Young commented “Gary has a great deal of experience having played at Blue Square Premier level for a number of years and will be another valuable addition to the squad”.
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
Colwyn Bay Manager Neil Young has drafted in ex-Stockport goalkeeper James Astbury in time for today’s game against Altrincham. The 18 year old featured for their reserve team last season and comes in to replace the injured Fariah Jackson.
Also included in the squad today is 30 year-old ex-Liverpool, Doncaster and Forest Green striker Adriano Rigolioso who played in the same youth team as Michael Owen and Jamie Carragher.
Kick-off for today’s game at Llanelian Road is 3:00
On the departures front, the portacabin which has resided in the bottom car park has this week been taken away and given to Llandudno Town Football Club in order to help them meet FAW ground grading criteria.
The original plans were to convert the portacabin into a classroom type facility also incorporating club offices. Unfortunately, at the time the transport company had difficulty in lifting the building into the top car park and so had to transfer it to the bottom car park.
The club has since put plans for utilising the portacabin on hold whilst future ground development plans are in the process of being finalised. Announcements with regards to ground development will be given in due course.
The club would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to local residents for having to put up with the unsightly appearance of the portacabin for a number of months. Unfortunately, the plans didn’t work out but it will hopefully now serve a purpose for a local sporting organisation.
CLUB PRESIDENT PASSES AWAY
It is with great sadness that Colwyn Bay Football Club has to announce that club President Glynne Owens passed away this morning after a battle against illness.
Glynne was a lifelong supporter and his enthusiasm for the club never diminished. He was a great servant and presided as Chairman for a significant period of the club’s history making a huge contribution to the clubs survival during some very difficult years.
Glynne will be sadly missed and everyone at Colwyn Bay Football Club would like to express their deepest sympathy to all of his family at this sad and difficult time.
A minutes silence will be observed at tonight’s game against Wrexham with players wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.
MIDFIELDER AGREES TO JOIN THE BAY
Experienced former Wrexham and Wolves midfielder Jimmy Kelly has agreed to sign for Colwyn Bay FC.
Kelly joined Rhyl in June 2007 from Conference North champions Droylsden and performed impressively for the Lilywhites during their European campaign before his season was hit by injury. Kelly started his career with Wrexham and Wolves, making 61 Conference appearances for Doncaster Rovers. A further 29 starts at Chester City saw him move to Scarborough, Morecambe and Lancaster City. He then signed for Fleetwood Town at the end of 2008 before being released at his own request this summer. Kelly is set to make his first appearance for Colwyn Bay on Friday night against his former team Rhyl.
Manager Neil Young commented on the signing: “I have been chasing Jimmy for some time during pre-season and I am extremely happy that he has agreed to sign. He has been training with us for the last couple of weeks and will be a massive asset for us in our quest for promotion.”
“I believe that we now have the right balance in the squad with a mixture of a great deal of experience and youth which has always been my aim since planning for the new season back in January. I am confident that the squad we are assembling will excite our supporters and although it is nearly complete I still hope to add one or two more before the start of the season.”
TWO NEW SIGNINGS AHEAD OF RHYL FRIENDLY
Manager Neil Young has completed two new signings following tonight’s training session.
Former Tranmere Rovers reserve defender Luke Denson has signed after joining the squad for pre-season. Luke, 18 years-old, is a right back and can also play at centre half and was recently released by Tranmere after missing out on a pro-contract. He is said to be one for the future.
Colwyn Bay manager Neil Young has also added to the attacking options by signing former pacey Wigan Athletic youth striker James Dunn. James, who is 20 years-old, currently represents the British Universities side and has also appeared briefly for Burscough and Leigh RMI in the Conference North. He stands at over 6ft 2” and can also play out on the left wing.
Meanwhile negotiations are now at an advanced stage with an experienced central midfielder who may also make an appearance against Rhyl this Friday night (10/07/09 - KO 7.30pm) in the first pre-season friendly.
UNIBOND LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP PRESIDENTS CUP
The draws for the First Rounds of the UniBond League Challenge Cup and the UniBond League Presidents Cup [First Division Clubs only] have now been made and are as follows
UNIBOND LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP (to be played midweek w/c 21st Sept)
AFC Fylde v Bamber Bridge
Brigg Town v Harrogate Railway Athletic
Cammell Laird v Chorley
Chasetown v Kidsgrove Athletic
Curzon Ashton v Woodley Sports
Garforth Town v FC Halifax Town
Glapwell v Leek Town
Grantham v Quorn
Lancaster City v Skelmersdale United
Leigh Genesis v Warrington Town
Lincoln United v Lougborough Dyn
Mickleover Sports v Belper Town
Mossley v Radcliffe Borough
Prescot Cables v Colwyn Bay
Rossendale United v Clitheroe
Rushall Olympic v Market Drayton Town
Sheffield FC v Goole AFC
Shepshed Dynamo v Carlton Town
Stamford v Spalding United
Trafford v Salford City
Wakefield FC v Ossett Albion
Witton Albion v Willenhall Town
Premier Division clubs have a bye to the Third Round
UNIBOND LEAGUE PRESIDENTS CUP (to be played midweek w/c 7th Sept)
Bamber Bridge v Skelmersdale United
Clitheroe v Radcliffe Borough
Cammell Laird v Colwyn Bay
Chorley v Prescot Cables
Curzon Ashton v Trafford
FC Halifax Town v Wakefield FC
Glapwell v Belper Town
Goole AFC v Brigg Town
Loughborough Dyn v Shepshed Dyn
Market Drayton Town v Kidsgrove Athletic
Spalding United v Lincoln United
Willenhall Town v Chasetown
All remaining First Division clubs have a bye to Round Two.
TIM CHANNON INJURED
While attending training on Saturday morning (4th July) Tim Channon took a heavy fall, which resulted in Tim breaking his Tibia and Fibia. Neil Young immediately called for an ambulance and Tim was taken to hospital where he will undergo surgery to have a plate fitted.
Neil Young said “Tim was taking some action pictures of the squad during the training session. The session was just coming to a close when Tim slipped and fell heavily.”
Neil, the squad and all the staff at Colwyn Bay FC would like to pass on their best wishes to Tim and wish him a speedy recovery.
Tim is in good spirits and hopeful that a slot will be available this evening, bringing his operation forward.
Being the professional Tim Channon is, he phoned the club from the hospital as he had promised that he would pass on some good news from one of the players.
Carl Clampitt’s wife Sharon gave birth to their daughter ‘Daisy’ last Wednesday. Daisy weighed in at a healthy seven pounds seven ounces and we are pleased to report that Mother and daughter are both in good health.
Congratulations to Carl and his wife Sharon.
CUP DRAWS ANNNOUNCED
The FA Cup & FA Trophy draws were released this morning and has sprung up some intriguing clashes.
In the FA Trophy, former Bay Manager Gary Finley’s Witton Albion will be the opponents at Llanelian Road on 3rd October. Witton Albion were last season relegated from the UniBond Premier League and are now in the UniBond First Division South. A number of former Bay players who joined Finley at Witton have since left and so it is unlikely that there will be many familiar faces returning to Llanelian Road for the clash. The winner of that tie will have a home draw against Sutton Coldfield Town, who knocked Newcastle Blue Star out of the FA Trophy last season.
In the FA Cup South Yorkshire based Parkgate could be the potential visitors to Llanelian Road for the second time in three seasons if they can overcome North West Counties based St Helens. Colwyn Bay previously defeated Parkgate in the FA Cup during the 2007/08 season with a narrow 2-1 victory and cannot be underestimated. The winner of that tie could then potentially face Cammell Laird away on 12th September. Colwyn Bay manager Neil Young joined the club from Cammell Laid where he was assistant manager. A number of Young’s signing have also featured for Laird’s over the past two seasons.
The draws as follows:
FA CUP
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Preliminary Round
29th August
COLWYN BAY vs. Parkgate or St Helens
1st Round Qualifying
12th September
Cammell Laird or Mossley vs. COLWYN BAY or Parkgate or St Helens
FA TROPHY
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Preliminary Round
3rd October
COLWYN BAY vs. Witton Albion
First Round
17th October
COLWYN BAY or Witton Albion vs. Sutton Coldfield |
