Half Term saw Colwyn Bay Football in the Community (CBFITC) host various activities at: Llanelian Road, and within residential areas of the local community.
 SOCCER CAMPS
Soccer Camps for 5 to 12 year olds ran throughout the week from 10am to 3pm: providing opportunities for the kids to develop their skills, play in a tournament and take part in football quizzes.
COMMUNITY FIRST
Community Coaches, Joey and Christian Fontana, worked with one of CBFITC new partner’s ‘Community First’ to provide another ‘free’ football coaching session on Greenfield Road ‘all weather’ pitch. A sunny day meant a great turnout with children of mixed genders, different ages, and various ability levels joining in the session and having fun. Even the Community First staff members (Helen Jackson and Sarah Mylchreest) joined in and tried to show off their football skills!
LITTLE STARS KICK START
Saturday the 20th of February saw the first day back for our ‘Little Stars Kick Start’ players, 3 – 5 year olds. The sessions are held indoors on a Saturday morning at Aberconwy Sports Centre (Conwy) and run for 45 minutes, from 10.15am to 11.00am. These sessions offer a great opportunity to young children (boys & girls) to learn the basic skills needed for football and at the same time building self-confidence and presentation skills.
For further information on CBFITC activities please contact Christian Fontana on 07809232404 or alternatively email Christian@cbfitc.co.uk
GRAFFITI PROJECT
A Graffiti project supported by ‘Conwy Art Service’ and led by local Artist Andy Birch was based at the Football Ground on Thursday & Friday; which was a huge success! The activity was free of charge and allowed young people up to the age of 16 to develop their artistic/graffiti skills in the morning and their football skills in the afternoon. A mural has been painted by the team of 16 young artists under the supervision of Andy on one of the white walls at the football ground, and it will be unveiled tomorrow (Tuesday the 23rd) at the official launch of CBFITC before the first team fixture vs Warrington (7.45pm Kick Off)
NOMINATIONS FOR GROUNDSMAN OF THE YEAR
Colwyn Bay FC Groundsman Elfed Morris has once again made the shortlist of nominations to represent the UniBond League in this season’s FA “Groundsman of the Year” competition. Elfed won the UniBond award last year and came second in the overall awards.
Belper Town’s Phil Varney, who has been second and third nationally in the last two seasons, is also amongst the contenders.
Boston United’s Keith Crostan who narrowly missed out on selection last year makes it this time round together with Mark Freeman from Loughborough Dynamo and Trafford’s Graham Foxall.
Good Luck Elfed!
SANNA SIGNS UP FOR NEXT SEASON
Colwyn Bay Football Club is delighted to announce that goalkeeper Chris Sanna has agreed to extend his future at the club for next season.
Manager Neil Young said: “I’m very happy that Chris has agreed an extension to his current contract. Chris is an integral part of what we are trying to build here and it’s great to see that Chris really wants to be a part of it and that is demonstrated by the speed in which he agreed to the extension of his contract.”
Chris commented: “When I was asked to sign a new contract for next season I had no hesitation in agreeing.”
“I feel it is an exciting time at the club and I definitely would like to be a part of it. The fans and the people at the club make it a great environment to be in and with the management and playing staff that we have at the club I’m very hopeful that this will be our year.”
Chris, 22, is a former Welsh youth international who has appeared for Chester, Stoke City, Watford, Worcester City and Halesowen. Regarded by many as one of the best keepers at this level of football, he has become a firm favourite with the Bay faithful with his bravery and tremendous shot stopping ability.
STONES: I’LL BE GIVING MY ALL FOR THE BAY
NEW Colwyn Bay signing Greg Stones says he is really looking forward to playing for the Seagulls, and will be giving his all to try and help the club win promotion this season.
The 6ft 4ins 27-year-old from Heswall on Wirral, who is the brother-in-law of Bay assistant manager Gary Jones, tells me he was really impressed by the way Colwyn Bay played when he scored the winning goal against them for Rhyl in the North Wales Coast Cup in December.
"I am big mates with Anthony Sheehan and I said to him afterwards how impressed I was with the way Colwyn Bay moved the ball about," he said.
"I also used to play with Jimmy Kelly and he plays football the way I like it to be played. I am really excited about teaming up with him again.
"I am not sure yet where Youngie wants me to play, and I'll be happy to play anywhere - in the back four or anywhere down the spine of the team - but my favourite position is probably just off the front two. That's where I played when I was at TNS and I enjoyed it there and got a few goals.
"People say that my main goal threat is from set pieces, but actually the majority of my goals have come from open play - in fact, at Rhyl I rarely went up for set pieces.
"I had a great time at Rhyl and am sad the way things have happened there, but I am ready for a new challenge. I've worked with Neil Young before and I am really looking forward to helping him and Gary take Colwyn Bay as far as we can go.”
"I still believe that automatic promotion this season is not out of the question, but if that doesn't work out then we certainly want to win the play-offs and I can promise the fans I will be giving everything I have to try and ensure we do that."
Greg went on trial with Crewe Alexandra after his full-time stint at TNS and when that didn't work out he played for Stafford Rangers in the Conference before going to Rhyl, so he comes to the Bay with experience of playing football at the top non-league level.
The manager certainly sees it as a very important signing for the club.
Greg is set to make his Llanelian Road debut in Wednesday night's friendly against Llandudno (7.15pm kick off).
ELITE PERFORMANCE CENTRE
It was a busy day on Saturday for Colwyn Bay Football Club’s Elite Performance Squads who completed a sponsored walk from Rhos Point to Colwyn Bay Football Club in order to help raise funds for the squads. The young players, who were also accompanied by their parents & coaches, then watched the clubs senior team beat Harrogate Railway 2-0 in their UniBond Division 1 North fixture and were paraded before the clubs supporters at half-time.
The squads are pictured at the game along with some of the clubs first team players.
Launched this season under the guidance of the clubs Director of Football, Chris Whitley, the teams consist of Under 11’s and Under 12’s age groups and they have already played quality fixtures against academy sides at Everton & Wrexham where they put in some excellent performances. The players themselves have shown a marked improvement under the guidance of the EPC coaches and have so far benefited greatly from the experience.
The youngsters travel down to South Wales on 14th February where fixtures will take place against Llanelli’s academy teams. They will then visit Championship side Swansea City where they be given a tour of the new Liberty Stadium followed by game’s against Swansea’s academy teams. Further fixtures are planned against Crewe & Wolves along with a visit to Llanelian Road by Everton Football Club.
The Elite Performance Centre is looking to expand the number of teams for next season and is also looking for sponsorship and fundraising support to help develop the venture further. If you would like to help then please contact the clubs Commercial Manager Mal Jackson on 07501 474297 or email: mjackson@colwynbayfc.co.uk
WEDNESDAY NIGHT FRIENDLY : Colwyn Bay vs Llandudno
A friendly match has been arranged against Llandudno FC at Llanelian Road this Wednesday night (03/02) - Kick-off is earlier than usual time of 7.15pm.
Llandudno feature a number of former Bay players as well as current squad member Lee Davey who has joined them on loan.
Admission is reduced:- £3 Adults, £2 concessions. The canteen will be serving hot drinks & snacks and the bar will be in operation as usual. |
