North Wales Weekly News - Seagulls Online with Tim Channon

Unibond Cup draws

2009-07-03T09:00:26Z

COLWYN BAY have been drawn away in the opening rounds of both the Unibond League Challenge Cup and Presidents Cup.
The travel to Cammell Laird in the Presidents Cup (week commencing September 7) and to fellow Division One North side Prescot Cables in the League Cup (week commencing Sept 21).

FA Cup and Trophy draws

2009-07-01T10:30:13Z

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young and his four signings from Cammell Laird have been set up to face their former club in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup.
The Seagulls have been given a home tie against South Yorkshire side Parkgate or St Helens Town (North West Counties Premier Division) in the preliminary round on August 29 and if successful will travel to the winners of the Cammell Laird v Mossley tie in the first qualifying round on September 12.
Colwyn Bay beat Parkgate 2-1 in the FA Cup in 2007 before losing 5-0 at Barrow in the next round.
In the draw for the FA Trophy, Colwyn Bay have been given a home tie against Witton Albion, now managed by former Seagulls boss Gary Finley, in the preliminary round on October 3rd
The winners of that tie will be at home to Sutton Coldfield in the first qualifying round on October 17.
Neil Young commented: "They are two very ironic draws - the Witton tie more so for the club than myself (with the Gary Finley connection), while the Cammell Laird game will be a special day for myself , Alex Hay, Eddie Jebb, Carl Clampitt and Anthony Sheehan, as we've got a lot of friends there.
"Its unfortunate that we will meet so early in the competition because both clubs would like a run in the FA Cup as it can be very lucrative.
"Of course we have to get past Parkgate or St Helens first, but I am just pleased that we are at home in that one and will be able to play them on a good pitch."

Tranmere duo join Bay on trial

2009-06-30T19:56:39Z

TWO young defenders released by Tranmere Rovers this summer have joined the Colwyn Bay squad for pre-season trials.
Full-backs Lewis Corrigan and Luke Denson were in the same Tranmere youth team as Ashton Taylor last season that reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, and Seagulls boss Neil Young said: "They have joined up with us for training and we'll have a look at them in the friendlies and see how they go."
Corrigan signed his first pro contract with Tranmere last season while Denson has been described on the Tranmere website as a good crosser and strong tackler.
Neil Young is still chasing one or two other targets but says he already has a much stronger squad than last year.
"I feel we've now got good options in every department of the team and overall have a much stronger squad - especally in midfield and defence with the addition of Carl Clampitt, Anthony Sheehan and Ian Sheridan, and in attack with the likes of Alex Hay, Rob Hopley, Tom McGill, Lee Davey and Eddie Jebb," he said this week.
"The players have knuckled down well to training with Tom McGill's pace and strength really starting to show through."
Steve Aspinall, who is recovering from a fractured leg, completed his first full training sessson tonight (June 30) and is progressing well along with Dave Challinor. Rob Hopley has picked up a slight calf strain, but it is nothing to worry about.
The players will have another tough hill running session on Thursday before starting on ball work on Saturday.
Hopes of adding an experienced midfielder to the squad remain in limbo at the moment with the player having still to make up his mind after being made an offer last weekend.
"I have told him we want an answer one way or the other by Saturday," reported the manager.
"I am still hoping we can pick up a couple more signings over the next month as players who have been unable to get the deals they wanted become available."

Players put in hard graft

2009-06-27T14:45:20Z

COLWYN BAY'S players put in another hard fitness session in the sand dunes near New Brighton today (June 27) as manager Neil Young again cranked up pre-season training.
That followed a tough session on Bidston Hill on Thursday and the manager says he has been very pleased with the fitness work that the players have put in.
"Their work rate has been fantastic," reported the manager. " We've got another week of hard graft ahead and it will probably be next Saturday before the players see a ball for the first time."
Lee Hammond and Eddie Jebb joined the squad today for the first time after returning from holiday, but there is still no definite news as yet on the signing of an experienced midfield player who has been training with the squad. He has been made an offer but has asked for time to think it over.
The Seagulls will know their early opponents in the FA Cup and FA Trophy when the draw for the opening qualifying rounds is made next Wednesday (July 1).
The Unibond Division One North league fixtures are due to be released on July 15.

Central defenders sign up again

2009-06-23T20:43:47Z

CENTRAL defenders Danny Jarrett and Dave Challinor both put pen to paper to sign up for another season with the Seagulls when the players reported for pre-season training this evening (June 23).
That means 11 of last season's squad have now committed themselves to stay with the club.
Club skipper Challinor is recovering from a nasty leg injury that ruled him our of the closing games of last season, and although he only did some light training tonight he says the injury is progressing well and he expects to be back in full training soon.
Manager Neil Young is hoping to have a couple more new signings on board by the end of this week.
Talks are continuing with an experienced midfielder who trained with the squad tonight and who has been on the books of a number of Football League and Conference clubs.
Ex-Wigan Athletic winger James Dunn who was expected at training tonight with a view to signing, had to cry off at the last minute after a member of his family was taken into hospital, but he is expected to report on Thursday.
Although some players are away on holiday, new signings Tom McGill, Carl Clampitt , Alex Hay and Anthony Sheehan were among the players who were put through some tough training runs in which a very fit looking Clampitt was impressive, and Lee Davey and Rob Hopley also looked good.
The manager has secured impressive new training facilities at the Anselm's College sports ground on Wirral, where British Lions star Austin Healey played his early rugby.
The players will be training Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday over the next few weeks, with the emphasis over the next week on fitness and stamina work. The first pre-season friendly is scheduled for July 10 against Welsh Premier League champions Rhyl.

Seagulls to sign Alex Hay

2009-06-19T11:58:32Z

COLWYN Bay manager Neil Young will today (June 19) complete the signing of Cammell Laird striker Alex Hay.
The ex-Tranmere Rovers front man is the the high profile striker the manager has been chasing to form a potentially prolific strike partnership with Rob Hopley and he is delighted to have finally got his man.
"I took him to both Rhyl and to Cammell Laird when I was there and he is a great signing for us," said Neil.
The 28-year-old Hay played in the Football League for Tranmere and Rushden and Diamonds and also had spells at Altrincham and Bangor City as well as Rhyl.
Neil Young is also hoping to complete another couple of signings before the squad report for training next Tuesday (June 23), but hopes of making a significant midfield transfer is in some doubt because of the high valuation the player's present club have put on him.
James Dunn, a 6ft 2ins winger who had a season with Premiership club Wigan Athletic is also set to train with the squad on Tuesday with a view to possibly signing.
The manager's squad for next season is now taking shape and those who are NOT being retained include Tom Spearritt, Mick McGraa, Matty Wood, Billy Webb, Craig Garside and the experienced Graham Branch, who I understand has been advised by a specialist not to play again following the serious eye injury he suffered at Rossendale last season.
Daniel Jarrett is expected to sign on again, while Robbie Williams will be training locally in North Wales and will join up with the rest of the squad for the pre-season games starting against Rhyl on July 10.
The Seagulls squad for the 2009/10 season, with some additions still to be made, currently looks like this: Chris Sanna and Farai Jackson (goalkeeperrs), Lee Hammond, Tim Brandreth, Dave Challinor, Ian Sheridan, Carl Clampitt, Anthony Sheehan, Steve Aspinall, Robbie Williams, Eddie Jebb, Lee Davey, Rob Hopley, Alex Hay and Tom McGill.
Tom McGill, who was with Capenhurst Villa last season, has recently been named the West Cheshire League's Player of the Season for all three divisions.

Frustration for Bay boss

2009-06-15T12:49:50Z

A FRUSTRATING weekend has left Colwyn Bay manager Neil Young having to revise his transfer targets after seeing several offers gazumped by other clubs in the past 48 hours.
He had been hoping to complete at least four deals this week after players initially agreed to sign, but admitted today (June 15): "We have not just been gazumped by a small margin, we've been blown out of the water in some cases.
"Some clubs are offering highly exaggerated wages in order to get players to sign for them and I am not prepared to pay silly money."
He is still hopeful of completing at least one signing this week and is working hard to further strengthen the squad, but admitted: "We are up against Welsh Premier clubs who are offering big money and that is making it very difficult."

Young closing in on further signings

2009-06-12T12:29:02Z

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young said today (June 12) he is very close to securing several more new signings before the squad report for pre-season training on June 23.
He hopes a new striker will be signed by Sunday, while negotiations for a centre back, left sided defender and midfielder are at an advanced stage and could be completed by the middle of next week.
"We are very close to tieing up four or five deals and there should be news on those within the next week," he reported.
That will add to four summer signings already secured, the latest being 23-year-old midfielder Carl Clampitt from Cammell Laird who the manager describes as a great passer of the ball and who would have signed a four year professional contract with Scottish club Hearts but for failing a medical on an old injury suffered at Preston North End.
He joins other summer signings Tom McGill, Ian Sheridan and Anthony Sheehan.
Neil Young has also been in talks for the past 10 days for what he describes as "a significant signing", but added: "We are still a long way off completing that deal, although it is not yet dead in the water."
The manager is also optimistic that club skipper Dave Challinor will sign up again for next season after positive talks with the former Tranmere Rovers defender on his return from holiday this week.
So far eight of last season's squad, including midfielder Steve Aspinall in the past week, have signed up again.

Brandreth and Jackson sign up again

2009-06-06T14:36:34Z

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young has revealed today (June 6) that defender Tim Brandreth and goalkeeper Farai Jackson are the latest members of the current squad to commit themselves to the Seagulls for next season.
Farai looks certain to open the season in goal as Chris Sanna, who is away coaching in America until the end of July, has to serve a suspension following his red card against Durham in April.
Tim Brandreth, for me, seemed to get a new lease of life after returning to the club and I made him one of my top candidates for Player of the Season.
Meanwhile efforts continue to further strengthen the squad, following the signing of midfielder Anthony Sheehan from Cammell Laird earlier this week, with the priority being a centre forward to play alongside Rob Hopley.
The club have been given permission to speak to one highly rated striker after an offer for another candidate had been rejected by his present club who want a much bigger fee than Colwyn Bay are willing to pay.
"I am also speaking to a centre half in the next few days, but if that does not pan out there is a possibility of taking another centre half on a year's loan which we are currently exploring," commented the manager.
He is also trying to sign a left winger and another left sided defender, but an offer made for a central midfielder looks to be dead in the water as the player's current club have failed to respond.

Sanna signs new contract

2009-05-30T10:10:31Z

GOALKEEPER Chris Sanna has today (May 30) signed a new contract which will keep him at Colwyn Bay until the end of next season.
The former Welsh youth international was outstanding for the Seagulls last year and his decision to sign on for the club again will be welcome news for fans.
Previously a Stoke City reserve player, he also played for Halesowen in the British Business League Premier Division and tuned down the offer of a professional contract at Chester City last year before signing for Colwyn Bay.

Young now hopes for early progress on transfer targets

2009-05-29T21:36:48Z

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young believes that confirmation of the side's place in Division One North of the Unibond League next season will help him secure the players he is after to improve the side.
He revealed tonight (May 29) that the Seagulls have already made one offer for a central midfield player and are currently waiting for the player's current club to reply, and the manager is also chasing two forward players who would also require a transfer fee.
Money from the sale of Dean Canning will go towards the new signings.
"I've been travelling all over the North of England speaking to players, including three ex-Football League players, but at the moment they want to keep their options open," he revealed.
"But confirmation that we will be in Division One North again will be a big help. It is difficult persuading players from the Merseyside and Manchester areas to travel to Colwyn Bay for home games, but as the majority of away games now are going to be virtually on their own doorsteps then that will be a big help.
"It would have been much harder to sign players if they were facing long away journeys in the southern division as well travelling up to two hours in some cases for home games.
"A number of players have been holding back to see what division we are going to be in and hopefully now we can start to make some progress in putting together the type of squad we want."
The manager hopes there will be some news on that front early nex week, having already secured the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Ian Sheridan from AFC LIverpool who scored 14 goals last season and was voted the club's player of the year.
"I went in for him last season and I am delighted that we have finally got him," added the manager.
Although sorry to see Canning go, he felt it was a good footballing decision for the club in view of the player's five-match suspension at the start of next season which would hold back his match fitness, and that the money will help strengthen the squad overall.
It will also allow Eddie Jebb to play in his favourite position on the right and the manager said he expects Jebb to be a major player in that position next season.
"He helped us out last season by playing on the left which doesn't really suit him and his form also suffered after being struck down by sceptic tonsilitis.
"But we are devising a special pre-season training programme for him and I believe we will see him at his devastating best on the right next season."
Pre-season training starts on June 23.
The manager is also thrilled that assistant manager Gary Jones has signed a new three year contract with the Seagulls.
"Gary has played a big part in what we have done so far and he is also a very close friend and it makes such a difference when you can work with people you really get along with," said Neil.

Colwyn Bay stay in the North

2009-05-29T12:31:24Z

IT looks as though Colwyn Bay will stay in Division One North of the Unibond League next season - with Cammell Laird surprisingly placed in the provisional southern section after losing their appeal this week against relegation from the Premier Division.
The Birkenhead club's demotion is over failure to upgrade their ground and as a result Whitby Town are reprieved and stay in the Premier Division.
The provisional make-up of the two divisions, released by the FA today (May 29) is subject to appeals.
It means 14 of the Bay's 21 away games next season will be less than 90 minutes away for most of the players as opposed to trips of three and four hours for many of the away games in the southern division.
The provisional Divisions One North and South are:
FIRST DIVISION NORTH: AFC Fylde, Bamber Bridge, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colwyn Bay, Curzon Ashton, FC Halifax Town, Garforth Town, Harrogate Railway, Lancaster City, Leigh Genesis, Mossley, Ossett Albion, Prescot Cables, Radcliffe Borough, Rossendale Utd, Salford City, Skelmersdale Utd, Trafford, Wakefield, Warrington Town, Woodley Sports.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH: Belper Town, Brigg Town, Carlton Town, Cammell Laird, Chasetown, Glapwell, Goole, Grantham Town, Kidsgrove Ath, Leek Town, Lincoln United, Loughborough Dynamo, Market Drayton Town, Mickleover Sports, Quorn, Rushall Olympic, Sheffield FC, Shepshed Dynamo, Spalding Utd, Stamford, Willenhall Town, Witton Albion.

Leagues to be announced on Friday

2009-05-27T09:20:13Z

THE FA have announced that the proposed Step 1 to 4 league allocations for season 2009/10 will now be released on Friday morning (May 29) following the outcome of two Appeal Boards which take place on Thursday (May 28).
That will include the proposed make-up of the three Unibond Divisions.
However, the FA say there might still be a number of issues to resolve before the allocations are finally confirmed.
Newcastle Blue Star are due to meet the FA today (May 27) in a final bid to resolve their situation.

Canning sold to Curzon Ashton

2009-05-25T16:43:45Z

I WOULD like to add my best wishes for the future to Dean Canning who the Seagulls have today (May 25) agreed to sell to Curzon Ashton for a four figure fee.
After struggling to find the net in the opening three months of the season, Deano really blossomed under the management of Neil Young and Gary Jones and after breaking his goals duck in a 3-0 win over Clitheroe on November 15, he went on to score 15 goals and and help create many more. I found him very amiable and enthusiastic and he always gave 100 per cent on the field, which undoubtedly helped him him win the supporters' Player of the Season award.
His two needless red cards against Durham and Newcastle Blue Star in the last four games of ther season, however, blotted his copybook somewhat and meant he would miss the very important opening five games of next season through suspension when the Bay will be anxious to get off to a good start.
I can understand Neil Young's decision to cash in on the player who has brought in a good fee which the manager says will allow team rebuilding elsewhere and Eddie Jebb to move to his more favoured position on the right wing - where hopefully he can start to show his best form.
This will also be a good move for Dean and his young family as Curzon Ashton is obviously much closer to his Salford home - although there is always the danger that the move could come back to bite should he play a major part in Curzon Ashton (this year's beaten play-off finalists) winning promotion ahead of the Seagulls!
Best of luck anyway Deano.

Manager aims to improve squad

2009-05-22T11:35:19Z

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young says he is aiming to bring in up to seven new faces for next season.
And he admits that to accommodate that number, some of the current squad will not be retained.
"I believe Division One North, if we are in that division again, is going to be more competitive than ever next season with some big hitters in there in terms of budgets and to compete with them as best we can on the field we need to improve the current squad quite considerably," said the manager today (May 22).
"We need more players with the experience and knowledge of playing at the top end of this level of the pyramid. I have been busy talking to a number of players who would fit the bill, but they are all keeping their options open at the moment with so much uncertainty around."
The manager is also in the process of speaking to all the current squad. So far Lee Davey and Lee Hammond have both agreed to sign up again for next season and new offers have been made to Steve Aspinall and Keeper Chris Sanna, with both asking for time to consider before making a decision.
I understand the club have also received an offer for one of the contracted players and there may be more news on this after the weekend.
The club have also advertised for a new physio following news that Colin Edwards is leaving the club after 10 years loyal service.
Neil Young commented: "Colin has been very supportive to me in my time at the club and I would like to thank him for all the work he has done both on and off the pitch. I wish him and his family all the very best of luck for the future."