Sinclair gets Colwyn Bay job

Colwyn Bay have appointed defender Frank Sinclair as their new manager, after performing a U-turn on their initial statement that they would take their time over the decision.

The former Chelsea, Leicester and Jamaica defender (41) has played for the club for 18 months and it has been revealed the board decided to make an in-house appointment in order to limit further player unrest following the sacking of two managers in the past month. It is his first job in management.

Secretary Grant McIndoe said: “The board had a meeting and on reflection, they decided that Frank had the respect of the players. He has played at the top level and they believed he could move the club forward.

“It was also believed that an in-house appointment limits upheaval as there has been large unrest since Jon Newby left last month.”

Sinclair himself said of his new role: “It is a great opportunity for me as I am coming to the end of my playing career and I have been looking to get in to coaching and management.

“I have been here for a year and a half and get on well with the directors and players. It has been an unsettling time this past month, but I know the players here and would not have taken the job if I didn’t think I could turn things around.

“The first job is to turn confidence around and start winning. I have worked under top managers like Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli and Martin O’Neill and have picked up a few things from them along the way.”

Frank Sinclair started his career at Chelsea where he made nearly 170 appearances before appearing for Leicester City, Huddersfield Town, Lincoln City and Wrexham, among others, on his path to Colwyn Bay.

He also amassed 28 caps for Jamaica, playing at the 1998 World Cup in France, and will bring a wealth of football experience at the top level to the job.

The FA Cup and League Cup winner made an immediate impact at The Seagulls by scoring an injury time winner in a 4-3 win over Altrincham the day after signing.

His first game in charge is against Bradford Park Avenue away on Saturday (February 16), with the club stuck in the relegation zone, seven points off safety, and without a win in seven in the league.

However, they do have three games in hand on the team above them, Histon, and Seagulls fans will be hoping the players' respect for Sinclair sees an upturn in fortunes.