Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Colwyn Bay earn the respect of their peers

Blue Square Bet North side Colwyn Bay have been rewarded by their fellow clubs for the welcome offered to opposition sides throughout last season.

The club picked up the ‘Respect’ Team of the Year award at the league’s annual bash held at Newport’s Celtic Manor Resort for their relationships with officials, opposition clubs and their community, the welcome offered on match days and the behaviour of their supporters at away grounds. It was voted for by their fellow clubs.

It continues a magical couple of months for the club who on the field secured their status in the division for another season with a miraculous ‘Great Escape’ that saw them win their final six games.

Chairman Bob Paton expressed his surprise at The Seagulls getting such recognition, saying: “It came as quite a shock when the award was announced as we are not used to winning things!

“When the significance of the award was explained it meant a lot to us. It seems people have been impressed with the reception and welcome they received at the Red Lion Foods Stadium last season.

“We pride ourselves on being a family club at Colwyn Bay. The club would not have won this award without the efforts of our officials, staff and volunteers who work hard to ensure matchdays run smoothly. I would like to thank them for their continued support.”

On the pitch, things are also progressing nicely towards the new season. Of those who participated in the ‘Great Escape’, 11 have signed on for the new campaign. Chris Sanna, Danny Taylor, Danny Meadowcroft, Tom Smyth, Mike Lea, Gaz Evans, John McKenna, Jamie Crowther, Rob Hopley, Paul Ennis and James Ellison will all turn out again next term.

Sinclair also has verbal agreements with three new players he expects to sign on when pre-season training starts in a few weeks’ time.

Goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw (22), released by Oldham this summer, is expected to provide competition for Sanna between the sticks, while Rhyl-born striker Luke Wandless (18), also at Oldham with Ollerenshaw, should also be joining the club.

The third is former Everton wide midfielder Steve Connor (24), who spent last term with Conwy Borough and helped them win the Cymru Alliance League Cup. While at Everton, he won four England Under-17 caps, while he has subsequently turned out for TNS, Bangor City and Airbus UK Broughton in the Welsh Premier League.

Sinclair has also been building on his own experience by studying for his UEFA ‘B’ license in Cardiff as he continues his journey in to full-time management.

He wants a squad of around 18 players for the new campaign, meaning up to seven signings in total, including the three named above, could be coming in before the big kick off.

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