Football: New era for Colwyn Bay FC as Neil Young takes reins

Sep 25 2008 by Tim Channon, North Wales Weekly News

COLWYN Bay’s new manager believes the experience gained in working alongside three of the north west’s most respected bosses will stand him in good stead for testing times ahead.

Neil Young has been handed the challenge of transforming the fortunes of a Seagulls side currently languishing in 14th place in Unibond Division One North.

Things hit a real low point with Saturday’s 6-1 thrashing at Trafford.

Young, 33, was in charge of West Cheshire League club Poulton Victoria before spells under Ian Doran at Queens Park (Wirral) and Cammell Laird and John Hulse at Welsh Premier League Rhyl delivered numerous trophies and promotions.

This season Young has been number two at Lairds to Ken McKenna, who previously won three WPL championships with The New Saints, but found the lure of Llanelian Road and a second stab at management too strong to resist.

“I’m delighted, really excited – I feel like a kid at Christmas,” was Young’s reaction to his appointment this week.

“I’ve had the best grounding under three of the most successful non-league managers in the area which I think will stand me in good stead.

“I know Colwyn Bay well having come here with Lairds over the past two seasons; I love the feel of the place, these are exciting times for the club and that’s why I’m here.”

Having been involved in management from the age of 24, after injury finished his playing career, Young has been part of over 25 cup and league successes during stints at Queens Park, Poulton, Rhyl and Lairds.

He has a proven eye for talent having brought through players from local football such as Greg Stones (Stafford & Rhyl), Michael Wilde (TNS) and Stuart Graves (Bradford Park Avenue).

Young, a UEFA licensed coach, will be joined by former Tranmere Rovers and Nottingham Forest star Gary Jones as assistant manager.

Jones commanded a £1 million fee when he moved to Forest from Rovers in 2000 and appeared for Grimsby last season. Further additions to the backroom staff are also expected to be made.

“I’m not going to rip it up and start again; there are some good players here already, but I’ll be freshening up the squad a bit by bringing in some new faces as there are a lot of injuries and a few suspensions to contend with at the moment,” Young added.

“I’m not promising a quick fix but I will do everything in my power to bring Colwyn Bay success. People who know me will be aware of my strong work ethic which has served me well at previous clubs and hopefully this will be the case again.”

Young plans to bring in a couple of new players for his first game in charge against Harrogate Railway Athletic at Llanelian Road this Saturday (3pm).

“It’s nice to start off at home and I don’t need to ask the fans to get behind us as I know they will from my previous visits here.”

Bay MD Darren Cartwright said: “The board were unanimous in our decision to appoint Neil. He has very clear ideas on what is required to make a successful side and has impressed us with his thorough approach, impressive network of contacts and a series of successes he has been integral to.”

Colwyn Bay FC: Gold Bond weekly draw (Sept 19): £2,000: BB1158; £500: CC2868; £200: AD4799; £100: AA6285, HH4843; £50: B1762, I0473, G2372, O.5743; £25: BB0307, AM1018, W6552, C1081, G2187, S3928; 170 x £10 winners; 130 x £5 winners.