Football: Colwyn Bay FC boss in the hunt for a new signing

Oct 8 2009

COLWYN Bay manager Neil Young hopes to have at least one new signing in place in time for Saturday’s league clash at Harrogate Railway Athletic (3pm).

Young is particularly anxious to draft in a new striker to replace top scorer Rob Hopley, whose career is under threat after he suffered a serious knee injury in the weekend’s 2-0 FA Trophy defeat against Witton Albion (see report page 95).

Although Bay have now crashed out of four cups at the opening stage, they still lead Unibond League One North and Young is adamant fresh blood is needed if the Seagulls are to maintain their title push.

"I’m talking to a striker from the Unibond Premier and a central defender from the Football League about a possible loan deal," said Young.

"I’ve also got three or four other potential strikers on the backburner.

"Losing our leading scorer is a huge blow; strikers like Hops don’t come along very often and he will be very difficult to replace, but we don’t have the current firepower in the squad to maintain a title challenge so we need a new striker ASAP."

Hopley is due to see a specialist next week for a second opinion about his injury.

"We are all keeping our fingers crossed that the initial diagnosis that Rob may not play again proves to be wrong and that the specialist will have more encouraging news," added Young.

"But we can't use injuries as an excuse for our poor performance against Witton and I am not prepared to put up with our inconsistency any longer.

"We are not going to get promoted if we allow that to continue and I am working hard to try and bring in new players."

Bay missed out on the chance to extend their lead at the One North summit on Tuesday when their home clash with Warrington Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Next up are lowly Harrogate and Young said the players will travel to north Yorkshire determined to do well for the unfortunate Hopley.

"We’ll go there confident and looking to win. The players will want to do especially well for Hops."