Craig Hogg: Seagulls manager discusses new challenges, setting targets and looking to the future

Colwyn Bay manager Craig Hogg has outlined the excitement surrounding the club ahead of their return to the Welsh system this weekend.

The Seagulls will make a long-awaited return to playing in Wales when they take on fellow Cymru North side Gresford Athletic in the first round of the Nathaniel MG Cup on Sunday.

They had been competing in the Northern Premier League, before taking the decision to end their 34-year exile and compete in the Welsh leagues once again.

Seagulls drawn away to @GresfordFC in first round of Nathaniel MG Cup to be played Aug 3.

— Colwyn Bay FC 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@ColwynBayFC) July 3, 2019

Manager Hogg, who signed a five-year contract extension in March, summed up the general feeling around the club.

“As a club we are very excited to being so close to starting our first competitive game back in Wales.

“It’s the beginning of a new era and the start of our five-year plan, we are very eager to get started with that now.

“We are looking forward to being a Welsh club playing our football in Wales, and we simply can’t wait for that first whistle.

“It’s a historical game for sure and regardless of those overtones the fixture is a big one in its own right any way.”

The Bay will make the trip to Clappers Lane on Sunday (August 4) to take on the Colliers – an established second tier outfit – whom Hogg is expecting to provide stern opposition.

“I don’t think we could have asked for a tougher draw in the competition and we have planned for a trip into the lions den.

“They (Gresford) are a team who have consistently produced at Tier 2 level, and there’s much that can be learnt from them in particular I believe.

“I have massive respect for the work that has been done at Gresford in recent years.

“Most importantly, I think the fixture will give us the earliest indication possible of just how tough a division we will now be playing our football in, especially when away from home.

“It’s the acid test we need, and a game I think we will learn more from than any other this season.”

Hogg, who took over the reins last season, admits that he has “absolutely no idea where we will finish in the table”, but does have a clear set of targets which he hopes to achieve.

“The aim is to try and get into the top 10, stay there, and have a respectable run in the cup competitions this year.

“If we could do that then we would all see it as a positive return to Welsh domestic football at Colwyn Bay.

“We’re a new team, entering a new league and playing our football in a new country – that says it all.

“We know we go in to all games with a lot of interest on us, and we will have to accept and live with that this year. We will also have to stick together as a dressing room too.

“We plan on being competitive of course and we have a desire to do the club, our fans and the new league proud.”

Pin-pointing what he hopes to get out of this season, on a personal level and club-wise, he said: “Our returns will be improving knowledge this season, plain and simple.

“We hope to learn from others and see what it will take to one day gain promotion, then it will be up to us to earn that in the seasons that follow this one.”

The winners of Saturday’s tie will travel to Maes Tegid to face Cymru Premier side Bala Town on the weekend of August 10.

(Featured image: Dave Jones)