Colwyn Bay sign up five players in bid to win Cymru North
Dylan Allshorn of Cymru North in action. Cymru South v Cymru North in the UEFA Regions Cup Playoff at Old Road on the 15th May 2022. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Colwyn Bay have been active in the summer transfer window by bringing in no fewer than five players to the club.
Former players Alex Downes has returned to Llanelian Road whilst Dylan Allshorn, Cameron Darling, and Sam Hart have also made the move to the North Wales Coast.
Dylan Allshorn was the first player of the summer registration period and he moved on from league rivals Holywell Town.
The youngster was named Young Player of the Year in the Cymru North for his five goals for the Wellmen who finished fourth last year.
Last month, the 20-year-old was part of the North side that defeated the Cymru South in a two-legged Regions Cup qualifier.
On his move to the Bay, Allshorn said: “I’m looking forward to the new challenge for the coming season and excited to be at the club working with Steve and the players.
“Looking forward to playing in front of the fans too and to take the club forward to where it belongs.”
After Andy Coughlin’s move to Runcorn Linnets, Bay moved quickly to recruit a replacement goalkeeper, signing both Cameron Darling and Ryan Woods.
Darling, 19, joined from Buckley Town, making 21 appearances for the Bucks, keeping four clean sheets in all competitions.
Darling was also a member of the Cymru North representative side that won in May but was an unused substitute in both legs.
“As soon as I got the phone call I knew it was going to be a hard opportunity to turn down,” the Connah’s Quay academy graduate said.
“After meeting with the gaffer and seeing where he wants to take the club, it was a no brainier.”
Woods meanwhile has joined from Cymru Premier outfit Flint Town United, where he was the second-choice goalkeeper at the Essity Stadium.
The 31-year-old made 17 appearances across all competitions last year, also keeping four clean sheets like his rival Darling.
First-team manager Steve Evans said: “I’m really pleased to get Ryan signed. He’s a big vocal goal keeper who has a great presence about him.
“He commands his box and organises the players in front of him well.
“He brings the experience of having played in the JD Cymru Premier last season for Flint who were challenging for European qualification.
As one player was lost to Runcorn, another has made the move in the opposite direction with Alex Downes returning from the English non-league side.
After initially being on the books of the club during their English days and their first season back in Welsh football, he departed when non-elite football was suspended.
The 22-year-old played 28 times in the 2019/20 Cymru North season and won the Player of the Season award.
He said about his move: “After speaking with Steve and Covs, I am very happy and motivated to be playing at Colwyn Bay next season.
“I spoke with Steve a few weeks ago and he told me the ambitions and aspirations of the club. I did have interest from other clubs but the project Steve has in place at the Bay sounded very exciting and it was something I really wanted to be a part of it.
“Steve and I have the same ambitions and that is to take this club to the Welsh Prem and in the near future to achieve European football.
“This is where the club belongs especially with the number of supporters they have, the history of the club, and the facilities the club have.
“My main aim this coming season is to gain promotion and play as many games as I possibly can to the best of my ability.”
Versatile defender Sam Hart has also signed for the Bay for the second time having initially signed in 2020 before leaving for Flint Town United after failing to make an appearance.
The 30-year-old featured in 32 out of Flint’s 34 league matches last year including the play-off final defeat to Caernarfon Town.
He also played a similar amount of games for Flint and Airbus in the seasons prior, bringing almost 100 appearances of top-flight experience to the club.
