BAY IN DISARRAY

Seagulls consider border switch

Cash-strapped Colwyn Bay are considering a move to the Welsh League to ease ailing finances

COLWYN BAY are considering a return to Welsh football with the club struggling to compete financially in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League West.

The Seagulls say they could face extinction within two years if the club continues as it is, in the English system.

At a supporters meeting on Monday night, chairman Bill Murray revealed the club requires £100,000 more in revenue each year to stay competitive with average crowds needing to increase to 450 – their 9-0 thrashing of Skelmersdale United last Saturday was watched by just 196.

Bay have relied on the generosity of former chairman David Titchiner and his brother Brian for keeping the club afloat in recent years, but this now cannot continue. Murray laid out three options for the club: stay as they are and see the club fold within two years, stay in England on a drastically reduced budget and battle against relegation or rejoin the Welsh system and build towards the Welsh Premier League.

Realistic

If the club decides on the third option, manager Craig Hogg and first team coach Neil Coverley say they would consider staying providing there was a realistic and feasible plan in place with a view to taking the club forward.

It is likely the club would have start in division three at the bottom of the Welsh pyramid.

The Bay have been in talks with the FA of Wales and are expecting a decision on whether they will be able to return this week. Should the club be offered a place in the pyramid, the deci- sion to re-join will go to a shareholders vote at the club, currently planned for Thursday.

Colwyn Bay have been in the English system since 1984 when they were elected into the North West Counties League.

In 1991, when the League of Wales – now known as the Welsh Premier – was formed, the club fought for the right to stay in the English league structure. Their case went to the High Court and they won their appeal in April 1995.

The club began to climb the pyramid and won promotion to Step 2 in 2011, spending four seasons in National League North. They have also previously reached the FA Cup second round and FA Trophy quarterfinals.

Resignation from the Northern Premier League would have to be submitted by March 31.