Young now hopes for early progress on transfer targets

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young believes that confirmation of the side's place in Division One North of the Unibond League next season will help him secure the players he is after to improve the side.
He revealed tonight (May 29) that the Seagulls have already made one offer for a central midfield player and are currently waiting for the player's current club to reply, and the manager is also chasing two forward players who would also require a transfer fee.
Money from the sale of Dean Canning will go towards the new signings.
"I've been travelling all over the North of England speaking to players, including three ex-Football League players, but at the moment they want to keep their options open," he revealed.
"But confirmation that we will be in Division One North again will be a big help. It is difficult persuading players from the Merseyside and Manchester areas to travel to Colwyn Bay for home games, but as the majority of away games now are going to be virtually on their own doorsteps then that will be a big help.
"It would have been much harder to sign players if they were facing long away journeys in the southern division as well travelling up to two hours in some cases for home games.
"A number of players have been holding back to see what division we are going to be in and hopefully now we can start to make some progress in putting together the type of squad we want."
The manager hopes there will be some news on that front early nex week, having already secured the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Ian Sheridan from AFC LIverpool who scored 14 goals last season and was voted the club's player of the year.
"I went in for him last season and I am delighted that we have finally got him," added the manager.
Although sorry to see Canning go, he felt it was a good footballing decision for the club in view of the player's five-match suspension at the start of next season which would hold back his match fitness, and that the money will help strengthen the squad overall.
It will also allow Eddie Jebb to play in his favourite position on the right and the manager said he expects Jebb to be a major player in that position next season.
"He helped us out last season by playing on the left which doesn't really suit him and his form also suffered after being struck down by sceptic tonsilitis.
"But we are devising a special pre-season training programme for him and I believe we will see him at his devastating best on the right next season."
Pre-season training starts on June 23.
The manager is also thrilled that assistant manager Gary Jones has signed a new three year contract with the Seagulls.
"Gary has played a big part in what we have done so far and he is also a very close friend and it makes such a difference when you can work with people you really get along with," said Neil.