Stones signs for Seagulls

COLWYN BAY have announced that they have completed the signing of 6ft 4ins Greg Stones from Rhyl, but have been stunned by the 11th hour collapse of the transfer of Mark Connolly.
The 25-year-old Connolly, who has scored 21 goals for Rhyl this season, had agreed personal terms and was due to sign today (Sunday), but Bay manager Neil Young got a text just after 5pm on Saturday evening to say that the move was off.
Apparently cash-strapped Rhyl have found a backer who is willing to help pay Connolly's contracted wages until the end of the season and the club have now refused to release him.
"It is very frustrating because Mark and I both thought we had a deal," said the manager. "Mark really wanted to come and was looking forward to the challenge, but it is Rhyl's prerogative to say no because he is still under contract to them until the end of the season and we have to respect that and get over it."
But the manager is delighted that the Stones deal HAS gone through.
"It is a really good signing for us and at 27 he has a lot of experience including a spell as a full-timer at TNS. He is another versatile player who can play in defence or just off the front two and I am delighted to have got him."
Stones, who scored the only goal when Rhyl beat Colwyn Bay in the North Wales Cup in December, will make his Bay debut in a friendly against Llandudno arranged for Wednesday night (February 3rd, 7.15pm kick-off).
The manager is also working hard to try and bring in a new striker and is in talks at the moment with a couple of possible candidates.
Meanwhile the Seagulls have released full-back Lewis Corrigan who has been unable to get in the team recently and wants regular football.