Seagulls sign Joe McMahon

COLWYN BAY have signed centre back Joe McMahon from Marine ahead of Saturday's home game against third-in-the-table Northwich Victoria.
The former Lancaster City, Fleetwood and Vauxhall Motors defender is returning for a second spell at Llanelian Road having been at the club some years ago when they ran a reserve team in the Lancashire League. He is seen as experienced cover for player-boss Dave Challinor and Danny Grannon.
He could be involved on Saturday if the paper work goes through in time.
Dave Challinor has also made an offer to a centre forward and is expecting an answer over the weekend.
Saturday's game is a chance for the Seagulls to enhance their potential for a top-five play-off finish in their first season back in the Premier Division if they can claim a home victory.
A win would put them level on points with Northwich and close the gap on the top two (Halifax and Buxton) who are both in FA Cup action.
Challinor must be tempted to stick as close as possible to the side that played so well in the win at Marine in midweek and which extended their unbeaten run in the league to eight games.
"I expect to have everyone available and if we can play like we did on Tuesday then I fancy us against anybody," he says.
Skipper Damien Allen will have a late test on a tight hamstring but is expected to be OK, and goalkeeper Chris Sanna is fit after a nasty clash of heads at Marine on Tuesday.
"Chris was in the hospital until 3.30 in the morning waiting to be checked out, but he had the cut on his head glued and should be fine for Saturday," reported Challinor.
Northwich have lost only once in seven league and cup games away from the Victoria Stadium and boast the best defensive record in the Premier Division, but have been hit by injuries in the last couple of weeks and have taken only one point from their last two games.
Their 6ft 5ins ex-Altrincham target man John McAliskey (ankle) and former Tranmere Rovers midfielder Paul Henry (calf) are both doubtful for the Colwyn Bay game and manager Andy Preece reports he is also without five defenders.
"It will again be another test, as is every game, but with the injuries we've got it will be even harder," he says.
"It is an intense period of games and it will favour the teams with the bigger squads, but our team responded really well on Tuesday (a 1-1 draw at Kendal) and we're looking for the same again."
Because of the injuries Northwich are likely to have David Thompson, who played two or three games for Colwyn Bay in the pre-season friendlies, in the centre of defence. But they still have a goal threat up front with 20-year-old Wayne Riley, Andy Fowler and former Lincoln City and Boston striker Ollie Ryan, who Dave Challinor tried to sign in the summer, leading the way with 15 goals between them.

Seagulls look for apprentices

COLWYN BAY FC, in conjunction with Community Sports Education Limited, are looking for 20 apprentices.
All will be paid a weekly wage and will combine full time professional football coaching by FA and UEFA qualified coaches with academic studies. Colwyn Bay FC Manager Dave Challinor and assistant manager Colin Woodthorpe will be helping to run the course and they will be delivering both NVQ Level 2 in Sport Recreation with Activity Leadership and NVQ Level 3 in Sport Development along with a number of other qualifications such as First Aid and Child Welfare.
The course is open to all 16 to 18 year olds who are not in full time employment and those who are in education for less than 16 hours per week.
Applicants can enrol at Colwyn Bay FC, Llanelian Road, on Wednesday, October 20th at 6pm
, or for further details contact either Kelly Davies on 07725576997, or
Danny Johnson, Community Sports Education Ltd. on 07525 099 523
Applicants willl need their National Insurance Number, date of birth, emergency contact number, full home address and full bank account details.