ROBERTS RELISHES NEW CHALLENGE

RHYL'S exciting new signing Neil Roberts insists he is not taking a step back by joining a Welsh Premier League club.
Roberts, 30, has made 325 full appearances in the Football League and netted 56 goals in a career which has seen him play for Wrexham, Wigan Athletic, Hull City, Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers, and earn three full Wales caps.
He was released by Wrexham at the end of last season and had received offers from Football League clubs but he has decided to join Rhyl on a three-year contract.
Roberts will undoubtedly be one of the biggest names to represent the Lilywhites in the WPL and is clearly looking forward to the experience.
"I don't see joining Rhyl as a drop down at all, but more a new challenge in my career," Roberts told Lilywhites Online.
"There's a really good vibe about the place. Being Wrexham born and bred and having family in Prestatyn I know all about Rhyl and from the first time I met Peter Parry I was impressed with his ambitions for the club; I hope I can play my part in helping realise those ambitions."
Roberts also sees his move to Rhyl as an opportunity to learn more about the coaching side of the game, where he eventually sees his future.
"I'm really looking forward to working with Osian Roberts (head coach), Allan Bickerstaff (senior coach) and Jamie Digwood (director of football). They are as qualified as you can get and I'm sure I will get a good apprenticeship from them in coaching, which I eventually hope to go into.
"I've not seen a lot of Welsh Premier football, but I know a lot of players who have played at this level and am aware it is a good standard. I'm sure my experience in the Football League can benefit the club.
"I had spoken to a couple of league clubs, but I decided joining Rhyl was the right move for me and my family.
"It will enable me to learn more about the coaching side, which will help me further my career in football, and I've also got business interests, and playing in the Welsh Premier will give me a little more time to devote to them.
"I'm really looking forward to meeting my new team mates and getting started. This is an exciting new challenge for me."
NEIL ROBERTS FACTFILE:
Born: April 7, 1978, in Wrexham
Football Career:
1994-2000: Wrexham - Appearances 75 Goals 17
2000-2004: Wigan Athletic - Appearances 125 Goals 19
2002: Hull City (loan) - Apps 6 Gls 0
2004: Bradford City (loan) - Apps 3 Gls 1
2004-2006: Doncaster Rovers - Apps 61 Gls 8
2006-2008: Wrexham - Apps 55 Gls 11
Total Apps: 325 Goals: 56
National Honours:
Wales caps: 3 (0)
Wales Under-21 caps: 3 (0)