May 2009 Archives

RHYL are prepared to release long-serving midfielder Gareth Wilson.
The 31-year-old, second in the all-time Welsh Premier appearances chart for the Lilywhites behind Timmy Edwards, was loaned out to Welshpool in January but returned to Belle Vue for the end of season championship celebrations, featuring in Rhyl's final game at NEWI Cefn Druids as a substitute.
"We've given permission for Gareth to speak to other clubs, but the terms of his contract are such that he could still feature for us in European matches," said head coach Allan Bickerstaff.
Wilson has made 221 WPL starts for Rhyl, also making 36 substitute appearances, and has bagged 24 goals.

THREE new players could be joining Rhyl within the next few days.
Head coach Allan Bickerstaff is talking to a wide man who featured in the Football League last year, plus two top quality Welsh Premier midfielders.
Meanwhile, Luke Holden has re-signed for the Lilywhites for 2009/10 and others are expected to follow.
"Things are looking good; there are still a couple more players to commit themselves, but people have been on holiday and I'm not anticipating any problems," said Bickerstaff.

RHYL have released ex-Wrexham pair Josh Johnson and Michael Jones, Lilywhites Online can reveal.
Johnson, 28, joined the Lilies in August 2008 after being deemed surplus to requirements at Wrexham where he made 10 (+19) Football League appearances.
The Trinidadian made a flying start at Belle Vue, starring in a famous 5-1 win over then champions Llanelli and winning the Welsh Premier League's Player of the Month August award.
Things got even better for Johnson when he received his first full international call-up three months later, featuring alongside Dwight Yorke and Kenwyne Jones in the squad for the World Cup qualifier against Cuba.
But the speedy wide man's form at Rhyl plummeted and a series of inconsistent displays eventually saw him dropped to the reserves.
In all, he made just nine Welsh Premier starts for the champions, plus 10 as substitute, netting four goals.
Goalkeeper Jones was snapped up on loan by Allan Bickerstaff in January 2009 to deputise for Rhyl's first-choice custodian Lee Kendall, who had received a 10-match suspension.
Nicknamed "Carrots", Jones, who had a handful of first team outings at Wrexham, did not make any major impression for Rhyl and was soon ousted when Kendall became eligible again.
Johnson and Jones follow Jamie Reed and Craig Jones out of the Belle Vue exit door.

FORMER Rhyl striker Andy Moran signed for Prestatyn Town today.
Moran, 29, played for the Lilywhites from 2001-2008 and netted 99 goals for the club in the Welsh Premier.
He is one of a number of new top quality signings the Seasiders are planning to bring in as they aim to secure a Super 10 place next season.

RHYL Reserves could yet continue playing football - albeit in another league.
The reserve side has been withdrawn from the Welsh Alliance League after a 25-year stay, but Lilywhites managing director Dave Milner said joining the new Clwyd Reserves League next season could be an option.
Milner pointed out the reserves would have had to pull out of the Welsh Alliance at the end of next season anyway as the Welsh pyramid will not accept reserve sides from 2010/11 as far down as the Gwynedd League and Clwyd Premier.
Rhyl are considering running just an under-19s side in one of the North Wales Youth Leagues next season, but will now also look at the Clwyd Reserve League option.
From next season the Clwyd plan to operate two divisions and two reserves divisions.
On considering the future of the reserves, Milner said club officials had questioned whether maintaining a side which has provided so few first team players in recent years was viable.
"I can only recall Brewie (James Brewerton) stepping up from the reserves and becoming a first team regular," said Milner.
"Through creating an under-19 team we will be developing youngsters, which was really the purpose of the reserve team.
"Also, with the club cutting down on numbers in the first team squad, there would probably not be as many first teamers wanting rehabilitation in the reserves."
However, putting the Reserves into the new Clwyd division will now be looked at.

RHYL FC have reportedly decided to fold their reserve side which has operated in the Welsh Alliance League since 1984/85.
Manager Jon Stazicker contacted me tonight to inform me the reserves team will no longer run and will be replaced by a Rhyl Under-19 youth team in 2009/10.
Stazicker himself has been offered the job as manager of Conwy United and has accepted.
Many thanks to Jon for all his invaluable support over the past two years and very best of luck for the future.
Rhyl Reserves won the Welsh Alliance League title under Dave Fuller in 2003/04 and lifted the Barritt Cup two seasons ago. They were also beaten finalists in the Barritt this season.

RHYL have been fined £250 plus £50 costs for abusive, obscene and provocative behaviour by supporters during the Welsh Premier game at Aberystwyth on 15 February 2009, reports www.welsh-premier.com
The charges followed obscene chanting behind the Aberystwyth goal and, although the Lilywhites gave evidence in mitigation, they were found guilty.
"Rhyl directors are dissappointed with the behaviour of the offending fans and would ask them to watch their behaviour at future games," says a statement from the club.

RHYL head coach Allan Bickerstaff has assured supporters there is no need to panic despite the departures of two key players in the past week.
Bickerstaff has also revealed he is talking to a Football League player and two Welsh Premier operators with a view to strengthening his title-winning squad.
Winger Craig Jones has opted to go full-time by signing for Welsh Premier League rivals The New Saints, while striker Jamie Reed is off to America to try to gain a place with a team in Major League Soccer.
Lilywhites followers have expressed anxiety over further potential losses and the possible break-up of the squad, but Bickerstaff has urged fans not to worry.
"Lee Kendall, Neil Roberts, George Horan and Gareth Owen are all on contracts, Greg Stones has signed and Greg Strong is due to sign today (Tuesday)," said Bickerstaff.
"I'm also due to have talks with Matty Williams, who seems happy to stay, while Mark Connolly and Chris Roberts are on holiday, but have indicated they will be happy to stay on."
Bickerstaff is also eyeing up three new signings, two who operate in the Welsh Premier League and a Football League player.
"We should have some news within the next 48 hours," added the coach.
Bickerstaff also said a meeting to discuss the future with club president Peter Parry, managing director Dave Milner and director of football Jamie Digwood last week had been "very productive".
Although the size of the squad will be reduced, the head coach said rumoured budget slashing was untrue.
"Due to the current economic climate, which is affecting the whole world, the club is cutting its cloth accordingly, but we are still receiving a very generous budget and are extremely grateful to Peter Parry for what he is doing.
"There was a lot of money (players) sitting in the stand last season which isn't viable in the current climate, so the squad will be cut slightly which means we may have to develop one or two youngsters we have at the club or possibly bring in a couple of young lads released by Football League clubs.
"But we are determined to strengthen the squad and win the title again."
On Reed and Jones' departures, Bickerstaff added: "They've been fantastic for me but both wanted to try their luck elsewhere so good luck to them."

DUE to changes in my working responsibilities there may be occasions when the Lilywhites Online blog is not updated as quickly as it has been in the past.
As well as increased involvement with the Daily Post, which means I am now working more closely with other Welsh Premier clubs as well as Rhyl, plus the fact I am now editing four weekly newspaper sports sections (North Wales Weekly News, Caernarfon Herald, Holyhead and Bangor Mails and the Denbighshire Visitor), gives me less time to spend on Lilywhites Online.
I've given the blog my all for over two years now and will continue to update it as best I can but due to the reasons above, services may be affected from time to time.
Thank you all for your support.

NEATH have signalled their intention of fighting for a Super 10 spot by signing former Wales and Wrexham midfielder Chris Llewellyn, reports www.welsh-premier.com
A target for Rhyl last summer following his release by Wrexham, the 29-year-old has made more than 350 Football League appearances and arrives at The Gnoll after leaving League Two Grimsby Town midway through a two-year contract.
Swansea-born Llewellyn is a product of the Norwich City youth set-up who broke into the first team at Carrow Road in 1997/8, gaining Wales 'B' and Under-21 caps, before making his full international debut against Malta.