MORE SIGNINGS UNLIKELY AT RHYL
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WELSH Premier League champions Rhyl are unlikely to make many more additions to their squad this summer, says head coach Allan Bickerstaff.
Former TNS pairing John Leah and Martyn Naylor, plus returning striker Lee Hunt, are the only three major signings made by the Belle Vue outfit, who have already stated they will operate with a trimmed budget in 2009/10.
Jamie Reed, Craig Jones, Josh Johnson, Paul O'Neill, Gareth Wilson, Chris Roberts, Carl Owen and Michael Jones have already departed from last season's title-winning squad, with Danny Williams seemingly also gone.
The shortfall in the Rhyl ranks looks set to be made up by youngsters released from Football League clubs and some of the more promising reserve players from last term.
Former Wales and Nottingham Forest midfielder Paul Evans has come on board for the Champions League second qualifying round ties against Partizan Belgrade on July 14 and 21, but it remains to be seen if he is retained.
"We are planning to talk to a couple more players ahead of Europe, but that's about it," said Bickerstaff, who led Rhyl to the title in his first season at the helm.
Meanwhile, Bickerstaff has confirmed he will not be available for either of the Lilywhites' matches against Partizan.
FAW technical director Osian Roberts will be in charge for the home and away legs with Bickerstaff absent due to a long-standing family commitment.
"I'm very disappointed I won't be there, but this commitment was made a long time ago," said Bickerstaff.
"There is no-one better than Osian to take the helm for Europe; he has a wealth of experience and the players know and respect him."
Roberts began last season as head coach at Belle Vue, but a few games into the campaign he was forced to take a back-seat due to his responsibilities within the FAW. Bickerstaff took on the head coach mantle and led the Lilywhites to the league championship.
On Saturday both Bickerstaff and Roberts were on the bench as Rhyl romped to a 4-1 tune-up victory over Cymru Alliance club Denbigh Town.
Neil Roberts broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when he took on a fine through ball from Matty Williams and rounded keeper Gary Higham to score. Five minutes later Roberts fired into the roof of the net after the Town defence failed to deal with a Hunt cross from the right.
Luke Holden made it 3-0, scoring with a deadly left foot finish after Luke Sherbon picked him out with a slide-rule delivery.
Denbigh hit back when home keeper Lee Kendall was adjudged to have picked up a back-pass and Lee Craven thundered the resulting free-kick in off the bar.
On the stroke of half time, though, the Welsh Premier champions added a fourth when Roberts and Naylor combined to set up Williams to steer in left-footed from 10 yards.
In the second half Rhyl made seven changes, giving a number of young trialists their opportunity. No further goals were scored, the closest call a Holden effort which crashed off the underside of the bar, while Kendall was forced to make a smart save from Paul Edwards.
"I felt things went really well," said Bickerstaff. "The players gave their all and we got out of it what we wanted.
"In the second half we completely changed the way we played. We fully understand we're not going to get a lot of the ball against Partizan Belgrade, so dropped off a bit, played more on the counter and made sure we broke well."



Hi just thought I would let u know that Paul Evans has not signed anything. So y did Bicks come out & say he has???
Where did Bickerstaff state Evans has signed?
Certainly not on this blog where it has always been made clear Evans was brought on board for Europe.
But 2 play in Europe he would have 2 sign something. Is this true?
Definitely his passport. Yes, I imagine he would have to sign some agreement otherwise he would not be registered with Uefa and therefore not able to play.
If he hasn't signed anything at all then I guess he won't be playing in Europe, do you represent him? You probably know more than me.
He wouldn't need to be contracted just have signed his registration that would allow him to play in Europe.
No I'm not it's just I asked a couple of the players in the shop on Wednesday where he was and if he's signed & they said no. But again y would Bicks come out & say we've got him on board if we haven't?
Talking of 'being on board' does anyone know if Danny Williams has 'jumped ship' yet?
Well I've not seen him around at training
Training with Shrewsbury I'm told
Danny has not been in training since the first one on 2 sessions.
Not sure if he was offered a reduced contract and turned it down.
Surely its better to sign and play somewhere than not play at all.
Shame, would gladly swap Danny's experience for Sherbon's lack of it, especially with a reduced squad this season when midfield is such a 'win or lose' area in any league never mind the WPL
Sherbon and Danny are completely different players, Danny sits and reads the game well and is a great passer but lacks mobility, whereas Sherbs is an all energy box to box player with a great goal scoring record for a midfielder.