RHYL FC IS "VERY SPECIAL" - STRONG

GREG Strong believes he has taken the helm at a "very special" football club.
There were more than a few eyebrows raised when Strong was appointed player manager of Rhyl last Thursday following the departure of head coach Allan Bickerstaff.
Not that anyone was questioning Strong's ability, and rumours of Bickerstaff's demise had been rife since he missed the two Champions League ties against Partizan Belgrade due to a family holiday.
But few would have earmarked the ex-Bolton Wanderers and Motherwell defender as a potential replacement - particularly as he has no previous managerial experience.
However, the new boss at Belle Vue is Strong, a towering centre-back who was so impressive in his debut season in a Rhyl side which lifted the Welsh Premier League title in April.
He brings to his new role a wealth of footballing experience, having represented 17 clubs in his career with over 100 appearances in both the Football League and Scottish League under his belt.
And his first game in charge of the Lilies could hardly have been more uplifting as the champions produced some superb football to see off Unibond Division One South outfit Witton Albion on Saturday.
Strong has the basis of a team which can challenge for the Welsh Premier crown again, but accepts the need to add numbers to the ranks with so many of the championship-winning squad having left Belle Vue during the summer.
"I'll be having meetings this week with the club, going through budgets and looking at who we can bring in," he said.
"We definitely need to add to the squad. We're interested in good players who want to play for Rhyl.
"The standard of football we play here, and the great team spirit we've got, provides a stage for talented players to perform and better themselves.
"We've got something very special here."
In light of Rhyl's current financial situation, Strong has been given a budget and it remains to be seen how many players he will be able to bring in - and who he might have to let go.
After the Witton game, the new manager commented: "I was really pleased with the performance. Everyone looked sharp - except me.
"I was disappointed with the two goals we conceded, but take responsibility for them both.
"The lads gave me everything out there and I've thanked them for it."
Strong was trying to arrange a friendly for late this week with no more warm-up games now scheduled before the big Welsh Premier kick-off against Carmarthen Town on August 15.