COLWYN BAY have been rocked by the departure of top-scoring winger Danny Lloyd, who has signed a full-time contract with Blue Square Premier side Lincoln City.
Lloyd, 20, who with five goals this term shares poll position in the club’s scoring charts with player-manager Jon Newby, has agreed personal terms after impressing Imps boss David Holdsworth in the two sides’ FA Trophy clash last month.
“I’m very pleased, the chance to play professional football at a good level is something I couldn’t pass up,” he said.
“It’s been brilliant, I have to thank Newbs and Chal for giving me a chance.
"Everyone at the club has been great, and I’ve made some real friends that I’ll have for life here.”
“It’s a great club and I’ve loved every minute of it, everyone from the fans to the people behind the scenes have been amazing.”
Newby said he was pleased for Lloyd, who signed over the summer after being released from Southport, and admitted he has been left frustrated in his search for a replacement, with footballers unwilling to relocate to the Bay due to travel costs.
“Danny’s been an important player for us, particularly since I’ve been in charge as he was in and out of the team before then,” he said.
“With his pace it always gives you a chance, but as I’ve said to the players if there’s a chance they can play full time football we’re not going to stand in their way.”
“We’re contacted a lot of players, but it’s not been easy. Not because of money or the club, but because of our location, and obviously we can’t move the position of the club.
“We’re working very hard to get someone in, it’s all hands on deck at the moment.”
The Bay’s weekend fixture with Vauxhall Motors was called off due to standing water on the pitch at the Red Lion Foods Stadium, as the Seagulls start 2012 in 12th place in the Blue Square North league.
Jon Newby’s men kick off a trio of away fixtures this month with against placed Altrincham this Saturday, followed by tough trips Worcester City and Stalybridge Celtic.
“We’ve got tough games, and we go into these games knowing we’re not on a good run,” Newby said. “That’s why we’re so disappointed that the game against Vauxhall was called off as we want to go out and end the run.
“We’ve had Altrincham watched and we know it’ll be a tough game, but hopefully we’ll have a new player in by then which can give everyone a boost.”