COLWYN Bay manager Craig Hogg has been reflecting on a busy first few weeks of the off-season.

The Seagulls have been incredibly busy during the initial stages of the summer as the club look to form a formidable squad capable of securing promotion to the JD Welsh Premier League at the first time of asking after taking the decision to move from the English structure earlier this year.

Hogg and Director of Football Neil Coverley have secured the signatures of some experienced individuals at second tier level, with the likes of Sion Edwards, Mike Williams, Damian Ketley, Julian Williams and Toby Jones all agreeing terms with the Seagulls’ in recent weeks.

Skipper Tom McCready has signed an extension with the club which represents another significant coup, but a host of last season’s squad have departed for pastures new.

The latest of these is Ethan Devine following the forward’s decision to remain in England, but talented duo Jordan Carrington and Paddy Rutter have decided to stay on.

Hogg, said: “It has been a busy few weeks for the management team and we have witnessed a great deal of change at the club with players going and new signings coming in.

“On top of the new faces who have agreed terms with us recently, both Paddy and Jordan have now committed themselves to the Bay, and that pleases me greatly as both did well for us last season.

“It will be interesting to see how everyone will gel together during the six week pre-season programme we have and I know everyone is really looking forward to reporting back on June 22.”

The club will be training at the new 4G surface at Parc Eirias during the campaign ahead of what Hogg expects to be the “most competitive Tier Two for a generation”.

“The facilities at Eirias are excellent and we are very fortunate to have such a good working relationship with the staff there,” added Hogg.

“Session planning around the fitness and tactical targets we hope to achieve are now pretty much finalised.

“I think everyone I've spoken to recently within North Wales football circles is really looking forward to next season.

“We are stepping into the unknown as we start our five-year project and we will have a great deal to learn, especially as this will be our maiden season back in Welsh football.”