COLWYN Bay could have an ace up their sleeve as they go in search of FAW Northern Championship glory in their first season back in the Welsh domestic system.

It has been a very busy summer of transfer activity for the Seagulls so far, with director of football Neil Coverley and manager Craig Hogg forming a squad that looks more than capable of challenging the likes of Flint Town United, Rhyl and Prestatyn Town for promotion.

Their recruitment has been primarily focused on talent from the region, with Toby Jones, Mike Williams, Sion Edwards and Julian Williams all agreeing to join the club in recent weeks, but there is also much excitement about the arrival of striker Mitchell Bryant and the potential impact he can have in the second tier.

Bryant is a vastly experienced individual that came through the Academy system at Manchester United, and he terrorised the Bay rearguard last season during a 4-0 reverse at Runcorn.

This caught the eye of Hogg and Coverley, who moved quickly to acquire his services in the hope he can provide the Seagulls’ with the firepower required to be among the championship contenders from the outset.

The second tier is more competitive than ever this year, with a number of clubs investing heavily in the pursuit of promotion, and the Bay know they must start as they mean to go on to avoid further complications down the road.

Given how much experience that Bryant has accumulated during his career to date, it would be a surprise if it took him very look to adjust to the rigours of the Welsh game.

He has the potential to be a real difference-maker for a talented squad that might not be under pressure to reach the WPL right away, but certainly have the potential to do so.

Not many defenders in this part of the world will know of him and what he is capable of, and this element of surprise will be another very useful asset for Bryant to have against some very tough opposition that have acquired a great deal of experience both at this level and in the top-flight.

The former professional at Reading will also be spurred on by the competition for places at the Bay and he knows that Joe Chaplin, Damian Ketley, Williams and Jones will all be looking to impress during their pre-season schedule and stake a claim for regular football from the outset.

Bryant is the frontrunner to start at the present time, and providing he stays free of injury and adjusts to his new surroundings, there is no telling what he can achieve this season.