TWO more Colwyn Bay players departed the club in favour of regular football within the English system.

Alex Downes and Will Bell, who played a leading role for the Seagulls’ in their first season back in the Welsh domestic system last term, have decided to move on with no apparent start date in sight for the JD Cymru North.

Downes and Bell both made tremendous starts for their new clubs, scoring on debut for Runcorn Linnets and Bootle respectively.

They are following in the footsteps of former Bay skipper Tom McCready and Sam Hart in leaving the set-up, with receiving the blessing to do so from manager Craig Hogg and director of football Neil Coverley.

Hogg, said: “It is a really good move for Alex and I am pleased for him.

"At his age, and after the season he had for us last year in particular, it was very important for him to be able to play and have the opportunity to continue the excellent form he has shown for us since he joined club.

"With him moving over the border to our friends at Linnets, we know he will be playing for a very good management team and he will now have the opportunity to enjoy playing football again.

"It is another player movement that has occurred due to circumstances beyond our control, but we all wish him well.”

Hogg also has special praise for Bell’s contribution in recent years, with the defender making 69 starts and scoring twice during a series of consistent displays that brought around some individual accolades from the club.

"Will has been a great servant for us during my time at the club, playing for the Bay in both the English and Welsh footballing pyramids, and has been Mr Reliable, consistently performing well week in week out,” added Hogg.

"We are all frustrated because we can't offer him and the rest of the group football at the moment, but with this opportunity now presenting itself to him, it is one he can't ignore and one we totally understand and support him with.

"I know he is really looking forward to playing football again and we all wish him good luck and hope to see him back at the Bay in the future."