JANUARY
Former Wales international Steve Evans is appointed first team manager. “I think it’s a perfect fit and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead,” Steve said. “It’s a fantastic club with masses of potential. Everybody knows that it’s one of the biggest clubs in Wales.”
Ashley Woods and Kieron Evans join the Seagulls with Craig Lindfield, Ryan Edwards, Steffan Edwards, Ryan Neild and Dan Parry-Jones also joining during the month. But Sam Downey is sidelined by a broken leg. Academy director Matt Sampson is appointed first team coach.
Football resumes after a break due to a rise in Covid-19 cases over Christmas and Bay win 6-1 at Llanidloes in what is Steve Evans’ first competitive game in charge. James Kirby scores twice and there is a first senior goal for Macsen Rhys-Williams. Bay are held to a 0-0 draw at home by Llangefni Town.
FEBRUARY
James Kirby’s hat-trick helps the Seagulls to complete a league double over Penrhyncoch with a 5-1 home victory.
The side extend their unbeaten start under Steve Evans to four games with a 3-1 home victory over Buckley Town in front of a Friday night crowd of 898. “I thought first half we were excellent and I thought some of the football was superb and scored three fantastic goals,” the manager said.
James Kirby wins the JD Cymru North player of the month for January – he would also win the award in February.
Bay produce a superb battling performance to win 2-0 at Connah’s Quay Nomads and reach the semi-finals of the JD Welsh Cup for the first time in 30 years. Andy Coughlin saved Callum Morris’ penalty before Ryan Edwards and James Kirby score against the then then reigning Cymru Premier champions. They are drawn to face The New Saints in the semi-final.
The Seagulls extend their unbeaten run to six games with three late goals in a 3-0 away win at Prestatyn Town.
MARCH
The six-match unbeaten run was ended with the Bay were beaten 3-0 by top six rivals Holywell Town to which the manager said: “I’m really disappointed with the result.” Defender Lewis Sirrell has signed a new two year contract with the club.
Injury-hit Bay suffer their second home defeat of the week as league leaders Airbus UK run out 3-0 victors. The manager outlines his vision for the Bay during a question and answer session organised by the Supporters Club after the game. Bay lose their third consecutive game 3-0 with defeat at Llandudno.
Colwyn Bay under-16 academy goalkeeper Elgan Jones passes away.
Bay’s dream of a first ever Welsh Cup final appearance is ended by a controversial TNS winning goal in a 1-0 semi-final defeat at Belle Vue, in front of a sizeable Bay contingent. “I’m gutted for the lads because I thought we deserved a draw and a go at the penalties, but that’s football. Now it’s all about building for next season,” Steve Evans said.
Bay ended a four-match losing run with a 3-1 home victory over Guilsfield to move back to within three points of the top three in the JD Cymru North.
APRIL
Kristian Platt’s header earned Colwyn Bay a 1-0 away victory at in-form Holywell Town to move into the top four and within a point of third-placed Guilsfield in the JD Cymru North table. ““After a difficult few results the last couple of games have shown me a lot about the players and yesterday epitomised the desire everyone has to succeed at the club from the players, staff, board and fans. We were all fantastic,” Steve Evans said. Cai Owen is voted the Go2People sponsored Colwyn Bay Player of the Month for March.
Bay their home campaign with a 5-0 victory over bottom side Llanrhaeadr YM – with James Kirby netting his 21st of the season, one of five different Kirby wins three of the Colwyn Bay end of season awards – top scorer and was also ge sthe Manager’s award and the Players’ award.
Lewis Sirrell topped the vote for Supporters Player of the Season, while Skipper Tom McCready took the Directors’ award. Long standing supporter Gary Lloyd isrecognised for his contribution to the club with the inaugural John D Jones Award – given in memory of the late Bay committee member John ‘Treas’ who died in 2020.
The Seagulls end the season with a 1-1 draw at neighbours Conwy Borough on Good Friday., with captain Tom McCready scoring the equaliser.
The club announce a new partnership with Hope + Glory sportswear, to run until the end of the 2025-26 season.
MAY
Bay finished runners-up behind Ruthin Town in the Cymru North Fair Play table. The Seagulls and third-placed Conwy Borough are the only clubs not to have had a player sent off for either a straight red or a second yellow card.
Jordan Carrington and Sam Downey help Cymru North to victory over two legs in a play-off against Cymru South to be Wales’ representatives in the Uefa Regions Cup.
Manager Steve Evans reports that planning and preparations for next season are in full swing. “It’s probably one of the busiest periods,” he says.
The club’s retained list for next season includes captain Tom McCready and top scorer James Kirby among the players staying on.
Joe Williams, Ryan Edwards, Steff Edwards, Kristian Platt, Sam Downey, Cai Owen, Craig Lindfield, Tom Creamer, Jordan Carrington and Dan Parry-Jones have also signed on for 2022-23. Goalkeeper Andy Coughlin and Sam Jones are among the players to depart.
Bay are granted a Tier 2 licence for the 2022/23 season.
Elgan Jones, who passed away in March, is commemorated on the club’s new goalkeeper shirts as Hope+Glory unveil new look kits.
Chris Hughes, Managing Director and founder of GO2 People Group Ltd, the club’s main shirt sponsor, accepts an invitation to join the board of directors.
Skipper Tom McCready says he can’t wait for the new season and what could lie ahead after happily committing to what will effectively be his fifth campaign with the club. “Whether you are 21 or 31 you still get excited about each pre-season and that is no different for me. The legs still feel strong and hopefully I’ve got a few years left in me yet.”
Steve Evans confirms Tommy Holmes as his assistant. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity at Colwyn Bay as I join Steve as his assistant, working towards the goals set out and moving on in my career,” he says. “ “I’ve known Steve for over 20 years as a friend and team mate and he is one of the best around and someone I will learn a lot from.”
James Kirby is included in the JD Cymru North team of the season. He is also nominated for Cymru North player of the season, with Adam Davies of Airbus UK winning the award. Dylan Allshorn of Holywell Town wins the young player of the season – a few weeks later he becomes the Bay’s first summer signing.
Steve Evans and Academy Director Matt Sampson are presented with coaching certificates at the FAW National Coaches Conference at Newport’s Celtic Manor. Steve is presented with his Uefa Pro Licence, the highest coaching certification available in Europe while Matt is presented with his Uefa A Licence.
JUNE
Cymru Premier sides Caernarfon Town and Connah’s Quay Nomads are confirmed among Colwyn Bay’s pre-season opponents.
Alex Downes rejoins the Bay following a spell with Runcorn Linnets., saying: “Me and Steve have the same ambitions and that is to take this club to the Welsh Prem and in the near future to achieve European football.”
Seagulls sign Sam Hart, two years after he initially signed from Airbus UK Broughton. He never made his Bay debut as the JD Cymru North was on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic and he joined Flint Town United in October 2020. Goalkeepers Cameron Darling and Ryan Woods also join
Matty Hill signs from Ruthin and Macsen Rhys-Williams joins Conwy Borough on a season-long loan deal having signed his first deal with the Bay.
Second part will be in the Guilsfield match programme.
