With no sign of when or if Tier 2 football in Wales will be allowed to restart, it is with mixed emotions that Colwyn Bay FC has announced that skipper Tom McCready has joined Runcorn Linnets in the Northern Premier League.

In a statement on their website this afternoon, the club expressed sadness that Tom has left but were pleased that he will now be able to start playing football again.

If international clearance goes through in time, McCready could make his debut this Saturday in Linnets' North West Division league match at home to Clitheroe.

His departure follows Cai Owen's switch to Cymru Premier club Caernarfon Town as players look to where they can start playing football again.

Appreciative of the needs of players to be able to play, Bay boss Craig Hogg commented: "I'm made up that Tom has been able to get the move completed and that he can now focus on playing competitive football in a league that is up and running - and playing in front of spectators.

"He is joining a very good club with a very good up and coming manager and I'm sure it will be a very good fit for all concerned.

"We hope to see him back here at some point, if we do ever get playing again, but for now his focus and commitment will be with our friends over the border and we wish both very well indeed."

Tom has been a fantastic player and supporter of the club since originally coming on loan from AFC Fylde, and he leaves having made 81 appearances for the Seagulls and scoring 23 goals.

He commented: "I’m incredibly grateful to Craig Hogg, Neil Coverley and all involved at Colwyn Bay in making this as smooth a process as possible.

"It feels quite strange to be in a position where I have had to make this decision, and it was certainly not one I have taken lightly.

"I think we all have an opinion on whether Welsh Football can get back to competitive action safely or not, and at the moment, rightly or wrongly, it doesn’t appear that we’ll have a chance to play in the Cymru North this season.

"We had honest conversations between the players and staff about what that meant for players, and all agreed that should we have options to play for the time being elsewhere, then the club would support us wholeheartedly to do that.

"The hope, personally, is to come back to Colwyn Bay when we can get things back up and running.

"For now, I am really excited to sign for Runcorn Linnets and to get playing football again. I have a lot of respect for Cal McIntyre and what he is doing there, and will give it my all as I always have done and hope for a good season."

Reproduced with thanks to Colwyn Bay FC.