If all goes as expected the takeover – by an unnamed independent company – will clear the current debts surrounding Nomads and allow the new boss to bring in playing staff of his own with a far more flexible budget than offered to previous applicants.

Wrexham-based Gap Personnel, who have ploughed money in Cymru Alliance club Queen's Park were involved in negotiations two weeks ago with the Deeside club but Nomads' chairman Bobby Hunter wasn't revealing who the interested party is.

But he insists that the deal is brilliant for the future of Connah's Quay Nomads.

"The deal is wonderful for getting rid of the club's debts, he said.

"The takeover has been stressful and whilst everything is not totally complete, we expect it done in the next couple of days at the latest.

"It will be a great relief to get the debts from the club after a takeover deal collapsed three weeks ago. Everything should have been sorted then but things have taken longer than expected.

"There have been stumbling blocks and certain issues needed resolving but we are nearly there. The solicitors are sorting the paperwork out and then it can be finalised.

"We need the takeover so that any new manager can sign the current players to new contracts and bring any new faces on board.

"The league won't except registration until July 4, but we need to have a new man at the helm before then."

Speaking about the rumours surrounding the possible return of former chief Jim Hackett, Hunter added: "It would be unfair to name the potential new manager but, if it is who I expect, then he has League of Wales experience.

"The company involved in the takeover have chosen their own man for the job after dismissing all the previous applicants.

"The name I have been given is not Jim's but anything could happen until a deal is done. The last thing I heard about Jim is that he had applied for the Rhyl vacancy and I would be totally surprised if he came back here."

But Hackett will not become the new Rhyl boss after the Lilywhites announced that they will not be appointing a new manager following the departure of John Hulse.

The Welsh Premier League outfit have instead decided to fall into line with the majority of European clubs by engaging a strong coaching staff with former Airbus assistant manager Allan Bickerstaff taking on the role of senior coach.

Bickerstaff, studying for his Pro License, will take over with immediate effect alongside assistant Gary Powell, a long-serving Lilywhites player, who was number three on the management team last season alongside Hulse and Paul Rowlands

Rhyl have also announced Jamie Digwood as the new director of football.

 

 

NOMADS "CLOSE TO TAKEOVER"

Nomads say they are close to a successful takeover.

CONNAH'S Quay expect a takeover of the club to be completed within the next 48 hours.
If all goes to plan, the new owners will clear the Nomads' outstanding debts and install a new on- and off-field management team on Deeside.
Three weeks ago, Wrexham-based GAP Personnel - which has been sponsoring Cymru Alliance club Queens Park for the past year - decided not to proceed with a request from the Nomads to take control.
But new negotiations are believed to have seen a satisfactory resolution of earlier difficulties to enable the new owners to assume full control of the club.
At the end of last season, Nomads' chairman Bobby Hunter told former chairman John Gray and manager Jim Hackett that their services were no longer required, but he has struggled to attract alternative sponsorship and turned to GAP for help.
"The deal is wonderful for getting rid of the club's debts," said Hunter today.
"The takeover has been stressful and whilst everything is not totally complete, we expect it done in the next couple of days at the latest.
"It will be a great relief to get the debts from the club after a takeover deal collapsed three weeks ago. Everything should have been sorted then but things have taken longer than expected.
"There have been stumbling blocks and certain issues needed resolving but we are nearly there. The solicitors are sorting the paperwork out and then it can be finalised.
"We need the takeover so that any new manager can sign the current players to new contracts and bring any new faces on board."
Hunter dismissed rumours that Hackett would return under the new regime.
"The company involved in the takeover have chosen their own man for the job after dismissing all the previous applicants.
"The name I have been given is not Jim's but anything could happen until a deal is done," added Hunter.
GAP started their sponsorship of Wrexham-based Queens Park last summer, which saw the club gain sixth place in the Alliance and reach two cup finals under management duo Levi Lloyd and Roger Preece.
Nomads were founder members of the League of Wales in 1992 and have enjoyed unbroken membership since, achieving highest-placed finishes of fifth in 2002/3 and 2006/7, both under current Bangor City manager Neville Powell.
But they narrowly avoided relegation last season, finally finishing in 15th spot, which equalled their worst-ever season in the top flight.
11 June 2008