Nomads' boss stunned by Alston departure

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Published on Monday, 13 August 2012 08:05

GAP Connah's Quay manager Mark McGregor has been hit by a pre-season bombshell with the news that stalwart defender Ben Alston is leaving the Deeside Stadium.

The 25-year-old was the Nomads' longest serving player in the current squad, having signed from Congleton Town back in July 2007, and made 91 Welsh Premier appearances prior to relegation from the top flight in 2010.

Alston has trained with Nomads throughout the summer and played in most of the pre-season games in preparation for Nomads' return to the WPL, so boss Mark McGregor is understandably frustrated by the timing of Alston’s announcement.

"I am sad Ben has left gap Connah's Quay but I am disappointed with him about the timing of his departure a week before the start of the new WPL season," McGregor says. 

"He has only missed a handful of games since I have been here and I would have liked more time to find a replacement. 

"Ben helped us win two (Alliance) league titles and reach a Welsh Cup semi final and I thank him for that, but football moves on and the search for a replacement begins now."