BANGOR City are open to offers for long-serving striker Paul Roberts ahead of the January transfer window – and rival Welsh Premier clubs are bound to take interest.
The 29-year-old has scored 133 league and cup goals in nine seasons at Farrar Road, including the Welsh Cup final winner against Cwmbran Town at Wrexham in 2000.
As a promising teenager from Criccieth, Roberts kicked off his career at Porthmadog before joining Wrexham as a trainee, gaining Wales under-21 honours.
He now looks set to leave Bangor under manager Steve Bleasdale’s overhaul of the squad, following the release of young defender Jon Newell to Caernarfon Town.
City’s new boss has signed defender Steve Wynne from Marine, although the 20-year-old former Everton product pulled a hamstring in training before being able to make his debut.
Other Bangor arrivals were defenders Peter Hoy from Rhyl and Tom Sparey from Caersws.
Ex-Peterborough United chief Bleasdale said: "I am looking to bring in three or four new signings during the January transfer window and a couple of players will be leaving.
"Paul Roberts has been a great servant for Bangor over the years but the lad needs a fresh start somewhere else and we wish him all the best."
Bleasdale, whose arrival at Bangor inspired a stunning 4-0 first-match win over Llanelli – the then league leaders – has been brought down to earth since by three defeats, and he’s faced flak from some fans.
He said : "As the new manager, I had a tremendously warm welcome from the vast majority of the club’s supporters but there is a small minority who are behaving otherwise.
"I ask the fans to be patient, because what needs to be done will not happen overnight. While I have lots of experience to bring into play for Bangor’s benefit, I am learning as well, about the grounds in Wales and the travelling.
"I will do things my way, because I am here to do a job, which means making the best of what is already at the club and not dismantling the squad just for the sake of it.
"I have not said we will win the championship but I am aiming for a top-five or top-six place, which will require making improvements to the squad, and that inevitably means assessing the players’ strengths and weaknesses.
"The club chairman, Ken Jones, and the other directors are giving me their full backing and I love the job, which has become almost full-time – and I intend to get on with transforming a sleeping giant."
