Leah decision a boost for Rhyl
Wednesday 27 January 2010
John LeahJOHN Leah has boosted Rhyl by deciding to reject a move to Newtown and stay at Belle Vue until the end of the season.
The 31-year-old midfielder was one of several players linked with a move away from the Lilywhites during the current crash crisis but has been persuaded to stay after the club guarantee his income until the end of the campaign.
Rhyl had agreed to release Leah from his contract this weekend but have come up with a short term solution to their money problems and now hope to keep their squad together.
"This is very disappointing news as John would have been a great asset to the side," said Robins' manager Darren Ryan.
"But we have to respect his decision to stick by Rhyl. Loyalty is to be applauded."
A product of the Llansantffraid youth set-up who made his first-team debut in August 1996, but moved on to Darlington, for whom he made seven Football League appearances, and then Newtown, Leah spent the majority of his domestic career with TNS, where he was club captain in the 2004/5 double winning season.
Named in the Welsh Premier dream team for 2007/8 and 2008/9, he was released by TNS in April 2009 and signed for Rhyl, where he has been ever-present this season.
However, Ryan has received a boost with the news that midfielder Ross Stephens has rejected a move to Prestatyn Town.
"It would have been a very big blow for us to lose Ross at this stage of the season and, although financially it would have been a good move for him, he has decided to stay and help us secure a place in the new Welsh Premier League," added Ryan.