OPINION among Cymru Alliance managers is split on the decision to allow Colwyn Bay to join the Welsh football pyramid.

Citing financial concerns, the Bay have officially resigned from the English system following the FAW's decision to grant them tier two status next term.

Their withdrawal from the Northern Premier League heralds an end to 30 years of playing across the border, with the Seagulls now set to operate in a new-look 17-team Welsh second tier in the 2019/20 campaign.

The move has drawn criticism from several Alliance bosses, who have questioned the fairness of Bay's switch to Welsh football.

Holywell Town boss John Haseldin said: "It doesn't sit well with me at all.

"You hear some people say it will be great for Welsh football to have Colwyn Bay in in the league system, but I'm not so sure.

"They say it won't affect current Cymru Alliance clubs, but it will at the end of next season when four clubs go down rather than three.

"Why have the FAW allowed them to start in tier two, rather than tier three? Other clubs have had to start down there in the past and work their way up, so why's this different?

"There a are a lot of clubs who are desperate to get into this league and are looking to build like we've done to get here.

"What kind of message does it send out when Colwyn Bay are being fast-tracked and given a free pass which other clubs wouldn't get?"

Colwyn Bay chairman Bill Murray revealed previously that the club would have needed to generate £100,000 a year to stay competitive in the English system, a figure deemed unsustainable by club officials and stakeholders.

The move will preserve the club's stability, though Gresford Athletic boss Steve Halliwell insists there will be a big disparity in resources between current tier two clubs and the league newcomers.

"Financially they've been operating on a much higher level than any of the club's in the Alliance and even those in the Welsh Premier", he said.

"They'll have a bigger budget to attract quality players

"I don't care how big a club they are, allowing them into this league through the back door is very harsh on the sides battling to get into this division."

The cross-border switch has also been met with anger by some sections of the Bay support, who were keen to remain in England rather than rebuild within the Welsh system.

But their inclusion has been cautiously welcomed by Flint Town United manager Niall McGuinness, who feels they could bolster the league's profile.

The Silkmen boss said: "It's a difficult one, but on the basis of their ground and resources, you'd have to say that Colwyn Bay are at least a tier two club.

"The set-up there is very strong and they'll probably be favourites for the league title now.

"It'll push the levels of competition up for everybody involved and I'm sure a lot of clubs will be looking to take their scalp next season.

"I can see why some clubs would have a problem with them joining, but I'm not surprised that the FAW have gone this way."