THE NEWS FROM TREBORTH

Bangor Boost Squad

Bangor 1876 have added several new faces to their squad.  These include two goalkeepers, a defender, some midfielders and a utility man.  The glovesmen are experienced Paul Davies who has played for Llandudno Junction and Llanrwst amongst others, and Danial Williams a teenager previously with Holyhead Hotspur.   Defender Louis McFarlane was a youngster on the Bangor City U19s.   Midfielder Dafydd Thomas is an 18 who was at Wrexham before returning to his home club Llandudno.   A second midfielder Harry Jones joins from Arriva having also played for Menai Bridge Tigers.   And a third is 23 year old Ben Owen who has recently been with Mynydd Llandegai.   Utility man Matthew Lock has also signed following experience at Conwy Borough.   Finally news of one departee Lukas Baltovic has joined Nefyn United.

FAW Cup Draws	Tuesay 23rd July 2019
The draws have been made for the FAW Welsh Cup and Trophy.   In the FAW Welsh Cup Bangor 1876 have been drawn at Treborth against Llandudno Athletic of the Vale of Clwyd & Conwy League.   Match to be played 31st August or 1st September 2019.   In the Trophy 1876 host CPD Sychdyn of the NEWFL Premier Division.   Match to be played Saturday 17th August 2019.
Mel Jones Adds Two More	Wednesday 17th July 2019
Two more new signings have been added to the growing 1876 squad.   They are midfielders Dylan Williams and Shaun Lock.   Thirty year old Williams began his career with Shrewsbury Town before spending four years on a scholarship at the University of Rio Grande in the USA.   More locally - and recently - he played for Glantraeth last season.   Twenty seven year old Shaun has played for a host of local clubs including Beaumaris, Bethesda Athletic, Gaerwen and Glantraeth.   For details of these two and the rest of the squad see

Bangor Bound for Broadhurst Park                                 Tuesday 16th July 2019

Bangor 1876 play their first ever game on Saturday afternoon.    And where better to start than at the home of another fan owned club, FC United.    The Moston based club was set up in 2005 by Manchester United fans unhappy at how the club was being run by the Glazer family. Fifteen years later similar sentiments abound on social media as the American owners continue to extract millions of pounds a year from the famous club.    For the first ten years of their existence FC United played their games at Gigg Lane, home of troubled Bury.    Under the ownership of Steve Dale the Shakers have ongoing financial worries including, unpaid bills and staff, and began pre season with a team sheet full of Trialists last week..    Meanwhile FC United have journeyed from the North West Counties to as high as the National League North and now play in the Northern Premier League under the management of Neil Reynolds.    Bangor 1876 are guaranteed a warm welcome at the impressive Broadhurst Park in North East Manchester for what is a historic occasion, especially for the fledgling club, manager Mel Jones and his newly recruited squad.    And the travelling Bangor fans! A former Bangor City strike- and son of a former manager - could lead the line for FC United.., Others who have played for FC United and Bangor City include Phil Priestley, Kyle Jacobs, Liam Brownhill, Rhodri Giggs and Kyle Wilson

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Bangor 1876 Open Day on Saturday	Friday 12th July 2019
Bangor 1876 have announced that they will hold an Open Day at Treborth (Bangor University Playing Fields).   This will take place on Saturday 13th July 2019 from 12-4pm.   For further details see twitter or the 1876 Facebook Page.
Talented Young Trio Sign	Friday 12th July 2019
Three more new signings have been added to the growing 1876 squad.   They are goalkeeper Leon Jones, left footed defender Steff Taylor and goalscoring forward Benn Lundstram.   For details of these three and the rest of the squad see

Bangor 1876 Announce Open Day	Monday 8th July 2019
Bangor 1876 have announced that they will hold an Open Day at Treborth (Bangor University Playing Fields).   This will take place on Saturday 13th July 2019 from 12-4pm.   For further details see twitter or the 1876 Facebook Page.
And Sign Experienced Pair	Monday 8th July 2019
Two more experienced players to join 1876 are midfielder Iwan Williams and forward Jamie Petrie.   Williams played for the likes of Newtown and Llandudno where he was manager after a successful spell in charge of Caernarfon Town.   Striker Petrie rejoins the club after a spell with Middlewich Town.   By my reckoning that brings the number of new signings to eleven..

1876 Sign Seven More                                              Monday 1st July 2019

Bangor 1876 have confirmed seven more signings ahead of the new season    These come after the big name arrivals of Les Davies and Michael Johnston    The seven are:    Defenders Cian Williams (ex Bangor U19s and First Team), Jos Lloyd (ex Pwllheli) and Jamie Thomas from Nebo was played for Bangor City toards the end of last season.    Midfielders Lukas Baltovic (ex Pwllheli) who hails from Slovakia, Cameron Barry from the Bangor area and Luke Steele who was with Bangor City U19s last season.     Finally Gaerwen based striker Luke Summers Jones also signs, Luke was with Bangor City U19s and First Team last season.     More signings are expected over the next week or so.

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Mel Jones Manager - Johnno & The Truck Sign

Mel Jones is the new manager of Bangor 1876   As a former Bangor City player and academy head he is well placed to guide the newly formed side.   His first duty as a new manager was to sign a couple of players.   He did so with the arrival of fans favourites Michael Johnston and local lad Les Davies.   Most Bangor fans would have been amazed and delighted with this news which was described by one correspondent as   "quite a statement".     Days earlier the new club had announced a pre season friendly at FC United on Saturday 20th July 2019.

Bangor 1876 Joins Gwynedd League

The newly formed Bangor phoenix club will play in the Gwynedd League   This is a feeder league to the Welsh Alliance (tier three and four) and is located at tier five.   The new club will play home games at Treborth - close to the old Menai Bridge on the Antelope side - and will face a good number of trips onto the Island to play the likes of Menai Bridge Tigers, Gwalchmai, Bro Goronwy and Glantraeth. By my reckoning their furthest trip will be to Nefyn United or Llanystumdwy.   Irrespective of this the new club now has a name, ground and league to play in.   Next on the agenda a manager and some players!

New Club Moves Forward

The newly formed Bangor phoenix club now has a name and logo.   The name is Bangor 1876 and the logo is shown here.   On Monday the new club should hear if they have been accepted into the Welsh pyramid and at what level.   A glance at the pyramid diagram below suggests that the lowest the FAW could place the new club would be Welsh Alliance Division Two as lower leagues are the responsibility of area associations.   Bangor fans might argue that Colwyn Bay were parachuted into the second tier which certainly caused some unrest amongst the clubs seeking promotion from the lower reaches.   But as Barry Town found out to their cost, and Merthyr to their benefit, the FAW tend to view each case on its merits so precedence and what could be termed case law count for little.   And in fairness the new Bangor 1876 club needs to walk before it can swim and so a gentle incline to learn on might be best in the long term..

News Round Up

Taylor Fletcher Gone

Bangor manager Gary Taylor Fletcher has left to the club.  He was initially announced as the new manager of recently relegated Llandudno but promptly declined the appointment citing conflinct of interest with his work. Llandudno then announced Matt Jones as their new boss, former manager of recently relegated Denbigh Town.  It has to be said that is a strange series or sequence of events.  No word as yet as to who might replaced GTF at Nantporth.

City Gain Tier Two Licence

The FAW have taken a keener interest in the second tier of Welsh football and have introduced a tier two licence which Bangor and pretty much every other club who applied have achieved.  Given that most CA clubs have been trumpeting the signing of contract extension by current players the clubs must have felt very confident of their futures.  Oddly enough a notable licence failure in South Wales were Port Talbot Town, doutbless they will appeal and - from my point of view - good luck to them.

BCFCSA Move Towards New Team

The Bangor Supporters association have released a statement confirming that they have applied to the FAW to register a new Bangor club.  No detail as yet of a name or manager, and of course it is up to the Governing Body which league or tier they are placed.

The Citizens Choice Player of The Season

The Citizens Choice Player of The Season is Jordan Piggott   The tall teenage defender joined Bangor in the autumn after a lengthy wait for International Clearance, and made his debut at Penrhyncoch in October 2018.   He initially played at right back but when the player exodus occured following the Caernarfon defeat moved more regularly to centrehalf, first alongside Mike Williams and then Michael Johnston.  More recently he has been the old head next to Cian Williams and very youthful fullbacks.   It would have been easy for Jordan to have fund a club closer to his Birmingham home but he stayed loyal and put in the 270 odd mile round trip to Nantporth.  Jacob Farleigh was also a contender under similar circumstances as was player manager Gary Taylor Fletcher who was clearly hampered by injury.   But the former West Bromich youngster deserves this nominal gong (no prize unfortunately!) and joins some familiar names in the table of previous winners.   Jordan was also named in the North Wales Chronicle Team of The Season by sports reporter Dean Jones, the only City player to feature.

Supporters Opt to Launch new Club

At a meeting of the Bangor City Supporters Association on Wednesday evening the members elected to launch a new club. The details of  a press release as reported by the BBC can be found here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47881842 Clearly the Supporters Association have spoken to the FAW (the new club would play in Wales) and have some form of agreement with regard to a level or league they would enter for the 2019-2020 season. There is also talk of a Level Three compliant ground in the Bangor area and of manager(s) being provisionally agreed. Level Three would suggest Welsh Alliance League football. Watch this space!

EuroGold Announced as Stadium Sponsors

Bangor City have announced that shirt sponsors EuroGold are the new ground sponsors, and that they will contiue as shirt sponsors until the end of next season in what is described as a five figure sum.

Steve Vaughan Jnr Returns - As Chairman

Bangor City have announced that Steve Vaughan Jnr has returned from his spell in Malta and is the new club chairman.   This comes against a backcloth of unpaid bills, the club being unable to use Nantporth for home matches, and an ongoing boycott by large numbers of supporters.   Rumour at Flint on Saturday suggested the Inland Revneue and Water Bill had been paid and the latter reconnected.   The official statement and related detail can be found here  Steve Vaughan Jnr Returns

Johnno Returns

Bangor have signed Michael Johnston   The experienced central defender rejoins City from Wrexham based Brickfield Rangers.   Since leaving Bangor in 2015 Michael has played for Llandudno, Caernarfon and briefly Runcorn.   Welcome to Nantporth Johnno   BIOGRAPHY   A Liverpool born centre back, Michael Johnston moved to Farrar Road on a loan period from Tranmere Rovers just before the September 2007 transfer window.  During the summer of 2008 he was released by Rovers and wasted no time in signing for City on a permanent basis.      Michael has represented Wales and Under 17 and 19 level and was voted the outstanding player in North Wales at the end of the 2007-08 season. During the 2009-10 season Michael represented Wales Under 23s (semi professional) side.   He has won three successive Welsh Cup Winners medals in 2008, 09 and 10 and in 2011 added a Welsh Premier Championship winners medal. Michael represented the club in the Champions League matches against HJK Helsinki at the beginning of the 2011-12 season and again in the Europa League a year later to bring his total European appearances for the City to a dozen starts - a club record.

Tom Reilly Signs

Bangor have signed former Accrington youth team player Tom Reilly.   The eighteen year old left footer can play fullback or midfield and also has experience playing in Sweden with Eskilstuna City.   Tom is available for selection now after awaiting International Clearance.

Gresford Game - and More - in Doubt...

Saturday afternoon's CA visit of Gresford Athletic is in doubt.   After a great deal of speculation on social media - much of it unreliable it has to be said - things came to a head after the Welsh Cup visit of Caernarfon.   Events - or an eventuality which many City fans had feared when Steve Vaughan under the guise of VSM, took over the club in 2016.   Chief amongst them strong rumours of unpaid wages, not only to players but ground staff, and of unpaid bills.   It was unpaid bills to companies with well rehearsed debt collection systems that proved most significant and led to the club releasing the following statement

Recent Events:   On Monday morning Bangor City Football Club was issued with a £16,000 demand for electricity. The electric has been used by Nantporth CIC and Bangor City Football Club. This led to its disconnection.  We understand Nantporth CIC are in the process of changing over to a different supplier for the 3G pitch floodlights which makes up a majority portion of the overall bill. This has not happened as yet.   However, unjustly the bill is in the name of Bangor City Football Club.   This was followed by a water rates demand of £9,000 the same day which has now also been turned off.   The Football Club is responsible to pay this bill.  Negotiations are in place to get both bills settled and brought up to date as soon as possible.  We are still waiting on funds being released from the FAW which has also hindered our cashflow.  Bangor City's creditors list is approximately £80,000 in its entirety. This includes bringing players and staff wages up to date as well as paying compensation to our former groundsman.  The club has been in negotiations with investors and sponsors for the past two months and are very close to securing a new stadium sponsor.   The Football Club will be requesting its shareholders to assist with the current financial situation and the club endeavours to get ready for Saturday's league fixture v Gresford FC.   [END OF STATEMENT]    There has been a sense of inevitability leading up to this, accelerated no doubt by the departure of Steve Vaughan jnr to Malta.    What happens next is unclear but it seems highly unlikely that all the funds needed will be forthcoming although it might be possible to reach an agreement with creditors based on part payment to the water and electricity suppliers.    How long such interim payments would be effective for is another question.    There has been a good deal of ill informed speculation on social media, to which this website will not be adding.    News will be reported as it unfolds, in particular with one eye on the weekend visit of Gresford.    Watch this space...

Bangor Land Midfielder Menagh

Bangor City have signed former Blackpool   youngster Jamie Menagh  The 25 year old Liverpool born midfielder was noted by Gary Taylor Fletcher when both played at Bloomfield Road.  Since which time Jamie has played for Prescot Cables, Chester, Marine, Altrincham and Airbus UK.  He gained most first team experience with Chester in the National League and Airbus in the Welsh Premier for whom he played against Bangor twice in the 2016-17 season. losing at Nantporth but winning at Broughton with The Planemakers.  The signing had been delayed due to International Clearance but with that now gained Jamie can hope to make his debut for City at Holyhead on Friday evening.  Welcome to Nantporth!

Les Gone. Darlington and Stephens to follow?

Bangor legend Les Davies has joined Llandudno.   The 33 year old has moved to Tudno who this week allowed John Owen to join Cefnm Druids.   There had been suggestions that the Maesgeirchen marauder was unsettled and from my perspective he cut a glum figure in the Boxing Day fixture at Porthmadog. He was replaced by player manager Gary Taylor Fletcher against Guilsfield.  Les is a hugely popular figure with Bangor fans and will be sorely missed.   No sooner had this story started to gather dust than news broke that leading goalscorer Alex Darlington and defender Ashley Stephens had been the subject of substantial offer from Mosta FC of Malta. The club Steven Vaughan jnr joined  a month ago.   Of course not every part timer footballer with a job and family can uproot - but that is very much up to the players involved if the offer is accepted.   Older Bangor fans might be reminded of the exodus of 1980 when Stan Storton left to take over as manager of Telford United.  If memory serves me Kevin Charlton, Alan Walker, Dave Barnett and Dave Mather went with him, possibly one more too.   It has to be said that didnt end well, City fans will be interested to see if the manager has replacements on the way or..

Bangor City To Be Sold?

New Owners Poised to Takeover...   The story broke on local media and is well summarised in this article:   Bangor City set for takeover   There is no indication as yet quite what this means in terms of who the new owners might be or what control or influence they would have.   It seems odd given the appointment of Alan Moogan today and Gary Taylor Fletcher before the weekend, but with more new expected over the next few days the situation will soon be clearer.

Alan Moogan Arrives

Bangor City have appointed Alan Moogan as Assistant Manager   Blues boss Gary Taylor Fletcher has brought former Southport midfielder to Nantporth as his assistant.   The former Everton youth teamer and reserve retired from playing in 2014 after several years with Southport, Burscough and Telford.   Since 2014 he worked as a player coach at Southport and then Telford and more recently as a coach with Liverpool FC.   Welcome to Nantporth Alan

Taylor Fletcher Returns

Gary Taylor Fletcher is back at Nantporth   The vastly experienced Gary Taylor Fletcher is the new manager, in place of caretaker Steven Vaughan who has moved to Malta.   Since leaving Nantporth at the end of last season after the licence failure Taylor Fletcher has been out of football. But a couple of weeks ago he linked up with Llandudno and scored three goals in his three appearances for the relegation strugglers.   Technically he replaces Craig Harrison who left to join Connahs Quay in mid October, but the nine game winning streak inherited by GTF is as much down to Vaughan and his assistants.   Taylor Fletcher will be a player manager at Nantporth although any return on the pitch will be on hold until around the New Year due to FAW regulations.   His tenure as manager begins at Belle Vue on Friday night.   Welcome back GTF.

Gary Taylor Fletcher in action against Carmarthen with thanks EventPhoto Wales

Steven Hewitt Flies South

Bangor midfielder Steven Hewitt has moved to Australia   The creative midfielder had been linked with a move to a local WP side but this proved to be wide of the mark.   The former Burnley youngster scored eight goals from 27 starts for City last season and rejoined the blues during the autumn after training with the club.   This is a life changing opportunity and a chance too good to pass up.   Good luck Steven.    In recent weeks Lee Owens, Tom Field and Andy Jones have also left the club.    Good luck to them also.

Harrison Goes Nomad

Bangor manager Craig Harrison has resigned and taken up a coaching position at Connahs Quay.   This may well be the post left vacant by the return of Neil Gibson to Prestatyn but the net effect is another managerial change at Nantporth.   For the Welsh Cup visit of Mold tomorrow Steve Vaughan jnr will take charge, assisted by Luke Purcell and Alan Lewer.   As the resignation was only received this morning no further news on a likely longer term replacement for the former TNS boss has been announced.   Quite why Harrison chose to leave at this particular moment may become clearer in time, but his first duty is to accompany Jock Morrison to Park Hall tomorrow for a top of the table clash with his former club.   Strange times.

City Mourns Dick Rigby

Bangor fans have been saddened today by the news of the death of long time supporter Dick Rigby.  A familiar figure home and away, home and abroad, Dick was often to be seen stopping for a chat, a moider, with fellow City supporters.  Dick was an active and loyal supporter of both the football club and supporters association.  Literally hundreds of City fans have taken to social media to offer messages of support to Dick's wife Anora and their family at this very sad time.  Gone but not forgotten,  Rest in Peace Dick Rigby

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