Bangor City
Welsh Cup Finals 1889 onwards






















The Welsh Cup Final
Season 1961-62
Wrexham 3 v 0 Bangor City
played over two legs and a play off match
First Leg played at The Racecourse, Wrexham on 16th April 1962
Wrexham 3 
  0 Bangor City
 Brian Whitehouse 
Clive Colbridge 
Ernie Phythian 
 

  The first match of the two legged final was played at The Racecourse and Wrexham ran out convincing 3-0 winners.
  This despite having Roy Ambler carried off with a sprained ankle inside ten minutes.
  On four minutes former West Brom striker Brian Whithouse put Wrexham ahead after good work by Phythian and Anderson.
  The score stood at one nil to The Robins at the interval.
  Former Crewe and Manchester City left winger Clive Colbridge doubled the advantage when he converted Whiethouse's cross in the 63rd minute.
  With a minute of the ninety left on the clock nineteen year old England Youth International Ernie Phythian made it three nil which seemed to have guaranteed the full timers the cup.
  City were outplayed and scarcely mustered a shot on target to threaten Kevin Keelan in the home goal.
  Wrexham:
  Kevin Keelan, Reg Holland, Ally McGowan, Peter Jones, Alan Fox, Roy Ambler, Ken Barnes, Brian Whitehouse,
  Ernie Phythian, Tommy Anderson, Clive Colbridge
  Bangor City:
  Len Davies, Iorys Griffiths, Bill Soutar, Ken Birch, Eddie Murphy, Barry Wilkinson, Roy Matthews, Brian Ellis,
  Eddie Brown, Jimmy McAllister, Reg Hunter
 Referee:  Mr L Callaghan (Merthyr)
  Attendance:  7638
Second Leg played at Farrar Road on 30th April 1962
Bangor City 2
 0 Wrexham
Eddie Brown 
Barry Wilkinson 


  Seldom has the Bangor frontline been led by a creature hewn of pure granite but it was in 1962.
  Centre forward Eddie Brown led the attack despite a broken jaw and scored the opening goal on twenty minutes after captain Ken Birch had seen his effort hit the post from wide on the right.
  Play was halted then as dozens of excited young City fans ran onto the Farrar Road pitch.
  It remained one nil a the interval and it was not until the 66th minute that Barry Wilkinson made it two nil from another freekick after a foul by Reg Holland on Eddie Brown, and sparked another frenzied if good humoured pitch invasion!
  The final whistle blew and because the teams had one game each a play off was needed - there was no aggregate score decider in those days.
  Wrexham:
  Kevin Keelan, Reg Holland, Ally McGowan, Peter Jones, Alan Fox, George Evans, Mick Metcalf, Brian Whitehouse,
  Ernie Phythian, Tommy Anderson, Clive Colbridge
  Bangor City:
  Len Davies, Iorys Griffiths, Bill Soutar, Ken Birch, Eddie Murphy, Barry Wilkinson, Roy Matthews, Brian Ellis,
  Eddie Brown, Jimmy McAllister, Reg Hunter
Referee:  Mr L Callaghan (Merthyr) Attendance: 7500
Play off match played at Belle Vue, Rhyl on 7th May 1962
Bangor City 3
 1 Wrexham
Brian Ellis 
Eddie Brown 
Reg Hunter 
  Ken Barnes
 
  A play off was needed and a crowd of 12 000 filled Belle Vue to the rafters to see Bangor take on their third division opponents.
  After 23 minutes a long throw from Ken Birch was hammered home by Brian Ellis after Kevin Keeland had been distracted by Eddie Brown as both challenged for the high ball.
  Wrexham went close through Phythian but Bill Souter cleared the danger.
  Then five minutes before the interval a long range freekick from Ken Birch was netted by centre forward Eddie Brown. At the interval City led 2-0.
  Wrexham pressed but with twenty minutes left to play it was Bangor who went 3-0 up thanks to former Busby Babe Reg Hunter after goalkeeper Keelan dropped a freekick.
  Although Ken Barnes pulled one back for The Robins from the penalty spot that was as close as they got and City had not only won The Welsh Cup but also secured European entry for the first time.
  Bangor players carried Ken Birch and Eddie Brown off the field shoulder high and former Bangor Mayor Glyn Jones made the presentations as manager Tommy Jones started to see his hard work pay off.


Photo left (from left to right)
Ken Birch, Len Davies, Iorys Griffiths
  Bangor City
  Len Davies, Bill Soutar, Iorys Griffiths, Barry Wilkinson, Eddie Murphy, Ken Birch, Reg Hunter, Jimmy McAllister,
  Eddie Brown, Brian Ellis, Roy Matthews
  Wrexham
  Kevin Keelan, Peter Jones, Ally McGowan, Ken Barnes, Alan Fox, George Evans, Ron Barnes, Brian Whitehouse, Ernie Phythian,
  Tommy Anderson, Clive Colbridge
Referee:  Mr L Callaghan (Merthyr) Attendance: 12 000
C Welsh International      C Irish Republic International      C Northern Ireland International     C  Scottish International
(may not have been capped by or at the date shown)


Bangor City
 Wrexham
Len Davies (Goalkeeper)
A Liverpool born player who has made his home in Bangor. Football League experience with Stoke City and joined the North Wales club from Winsford four seasons ago.
 Kevin Keelan (Goalkeeper)
Signed last November from Kiddersminster Harriers, where he went at the start of the season from Aston Villa. Made several first team appearances at Villa Park. In his very early twenties and was born in Calcutta.
Iorys Griffiths (Right Back)
A local boy who has been with Bangor City for 12 seasons and is the veteran of the side. A hard, relentless player gives nothing away in a tackle.
 Reg Holland (Right Back)
Signed from Manchester United in March 1960 for a large fee. Reg was a Busby Bave for four seasons, being a regular in their central league side without ever making the first team. An ex Youth International.
Bill Souter (Left Back)
Born Dundee. A couple of seasons ago Chester rather surprisingly put this stylish fullback on the transfer list and since he joined Bangor City he has been a first team choice.
 Ally McGowan (Left Back)
The oldest serving member of the club, coming to Wrexham on a free transfer from St Johnstone in 1953. Has been captain of the team on numerous occasions and has the rare distinction of never having been dropped from the first team.
Ken Birch (Right Half)
Captain of the team and is at present playing at the top of his form. A strong built half back with a terrific shot and has seen Football League service with Everton and Southampton and is still on the latter clubs transfer list.
 Peter Jones (Right Half)
One of three ex Busby Babes who have arrived at the Racecourse each within a month of each other. Peter was considered one of Matt Busby's best youth signings but Army Service hindered his development and he was allowed to leave Old Trafford for a large fee.
Eddie Murphy (Centre Half)
Joined Bangor City from Oldham Athletic three seasons ago and is proving to be  the best centre half in non league football. Despite his Irish sounding name is a Scotsman born in Govan, Glasgow.
 Alan Fox (Centre Half)
Including amateur service, Alan is now in his ninth season with the Club, commencing as a righthalf, but soon moving into the middle, where he has remained eventually to gain Welsh Under 23 International Caps.
Barry Wilkinson (Left half)
This stylish halfback was placed on Liverpool's transfer list at the end of last season at a substantial fee. Went to South Africa for a short period  but has now returned and settled at Bangor. Completes a halfback line which is regarded as one of the best in non league football today.
 Roy Ambler (Left half)
Signed during the first week of the close season from Shrewsbury Town, where he played for two seasons after moving from Leeds United. Born in Wakefield.
Roy Matthews (Outside right)
A 19 year old wingman who recently joined Bangor City from Winsford United., and is beginning to regain the form which made Manchester City hasten to sign him on professional forms. Once again attracting the attention of League Clubs.
 Ron Barnes (Outside right)
Signed in July 1961 from Rochdale where he had been an ever present since his transfer from Blackpool two seasons previous. A fast direct winger who cost the club a fat, four figure fee.
Brian Ellis (Inside right)
This 21 year old Liverpool boy is the only amateur in Bangor City's side. Joined the Cheshire League club four seasons ago and is a forceful inside  forward.
 Brian Whitehouse (Inside right)
The most recent arrival at the Racecourse coming to the club almost on the transfer deadline from Norwich City, where he was a first teamer all this season. Has seen service with West Brom.
Eddie Brown (Centre Forward)
Another player who joined Bangor City from Winsford United and is regarded as one of the best headers of the ball in the Cheshire League. An enthusiastic centre forward he was once on Arsenal's books.
 Ernie Phythian (Centre Forward)
Came to the Racecourse as part of the deal that took Wyn Davies to Bolton. At one stage while at Burden Park, Ernie was expected to take over from the great Nat Lofthouse and he made many first division appearances.
Jimmy McAllister (Inside Left)
A much travelled player who has seen Football League service with Bradford, Exeter City, Accrington Stanley as well as Millwall besides having played for Abergavenny Thursdays and Cheltenham in non league football. Joined Bangor City from Rhyl in January of this year. Good ball player with a terrific shot.
 Tommy Anderson (Inside Left)
Another newcomer to Wrexham, being signed from Doncaster some five weeks ago. Has also seen service with Stockport, Queens Park Rangers and Torquay.
Reg Hunter (Outside Left)
An ex Busby Babe who since joining Bangor City from Wrexham in early February has begun to regain form which first took him to Old Trafford and once again several League Clubs are interested in his progress.
 Ron Roberts  (Outside Left)
One of the club's brightest prospects, this boy turned professional twelve months ago after serving his time on the groundstaff. A Welsh Youth and Under 23 International who has interested several clubs at various times.


penpics from the cup final match programme

Welsh Cup Semi Final Programme


Welsh Cup Final Programme



The Road to The Final 1961-62
Bangor City
Wrexham
FifthRound
Bangor City
1
 v
 1
  Pwllheli
Porthmadog
0
 v
 2
  Wrexham











Bangor City
4
 v
 0
  Pwllheli





Ray Gryba 2
Eddie Brown   
Jim McAllister   










Sixth Round
Bangor City
1
 v
 1
  Barry Town
Wrexham
4
 v
 0
  Holyhead Town
Eddie Brown



 Whitlock





Barry Town
0
 v
 0
  Bangor City









 Roy Matthews





Semi Final
Bangor City
2
 v
 0
  Cardiff City
Wrexham
3
 v
 2
  Swansea Town
Eddie Brown 2 




Ken Barnes 
Ron Barnes 
Morris



  Colin Webster
  Peter Donnelly