Bangor City Legends

The
Spirit
of '62

The Sixties began with the Cup Winners Cup clashes with AC Napoli.
There is a strong argument that all eleven City players should be included in this section.
For now lets list them and acknowledge the tremendous debt the clubs owes them all:

Len Davies (see below) Former Stoke City goalkeeper who remained a very familiar figure at Farrar Road for many years as trainer and groundsman.
Bill Souter a Dundee born left back who joined Chester after four years at Burnley, went on to make 51 League appearances for the then Sealand Road side.
Iorys Griffiths a local defender
Ken Birch was born in Birkenhead on 31 December 1933 and joined Everton as an apprentice breaking into the first team in 1955 making 43 appearances before his departure in 1958. By 1959 Ken has signed for Southampton a made 34 appearances for The Saints before his move to Bangor.
Eddie Murphy a Govan born centrehalf who joined Oldham Athletic from Clyde in 1956 and made 72 starts for Athletic before joining Bangor.
Brian Wilkinson joined Bangor from Liverpool
Roy Matthews a winger whose career began with Manchester City, joined City from Winsford.
Brian Ellis an amateur player, inside right, from the Liverpool area.
Eddie Brown a former Arsenal youngster signed from Winsford
Jimmy McAllister born on 31st October 1931 in the Glasgow suburb of Barrhead, Jim first played for local side Neilston before joining Millwall in 1954 scoring six goals in twenty appearances, then on to Abergavenny Thursdays and home to Scotland with Greenock Morton and ten goals in thirty one appearanes between 1957-59. On to Bradford Park Avenue and 14 goals in 43 matches before joining City in 1961.
Reg Hunter born Colwyn Bay on 28th October 1938 outside left, former Busby Babe, after one first team appearance during 1958-59 he left Manchester United to join Wrexham where he scored three goals from 34 league starts.

Len
The Cat
Davies

Len Davies is best remembered in Bangor City folklore and history as the goalkeeper in the 1962 European encounters with Napoli. Nicknamed "Len the Cat" he was a big athletic goalkeeper who was hard to beat and played behind a strong defence in the Bangor side managed by TG Jones.
After retiring from football Len was a familiar figure with Bangor City for many years to come as trainer and groundsman, working alongside many managers and becoming very much part of the furniture at Farrar Road

Liverpool born, Len Davies had football league experience with Stoke City and played non league football with Winsford before joining Bangor City in 1958-59.

Albert
Jackson

Defender Albert Jackson, a centre half who could and would tackle a runaway rhino, especially if he looked like threatening the Bangor goal! Also a menace in the opposition box - having been converted from centre forward - and a genuine character who was well known in non league circles in the North West.

Manchester born Albert Jackson began his career with Manchester United before making 22 League appearances for Oldham Athletic from 1963-65. Albert joined Bangor City during the summer of 1965 and moved to Mossley and then Droylsden after leaving Farrar Road..

George
McGowan

Midfielder George McGowan, the growling Scot was the ball winner with courage and no little ability on the ball. George patrolled the Bangor midfield, modest and determined, steely and purposeful. This report comes from the Bangor Mail:
Mike Smith, webmaster of Bangor City’s unofficial site Citizens Choice, spoke fondly of a man he held in the highest esteem.
"I began watching in Bangor in 1969 and before too long the fierce Scot was amongst my favourite players," he wrote.
"It was a star studded team that he graced at a time when Bangor were members of the NPL. His team mates included George Morton and Jimmy Conde.
"But George was more than a good footballer who happened to play for Bangor.
"In my 40 odd years of trailing up and down England and now Wales watching Bangor there are probably four players whom I hold in the highest regard. George is one and his loss is deeply felt.
"He was always great company, cheerful, concerned about Bangor City in particular and football in general."

George was born in Netherton, Lanarkshire in November 1943 and intially excelled as an amateur boxer, representing Scotland.. However football was his first love and after impressing with Wishaw Juniors and Motherwell in August 1962 George moved south to sign for Preston North End. In March 1963 George switched to Chester where he made 18 League starts and scored three goals. In September 1964 he moved to Stockport County before signing for Bangor after a spell with Rhyl. After leaving City George worked for BT and spent 20 happy years on the youth set up with Wrexham FC. George died in November 2009, gone but never forgotten.

Tony
Coleman

A creative midfielder credited with bursting a ball during a match after he kicked it too hard! Tony moved to Farrar Road in 1964 and was literally too good for the standard of football.
Established himself as a huge crowd favourite before moving on to Manchester City.

A former Stoke City apprentice Tony Coleman made a handful of appearances for both Tranmere Rovers and Preston North End prior to his move to Farrar Road in 1964.
After some sensational goals and impressive performances for Bangor City he moved to Doncaster Rovers in November 1965 where scored 11 league goals in 55 apperances. In March 1967 Tony joined Manchester City for whom he 12 goals in 83 matches. Futher spells followed with Sheffield Wednesday (12 in 26) Blackpool (0 in 17) Durban City in South Africa, Southport (1 in 23) and finally Stockport County in June 1974 with 3 goals in 30 appearances.

Jimmy
Conde

Forward Jimmy Conde who was a goalscorer supreme and character to match. When in dispute with the club management Conde would respond with a hatrick and suitable gesture! Jim had been with Wolves and Scunthorpe before moving to Farrar Road where his prolific goal record of 100 goals in his first three seasons established him as a crowd favourite.

Creswell born centre forward Jimmy Conde had a junior with Wolves and moved onto make half a dozen League appearances for Scunthorpe before becoming a well known figure in non league football. After leaving Farrar Road he enjoyed a lengthy association with Kettering where he spent the 1982-83 season as manager.

Tony
Marsden

Inside forward Tony Marsden who was a gifted, eccentric goalscorer and provider.
A flair player, a great crowd favourite and childhood hero of yours truly!

Bolton born Tony Marsden began his career with Blackpool in July 1966. After four League appearances he moved to Doncaster Rovers and scored twice in forteen starts before playing a couple of matches on loan at Grimsby. Tony moved on to Cork Hibernians in the League of Ireland where he broke the club's goalscoring records with 22 goals.

George
Morton

Forward George Morton, another gifted goalscorer, with if I remember rightly some very bow legged legs! But that is not worthy of entry, what is remembered is George's eye for a goal and "cheeky chappy" persona which shone through on the dullest afternoon.

George Morton was born in Liverpool and began his career as an apprentice with Everton but moved on to Rochdale July 1962. Inbetween 1962-65 he made 147 League appearances scoring 50 goals, notching 55 in 161 in all competions. After leaving Spotland he moved to New Brighton.

Tony
Broadhead

Forward Tony Broadhead was a powerful and sure footed striker whose eye for a goal never diminished. He was signed from Oswestry Town in the mid-sixties and - either side of a successful spell with Altrincham - went on to be one of the most popular and distinguished players to wear the blue shirt.

Tony Broadhead caught the eye as a prolific goalscorer with Oswestry Town before joining Bangor for £2000 and in turn moving to Altrincham in July 1971. His performances at Moss Lane earned him huge respect and he is rightly regarded a legend by the official Altrincham website.

~THE SEVENTIES~

Neville
Southall

Neville is here because of what he went to achieve. Whilst at Bangor he was understudy to Peter Eales and rarely featured in the first team. It has to be said he was quite a young lad and Eales was an outstanding goalkeeper.

And what he went on to was of course stardom. Beginning with Winsford, then on to Bury and more notably Everton and of course Wales. He totted up 701 League appearances (578 for Everton) with other clubs including Port Vale, Southend, Stoke City, Torquay and Bradford. He won First Division (pre Premier League) Championship medals twice, in 1985 & 87, and the European Cup Winners Cup also in 1985. He also won FA Cup winners medals in 1984 & 95. Add to this a record (for Wales) of 92 International Caps.

John
McClelland

Defender John McClelland signed from Cardiff City and heading home to Northern Ireland when tempted to stop at Farrar Road. Manager Dave Elliot tried Big John at centre forward - his original position - midfield and defence - before he settled at centre half to turn in a seemingly endless series of immaculate performances.

Belfast born John McClelland joined Bangor from Cardiff City and went on to play Mansfield (125 appearances), Glasgow Rangers (96), Watford (184) and Leeds United (24). His career total reached 470 appearances to which you can add 53 caps for Northern Ireland between 1980-90.
John is also fondly remembered by Watford fans CLICK HERE

Ian
Lawther

The calm figure of Ian Lawther was a dominant, guiding figure in the Bangor defence, often alongside youthful and inexperienced centrehalves.
A pleasant, affable individual whose long since gone pace was never a problem as seemed to know where to go before the pass was struck!

Belfast born Ian Lawther began his career with Crusaders before joining Sunderland where he scored 41 goals from 75 starts. In 1961 he moved to Blackburn Rovers (21 in 59) and then Scunthorpe (21 in 60) in 1963. Ian then spent three seasons at Brentford (43 in 138) moving to Halifax in 1968 (23 in 67) and finally Stockport County and 29 in 158. Ian also made two appearances for Northern Ireland during the early sixties.

Barry
Ashworth

At the beginning of the seventies Bangor fell on hard times and relegation seemed inevitable. One man who was not prepared to accept this fate, his name was Barry Ashworth. He defended with considerable calm and scored from penalties and freekicks to keep the team -and indirectly the club - afloat.

Stockport born Barry Ashworth enjoyed a varied career which began with Bangor City and then down south to Southend United (5 goals in 31 starts) before moving north to Hartlepool in 1965 (4 in 45) and then Tranmere (3 in 21) and finally Chester (9-116) from 1967-69. His volatility at Chester was such that he suffered two six week suspensions which led to his release and eventual move to Altrincham, Ellesmere Port and then back to Bangor.

Alan
King

Alan King enjoyed a lengthy league career before joining Bangor City and featuring under Colin Hawkins in the Alliance Premier League. An intelligent defender whose positioning made up for a lack of pace, Alan was the mainstay of the blues rearguard. Stays in my memory for chasing and punching (several times) a spiteful retreating Nuneaton midfielder in front of the officials - the ref promptly booked the Boro man! Oh, and a great character, infectious humour.

Birkenhead born Alan King joined his only professional club Tranmere Rovers in July 1962 and went on to make 342 League starts for the Prenton Park club over the following nine seasons, scoring 33 goals, before joining local side Ellesmere Port. Well known also for his families scrap metal business.

Dewi
Atherton

Dewi was a versatile and popular player at Farrar Road, where one bizarre follower used to bellow "c'mon Atherton you hen!". A hard working midfielder or attacking full back, a genuinely pleasant and modest bloke, sadly no longer with us.

Bangor born Dewi Atherton was hailed as the "new Mike England" as he followed the Prestatyn born defender into Blackburn Rovers first team in 1968. Sadly after ten League appearances he was released and joined Bangor City.

Dave
Elliott

Midfielder Dave Elliott, with the experience of around 300 Football League appearances lent guile and all round passing to the side. Very influential, pushing and probing, a top midfielder.
Dave could judge the pace of a game, play deeper when needed and then push forward to open up defences when the likes of John Hughes were in space. Lacked a yard or two of pace during his midfield days but more than compensated by appearing to do pick the right pass at the right time.

Dave Elliot was born in Tantobie, mid way between Gateshead and Consett on 10th February 1945. He made 31 League appearances for Sunderland inbetween 1963-66 before moving to Newcastle United where 80 more League matches followed from 1966-70. He then moved to Southend and 177 appearances before a final fling with Newport County ended after 23 apperances in 1978. This adds up to career total of 311 league appearances.

John
Hughes

Goalscoring forward John Hughes was a local lad who made good, scoring regularly for Bangor and making the move into League football. John had pace, power and could finish with aplomb. Could also miss the odd chance but never afraid to run through again minutes later and put things right.

Bangor born but Anglesey raised John Hughes was a goalscoring forward with Bangor who caught the eye of Blackpool for whom he signed in July 1969. After eight appearances (without a goal) John moved to Southport in March 1971 and scored once in eight matches. After spells with (non leaguers) Bangor City and Altrincham he signed for Stockport County in January 1976 and scored three times in twelve games, before rejoining Bangor for whom he played for several more seasons.

Billy
Telford

Centre forward Billy Telford, a bustling no-nonesense centre forward with tremendous aerial power and a left foot of thunder. Arguably the most effective bulldozer centre forward in the section.
Also revered by older Oswestry Town fans whom he joined from Worcester City. Bill was once dropped by manager Dave Elliot for failing to turn up for an away match following a financial dispute. The City fans showed their support by singing "Elliot is a tortoise!" which must go down as one of the stranger footballing songs!

Bill Telford was born in Carlisle and joined Manchester City as a youngster and made one first team appearances as a substitute before moving to Peterborough in 1975. He scored twice in four appearances for The Posh before a couple of loan appearances for Colchester United. From Layer Road to Canal Bridge and non league football with Runcorn.

Alan
Walker

Tough tackling young centrehalf Alan Walker was a persisent and fearless figure in what was otherwise a slightly aged Bangor side at the end of the seventies. He was dominant in the air and ruthless on the ground, yet a pleasant laid back character off the pitch, often accompanied by his father Alan senior.

A rugged centre half who had been shown the door by Stockport County as a teenager, Alan Walker roared back to earn a lengthy league career with clubs the length and breadth of England.
Alan signed for Stockort 23rd August 1978 but was released and moved to Bangor in 1979/1980. A move to Telford United - pictured left with The FA Trophy he won with United - followed and then on 14th October 1983 Alan signed for Lincoln City for £50 000 for whom he scored 4 goals in 75 League appearances.
On 30th July 1985 he joined Millwall (8 in 92) for £32 500 and then on 25th March 1988 Gillingham (7 in 151) for £50 000. The 1992-93 season was split between Plymouth Argyle ((1 in 2) and Mansfield Town (1 in 22). On 9th August 1993 Alan linked up with Barnet (2 in 59) but was surprisingly released in March 1995 and joined non league Sittingbourne.
After experience in management with Sittingborne, Fisher Athletic, Tonbridge Angels and Bromley, Alan was most recently (March 2007) working as Head of Coaching Education for the Kent FA.

~THE EIGHTIES~

Graham
Bennett

   Freescoring forward Graham Bennet joined City too late in the 1980-81 season to fight off relegation, but netted 14 goals in less than half a season in the Alliance Premier (now Conference).
   Bangor were relegated but bounced back immediately in 1981-82 as Champions of the Northern Premier League. Graham Bennett led the way with 53 goals and attracted the attention of Sunderland whose reported £32,000 bid was somehow to be rejected and "Benno" moved on to Altrincham instead.
   He was scarcely an all action striker, often seen to be languid and lazy, but once the ball came anywhere near him in the box he was deadly. Off the field a pleasant bloke, perhaps one season or a touch more does not seem long, but in this history we do not have many championships to celebrate and this one was partly (largely perhaps) down to him

Born in Cardiff, Bennett began his career with Barry Town before scoring 90 goals in three seasons with Bridgend. He joined Bangor under the management of Colin Hawkins and left after a spell with Dave Elliott to join Altrincham and scored 74 goals from 130 starts for The Robins. Benno also went on to play for Northwich Vics, Stafford Rangers and Marine.

Bruce
Urquhart

Winger Bruce Urquhart joined City from Wrexham after relegation from the Alliance in 1981 and ahead of the championship tilt of 1981-82 and quickly established himself as a fans favourite with tricky footwork and skills that would have graced a higher level of football.
However, small and slim, Bruce was deemed to slight for English League action. This was to the benefit of the Bangor fans who enjoyed his trickery as Bruce scored and created goals from his right wing berth.
Two of his best remembered goals came in cup matches. The Welsh Cup semi final tie with Swansea City at Farrar Road before a crowd of 6000, Bruce put Bangor ahead before The Swans featuring Bob Latchford, Robbie James and Bob Latchford - fought back to win 2-1. In 1983-84 City hosted Blackpool in the FA Cup with Bruce Urquhart equalising for Bangor who bowed out in a replay at Bloomfield Road.

Bruce Urquhart was born on 21 January 1961 and lived in Llandudno whilst playing for Bangor. He began his career as a Wrexham apprentice before joining City.
Upon leaving Farrar Road the skilful winger made twenty LoW appearances for Conwy United during the first season of the new league, 1992-93.

Trevor
Ball

Goalkeeper Trevor Ball who was the man behind the John Mahoney inspired tilt at the NPL at the end of the eighties, a man with safe hands, brilliant reflexes and a wicked sense of humour.
Trevor won the Bangor faithful after some initial trepidation which included his appearance on A Question of Sport (in a video clip) during "What happened next" when his intended throw looped back into his own net!

Trevor had been a youth team player with Chester City before joining City via Rhyl. A kneee injury hampered his early career and later on he was hounded by a bad back. Went on to play for Northwich Vics including a Wembley appearance in the FA Trophy Final and the occasional outing as an outfield player.

Derek
Goulding

Defender Derek Goulding stood tall on his return from exile in Oswestry, to partner
Kevin Mooney in centre defence, Spreader was the dedicated club man travelling from
near Preston for training and home games.
Never one to forgive Dave Elliott for "bombing" him out years earlier!
Arguably the top Bangor centre half of these decades, able to head a ball, tackle and be feared on the pitch, but a truly nice guy once he crossed the white line.

Derek began his football career with Everton where he played for The Toffees A team alongside future blues boss Peter Davenport. After being released by Everton he took in brief spells with Altrincham and Prescot Cables before initially joining Bangor under Dave Elliot. During his time away from Farrar Road Derek played for Stafford Rangers (alongside Kevin Mooney) and Oswestry Town before John Mahoney brought him back to Bangor once more.
He returned for a brief third spell but injury took a hand, but upon moving to Southport in 1992 where he went on to make 130 appearances. Moved on to manage Burscough and then AFC Liverpool.

Phil
Lunn

Defender Phil Lunn still watches Bangor these days, a different era from the one he graced with a left foot most professionals would envy. Also featured at centre half in the Northern Premier League, able to cross with precision, shoot and of course tackle as if his taxi depended on it. Phil scored the less well remembered Bangor goal of 1984, the solitary strike in the losing replay at Stoke.
He was still at Farrar Road at the start of the LoW and made dozen starts for City in the 1992-93 season.
And one of the men whose pride in wearing the blue shirt was evident at all times.

As a youngster Phil Lunn left Farrar Road for Sealand Road and a couple of years with Chester City.
He did not break into the Chester first team but returned to Bangor as a better player for the experience and one who had switched from left wing to defence.

Alan
Morris

Midfielder Alan Morris formed a formidable midfield partnership with Bobby Peel which steered Bangor City to Wembley in 1984.
Tall and elegant, capable of just about anything; pass any distance, shoot and score for fun, even nod in the odd header. A top man, cheery and mischievous, would often wander onto Chester railway station on a Saturday morning with a groaning "don't tell Dave Elliot". A tremendous character, sadly no longer with us.

Alan joined Bangor from fierce local rivals Caernarfon Town along with centre half Jerry Banks. Morris was a cultured figure in the FA Trophy run alongside Bobby Peel but was tempted into full time football with his home town side Chester City. After one appearance in the 1984-85 season he was released and returned to part time football and work.

John
Aspinall

Midfielder John Aspinall arguably the most complete centre midfield player in this Legends section, Azzer would drop back to centrehalf if the need arose. From the middle he would win the ball and split defences with the calm authority of a spiteful Italian. Sullen perhaps but generally a superb performer.
The central on field figure in the Goulding, Mooney, Dale side.

Birkenhead born John Aspinall began his league career with his local side Tranmere Rovers where he totted up
He signed for Bangor in 1984 under the management of John Mahoney having already made 77 league appearances for Tranmere Rovers scoring 19 goals. He has also played for Cammell Laird and Altrincham.
He left Bangor for a second brief spell with Rovers in the 1987-88 season where he made a dozen first league appearances before returning to Farrar Road where he eventually became manager. Made 50 WP appearances for Caernarfon, Holywell and finally Porthmadog.

Paul
Whelan

Bangor lad Paul Whelan was the man who scored that Wembley goal in '84 and was always a popular figure with the Farrar Road crowd.
More than that though "Wheelo" was a hardworking skilful central midfielder whose ability shone at Conference level whilst he was still a teenager.
He could set off on a mazy run with no one quite sure where it would all end up; this was undoubtedly part of his appeal and arsenal!

Paul Whelan broke into the Bangor team whilst still a youngster and, with no offence intended, probably enjoyed the highlights of his career before he was old enough to absorb them. Paul drifted away from Farrar Road and when the LoW was launched he played for Porthmadog whom he eventually managed. He also took the helm at Glantraeth and unearthed some talented local players, none more so than brothers Ryan and Les Davies.

Steve
Crompton

   Seldom has a stronger more physical right winger been seen at Farrar Road, bulldozing his way down the right wing to launch perfect crosses for the likes of Carl Dale, Mark Ferguson and of course Tony Livens to convert.
   But that is precisely the legacy left by Steve Crompton who joined Bangor during the mid eighties and won the hearts of blues fans with his strong running but more importantly telling crosses.
   In a crisis Steve could drop into centre half and defend with immense force and purpose.

Rosset born winger Steve Crompton began his career with Wolves but spent three years with Hereford United (six goals from 30 starts) and several more with Worcester City (64 goals in 287 appearances) before returning to North Wales in 1986. At Worcester he played in the Southern League and The Alliance (now Conference) and did so along side Bobby Gould and Kevin Sheedy.
He also spent a brief loan spell with Runcorn. City snapped him up from under Rhyl's noses and the rest is history.
A blacksmith by trade his son Sam recently completed an academy period with Shrewsbury Town.

Mark
Carter

Forward Mark Carter signed from South Liverpool. "Spike" was the goalscoring compliment to Alan Morris in the 1984 FA Trophy side, consistently converting "one on one" chances, prospering alongside Ian Howat, and always at his best in big matches.
Never one to let a gashed shin or elbow in the face deter him from the business of the day.
Quiet, determined and purposeful, a match for any Bangor forward in this Legends section, later to move to Runcorn, Barnet and Bury.

Having joined Runcorn from Bangor, in February 1991 Mark - better known as Spike - joined Barnet for £40 000 who were fighting for the Conference title and with it promotion to the Football League. This they achieved and after 30 goals in 82 League matches Carter headed north to Bury for £8 000 in September 1993. A four year spell at Gigg Lane yielded 62 goals in 133 appearances. In August 1997 he made the short journed to Rochdale (2 goals in 11) from where the circle was complete with a move back into non league circles with Gateshead and then Runcorn once more.
Football League career totals 95 goals in 228 appearances.

England Non League International [13 Caps]

Carl
Dale

Forward Carl Dale signed from Rhyl and went on to Chester and Cardiff City, should have played for Wales.
If memory serves me, Carl lived in the Deganwy area and was normally watched from the stand by his father and other family members.
Carl was the powerful, energetic menace in front to John Aspinall and Nev Powell. With tremendous pace and all the attributes of natural goalscorer Carl was a huge favourite with City fans. Also a useful electrician responsible for installing cashpoints in town centre banks!

Colwyn Bay born striker Carl Dale terrorised Northern Premier League defences before earning a £12 000 transfer to Chester City in May 1988. He 41 goals in 116 league appearances for The Seals.
On 19th August 1991 his goalscoring prompted a £100 000 transfer to Cardiff City where won The Welsh Cup in 1992 and 1993 and the Third Division Championship in '93. Carl scored 67 goals in 172 games for The Bluebirds before moving back into non league circles with Yeovil and Newport County.
Football League career totals 116 goals in 320 appearances

Viv
Williams

Forward Viv Williams from Llanerchymedd made his City debut in August 1984 against Buxton. His natural skill, pace and strength allied to an eye for goals made him a firm candidate for legend status.
Some may rightly comment that he remained a unfulfilled talent with Bangor, but one eye catching season with those performances against Fredrikstad and Atletico Madrid - and then playing in goal at Hereford in The Welsh Cup - make his entry a fair one!

   Viv never played at a higher level than Bangor could offer, be it Northern Premier League or Welsh Premier.
   This should not be seen as a limit to his talents which would rank him above some of those who have made the step up to English League football.
   He did though manage successfully with the likes of Porthmadog where he gained respect throughout Welsh football circles for his management skills and modest, approachable nature. A familiar site at Farrar Road on match days; ever the gentleman and never the critic.

Nigel
Adkins

Goalkeeper and then player manager Nigel Adkins joined Bangor during the summer of 1993 as a player but stepped up to manager in November 1993 following the departure of John Hulse and Paul Rowlands to Altrincham.
As a goalkeeper Nigel was confident and commanding, in charge of his defence and a man to rely on. Despite the difficulties of being player manager his form did not dip during the two championship seasons of 1993-94 and 1994-95. After a total of 95 league appearances Nigel left - trouble behind the scenes - to take up a news career...

Nigel Adkins was born in Birkenhead on 11th March 1965 and joined his local side Tranmere Rovers eighteen years later as a promising young goalkeeper. Nigel made 86 League appearances for Tranmere before moving to Wigan Athletic where he played a further 155 matches. After leaving Farrar Road he completed his training as a Physiotherapist and joined Scunthorpe United in that role, before almost uniquely taking over as manager in 2006.
After four years with United he took the chance to move into the hot seat at Southampton in September 2010.

Jimmy
Carberry

Fullback Jimmy Carberry (left) was the left footed cavalier who scored the occasional breathtaking goal, delivered the frequent hanging cross, and within moments cleared off his own goal line.
He was composed and experienced, the perfect foil to Lee Noble on the left, and always gave of his best in the blue shirt. He made 117 league starts for Bangor and a dozen more from the substitutes bench,
"Carbs" was also an excellent club man who looked hurt when we lost and wore his heart on his sleeve.

Jimmy Carberry was born in Liverpool on 13th October 1960. He began his career as an apprentice with Everton but moved toWigan Athletic where he scored six goals in 65 matches from 1989-92 before moving to Macclesfield Town.
In the Rothmans Football Yearbooks for that time Jimmy was listed as a midfielder.
Amongst the players with Bangor connections at Springfield Park in those days were Nigel Adkins, Joe Paladino, Steve Appleton, Kevin Langley, Neil Rimmer and Phil Daley.
After his time at Farrar Road, Jimmy moved on to Flint Town where he spent half a season and made sixteen league starts. As recently as December 2010 Jimmy was playing for Regent FC in the I Zingari Veterans League.

Harry
Wiggins

Centre back Harry Wiggins (right) directed operations from centreback, calm and composed, able to read the game as it was written out before him, and use his reliable left foot to cut out danger without appearing to break sweat.
Harry also got the best out of the towering Mark Rutter and organised the defence in front of player manager Adkins. He made 119 apperances for
Superb anticipation and timing made "H" one of the best central defenders seen at Farrar Road in these years.

Harry Wiggins was born 21 Novemebr 1959 and began his career in West Cheshire League football with Poulton Vics from whom he joined Telford United. In five seasons at the Buck’s Head he was twice the club’s Player of the Year, and skippered the team and played in the 1989 FA Trophy final at Wembley.
Harry then joined Altrincham before moving to Bangor for four seasons, 1993-98 either side of a couple of years with Conwy United under the management of John Hulse.

Kevin Langley

Central midfielder Kevin Langley was the classiest member of the team, able to split defences and occasionally contribute an outstanding goal. Langley came to Farrar Road with a big reputation built at Everton and Wigan Athletic and lived up to the billing.
He is arguably the best midfielder to have played for Bangor in the Welsh Premier and would seem to have had few peers amongst other clubs during that time.
Nicknamed "Elvis" and happy in that limelight, Langley was an outstanding player in a very difficult position. The perfect foil to the feisty industrious Dave Barnet.

Kevin Langley was born in Wigan on 24 May 1964 and made his debut for The Latics as a seventeen year old in September 1981. He went on to make a club record 160 appearances for Wigan before Everton paid £120,000 for him but only 16 appearances followed at Goodison before he joined Manchester City in 1987 where he made just nine starts.
Whilst at Maine Road he enjoyed a brief loan spell with Chester, making nine league starts, before moving to Birmingham where he totalled 76 starts in two seasons from 1988-90. Langley then went full circle by rejoining Wigan and added another 157 league appearances to reach a club record 317.
From Wigan he joined Halifax and then Bangor City, after leaving Farrar Road he moved to Flint Town, Witton Albion, Runcorn, Congleton and Kidsgrove. Kevin has also worked as a coach at the Manchester City Centre of Excellence.

Frank
Mottram

Signed in 1993 Weston Rhyn based centre forward Frank Mottram was the prolific near post assassin to Lee Noble's crosses, the bravest forward of his era. Nicknamed "Magic Mottram" he was an unselfish worker alongside Jiws and capable of scoring tap ins, near post headers and long range spectacular goals. In total he scored 79 league goals for Bangor.
Frank joined City from Welshpool, and moved on to Macclesfield then in the Conference but was involved in a serious road traffic accident which ended his chances there.
After some wilderness years "Magic" returned to Farrar Road under the management of Peter Davenport in March 2004. On and off the field Frank remains a true gent whose professionalism brings credit on himself and the clubs he has represented.

   Frank Mottram was born in Chirk on 1st April 1972 and played his early football with Morda United and Welshpool Town where he quickly established himself as a prolific goalscorer. In 1993 he signed for Bangor City under then manager Paul Rowlands but left in 1996 to join Macclesfield in the Conference.
   Partly due to a serious car accident - on his way home from training - Mottram never fulfilled his potential at Macclesfield and was loaned out to Llansantffraid in 1996-97 and spent a few years with Colwyn Bay before returning to the WP with Cefn Druids in 2001 and then Caernarfon Town. In 2003 Frank rejoined Bangor but left for the last time in 2005.
   Capped by Wales at Semi Professional level.

Marc
Lloyd
Wiilliams

Alongside Mottram was Marc Lloyd Williams, better known as Jiws.
The Llanberis red head was the lazy, spectacular half of the deadly partnership, a local hero, and a forward who could literally score from anywhere - and often did! Moved on to a Football League career which has so far included Stockport County, Halifax and York City.
Returned as the club's saviour in 2001 to score 20 LoW goals in quick succession to avoid relegation. Broke the LoW goalscoring record with 47 League goals in 2001-02, moved to Southport then back to Bangor, then Aberystwyth and TNS. Re-signed by Clayton Blackmore in July 2006 and netted another twenty goals before ....

Bangor born Marc Lloyd Williams was the provider of many of Dave Taylor's goals as he won the Golden Boot with Porthmadog in 1993. This attracted the attention of Bangor City for whom he turned prolific scorer and won himself a move to Stockport County. After 1 goal in 18 appearances for County he made his way back to Farrar Road, did it all again, and moved on to Halifax (6 in 24 apps) and the York City (9 goals in 33 games)towards the end of the 1998/99 season.
After further spells with Bangor and Aberystwyth he then spent two seasons with TNS where he won WP Championship medals in 2005 and 2006. Better known as Jiws and heralded as a "legend" amongst Bangor City supporters. He returned to Bangor for the 2006-07 season and that was it, since which time he has played for Rhyl, Newtown, Porthmadog, Airbus and back to Newtown.

Sammy
Ayorinde

   Less expected - but worthy of mention - Nigerian striker Samuel Ayorinde who came to Farrar Road under the management of Johny King in 1998.
   He scored three times in nine appearances for City, once in a 2-1 win at TNS in September 1998 when Mark Allen scored the other goal.
   Sammy was the first - and may well be the only - player to be capped for his country whilst playing for a LoW (Welsh Premier) club, namely Bangor City.

Sammy was born in Lagos, Nigeria on 20th October 1974. He first played for NEPA Lagos before moving to Tunisia and Stade Tunisien in 1993. His next port of call was Austria and Stum Graz before arriving in England and Leyton Orient in 1995 where he scored twice in fifteen appearances. In 1996 Sammy joined Rushden and then Altrincham on loan before a move to Finland and FF Jaro. Back in England he played for Dover Athletic before moving to Bangor in 1998.
Next came a return to Stade Tunisien, then a move to Israel with Hapeol Beit She'an in 1999, back to England and Stalybridge Celtic, then AIK of Sweden, Shenyand Ginde of China in 2004, to Yeovil for one appearance, then to Da Nang in Vietnam and across to Indonesia with Persija Jakarta for 2007-08. Most recently Grondals IK of Sweden.
Along the way globe trotting Sammy gained two full caps for Nigeria, including the one whilst at Bangor.