Citizens ready to journey into the unknown
THIS Saturday sees Bangor City take a first step into the unknown when they play their first-ever match in the second-tier Huws Gray Alliance League.
The Citizens are home to newlypromoted Buckley Town in what should provide a good test of Craig Harrison’s team’s credentials. City finished second in the Welsh Premier last season, and in normal circumstances would have qualified for the Europa League, but the club’s failure on appeal to secure a mandatory Tier 1 and UEFA Licence resulted in their relegation.
Now the three-time top-flight champions face a rebuilding job under Harrison, who won six successive WPL titles and four Welsh Cups in his reign as manager of The New Saints.
The former Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace defender has recruited a strong squad over the summer, making Bangor understandably among the favourites to land the CAL title.
Harrison’s first signing was City hero Les Davies, a three-time Welsh Cup and WPL title winner with the club before he left for spells with Connah’s Quay Nomads and Bala Town.
Top-quality, proven high-level performers such as Tom Field, Sam Barnes, Robbie Parry, Jake Phillips, Phil Baker, Lee Owens, Yalany Baio, Andy Jones, Anthony Stephens and Marc Williams have also joined the ranks.
Ex-Wrexham goalkeeper and England C international Andy Coughlin is the latest renowned name to arrive at Nantporth.
City have encountered mixed fortunes in pre-season, their best performance probably coming in a 2-2 home draw with National League outfit Wrexham.
Last Saturday, the Citizens were beaten 3-0 at Northern Premier League Premier Division newcomers Hyde United.
Bangor City v Buckley Town kicks-off at 2.30pm.