City thrilled at chance to take on great Danes
BANGOR City assistant-manager Gary Taylor-Fletcher is thrilled at the prospect of facing top-class Danish side Lyngby BK in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
The Danes, beaten 1-0 over two legs by Wrexham in the European Cup Winners’ Cup back in 1990/91, have not played in Europe since 1999/2000 according to Uefa.com
They have never progressed beyond the second round in any of their nine European campaigns.
Nicknamed De Kongeblå (the Royal Blues) or Vikingerne (the Vikings), Lyngby have been champions of Denmark twice and have lifted the Danish Cup three times.
They won the Danish First Division title in 2015/16 and gained promotion back to the Superliga after a four-year absence, qualifying for Europe by finishing third.
The first leg against Bangor is due to take place at the 10,000 capacity Lyngby Stadion on Thursday, June 29, with the return at Nantporth on July 6.
The Danes are managed by David Nielsen, who played in England for Grimsby Town, Wimbledon and Norwich City between 2000-03.
City’s assistant-boss TaylorFletcher said after the draw: “Every opponent would have been a tough one. Travelling wise, this is probably the most difficult one, but we’re looking forward to a good test.
“We’ll be learning as much as we can about them between now and next week.
“It’s all interesting and exciting times at Bangor; we’re developing a good squad.”
If Bangor overcome Lyngby, Slo- van Bratislava of Slovakia or Armenia’s FC Pyunik await in the second qualifying round on July 13 and 20.
City began their preparations with a 3-1 defeat in Northern Ireland against fellow Europa League qualifiers Coleraine last Saturday.
Daniel Nardiello scored the Citizens’ goal from the penalty spot.
Meanwhile, Bangor have added four new signings.
The Welsh Premier club have secured the return of Brayden Shaw from Accrington Stanley, landed experienced Football League defender Tom Kennedy and captured left-winger Luke Wall and striker Sam Henry.
Shaw rejoins the Citizens from League Two club Accrington for an undisclosed record transfer fee.
The 20-year old midfielder progressed through the youth ranks at Bury before signing professional terms with The Shakers in June 2015. A further move to Accrington followed in January 2016 as Stanley just missed out on promotion via the League Two Play-Offs.
Bangor then secured a loan deal for Shaw during the first phase of the 2016/17 WPL season, where he made 18 league appearances and scored three goals.
Shaw’s performances were recognised with the WPL Player of the Month award for December 2016 as the Citizens went unbeaten.
A return to Stanley followed in January 2017 and Shaw agreed a one-year contract extension with the Lancashire club last month before signing for City.
Kennedy has joined Bangor following his release by National League North champions AFC Fylde.
The 31-year-old has represented several different teams at Football League level.
After making more than 100 league appearances for both Bury and Rochdale respectively between 2002-2010, Kennedy had spells at Leicester City, Barnsley, Peterborough United, Bury and Blackpool before moving to Fylde.