New Bangor club moves a step nearer

SUPPORTERS of Bangor City have moved a step closer to forming a new club as fears grow over the future direction of the historic Welsh club.

A Supporters’ Trust is being set up and an application has been submitted to the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to enter the new club in the Welsh system.

The decision was made at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held last month by Bangor City Football Club Supporters Association.

Bangor fans’ actions are not the first time supporter disenfranchisement had led to new clubs being formed, with Chester FC, AFC Wimbledon and FC United of Manchester the most prominent ‘phoenix’ clubs.

It comes after a torrid time which last season saw the former Welsh Premier League champions demoted from the top tier of the Welsh domestic pyramid to the Huws Gray Alliance (second tier), despite the Citizens sitting in third place in the league at the time, after failing to obtain their domestic licence.

Off the field the club, which plays its home games at Nantporth, has suffered months of serious problems, such as bills going unpaid, players not being paid wages and the resignation of club auditors.

A statement by the supporters’ association said: “The city of Bangor has been represented by a senior football team since 1876 and that mantle has been worn with some success and honour in recent times by Bangor City FC.

“However, in recent times supporters have had serious concerns regarding the continuation of the club and its ability to fulfil its fixtures.

“The club’s supporters’ association has become increasingly concerned that there is continuing and increasing uncertainty as to the continued status of Bangor as the major football centre serving North West Wales and it has taken action to ensure the continuity of competitive football of the highest possible standard in the city and its catchment area.

“This involves the establishment of a new football club for which membership of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has been sought. Should the application be successful, the FAW will place the new club in an appropriate league in the Welsh pyramid.

“At the same time, the supporters’ association is in the process of becoming a supporters’ trust, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.”