Citizens give youth update

BANGOR City have given an official update on their youth development centre.

The Cymru North side confirmed they now have eight full squads involved with the scheme, from under-eight up to under-15.

This includes a number of former Citizens’ Academy players who have made a return to the club, who are now working with more than 100 young prospects from the region.

A club statement said: “It has been a busy few months for our youth development centre, which has seen us go from strength to strength. We are pleased to announce that we now have eight full squads from the ages under-eights through to our under-15s side.

“With new faces, and some old returning as we welcomed back a number of former Bangor City FC Academy players, we now have over 100 players at the centre. Our head of recruitment and retention, Bill Abbott, has also been busy organising matches with high profile clubs such as Tranmere Rovers, among a few others we have yet to announce!

“We are overjoyed with the development of the centre in recent months, and it is a credit to the hard work put in by the coaches, volunteers and players. The youth structure is key to our future, and we are excited to see it develop from strength to strength over the coming months.”

Club President Domenico Serafino stated: “Young players are at the centre of our project, they are a real asset for BCFC, they represent the rebirth of our club.

“I am very happy with the work of the coaches and volunteers who have dedicated their precious time towards the progression of the youth development centre.”

The initiative has also been boosted by the presence of former professional Hugo Colace, who is the centre’s co-ordinator alongside his playing duties.

The Citizens also confirmed that they would not be implementing heading during coaching sessions for players from under-eights to under-12s. This follows Llandudno’s decision to ban heading after it was outlawed in primary schools across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland over fears of long-term damage to mental health.

The first team’s next scheduled fixture is a home game against Ruthin Town in the Cymru North on Saturday, kick-off at 2.30pm.