Fans united in football as a new Bangor club is born

The result was irrelevant, the occasion was everything.

History was made as a new North Wales football club was born.

Bangor 1876 played their first-ever match today in England at an impressive Broadhurst Park, home to Moston-based FC United of Manchester.

A crowd of 803 watched on as the Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit entertained the Gwynedd League newcomers.

The noise both sets of fans made throughout suggested a much higher attendance figure.

Founded in 2005 by dissatisfied Manchester United supporters unhappy at the takeover of American businessman Malcolm Glazer, the new club had progressed from the North West Counties League all the way to tier 6 National League North before getting relegated last term.

Being a fans-owned club which has achieved a rapid rise to prominence made them perfect first-up opponents for 1876, a new venture born out of the frustration of Bangor City supporters disillusioned at the way the eight-time Welsh Cup winners were being run.

So today’s teams were birds of a feather before a ball was kicked, and by the end of 90 minutes the bond had only grown closer.

Bangor were without star summer signing Les Davies, who is on holiday, while some unnamed trialists also saw action in the second half.

The 1876 followers produced a tremendous racket behind the goal their team was kicking towards in the first half, their enthusiasm never waning despite the much higher standard hosts being 7-0 ahead at the interval.

Bangor’s only goalbound effort was a fierce Shaun Lock free kick which keeper Paddy Wharton palmed over the bar.

In the second half the Welsh visitors were more solid at the back and managed a few shots on goal.

United added five more to reach a dozen, but 1876 did manage a late consolation goal – and their first-ever as a club – through substitute Benn Lundstram.

The celebrations said it all as the Bangor players ran towards their delighted supporters behind the goal and were suitably mobbed.

The FC United fans were just as joyous, having willed 1876 to break their duck for most of the second half.

Chants of “We Love You Bangor” were blasted out by the home fans at an equal decibel level to the travelling crew.

And the Moston Massive even managed a rendition of the theme of Coronation Street to further endear themselves to all present (especially me).

The scenes after the final whistle were particularly heartwarming as after applauding their own fans, the 1876 players walked to the other end of the pitch to receive a magnificent ovation from their new friends from FC United.

Final score
FC United 12 (Louis Myers, Charlie Ennis 3, Mike Donohue, Curtis Jones, Luke Griffiths, Nialle Rodney 2, Chris Sharp, Chris Almond, David Chadwick)
Bangor 1876 1 (Benn Lundstram)

Bangor 1876
Leon Jones, Jamie Thomas, Shaun Lock, Luke Steele, Michael Johnston (c), Cian Williams, Dylan Williams, Cameron Barry, Lukas Baltovic, Dylan Summers-Jones, Jamie Petrie. Subs: Benn Lundstram, plus various trialists.