Iwan Williams lands top role at Bangor 1876

Former Caernarfon Town and Llandudno manager Iwan Williams has been appointed Bangor 1876’s new Director of Football.

The supporter-owned club’s board has engaged Williams in a move designed to implement a five-year plan which will act as a blueprint for developing community-based competitive football in the Bangor area.

As part of the project, the Gwynedd League newcomers also plan to work with other organisations to enhance the quality of life and well-being in the community through football-related activities.

Iwan initially joined 1876 as a player last summer but, unfortunately suffered a serious injury which has meant having to hang up his boots.

He is no stranger to managerial and coaching roles and, having played for, and captained, a number of teams in the Welsh Premier League, he enjoyed a successful period at Caernarfon, where he was Huws Gray Alliance League and Cup double-winner and Manager of the Year in 2016.

Over the last couple of years he has been concentrating on his career as a coach and has now attained his UEFA Pro Licence as well as becoming a qualified Premier League academy scout.

Iwan commented: “I am incredibly humbled and overwhelmed, not only to be asked to remain as part of this fantastic project, but to be given the role of Director of Football.

“Since I’ve been at this club, although unlucky with injuries, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single second. I’ve met some fantastic people and have made lifelong friends.”

He has already started preparing for his new role in which he will work alongside Mel Jones and Dylan Williams and their team of coaches, and presented his vision to the club board at their meeting on Wednesday.

He described his task as building a junior section that will list itself among the best in Wales, adding: “I presented a 5-year plan to the board with the vision of how this task will be achieved and was overwhelmed by the reaction.

“My message to the young players around the Bangor area is that we will provide you with the best opportunities in the area and will look to develop children and young people on the pitch as well as off it, whilst also providing a pathway to our fantastic first team.

“We have already recruited qualified coaches, with more coming in for discussions in the very near future, which is exciting.

“Along with developing a junior section aspiring to become an accredited academy, I will also be linking up with the girls section and ensuring that we become a ‘complete club’. ’”

Williams’ involvement with the first team will continue, and he went on to say: “Mel and Dyl want me to stay involved and I’m thankful they do as it’s a fantastic changing room with some young talent that, no doubt, can carry us to the Welsh Premier League one day.”

IWAN WILLIAMS FACTFILE

Playing Career
• Wrexham
• Kansas City College (Football Scholarship)
• Welsh Premier – Porthmadog, Newtown, Connah’s Quay
• Club Captain Llandudno FC
• Cymru Alliance – Llanfairpwll and Caersws
Managerial Career
• Caernarfon Town
• Llandudno
• Ynys Mon
Honours
• Huws Gray Alliance League winner 2016
• Huws Gray Cup winner 2016, 2017
• HGA Manager of the Year 2016
• Huws Gray Alliance runner-up 2017
• Welsh Cup semi-finalist 2017
• Inter-Island Games winner with Ynys Mon 2019
Qualifications
• UEFA B Licence
• UEFA A Licence
• UEFA Pro Licence
• Qualified Premier League academy scout
Education
• Degree in Business
• Masters Degree in Project Management