Happy birthday to Bangor 1876 ace Shaun Lock

Happy birthday to the versatile Shaun Lock of Bangor 1876.

Born on March 5, 1992, Shaun has become a specialist at winning league titles, having done so with three different clubs.

In 2016-17, he was part of a phenomenal Glantraeth squad which ruled the roost in Welsh Alliance Division One, winning the title by 16 points, and making it a double by raising the Cookson Cup.

Shaun’s team-mates included lethal striker Corrig McGonigle, who bagged 59 goals in 35 starts, outstanding goalkeeper Ben Heald and excellent defender Guto Hughes.

At the end of the season Glantraeth decided not to accept promotion to the Huws Gray Alliance as the club felt it could not meet the strict ground criteria.

More glory came Shaun’s way in 2018-19, when Menai Bridge Tigers claimed the Gwynedd League title.

As the Tigers played 3-5-2, Shaun was mainly employed as a left wing-back and was excellent in a team which also featured 39-goal star Dean Redmond.

Yet again the promotion curse struck for Shaun, this time the Bridge being blocked from going up to the Welsh Alliance because of a ground issue.

Last season saw Shaun snapped up by 1876, who also signed his cousin Matt. Both players were true assets to the newly-formed Bangor side.

Shaun scored in three separate games against Llanystumdwy before netting 1876’s final goal of a curtailed 2019-20 campaign – a left foot rocket in a 5-0 NWCFA Junior Cup win at Llysfaen almost a year ago today. His long throws also became a major weapon in attack for Mel Jones and Dylan Williams’ side.

It was a successful season for 1876 as they landed the Gwynedd League title at the first attempt on the PPG method with a record of 16 straight wins.

They were also in four other cups – and favourites to win them all – only for coronavirus to cause all competitions to be cancelled.

In his career to date, Shaun has also played for Beaumaris Town, Gaerwen and Bethesda Athletic.

Shaun said on his Twitter today that 12 months ago he marked his birthday weekend with a super goal against Llysfaen and a night out in Liverpool with his mates.

Tonight he is in lockdown and possibly in a sombre mood. Hopefully this article might prove some tonic to a great player who still surely has many fine days to come.

Happy birthday Shaun.