Football

Where it all started for CPD Bangor 1876

An iconic photograph to be steeped forever in history. FC United of Manchester and CPD Bangor 1876 players line up before their 20-7-2019 friendly which marked the Welsh side’s first-ever game. IMAGE: MARK LEE

FC United of Manchester 12
Bangor 1876 1

July 20, 2019

The scoreline was largely irrelevant but the occasion meant everything.

On this date two years ago, newly-formed and fan-owned CPD Bangor 1876 travelled to Broadhurst Park for the first match in their history.

Northern Premier League outfit FC United of Manchester were the fitting hosts.

Founded in 2005 by Manchester United supporters opposed to American businessman Malcolm Glazer’s takeover, FC United entered Division Two of the North West Counties Football League and went on to become an inspirational pioneer for clubs wishing to ‘go it alone’.

More than 800 fans were inside the Moston-based ground on a beautiful sunny day two years ago, many of them followers of the new Bangor 1876.

Despite the fact they conceded goals regularly, the North Wales contingent never stopped cheering or encouraging.

The atmosphere between the two sets of fans was magnificent.

When FC United were sufficiently out of sight, their supporters began to get behind the visitors, willing them to score.

The first half saw the new team concede seven goals as former Bala Town and Colwyn Bay midfielder PAUL ENNIS bagged a hat-trick (12, 33 and 35 mins) and LOUIS MYERS (3 mins), MIKE DONOHUE (39 mins), CURTIS JONES (42 mins) and LUKE GRIFFITHS (44 mins) also found the net before the break.

The goals continued to flow throughout the second period with a NIALLE RODNEY double (49 and 86 mins), ex-Bangor City and Rhyl striker CHRIS SHARP (66 mins), CHRIS ALMOND (71 mins) and a goal from evergreen veteran DAVE CHADWICK (84 mins) taking the tally to 12-0.

By now everyone inside the ground were urging 1876 to score their first-ever goal.

And then it happened. On 87 minutes, a shot from BENN LUNDSTRAM fired straight at the FC United substitute keeper somehow slipped into the back of the net.

The Bangor fans behind the Lightbowne Road goal went crazy as the home support applauded the landmark effort, rounding off a memorable afternoon for the Welsh club.

The scenes at the final whistle were heartwarming, with FC United fans chanting “Bangor, Bangor” as the boys in blue came off the field.

It was such a pleasure for this reporter to be there.

LINE-UPS

FC UNITED of MANCHESTER
1 Paddy WHARTON
2 Craig CARNEY
3 Adam DODD
4 Curtis JONES
5 Tom DEAN
6 Mike POTTS (Captain)
7 Paul ENNIS
8 Luke GRIFFITHS
9 Louis MYERS
10 Mike DONOHUE
11 Regan LINNEY

SUBSTITUTES:

12 Chris SHARP (For Donohue – Half-time)
13) Mason WALKER (GK) (For Wharton – 55 mins)
14) Jack LENEHAN (For Griffiths – Half-time)
15) James JOYCE (For Dodd – Half-time)
16) Aaron MORRIS (For Dean – Half-time)
17) Oliver CROWLEY (For Carney – Half-time)
18) Nialle RODNEY (For Myers – Half-time)
19) Rhain HELLAWELL (For Ennis – Half-time)
20) Chris ALMOND (For Linney – 66 mins)
*) Markell FOULDS (For Jones – Half-time)
**) David CHADWICK (For Almond – 83 mins)

CPD BANGOR 1876
1 Leon JONES
2 Jamie THOMAS
3 Shaun LOCK
4 Luke STEELE
5 Michael JOHNSTON (C)
6 Cian WILLIAMS
7 Dylan WILLIAMS
8 Cameron BARRY
9 Lukas BALTOVIC
10 Dylan SUMMERS-JONES
11 Jamie PETRIE

SUBSTITUTES
Benn LUNDSTRAM
Various TRIALISTS

REFEREE
Tom Elliott
ASSISTANTS
Dave Burton, Conor Brown

COLOURS
FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER: Red shirts, white shorts, black socks
CPD BANGOR 1876: Royal blue shirts with red collar, white shorts, royal blue socks