Today’s disorder does not define Rhyl 1879 and Bangor 1876 as football clubs

Hopefully people will not decide today’s unruly events at Belle Vue defines Rhyl 1879 and Bangor 1876 as clubs.

Of course players and management have to take the majority of the blame for the fact seven red cards were issued in the first-ever competitive derby between the teams, which Bangor won 2-1.

But there is far more to 1879 and 1876 than what occurred today – most of it positive.

The two clubs have worked hard over a very short time to achieve success on the field and create stability off it.

The collapse of Rhyl FC and Bangor City in the past couple of years after such glorious pasts left potentially massive football gaps in the town and city.

Fan-owned Rhyl 1879 and Bangor 1876 have emerged since 2019 and represent hope that in the not too distant future the great days gone by can be recreated.

Trophies have only been won by both at tier 4 level so far, but the footballing ladder has to be climbed a rung at a time, reaching the top does not happen overnight.

Before today’s derby, both sides were unbeaten in Ardal North West, a tier three league they only earned respective promotions to this season.

Rhyl 1879 were on a 31-game unbeaten league run since their formation, while 1876 had won 72 out of 82 matches in all competitions with an insane 452 goals scored.

Yes, these feats have been achieved at a lower level than their illustrious predecessors who carried the town and city’s name, but everyone has to start somewhere – and it has been one amazing start.

There was lots at stake today. Respective undefeated records and an added edge given the history of Rhyl and Bangor matches.

A few tasty tackles and the odd temper being frayed could be excused.

Obviously it went way too far, but the worst aspect of today was the end of the match brawl which led to five red cards.

That was inexcusable and subsequent punishments will probably be merited. The earlier dismissals were really more in the ‘one of those things’ category.

Of course, with it being a tier three game the TV cameras would not normally have been on site, but as Rhyl and Bangor were meeting for the first time under their newest names, the added media focus was to be expected.

Unfortunately the occasion may make headlines of the wrong kind. Hopefully those in the media who do not know the clubs that well, and the great work that has been going on at them, will not be too harsh.

As a prominent Rhyl official said after the game today: “We apologise for what happened, but that’s not us.”

I heard a lot of blame being placed on the referee for what happened today, but I think this is unfair.

This was a hugely difficult game to officiate. Some challenges were far too overzealous from the very start and indeed I think the ref allowed the players plenty of slack before he eventually had to start producing the cards.

Referees have a tough job at the best of times and I think today’s game presented a major test. I thought he did fine in the circumstances and no blame whatsoever can be placed on him for the scenes at the end.

Hopefully before too long, the memories of those final whistle images will fade and Rhyl 1879 and Bangor 1876 can get back to concentrating on what they do best – playing and winning.

By all means criticise them for some of today’s happenings, but don’t condemn them out of hand.

They had a bad day at the office today on the discipline front, but overall both clubs are on the right path.