Great news for Bangor 1876 – stadium dispute is resolved, promotion can move full steam ahead

Great news for Bangor 1876 – the path is clear for them to compete in tier 2 football this season.

The fan-owned club booked membership of the Cymru North for 2023-24 following a 4-2 Ardal Northern play-off victory over Cefn Albion on May 27.

However, a potential stumbling block to the club’s elevation was a dispute over the future running of Nantporth Stadium in Bangor, which 1876 want to adopt as their home.

On-going legal issues between Nantporth CIC and Bangor City Council resulting from historical debts had put 1876’s move in doubt, but following a meeting of supporters last night, the club revealed today matters have been resolved.

Club chairman Glynne Roberts said: “Following a hugely successful season, with the first team gaining promotion to Tier 2, work has been going on to ensure that the team can play at the higher level.

“A Tier 2 licence has been obtained from the FAW to play at Nantporth, which will be a very significant and emotional move for football fans in Bangor. Yesterday, the FAW confirmed the club’s status in the higher league.

“Given previous concerns around the on-going legal issues between Nantporth CIC and the City Council resulting from historical debts, Bangor 1876 were concerned about the sustainability and long-term implications of the move to Nantporth.

“Now that those issues have been resolved, the club is keen to move to the stadium to play Tier 2 football next season.”

Meddai cadeirydd Glynne Roberts: “Yn dilyn tymor hynod lwyddiannus, gyda’r tîm cyntaf yn ennill dyrchafiad i Haen 2, mae gwaith wedi bod yn mynd ymlaen i sicrhau bod y tîm yn gallu chwarae ar y lefel uwch.

“Llwyddwyd i gael trwydded Haen 2 gan Gymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru i chwarae yn Nantporth, a bydd hyn yn symudiad arwyddocaol ac emosiynol iawn i gefnogwyr pêl-droed ym Mangor. Ddoe, fe gadarnhaodd Y Gymdeithas Bêl-droed statws y clwb yn y gynghrair uwch.

“O ystyried y pryderon blaenorol ynghylch y materion cyfreithiol parhaus rhwng CIC Nantporth a Chyngor y Ddinas o ganlyniad i ddyledion hanesyddol, roedd Bangor 1876 yn pryderu am gynaliadwyedd a goblygiadau hir-dymor y symud i Nantporth. Gan fod y materion hynny wedi’u datrys, mae’r clwb yn awyddus i symud i’r stadiwm i chwarae pêl-droed Haen 2 y tymor nesaf.

“Bydd trafodaethau pellach yn cael eu cynnal gyda CIC Nantporth, gyda’r gobaith y gallwn adeiladu ar y cytundeb presennol i sicrhau presenoldeb hir-dymor y clwb yn Nantporth, ac y gallwn, gyda’n gilydd, symud ymlaen i ddarparu tîm ac isadeiledd i wneud y ddinas yn falch.

“Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod neithiwr gyda chefnogwyr Bangor 1876, lle roedd cefnogaeth gyffredinol y dylid symud ymlaen i ddod i gytundeb gyda’r CIC, ac y gallwn sicrhau’r sicrwydd hir-dymor a fydd yn caniatáu inni gynllunio, paratoi a chyflawni o’r tymor nesaf ymlaen.”

1876 have based themselves at Treborth Playing Fields, Bangor University, since forming in 2019/20.

Over three seasons of competing, 1876 have been promoted three times, from tier 5 to tier 2, but there were concerns whether Treborth would meet Cymru North criteria.

Now the club will be able to play at the former home of Bangor City, who relocated to Nantporth from Farrar Road in 2012, but resigned from the Cymru North in 2021-22 after several crisis-torn years, having being suspended from football due to unpaid debts.

Bangor 1876 formed in 2019 to safeguard the future of football in the city.