Have you ‘Eard? Bangor 1876 have added a North Wales legend to their management

Bangor 1876 today appointed well-known and popular North Wales football figure Sean Eardley as assistant-manager to Michael Johnston.

Former Caernarfon Town and Llandudno boss Eardley has extensive management experience in both the Cymru Premier and Cymru North. He has all the potential to become a major asset to 1876 in their debut season in Tier 2.

Eardley, 36, told the 1876 website why he wants to be part of the progressive, fan-owned club, who play home matches at Nantporth Stadium, Bangor.

“I was in contact with Johno during the uncertain time at my previous club, and he spoke very highly of everyone and was really looking forward to the Cymru North season,” he said.

“Personally, it’s the right move for me at this very moment, to help Johno and the existing management team and players adjust to life at Tier 2, not to mention the fantastic fan base also!”

Asked what he can bring to the club, Eards replied: “A lot of energy, detail and knowledge.

“The Cymru North is a fantastic league to compete in with some great players and managers.

“As a group we need to take each game as it comes and prepare well, but train with the right intensity and application. The early signs are very pleasing and I want to add to that.”

Eardley won the T2 Cymru North title in his first season as Caernarfon Town manager and achieved runners-up spot when in charge of Llandudno in 2021-22.

He also lifted the tier 2 Cymru Alliance League title as a player and assistant-manager to Alan Morgan at Llandudno in 2014-15.

SEAN EARDLEY – IN PROFILE

Born on April 14, 1987, this former pupil of Ysgol John Bright, Llandudno, represented Wales Under-19’s and prior to that was a member of the National Development Squad.

He was days away from signing a professional contract for League One Oldham Athletic in 2006 when doctors revealed he had a rare heart complaint.

Dreams of a top-level career were over, although Sean was later passed fit enough to continue playing amateur football for hometown club Llandudno.

He went on to become assistant-manager to Alan Morgan at Maesdu Park and was part of a very successful spell in Tudno’s history which included winning the Cymru Alliance in 2014-15, the club finishing third on debut in the Welsh Premier and qualifying for Europe.

2016 saw Sean named North Wales Coast McDonald’s Community Football Awards Performance Coach of the Year.

In 2017, Eards joined Caernarfon Town as number two to manager Iwan Williams.

Six months later, Sean became first team boss of the Canaries after Williams took up the manager’s role at Llandudno.

At the time, Caernarfon were top of the Huws Gray Alliance and they stayed there, not losing a single league game for the rest of the season.

That meant a return to the Cymru Premier after a 10-year absence and in his two seasons as WPL chief, Sean worked wonders, leading Caernarfon to a pair of top six finishes.

Sean was hugely popular at The Oval, with the players, officials and especially the fans, so it came as a blow to the Cofis when in May 2020 he returned to Llandudno as first-team manager.

With the worldwide pandemic wiping out the majority of Welsh football action, Sean did not really get started in the Maesdu Park hot seat until the 2021-22 season.

Eards led the Seasiders to runners-up spot in the Cymru North in his first campaign and, despite having to play much of last season away from home due to problems with their 3G pitch, Tudno ended up in third spot.

He stepped down as Llandudno manager in July 2023 and now faces his next exciting challenge at Bangor 1876.

A great manager, coach and a fantastic all-round guy – that’s Sean Eardley!