Former Bangor City manager John Mahoney is honoured for contribution to the life of Wales

Former Bangor City manager John Mahoney has been made a member of the Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod.

Cardiff-born Mr Mahoney, a Welsh learner, won 51 caps for Wales. He also played 110 times for Swansea City as the club reached the First Division under John Toshack in 1981.

Now living in Carmarthen, he has been described as a “keen supporter of everything Welsh.”

Following the ceremony at the National Eisteddod in Boduan, Gwynedd, he adopted Sion Treganna as his Gorsedd name.

Many fans of the now former Bangor City FC will fondly remember the first of Mr Mahoney’s two spells in charge at Farrar Road between 1984-88.

In the summer of 1984, Bangor had been relegated from The Alliance (now National League) and began a new era in the Northern Premier.

After losing their first four games of the 1984-85 campaign, manager Dave Elliot resigned and by September John Mahoney had been appointed.

The former Welsh international built a tremendous side with the assistance of John Trevor Roberts.

Players signed included goalkeeper Trevor Ball, Derek Goulding, Kevin Mooney, John Aspinall, Neville Powell, Carl Dale and Tony Livens.

In 1985-86 came a journey into Europe with the likes of Dai Davies, Everton Williams and Viv Williams among the most prominent figures.

It was the first time the Citizens had competed in Europe since the unforgettable three matches against Italian giants Napoli in 1962-63. Bangor eventually went out in a third game play-off at Highbury.

The 1985-86 European Cup Winners’ Cup experience saw Bangor knock out Fredrikstad of Norway on away goals before losing just 3-0 on aggregate to Spanish greats Atletico Madrid.

In 1986-87, City finished NPL runners-up and joined the new Premier Division the following season.

At the end of 1987-88, Mr Mahoney left Bangor and had a short spell back at the reformed Newport County.

He returned to Bangor between 1989-92, but after three unsuccessful seasons in the NPL Premier he departed before City joined the new League of Wales.

Born on 20th September, 1946, Mr Mahoney’s first club as a player was Crewe Alexandra. He spent 10 years with Stoke City between 1967-77, making 282 appearances and scoring 25 goals.

Middlesbrough was his next port of call before a switch to final English League club Swansea City, whom he joined under the management of his cousin John Toshack in July 1979 and helped them win promotion to Division One in 1980-81.

His playing career ended in 1983, before he went into management, those two spells at Bangor and short stay with Newport preceding his final appointment, two years at Carmarthen Town in the League of Wales.

A large crowd gathered on the Eisteddfod Maes on Friday, August 11, to witness 50 people in their blue and green robes getting inducted as members of the Gorsedd of Bards.

Mr Mahoney was presented to the Gorsedd by Reverend Beti Wyn James, who is also from Carmarthen.

The Gorsedd of the Bards is an association made up of poets, writers, musicians, artists and other people who have made a distinguished contribution to the Welsh nation, the language and its culture.

In praising Mr Mahoney, the Gorsedd said: “Long before the days of the Red Wall and the 2022 World Cup, no Welshman who played for his country was more proud of his heritage than John Mahoney.

“After his playing career ended in 1983, he set about learning Welsh, attending higher level Siawns am Sgwrs sessions in West Wales.

“John is not the only member of the family to represent Wales, as one of his daughters (Delyth) has also played football for our country.

“John is a humble man who loves Wales, our language and our culture, and it is our privilege to receive him into Gorsedd Cymru this year.”

FOOTNOTE

John Mahoney was the first person I ever interviewed as a journalist back in 1987.

It was pre-season and I spoke to him about his hopes for the 1987-88 campaign on the pitch at Farrar Road.

He was a gentleman, extremely helpful, and I will always consider myself fortunate to have started my career on such a high note by meeting a Welsh football hero.