Les Davies has left Bangor 1876

Fans’ hero Les Davies has decided to leave Bangor 1876.

Apart from a brief spell with Flint Town United, Davies, 38, had been with 1876 since it formed in 2019 and won three successive promotions culminating in a rise to the tier 2 JD Cymru North this season.

The former skipper was sent off after coming on as a second-half substitute in Friday night’s 4-0 defeat at Ruthin Town – 1876’s fourth loss in a row.

Davies announced his departure on social media today, stating he was unhappy at the way he has been treated in recent times.

“It is with a heavy heart that today I announce that I will no longer be playing for 1876, it’s a decision I have not taken lightly and a decision I didn’t really want to make, but feel I deserve to be treated better than the way I have recently,” he wrote.

“It’s not because of the battle we are in because that is what I thrive off and have always given everything I have for Bangor.

“I would like to thank the board and the fans for the great times we’ve had, and thank all the players for everything they have given. This is not the way I saw my career ending.”

Davies is Bangor 1876’s second highest goalscorer on 72 with only Corrig McGonigle (100) ahead of him.

In 2021/22. Les notched a career best 36 goals in a season for the fan-owned club.

For 1876, he won the Gwynedd League title and North Wales Coast West Premier Division Cup, as well as last season’s Ardal North West promotion play-off final.

Iconic striker Davies has amassed more than 400 Welsh Premier League appearances and netted 123 WPL goals in a career that has seen the Bangor-born player appear for a host of clubs.

Davies is best known for his many years’ service to the former Bangor City as a Welsh Premier League title winner in 2010-11, in addition to Welsh Cup wins in 2008, 2009 and 2010, under Neville Powell’s management. 

He has also played for Connah’s Quay Nomads, Bala Town and Llandudno in the top flight.

A statement on the Bangor 1876 website today reads: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Les for the massive contribution he has made to our club since its foundation, and indeed football in Bangor and North Wales.

“Les has scored many goals in our colours, including in our second ever match when we traveled to face Chester in a friendly. He also captained our team on many occasions, including in our first competitive match away to Ogwen Tigers in 2019 and more recently in our play-off final victory against Cefn Albion in Prestatyn earlier this year.

“We know that many people who have followed football here in Bangor will have plenty of great memories of watching Les play here in Bangor over the years. We would like to wish Les well for the future and reiterate our gratitude to him for his contribution to our club.”

Numerous 1876 supporters have expressed their gratitude to Les on social media today, some of them asking him to reconsider his decision to leave the club.