Nantporth is no more – now it’s Bangor City Stadium. Might 1876’s name also change?

Nantporth Stadium has a new identity – but will the name of the main team that plays there also change?

The former Nantporth is now officially known as Bangor City Stadium following a grand unveiling this month.

A new board is in place and many exciting plans for the future are in the pipeline.

For now, the stadium’s flagship club is known as Bangor 1876, a fan-owned venture set up to protect the future of football in the city, which formed five years ago and has rapidly risen to Tier 2 in the Welsh Pyramid.

At 1876’s recent AGM, support was expressed to rename the club Bangor City 1876 in line with the new stadium title.

If this went ahead, it would mean the part-return of a long-established name to the number one club in the city.

Bangor City FC was founded in 1876 and won eight Welsh Cups, three Welsh Premier League titles and enjoyed numerous great days in the English pyramid, FA Cup and Europe before withdrawing from the Cymru North in 2021-22 and surrendering its lease on Nantporth in August 2022.

Last season saw Bangor 1876 play its first full season at Nantporth.

A New Dawn for Bangor City Stadium: Fresh Ambitions

In a move symbolising a new era of independence, the new Bangor City Stadium board held their inaugural AGM, highlighting a future filled with ambition and community focus.

Newly-appointed chairman Nick Pritchard emphasised the board’s mission to benefit the entire community and elevate Bangor 1876 FC to the Cymru Premier League.

“We aim to move forward quickly for the community and the Bangor 1876 fans. We’re committed to nurturing grassroots football through board members Lee Dixon, Dafydd Evans, and Lee Johnson, focusing on youth team development to create future stars.”

Pritchard also announced the introduction of a new reserve team to strengthen the footballing framework.

“We want fans, old and new, to unite like in the old Farrar Road days. We are providing FREE entry to all kids and coaches involved with our grassroots teams to ensure wide participation and community engagement.”

Bangor City Stadium currently meets UEFA Category 1 standards, hosting UEFA games and solidifying Bangor’s presence on the European football map. The stadium is set to upgrade to Category 2 and potentially Category 3, aiming to rival EFL Premier League grounds such as Anfield.

Over £0.5 million has already been invested in achieving carbon neutrality through solar panels and LED lighting, including floodlights, with total investment expected to double.

The new board is also focused on transforming the stadium into a premier venue for large events and concerts, aiming to attract significant revenue streams.

The strategic plan includes offering premium services to enhance the experience for attendees and leveraging the stadium’s facilities for business and community events.

This approach aims to make Bangor 1876 FC a successful team that brings in crowds and strengthens community ties.

On July 15th, Bangor 1876 held their AGM, showing broad support for the new stadium board’s ambitions.

The boards have agreed to increased transparency and collaboration, with cross-representation on each board.

There is also support for potentially renaming the team “Bangor City 1876.”

Plans include a community centre with an indoor pitch to complement the existing 3G pitch, aiming for extensive use by the community and local schools.

Geraint Parry, a long-standing board member, stated, “I see this investment and new vigour as the golden opportunity Bangor fans have long wished for. I’m excited to help take football in Bangor to the next level.”

Deputy chairman Richard Bennett added: “In addition to supporting football and the community, Bangor itself needs revitalisation. We hope our efforts will contribute to the city’s recovery.”

Outgoing chairman Dilwyn Jones remarked: “It’s the right time for fresh eyes to build on our achievements and elevate the stadium further. I wish the new board every success.”

Chairman Nick Pritchard concluded: “We thank the outgoing board for their dedication. Their efforts have brought us here, and we are now opening a new chapter to take Bangor football to where it truly belongs.”

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

• Richard Bennett
• Lee Dixon
• Dafydd Evans
• Lee Johnson
• Geraint Parry
• Nick Pritchard

Strategies to Support Grassroots Football:

The new board will invest in youth development programs, focusing on building youth teams, providing coaching, and creating pathways for young players to progress. The community center with an indoor pitch will offer year-round training, ensuring consistent talent development.

Ensuring Financial Sustainability:

To ensure the financial sustainability of their ambitious plans, the board will seek a combination of funding sources, including grants, sponsorships, and partnerships with local businesses. They will also explore revenue-generating opportunities through hosting events, matches, and community programs at the upgraded facilities. The focus on sustainability, such as achieving carbon neutrality, is expected to attract support from environmentally conscious sponsors and stakeholders.

Engaging the Local Community and Schools:

The board will actively engage the local community and schools by promoting the new facilities through outreach programs and partnerships with educational institutions. They plan to offer special programs, workshops, and events tailored to different age groups and community needs.
Regular open days, school tournaments, and community festivals will help familiarise residents with the stadium’s offerings and encourage widespread use of the facilities.

Everton legend Graeme Sharp officially opens new stadium

On July 6, former Everton and Scotland striker Graeme Sharp officially opened the new Bangor City Stadium, just before the Bangor 1876 match against FC United of Manchester.

The event marked a significant moment for the community and the future of football in Bangor.

There was a bumper crowd for the first game at the stadium under new management. Special guest Sharp commented: “My first impressions as I walked through the door was, Wow! This is very impressive and many places in higher leagues would be envious of what is here in Bangor, even some Premier League clubs.”

Sharp, who also successfully managed Bangor City to a Welsh Cup victory in 1998, went on to say: “I have some very pleasant memories of my time here, and it’s an honour to be asked back to open the stadium.”

The game ended with a Bangor 1876 win, 4-2.

Nick Pritchard, new chairman of Bangor City Stadium, said, “What a great day this has been and we’re so happy to welcome our friends from FC United who were a great crowd in fine voice.

“This is a marker in the sand for a new beginning for the stadium and football in Bangor, and we have some big plans ahead to benefit the whole community and give Bangor 1876 the opportunity and platform for continued success.”

The event, with its impressive turnout and enthusiastic atmosphere, set a positive tone for the future of the stadium and the local football community.

The newly refurbished stadium, complete with a revamped function room and bar, showcased its potential as a top-tier facility for sports and community events.

Bangor City Stadium recently hosted Caernarfon Town’s Europa Conference League first qualifying round first leg 2-0 victory over Crusaders of Northern Ireland on what was the Canaries’ European debut.

The game was broadcast live on S4C and TNT Sports, further establishing Bangor City Stadium as a premium sports venue.

Bangor also put on Connah’s Quay Nomads’ Europa Conference League first qualifying round home leg game against NK Bravo last week. The Slovenians won 2-0 to edge the tie 2-1.

About Bangor City Stadium

Bangor City Stadium has recently undergone significant six figure renovations to enhance the fan experience and provide top-notch facilities for both players, supporters and the wider community.