Happy birthday to popular CPD Bangor 1876 manager Michael Johnston

Happy 37th birthday to Michael Johnston, manager of CPD Bangor 1876.

Johnno has been a tremendous servant to North Wales football over the past three decades, chiefly as a player.

Born in Chester on December 16, 1987, Michael signed for Tranmere Rovers as a youth in 2006.

He joined the reserve squad, but just before the September 2007 transfer window, under-16 manager at Prenton Park, Alan Morgan, also number two to Neville Powell at Bangor City, persuaded “Johnno” to move to Farrar Road on loan.

Bangor City

Michael, whose brother Patrick had played for Porthmadog in the League of Wales in 2001-02, made his debut for the Citizens at Welshpool Town on September 15, 2007.

Central-defender Johnston was superb throughout that 2007-08 campaign, finishing off with a Welsh Cup winners’ medal when Bangor beat Llanelli in the final at Newtown 4-2 after extra time.

The Welsh Under-17 and Under-19 international was also named Player of the Season for the Citizens.

During the summer of 2008 he was released by Rovers and wasted no time in signing for City on a permanent basis.

He went on to make it a hat-trick of Welsh Cup triumphs in Wales’ premier national knockout, with Bangor also lifting the trophy in 2009 and 2010.

The following season Johnno was again a key man at the back as the blues defied the odds to win their first Welsh Premier title in 16 years, breaking the top flight stranglehold of full-timers The New Saints, who they beat 1-0 at Farrar Road in the championship decider.

In total, Michael made 240 Welsh Premier appearances for Bangor over eight seasons, four of them as a substitute.

Michael also holds the record for the most appearances in European competition in a Bangor shirt, starting all 14 of City’s matches in Europe between 2008-14.

The highlight was the 2010-11 Europa League tie against Honka Espoo of Finland, which the Citizens won 3-2 on aggregate.

While at Bangor, Johnno became a huge favourite of the club’s legendary president Gwyn Pierce Owen (1935-2019).

Llandudno, Caernarfon Town, Brickfield Rangers, back to Bangor City

In 2015-16, Johnno joined Llandudno in their first season as a Welsh Premier club, but left the following summer. He later had spells at Caernarfon Town (2016-17), Brickfield Rangers (2017-19) and briefly Runcorn (2019).

February 2019 saw Michael make a surprise return to Bangor City, who were now in the tier two Cymru Alliance.

Bangor 1876

Then in summer 2019, the defender joined former City team-mate Les Davies as marquee signings for new club Bangor 1876.

Michael had an outstanding season for an 1876 side which lifted the Gwynedd League title at the first attempt with a 100% record.

In February 2022, he was appointed player-manager, initially working alongside Mel Jones, Johnno having completed his UEFA/FAW B Licence coaching qualification the previous year.

He has since gained the A licence qualification.

That 2021-22 season saw 1876 win the tier 4 North Wales Coast West Premier Division Cup and gain promotion to Ardal North West as runners-up.

The 2022-23 campaign witnessed Johnno lead 1876 to promotion from Ardal North West after they beat Cefn Albion 4-2 in the play-off final at Prestatyn.

Under Johnno, Bangor 1876 has now become an established force in the tier 2 Cymru North.

The club’s ambition is to bring Cymru Premier football back to Bangor with Michael Johnston at the helm.

Happy birthday Johnno – have a great day.

CLUBS – PLAYER

Tranmere Rovers
Bangor City
Llandudno
Caernarfon Town
Brickfield Rangers
Runcorn
Bangor City (second spell)
Bangor 1876

CLUBS – MANAGER

Bangor 1876 (Feb 10, 2022 – present)

PLAYER APPEARANCES IN EUROPE (14 – all for Bangor City)

2008-09
Midtjylland (Uefa Cup – 2 appearances)
2009-10
Honka Espoo (Europa League – 2)
2010-11
Honka Espoo (Europa League – 2)
2010-11
Maritimo (Europa League – 2)
2011-12
HJK Helsinki (Uefa Champions League – 2)
2012-13
Zimbru Chisinau (Europa League – 2)
2014-15
Stjarnan (Europa League – 2)

LITTLE KNOWN FACT

Michael is a former pupil of St Francis De Sales Catholic Junior school in Liverpool. Grassroots North Wales editor Dave Jones’ mum, Sheila Cunningham, attended the same school in the 1930s.

MICHAEL JOHNSTON’S RECORD AS BANGOR 1876 MANAGER
(all competitions – up to and including November 30, 2024)

PLAYED 110
WON 74
DRAWN 6
LOST 30

JOHNNO’S COMPLETE MATCH RECORD AS MANAGER (up to and inc Nov 30, 2024)

2021-22
Feb 12: Penrhyndeudraeth (h – North Wales Coast West Premier Division) 2-1
Feb 25: Llanrug United (h – NWCWPD) 6-0
Mar 5: Pwllheli (a – NWCWPD) 3-1
Mar 12: Amlwch Town (a – Premier Cup) 4-1
Mar 19: Llanrug United (a – NWCWPD) 2-0
Mar 25: Gaerwen (h – NWCWPD) 15-1
Apr 2: Llanberis (a – NWCWPD) 1-0
Apr 5: Menai Bridge Tigers (a – NWCWPD) 6-0
Apr 19: CPD Mynydd Llandegai (h – NWCWPD) 8-1
Apr 23: CPD Nefyn United (h – NWCWPD) 8-2
Apr 29: Glantraeth (a – NWCWPD) 0-1
May 2: Pentraeth (a – NWCWPD) 8-1
May 7: Bodedern Athletic (h – NWCWPD) 3-1
May 13: Pwllheli (h – Premier Cup) 9-0
May 21: Nefyn United (h – Premier Cup) 5-1
May 24: Pwllheli (a – NWCFA Intermediate Cup) 6-4
May 26: Bodedern (a – NWCFA West Premier Division Cup Final) 3-0
PLAYED 17 WON 16 LOST 1

2022-23
July 29: Llanberis (h – FAW Welsh Cup Q1) 9-2
Aug 9: Llanrwst United (a – Ardal North West) 3-1
Aug 13: Rhostyllen (a – ANW) 3-3
Aug 16: CPD Y Felinheli (h – ANW) 5-0
Aug 20: Llannerchymedd (a – Welsh Cup Q2) 8-1
Aug 27: Llay Welfare (h – ANW) 2-2
Sep 3: Glantraeth (h – FAW Amateur Trophy) 4-1
Sep 17: Bow Street (Welsh Cup R1) 5-6
Sep 24: Flint Mountain (h – ANW) 5-0
Oct 1: Llanystumdwy (a – FAW Amateur Trophy) 10-0
Oct 8: Saltney Town (a – ANW) 4-2
Oct 15: Brickfield Rangers (h – ANW) 6-0
Oct 22: CPD Y Rhyl 1879 (a – ANW) 2-1
Oct 29: Meliden (a – FAW Amateur Trophy) 5-0
Nov 5: Hawarden Rangers (h – League Cup) 4-1
Nov 12: Nantlle Vale (a – ANW) 4-3
Nov 19: Llay Welfare (h – FAW Amateur Trophy) 4-1
Dec 2: Denbigh Town (a – League Cup) 1-3
Dec 9: Llangefni Town (a – ANW) 7-2
Dec 31: Rhostyllen (h – ANW) 6-2
Jan 3: Llanrwst United (h – ANW) 2-0
Jan 28: Trethomas Bluebirds (h – FAW Amateur Trophy) 1-2
Feb 3: Llandudno Albion (h – ANW) 4-2
Feb 11: Llay Welfare (a – ANW) 3-1
Feb 17: Llangefni Town (h – ANW) 1-2
Feb 24: Denbigh Town (a – ANW) 0-1
Mar 4: Brickfield Rangers (a – ANW) 3-0
Mar 11: Denbigh Town (h – ANW) 0-2
Mar 18: Hawarden Rangers (a – ANW) 2-0
Mar 25: Saltney Town (h – ANW) 5-4
Mar 31: Flint Mountain (a – ANW) 3-2
Apr 8: CPD Y Rhyl 1879 (h – ANW) 2-1
Apr 11: CPD Y Felinheli (a – ANW) 2-0
Apr 15: Llandudno Albion (a – ANW) 2-0
Apr 28: Nantlle Vale (h – ANW) 3-1
May 6: Hawarden Rangers (h – ANW) 3-2
May 27: Cefn Albion (Ardal Northern Play-Off Final) 4-2
PLAYED 37 WON 29 DRAWN 2 LOST 6

2023-24
Jul 22: Holywell Town (a – Nathaniel MG Cup) 3-2
Jull 29: Llanidloes Town (h – Cymru North) 6-0
Aug 5: Gresford Athletic (h – NMG) 0-3
Aug 8: Llandudno (a – CN) 4-2
Aug 12: Denbigh Town (h – CN) 2-1
Aug 19: Mold Alexandra (a – CN) 1-3
Aug 28: Prestatyn Town (h – CN) 1-4
Sep 2: Guilsfield (h – Welsh Blood Service League Cup) 1-2
Sep 8: Ruthin Town (a – CN) 0-4
Sep 15: Holyhead Hotspur (a – Welsh Cup) 4-0
Sep 23: Caersws (a – CN) 3-2
Sep 29: Gresford Athletic (h – CN) 1-3
Oct 6: Holywell Town (h – CN) 1-4
Oct 14: Cefn Albion (h – WC) 7-1
Oct 28: Airbus UK Broiughton (h – CN) 1-2
Nov 11: Flint Town United (h – WC) 1-1 (lost on pens)
Nov 17: Buckley Town (h – CN) 3-0
Dec 2: Buckley Town (a – CN) 3-2
Dec 16: Guilsfield (h – CN) 2-1
Dec 20: Flint Town United (h – CN) 1-4
Dec 26: Porthmadog (a – CN) 4-0
Jan 1: Porthmadog (h – CN) 4-1
Jan 5: Airbus UK Broughton (a – CN) 0-4
Jan 13: Chirk AAA (h – CN) 3-2
Jan 20: Holywell Town (a – CN) 1-2
Jan 27: Chirk AAA (a – CN) 1-0
Feb 2: Gresford Athletic (a – CN) 3-1
Feb 10: Caersws (h – CN) 2-0
Feb 24: Flint Town United (a – CN) 2-4
Msr 3: Ruthin Town (h – CN) 0-0
Mar 8: Prestatyn Town (a – CN) 4-3
Mar 15: Mold Alexandra (h – CN) 1-0
Apr 1: Llandudno (h – CN) 0-3
Apr 6: Guilsfield (a – CN) 2-1
Apr 20: Llanidloes Town (a – CN) 4-0
Apr 23: Denbigh Town (a – CN) 2-2
PLAYED:36 WON 20 DRAWN 2 LOST 14

2024-25
Jul 19: Ruthin Town (a – NMG) 1-2
Jul 26: Colwyn Bay (a – CN) 4-0
Aug 6: Mold Alexandras (h – CN) 3-0
Aug 9: Prestatyn Town (a – CN) 1-4
Aug 17: Guilsfield (h – CN) 1-4
Aug 23: Llandudno (a – CN) 2-0
Aug 26: Llay Welfare (h – CN) 3-0
Aug 31: Caersws (a – WBS) 1-1 (won pens)
Sep 7: Holywell Town (a – CN) 1-2
Srp 13: Flint Mountain (h – CN) 4-1 – Johnno’s 100th game in charge
Sep 28: Gresford Athletic (h – CN) 1-0
Oct 5: Penrhyncoch (a – CN) 2-3
Oct 11: Denbigh Town (h – CN) 3-4
Oct 19: Llay Welfare (h – WC) 2-1
Oct 26: Caersws (a – CN) 0-0
Nov 1: Airbus UK Broughton (a – CN) 1-4
Nov 8: Ruthin Town (h – CN) 3-0
Nov 16: Caersws (a – WC) 1-2
Nov 22: Holywell Town (h – CN) 2-2
Nov 30: Buckley Town (a – CN) 1-2

Up to November 30, 2024

PLAYED 20 WON 9 DRAWN 2 LOST 9