Football club board announces plan to step down

The current Bangor 1876 board has revealed plans to step down at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

The board will propose Bangor City Stadium take over full responsibility for the men’s team ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Last December, CPD Bangor 1876 and Bangor City Stadium announced a partnership aiming to protect the long-term future of football in the city. After a fan vote, it was later agreed the name of the club be changed to CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 FC.

The 2024-25 season ended in massive disappointment for 1876 as they were relegated from the tier 2 Cymru North to T3 Ardal North West on the final day of the campaign.

The rebuilding process begins this summer, and the intention of this latest proposal is to bring football in Bangor all under one umbrella.

This will mean the newly-named CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 FC, Bangor City Stadium, CPD Penrhosgarnedd and CPD Merched Bangor all aligning under a shared vision.

Today, the Bangor 1876 board announced its intentions in the following statement:

“The Fans Forum, scheduled for next Tuesday (17th June at 6.30pm in the Farrar Suite), will offer an opportunity to hear about recent developments at the Club and the ongoing work to build a team capable of winning the league this season.

“However, the main item on the agenda will be the decision by the Board of Bangor City 1876 to step down at the forthcoming AGM. The Board believes that the next logical step in the Club’s progression is to formally approach Bangor City Stadium with a proposal to take over full responsibility for the senior men’s team, ahead of the 2025/26 season.

“This decision reflects the agreement made during the original “Coming Together” of both parties, where the long-term vision included the transfer of the playing licence and all teams at the stadium playing within one agreed structure.

“While this change comes earlier than expected, the 1876 Board believes it is the right time – for the good of the Club and its’ supporters – and a natural next step given the recent progress made.

“The decision by the 1876 Board has not been taken lightly, but the current Board members feel that they have taken the club as far as they can. In 2019, the objective was to safeguard the future of senior men’s football in the city. Six years on, that objective has been achieved. Custodians are only custodians for a fixed period, and the current board recognises that they have reached the end of their period as custodians.

“The Board recognises the significant investment already being made in the stadium and wider Club infrastructure, and sees this move as a way to ensure continued momentum both on and off the pitch. It has become increasingly difficult for a fan-owned club to grow sustainably at this level – and this transition offers a stronger foundation for the future.

“Following preliminary discussions with Glynne and the Board, both Penrhos and CPDM Bangor (Merched Bangor) have expressed their support for the 1876 Board’s proposal – recognising the opportunity this move brings to unite all teams across the city under one shared vision.

“It brings renewed solidarity to football in Bangor – with a collective focus on growth, community and long-term success. The recent formation of the Development Team is a strong reflection of this united approach.

“As part of the proposal, the Board at Bangor City FC Ltd felt it right to commit to maintaining fan representation, with three board seats reserved for supporter-elected representatives. This ensures that fans will always have a voice in the Club’s growth, direction and identity.

“Initial discussions have taken place between 1876 Chair Glynne Roberts and the BCFC Ltd Chair, Nick Pritchard, with assurances provided that no debt will ever be raised against the Club or stadium.

“The shared vision is clear: to grow Bangor City 1876 FC into a club that supports grassroots football, develops opportunities for all, and gives the city something to be proud of for generations to come.

“This proposal is made with unity and ambition at its heart. More updates will be shared in due course, and there will be an opportunity for the fans/owners to discuss this at the fans’ forum on Tuesday evening before a formal decision at the AGM the following week.”