Bangor football documentary launch date announced!

A new S4C documentary follows the remarkable community-led revival of Bangor’s historic football club, shaped by its fans and volunteers, with contributions from the club’s most recent ambassador, global entrepreneurship influencer Simon Squibb.

Ni ‘Di Bangor Aye! (We Are Bangor Aye!) will be available on S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and S4C Chwaraeon’s YouTube channel from Friday 30 January. English subtitles are available.

Bangor’s footballing history is a turbulent one. Bangor City Football Club was founded in 1876, making it one of Wales’ oldest football clubs. Over the decades the team won the Welsh Cup eight times, the Welsh Premier League three times as well as taking part in European competitions.

In 2021, the club was suspended from football activities due to serious financial issues. Concerns about the club’s long-term future had already prompted supporters to act and in 2019, the Bangor City Supporters Association established a new fan-owned club, CPD Dinas Bangor City 1876 F.C, to protect football in the city.

Although the club was relegated to the FAW’s third tier at the end of last season, volunteers and members of the local business community continued to invest in and improve the stadium, resources and overall management structure.

The club even has it’s own ambassador ahead of the new season – entrepreneur and influencer Simon Squibb. Simon started his first business while homeless at the age of 15 and is the founder of HelpBnk.com, a free community-driven platform where entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts support each other. Today he has 20 million followers across Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

In the programme, Simon says: “When I was there at your stadium, I just felt something.

“I’ve invested in a lot of businesses, and I can always tell when the company is going to do well by the energy of the team. You guys have something special.”

The club begins the new season with a new heritage-inspired kit and several key signings. Among them, Dion Donohue whose past clubs include Everton Academy, Chesterfield, Portsmouth, Swindon Town and Caernarfon.

Also returning to Bangor is Jamie Reed who famously scored the goal for Ruthin that sealed Bangor’s relegation to Tier 3.

And since the start of this season, things appear to be moving in a positive direction for the club. At the time of publishing, the Citzens were unbeaten this campaign in 30 league and cup matches, topping the Ardal North West League and reaching the quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup and FAW Amateur Trophy.

Dion Donohue said: “It’s probably the first time in three years I’ve actually enjoyed football”.

The documentary features supporters, a former coach, staff and players – all united by a shared goal: to take Bangor back to the top tier of Welsh football, the Cymru Premier.

Ni ‘Di Bangor Aye! is produced by TheGAS.uk for S4C.