Eleanor Roosevelt once said “..The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams…”. Never has this been truer in the short life of Bangor 1876 Football Club than now.

Entering the Welsh Pyramid in the fifth tier at the beginning of the 2019-20 season, the Club has enjoyed a stellar start, sitting proud at the top of the Gwynedd League, boasting a 100 percent record and having scored an amazing 87 goals with only 7 against. This exciting brand of football has attracted a level of support at both home and away matches which is the envy of most teams in the Welsh pyramid.

The supporter-owned club is not resting on its laurels and, as we enter the new decade, the Board has appointed Iwan Williams as Director of Football in a move designed to implement a five year plan which will act as a blueprint for developing community-based competitive football in the Bangor area and working with other organisations to enhance the quality of life and well-being in the community through football related activities.

Iwan initially joined 1876 as a player but, unfortunately suffered a serious injury which has meant that he has had to hang up his boots. He is no stranger to managerial and coaching roles and, having played for, and captained, a number of teams in the Welsh Premier League, he enjoyed a successful period at Caernarfon where he was Huws Gray Alliance Manager of the Year in 2016. Over the last couple of years he has been concentrating on his career as a coach and has now attained his UEFA Pro Licence as well as becoming a qualified Premier league Academy Scout.

Iwan commented on his appointment “ I am incredibly humbled and overwhelmed, not only to be asked to remain as part of this fantastic project, but to be given the role of Director of Football. Since I’ve been at this Club, although unlucky with injuries, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single second. I’ve met some fantastic people and have made lifelong friends”

He has already started preparing for his new role in which he will work alongside Mel Jones and Dylan Williams and their team of coaches, and presented his vision to the Club Board at their meeting on 8 January. He described his task as building a Junior Section that will list itself amongst the best in Wales, commenting “I presented a 5 year plan to the Board with the vision of how this task will be achieved and was overwhelmed by the reaction. My message to the young players around the Bangor area is that we will provide you with the best opportunities in the area and will look to develop children and young people on the pitch as well as off it, whilst also providing a pathway to our fantastic First Team. We have already recruited qualified coaches, with more coming in for discussions in the very near future, which is exciting. May I also add that along with developing a Junior Section aspiring to become an Accredited Academy, I will also be linking up with the Girls section and ensuring that we become a ‘Complete Club.’”

His involvement with the First Team will continue, and he went on to say “Mel and Dyl want me to stay involved and I’m thankful that they do as it’s a fantastic changing room with some young talent that, no doubt, can carry us to the Welsh Premier League one day.

Commenting on the appointment Dr. Glynne Roberts, the Club chair, stated "In setting up Bangor 1876 as a community club, we always had a vision for creating a wide base for participation, and for engaging with all parts of our local community. Iwan's appointment, and vision for the club over the next 5 years, will allow us not only to meet our original hopes, but to exceed them, as we aim to demonstrate that Bangor 1876 is for everyone."

Iwan will commence duties immediately and, with the Board, will be adding detail to the outline strategy which will be presented it to the next regular meeting of owner/members.