We recently caught up with midfielder Luke Steele to discuss the season so far, as well as how he's combining playing with Bangor 1876 and studying at Bangor University. Here's what he had to say...

What's it like combining playing for Bangor 1876 with being a student at Bangor University?
Being a student at Bangor and also playing for 1876 is more or less perfect. Since I’m only two minutes away from Treborth I no longer have to car share with Chris bach from Pwllheli (first team coach Chris Jones) and listen to him moidering about Everton all the way up in the car!

Also, in being vice-captain of the Bangor Uni men’s football team I’m managing to do extra on top of my 1876 training and matches, which no doubt helps me to be even fitter and become more of an asset to the team. But obviously, being a student and playing for both 1876 and the uni team can become quite exhausting because my degree in geography is quite work heavy and then there’s the student nightlife itself! But it’s all about finding a balance and so far I’m managing to do that!

Your current team mates Harry Galeotti and Mark Hawkins have played for Bangor University in the annual varsity match against Aberystwyth. Is that something you hope to do this year?
Most Definitely! With Covid last year, me and the rest of the 2nd years in the University Football team missed out on being able to play in the varsity match against Aber. I’ve spoken to Harry and Mark a few times about it and they say it’s probably the best game they’ve both played in, and it was in front of a massive crowd! So hopefully providing there’s no changes to restrictions etc, we can have another varsity match against Aber, and obviously get the win!

What's it been like to get back to playing football in front of fans again this season with 1876?
It’s been brilliant! Playing matches behind closed doors or with limited fans was OK at the time because we just wanted to get back playing after being starved of football for so long. But nothing beats a packed out Treborth or bringing a lot of fans with us to away games! It’s not just because it looks great, but also because it gives you that extra 10% when it's late on in the game and it's tight and you hear the fans all shouting and encouraging us lads, it definitely helps a lot. So to see all the fans back has been brilliant!

Do you have any highlights of the season so far?
There’s been a few to be fair! One of which is probably the 8-2 win against Menai Bridge Tigers. I had a phone call from Dylan the night before telling me I was starting and that it would be a tough physical game as it’s a derby and a lot of banter had taken place on social media before the game, so we had a point to prove. So to come away with an 8-2 win and what I thought was a really good team performance was definitely a highlight. I probably have to add both goals so far this season as highlights as I don’t usually score many, but this season I’m hoping to definitely add more to my game!

What are you most looking forward to this season?
To win some silverware. Yes we won the league - and deservedly I thought - in our first season, but us not being able to finish the season will always allow people to talk about ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. Furthermore, with us being kicked out of the Welsh Cup due to the squad following Covid guidelines and having to isolate, and disappointingly going out of the FAW Trophy against Llanefydd, we’ll be doing everything we can as a squad to go for every other competition available to us. Then hopefully we can all get together - players & fans - and make up for not being able to have an end of season celebration after our first season!

Luke Steele is sponsored by Glynne Roberts