Buckley right back Luke Douglas is looking forward to the trip to Bangor on Saturday, as he comes up against his former manager Craig Harrison in their first game in the Huws Gray Alliance.
Buckley won promotion last season from the Welsh National League Premier Division, with a final day draw over Brickfield Rangers, and face possibly their toughest test in the season opener against ex Welsh Premier League side Bangor City.
Bangor were relegated after licensing issues last season, however it did not stop the side from appointing serial winner Harrison and signing a vast number of experienced top flight players ahead of the new season.
Douglas himself played under Bangor City manager Craig Harrison during the pair’s stint at TNS, and he played in the 9-1 win over the Citizens in April 2015. But, the prospect of starting their campaign against the experienced side excites him.
“Really excited, been there a few times with TNS making my debut for the first team in the 9-1 thriller! Always a pleasure to place on such an immaculate surface and not too bad of fans!”
Buckley’s last game promotion clincher over Brickfield Rangers secured a return to the second tier of Welsh domestic football.
The final day win over Brickfield ensured a successful season on the field for Douglas and his team-mates, who scored in the last minute to earn the promotion. But, the focus is on the season ahead now, and it is away games at clubs like Bangor that Buckley’s squad have been looking forward to since earning promotion last term.
“Absolutely, it’s a great set of lads and to get promoted from the WNL was a great achievement, especially to clinch the title in the last minute. Trips to the likes of Bangor was exactly what we were aiming for!”
After last season’s achievements, Buckley are on a high heading into the new season. But, despite the last minute-winner, Buckley aren’t just going to enjoy the season ahead in the Huws Gray Alliance. The club certainly have their sights set on ensuring they are a Huws Gray Alliance side for the 2019/20 season.
But, they are in confident mood and feel united ahead of the new campaign.
“I suppose you can’t say were just in the league to make the numbers up. The confidence is higher throughout the players and staff. Buckley as a football club has invested a lot of time into the club and the community and it’s nice to bring that to a higher tier of welsh football!”
“It’s hard to set personal targets because we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the other lads on the pitch. We will go out to win every game and gain as many points as possible.”
However, Douglas is excited by the prospect of getting things underway. The defender spent one season out of the second tier, but has returned with Buckley ahead of this coming season.
Douglas aims to add some experience to the squad with his experiences, but he is raring to go as Buckley prepare for the big test this weekend.
“Yeah it’s really good to be back and I cannot wait to get started again on Saturday. Hopefully I can bring a little experience to the squad as we have a lot of young lads and inexperience at this level.
Although me and the gaffer did have a spell at Conwy, which we knew far too well how hard the Cymru alliance was. All the lads are buzzing and it’s great to see the town of Buckley behind us going into a huge season for the club!”
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