Bangor City: Former Caernarfon Town and Cefn Druids boss appointed

Bangor City have appointed experienced manager Huw Griffiths as their new first-team manager following a difficult spell of results and a 6-2 home defeat to Buckley Town.

Griffiths returns to management for the first time since March 2023 and takes charge of a Bangor side currently sitting fifth in the Cymru North table.

The Citizens are five points off top spot, although they have played a game more than the league leaders. They are also four points behind second place, which would secure a play-off position, having played two games more than the team currently occupying that spot.

The appointment comes after Declan McManus completed a two-match caretaker spell, which ended with Friday’s heavy defeat at home to Buckley.

Griffiths returns to management with Bangor City

Griffiths is no stranger to Bangor, having represented the club as a centre-half for three seasons.

During his playing career with the Citizens, he scored in a Welsh Cup final and later served as assistant manager to Peter Davenport at Farrar Road.

His return to the dugout also brings him back into management after more than three years away.

Griffiths’ previous managerial roles include spells with Welshpool Town, Cefn Druids and Bala Town. He has also worked as an assistant manager at Colwyn Bay, Southport and Chester City.

His most recent managerial position was at Caernarfon Town, making his appointment particularly notable given the fierce rivalry between the two north Wales clubs.

Bangor City face a crucial run of fixtures

Griffiths inherits a Bangor side still within touching distance of the promotion picture, but with little room for further dropped points if they are to close the gap on the teams above them.

The Citizens have four fixtures currently scheduled before the end of October, including two away trips and a Welsh Cup tie.

Their next league game will see them travel to Porthmadog on October 3, before another away fixture at Newtown seven days later.

They will then turn their attention to the Welsh Cup on October 16 or 17, with the opponents and venue still to be confirmed.

Bangor return to league action on October 24 when Ruthin Town visit.

Bangor City’s upcoming fixtures

• October 3: Porthmadog (A)
• October 10: Newtown (A)
• October 16/17: Welsh Cup fixture (TBC)
• October 24: Ruthin Town (H)

With four matches ahead, Griffiths will have an early opportunity to assess his squad and begin closing the gap to the sides above Bangor.

What Griffiths brings to Bangor City

Griffiths arrives with extensive experience of football in Wales and the wider north Wales football scene.

His previous work with Cefn Druids and Bala Town included experience of competing at the upper end of Welsh football, while his time at Caernarfon means he already has a detailed understanding of the regional and national game.

There is also a personal connection with Bangor that stretches back to his playing days.

That familiarity could prove useful as Griffiths begins work with a squad chasing a play-off place and looking to recover from a six-goal home setback.

Bangor’s current position in the current table is therefore somewhat misleading without considering the games played: they are fifth, but the teams immediately above them have played fewer matches, meaning the Citizens have points to make up while also having fewer games in hand.

The club said Griffiths’ appointment was made with a shared vision for the future.

A statement from Bangor City 1876 read: “Bangor City 1876 can announce the appointment of experienced manager Huw Griffiths as our new first team manager.”

The statement added: “Huw Griffiths arrives with a clear vision that aligns with those of the club’s, along with his ambition and determination to succeed – we’re delighted to have Huw on board.”

Griffiths’ first task will be to steady the side after the defeat to Buckley and turn Bangor’s position in the table into a sustained challenge for promotion.