Er mwyn darllen fersiwn gwreiddiol Cymraeg o'r cyfweliad, cliciwch yma

A number of you will know Ifor Glyn Efans who has returned to live in the area and is a keen follower of Bangor 1876. Due to his experience with Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy, Dafydd Hughes asked Ifor what advice he has to offer as we seek to embed our club in the community.

At various times, you have been a referee and a familiar voice on the public address system in Farrar Road, before moving away to live in the Conwy Valley. Having returned to the area, you’re a keen supporter of 1876. What attracts you?

In one way, the answer to this is simple! The clue is in the second part of the question – “Having returned to the area…” I started following Bangor City Football Club at the end of the 60s in the last century when attending college in Bangor. “Physical Education” was part of the course for the first year in college at that time. This involved following an introductory course for Football Referees. Enjoying that element of the course, I moved on to complete the course and registered as a referee in north Wales.

I remember my first official game – at Treborth in the “Caernarvon and District League” where Hirael United were playing Nefyn United. That was 48 years EXACTLY to the afternoon Bangor 1876 were facing Nefyn United in the Gwynedd League last September. On a personal basis, the game on the 3G at the beginning of September brought back happy memories. From my point of view this is the game that re-kindled my interest in local football and, from that day on, I really enjoy supporting 1876 and chatting to so many friends who used to be regulars at Farrar Road long ago.

You’ve been an official with Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy during a period of success and growth. Are there lessons that we can learn as we strive to develop a club that aspires to succeed on the pitch as well as being at the centre of community activities?

I don’t think that there’s much to be learnt by Bangor 1876! Two factors were of major importance to Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy when I was assisting in the background there:

• When I started in my post in Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, Royal Mail was offering support amounting to £3,000 to any school that would offer a range of sports after school hours, on the condition that the school collaborated with local sports clubs of all types. We secured the full grant and then started running clubs between 3.45 and 5.30 each afternoon of the school week. For a couple years, we saw children playing football, golf, archery, indoor sports such as table tennis and, of course, rugby. Over the years the commitment by local clubs diminished apart from that by Nant Conwy – a relationship which endures until today. As things stand, boys (and girls) come into the game aged 11, play the game regularly, and are coached by the Rugby Club’s experienced coaches – establishing a rugby “academy”.

• As Friday evenings became busier with up to 250 children/young people training and receiving coaching on the Club’s premises, it was decided that there was a need to organise adults in support roles. We established a Board (unpaid) which meets every two months. More importantly we established 5 panels, meeting once a month. The Panels are; FACILITIES, PLAYING RUGBY, FUND RAISING, YOUTH (6-16 years old) a GIRLS/WOMEN. With 8 different members on each of the Panels and 8 directors, it resulted in 48 volunteers who contributed considerable time and effort to the Club

I understand that you have come across our Chairman and one of the coaching team, and also some of our supporters, when teaching in Bangor, have you any memories or secrets to share?

I’m afraid that the answer to this question will be very short – I would never disclose anything about any of my former pupils in Friars, Tryfan or Sir Hugh Owen other than to say how pleased I am to see them around the football grounds of Gwynedd these days. Thanks to them too for remembering me as that grumpy “Whiskers” who used to be in his element out kicking a football with the students during the lunch break but still come up to me with pleasant memories of their time in school in by-gone days.

Like everyone else, you miss live sport during this miserable period, how important is this website to help fill the gap?

I’m in full agreement that this is a very miserable period. One way of spending time, “under lock and key” as it were, which works for me is to look at websites relating to Sports Clubs and Societies. I get up early to see whether Jonathan Ervine, Johno, or Dafydd Hughes have a new quiz, spot the ball, or some interesting stories on the Bangor 1876 website. Then on to the Clwb Rygbi Nant Conwy website, before the FAW and WRU websites. Then on the phone to discuss new items which have appeared on this or that website. Before I turn around, the morning has flown! Thanks to everyone who contributes to the website and, indeed, everyone who comes to support Bangor 1876. Keep safe and hoping to see you all before very long!

Thanks to Ifor for his comments. Bangor 1876 is seeking to develop its capabilities in all directions and has adopted a similar board/panel structure to Nant Conwy as well as the development centre for young people. We are always seeking to strengthen our organisation and would love to hear from any member/owner who has a contribution to make - think about what you can bring to the Club and contact us at ysgsec@bangor1876.com