Bangor lad Harry Jones discusses his experience of local football and how he has kept busy during lockdown. Interview by Aled Hughes and Sean Williams.

Jones wasn’t involved from the very outset at 1876 having eyed up a year away from the pitch before a team-mate persuaded him otherwise.

“I didn’t do the pre-season build up with 1876, to be honest I was going to give football a miss for that season, it was my good luck that Shaun Lock who was already playing for the team put in a good word for me and I was invited to come training and it was a no brainer!”

It’s no surprise that Jones jumped at the opportunity to play for 1876 given the fact that he has found himself amongst many fans of the club in years gone by.

“I used to follow them home and away for years in between playing junior football, had some unreal days watching, especially Rhyl away!”

Jones names a certain Serbian defender as a footballing influence in his younger years.
“I looked up to Nemanja Vidić most supporting United and being a defender myself, he was a rock at the back.”

Jones is a player with experience across the local game having come through at a local junior setup.

“I’ve been playing football since I can remember to be honest, I started at Llangoed at the age of eight, stayed there until eighteen playing senior football.”

He then continued playing senior football at two other Ynys Mon clubs, and the second spell included a success that he has since repeated in his first season with 1876.

“I had a few years at Beaumaris which were memorable, then last year played for Menai Bridge winning the Gwynedd league and cup.”

A successful season with 1876 followed. Jones says his highlight came right at the end of the curtailed campaign.

“The last game we played at Llysfaen, the team really adapted well to the pitch and their physicality. Every player on the pitch was outstanding!”

In the over four months since that fixture Jones hasn’t been too busy and has had to look away from pitch for ways to keep active.

“It’s has been difficult past few months not just being away from football but day to day life, during lockdown the only thing I had to think about was what I was having for my dinner ! Recently I’ve started mountain biking which I’m getting into.”

He will once again look to be involved on the pitch when football does return.

“Next season I'm going to try and play and contribute as much as I can, because securing a place in the starting 11 will be very hard with the squad we have!”

He has an appreciative message for supporters.

“It’s has been amazing, especially being a fan myself. It's bee nothing like I’ve ever experienced before, thanks for all the support, you’ve all been class!”