| Bangor
City |
||||||||
| Welsh Cup Finals 1889 onwards |
||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
||||
|
Bangor 2
|
1
Northwich Vics |
|||
|
Edward P
Whitley
Hughes
Richard Owen Roberts |
Robert Leather |
|||
Bangor reached this final thanks to a semi final win against Wrexham at Faulkner Street in Chester in which all three Bangor goals had been scored by Welsh Internationals, David M Lewis, Pat Leary and Billy Lewis. But having reached the final could City win the Welsh Cup for the first time? Amongst the four thousand present were a thousand Northwich supporters who arrived by a special train at 3pm, and hour before kick off. Such was the crush of supporters entering The Racecourse that the ticket collectors were carried away by the crowd who surged in unabated!  Bangor
travelled to Wrexham on the 11am train which - at Chester
- picked up Billy Lewis and Ritchie Jones who had been on a football
tour with Crewe Alexandra.The "Salt Men" went close when Rowbotham crossed and Thomas Lever headed goalwards but Hewitt saved well for Bangor. There were no nets in this era and Northwich thought Leather had scored but after some debate a goalkick was awarded. Dave Lewis went close for Bangor but neither side could take the lead. Bangor captain Willman defending strongly. Northwich held a physical advantage which resulted in a number of their Bangor opponents nursing knocks. A goalless first half left few clues to the final outcome but fifteen minutes from time former Friars School pupil and Welsh International Percy Hughes put Bangor ahead with a curious effort which goalkeeper Fallows allowed to slip through his fingers into the net! A noisy commotion followed which took some time to subside. Within a minute though Robert Leather equalised for Northwich to the dismay of the Bangor faithful. With around five minutes left Billy Lewis threatened before left wing Richard Owen Roberts side footed City ahead once more and this sparked off a high spirited pitch invasion which had to be cleared by the police. City held firm despite Northwich pressure and the cup was won! And this despite being drawn away in every round. The Cup was presented to victorious captain Sebastian Willman by "father of Welsh football" Mr Llewellyn Kenrick of Ruabon before the main grandstand to the delight of the thousands of Bangor supporters who had made the journey to Wrexham. A dinner for the victorious Bangor side was organised by Chairman R B Watson. at The Albion Hotel in Bangor. But not before the homebound train stopped off at Rhyl where 300 or more Rhyl supporters and officials greeted the winners and acknowledged them with loud applause. That year Northwich beat Crewe 3-1 in the final of the Cheshire Senior Cup. |
||||
| Bangor
City: M Hewitt, Sebastian Willman, John S Jones, D C Davies, Edward P Whitley Hughes C, Pat LearyC, Richard Owen Jones, David Morrall Lewis C, Billy Lewis C, Richard Owen Roberts, Dave Jones |
||
| Northwich
Vics: Thomas Fallows, Joe Maddock, Joseph E Cross, Thomas Hankey, George H Whitlow, D Dalton, W E Rowbottom, Robert Leather, Thomas Lever, Alfred Pickering, W.Upton |
||
|
| Bangor
City |
Northwich
Victoria |
| Michael Hewitt Bangor born goalkeeper Michael lived in Beach Row and worked as a general labourer. (to be confirmed) |
Thomas Fallows |
| Sebastian Willman A Bangor born former Friars School pupil, a well respected local defender who could strike a ball cleanly and keep a cool head under pressure. Sebastian was Bangor captain. His father Joseph born, in Germany, ran a watch and clock maker business in High Street, Bangor. |
Joe Maddock |
| John S Jones |
Joseph E Cross |
| D C Davies |
Thomas Hankey |
| E P Whitley "Percy" Hughes Dwygyfylchi born Percy Hughes was a former Friars school pupil who captained the Bangor side which won the Welsh Cup in 1889. A pacey half back Percy was capped three times by Wales but in 1890 moved to London to train as a solicitor. After leaving Bangor he played for London Welsh and East Grinstead, where he settled. All three Welsh Caps- all whilst with Bangor - and oddly enough all away including twice against Ireland in Belfast. |
George Henry Whitlow |
| Pat Leary Bangor born halfback Patrick Leary was the son of an Irish fishmonger. He was a member of the Bangor side which won the Welsh Cup for the first time in 1889 and won his only Welsh cap five days later in Belfast. During the summer of 1889 he was transferred to Gainsborough Trinity but struggled to become a first team regular. |
Daniel (?) Dalton |
| Richard Owen Jones Winger Dick Jones was an outstanding member of the Bangor side which won The Welsh Cup in 1889 and was the older brother of John Owen Jones who - ahead of his brother - signed for Crewe. No sooner had Bangor won the Cup than Dick Jones (and team mate Billy Lewis) signed for Crewe and was given a job in the railway accountants office. He made 46 League appearances for Crewe. |
W E Rowbottom Had represented Cheshire in County football matches. |
| David Morrall Lewis David Lewis was the son of the Reverend Evan Lewis, Dean of Bangor, and attended Friars School. Records suggest he only played for Bangor and in October 1890 he moved to London and seemed to retire from football. |
George Robert Leather Born in Castle Northwich in 1867 and moved to Rotherham Town to play football for "Town" Played in the Town side which played against Liverpool in the Anfield side's first game. Died in 1935 in Rotherham. (to be confirmed) |
| Billy Lewis Centre forward or winger "Billy Cae Top" was a stonemason who became Bangor's first professional footballer. He began his career with Bangor Rovers before joining Bangor in 1882. Six years later he joined Everton and played in their first ever Football League match against Accrington in September 1888. He soon returned to Bangor though and was a member of the side which won the 1889 Welsh Cup before joining Crewe immediately after for a three year stint. He later went on to play for Chester and Manchester City. |
Thomas Lever |
| Richard Owen Roberts |
Alfred Pickering Moved on to Rotherham where he featured in the Rotherham Town side which played the first ever game involving Liverpool. Had represented Cheshire in County football matches. (to be confirmed) |
| Dave Jones |
W (Billly?) Upton |