Patrick Olney (who played and scored in the match) supplied this rare footage to preserve it for posterity and we are proud to present it here on the 20mbPodcast channel.
On 27 January 1979 Bangor City played Liverpool at Farrar Road in a hastily arranged friendly, which has become one of the most memorable games in Bangor City’s history.
With much of the UK covered in snow, football fixtures nationwide were severely disrupted for most of January and early February 1979.
Liverpool had only played one game, against Southend United in the F.A. cup third round, since playing a League match at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. With most pitches unplayable Liverpool were anxious to play a game to maintain their match fitness.
As Bangor had remained relatively snow free, Bangor City offered to host the reigning European Cup holders at very short notice, thanks to the efforts of the club President Gwyn Pierce Owen.
Heavy snow fall in Bangor the night before the game nearly jeopardised the friendly, only for a last minute snow clearing operation on Bangor’s pitch saved one of the greatest days in the club’s history. Despite the misgivings of the then Liverpool manager Bob Paisley about the Farrar Road pitch, the visitors were persuaded that the match would go ahead!
Despite the pitch, Liverpool wasted little time in adapting to the conditions and registered 4 first half goals through Kenny Dalglish (2), Terry McDermott (pen), and David Fairclough. City’s solitary reply was scored by winger Pat Olney.
Thankfully Liverpool eased off the pressure in the 2nd half, or maybe they were simply too cold!
A notable player in Bangor City’s line-up that day was Ray Stubbs, better known today as a sports presenter for talkSPORT
Liverpool went on to win their 11th League title that season, while Bangor City finished 12th in the Northern Premier League.
The photo shows Bangor City’s Phil Lunn on the left and Liverpool’s Emlyn Hughes - both legends at their clubs, and the referee? a youthful Gwyn Pierce Owen.
Date: Saturday: 27 January 1979
Stadium: Farrar Road
Competition: Friendly
Attendance: 2,500
Bangor City: Kevin Charlton, Stuart Mason, Phil Lunn, Gwyn Peris Jones, Alan Walker, Ray Stubbs, Pat Olney, Brian Evans, Meilir Owen, Geoff Gay, Tony Morrin
Subs: Steve Hipwell, John Hughes, Dewi Atherton
Liverpool: Ray Clemence, Phil Neal, Emlyn Hughes, Alan Kennedy, Ray Kennedy, Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish, Jimmy Case, David Fairclough, Terry McDermott, Graeme Souness
Subs: David Johnson, Steve Heighway
FT: Bangor City 1-4 Liverpool
Goals
Liverpool: Kenny Dalglish 18′ Terry McDermott 31′ pen David Fairclough 35′ Kenny Dalglish 38′
Bangor City: Pat Olney