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Page last updated at 09:13 GMT, Friday, 23 July 2010 10:13 UK

Bangor City joy after 'greatest European night'

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Bangor City secretary Gwynfor Jones says the 2-1 Europa League second-qualifying round win over FC Honka has left the Citizens on cloud nine.

"I've been watching the club for 36 years, I've seen the highs and lows, and that has to be the best, it beats the lot - exceptional," said Jones.

Bangor now travel to Madeira for the first leg against Portuguese first division side CS Maritimo on Thursday.

"We'll get roughly £80,000 more, but we have travelling expenses," said Jones.

"We don't know a lot about them, there was no point in tempting fate before getting the job done [against Honka], but [manager] Neville Powell will be trying to do his homework as he did for Honka.

"It's the first time in 25 years that Bangor has made progress in Europe so let's enjoy the moment, I'm sure that the players will do themelves proud next week."

Bangor went into the Honka match at 1-1 from the first leg in Finland, and at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on Thursday Sampo Koskinen put the visitors ahead after 21 minutes.

But with six minutes to go David Morley drew Bangor level before Chris Jones sent the Welsh Premier side through with a 90th-minute winner.

"It was amazing, unbelievable," Bangor manager Powell told BBC Sport Wales. "I said we were still in it at half time and we were the better side in the second half, we looked stronger and fitter.

It was a great night for Welsh football, The New Saints did it the other night, we did it this time

Bangor manager Neville Powell

"We were playing the top of the Finnish league there and we haven't had a competitive game [this season].

"They showed a bit of disrespect in Finland and thought that they were going to turn us over.

"It was a great night for Welsh football, The New Saints did it the other night, we did it this time.

"A lot of people deserve a lot of credit, none more so than the players.

"We're going to Portugal - it's a good pre-season warm-up game for us, we won't look any further, it's a good financial benefit to us."

Jones was keen to pay tribute to the part played in the victory by Powell.

"The facilities at Wrexham were second to none and 1,000 Bangor fans were worth an extra goal, they were superb," Jones told BBC Sport Wales.

"But it's all down to the players and to Mr Neville Powell, he's Mr Bangor City through and through.

"It's an unbelievable feeling being part of this club at the moment."

After next Thursday's clash in Madeira, Bangor's European fate will be decided in the second leg at Wrexham on Thursday, 5 August.



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see also
Bangor City 2-1 FC Honka (3-2)
22 Jul 10 |  Europe
FC Honka 1-1 Bangor City
15 Jul 10 |  Europe
Country profile: Portugal
22 Mar 12 |  Country profiles
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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