Holywell Town’s hopes of a relegation reprieve look to have been dashed after Bangor City won an appeal against demotion.

The Citizens had faced a 42-point deduction after FAW officials initially ruled that the club had breached rules relating to fielding ineligible players and of failing to comply with financial obligations in the 2018/19 Cymru Alliance campaign.

Following an appeal lodged by the Gwynedd club last week, an FAW panel agreed to review its original decision and at today’s rehearing in Caersws it agreed to reduce the imposed points deduction to 21 points.

The revised punishment means Bangor will finish the season level with Holywell Town on 30 points but ahead of them on goal difference.

A statement published via City’s club website detailed the punitive measures taken against the club.

It read: “What this means for the club is that next year we will be competing in Tier Two of the Welsh football pyramid and we are delighted the panel has adjudicated fairly and independently.

“We are grateful to the witnesses who represented the club at the hearing and we look forward to the forthcoming season.”

Bangor have also been hit with a £700 fine, though the club will be able to claim back appeal costs of £439.20 from the FAW.

Holywell boss John Haseldin had hoped that the FAW’s initial decision would be upheld and believed the initial charges brought against Bangor to have been ‘watertight’.

Instead the Wellmen will now be preparing for Tier Three football next term, after Bangor avoided a second successive demotion.

Despite finishing third the previous season, City were ejected from the Welsh Premier League prior to the 2018/19 campaign after their failure to obtain a domestic licence

Club retains Tier Two status after independent panel rehearing

Bangor City Football Club has today been involved in the rehearing of the 42-point deduction.

This is for allegedly making use of ineligible players.

The club, represented by Christopher O'Neal, successfully persuaded the independent appeals panel of the facts and as such the panel has issued the following sanctions

Bangor City to be deducted 21 points from their Huws Gray Alliance campaign 2018/19

Bangor City to be fined £700

Bangor City to receive appeal costs of £439.20 back from Football Association of Wales

What this means for the club is that next year we will be competing in Tier Two of the Welsh football pyramid and we are delighted the panel has adjudicated fairly and independently.

We are grateful to the witnesses who represented the club at the hearing and we look forward to the forthcoming season.