DEPARTING Bangor City manager Kevin Nicholson has released a further statement after deciding to leave the club.

The management duo announced that they have decided to leave the JD Welsh Premier League runners-up after a memorable campaign that ultimately ended in demotion to the second tier.

In the statement, Nicholson looked back on his time at the club with a great sense of pride, and paid tribute to everyone at the club for their contribution during his tenor.

He said: “I accepted the role to challenge myself and gain valuable experience as a manager/head coach in the senior game, having worked extensively as a coach at academy level for a number of years previously.

“This has been a rewarding year; winning the JD Welsh Premier League Manager of the Month award in November 2017 and being nominated again in February, were real honours, which I wouldn’t have had without the dedication and talent displayed by the staff and the players.

“Together, we improved in many areas to surpass the previous season’s points total, enjoying plenty of victories along the way; including the club’s biggest league win for five years.

“It was also pleasing to give debuts to several academy graduates; young players that will hopefully go on to succeed in the professional game.”

Assistant Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who is also leaving the club when his current contract expires, also spoke about his disappointment regarding the Citizens’ failure to secure the FAW and UEFA licences that saw them miss out on a European place and suffer relegation to the Huws Gray Alliance.

“After the hard work I put into leading this team for the last 18 months I would like to say a big thank you to all players, staff and fans at Bangor City for all your support and help to achieve all we during my time here,” he added.

“For it to end like this is tough to take as we were looking forward to taking the next step in moving to full-time football and challenging TNS even further next year after finishing second.

“Unfortunately that isn’t the case and I will now have to see what the future holds.”