DEPARTING Bangor City manager Kevin Nicholson can count himself extremely unfortunate not to make the shortlist for JD Welsh Premier League Manager of the Year.

The talented young boss enjoyed a phenomenal first season in charge at the VSM Stadium, guiding the Citizens to a second placed finish and European qualification with only all-conquering full-timers The New Saints of Oswestry Town ahead of them.

While things beyond his control meant he had little alternative but to walk away from the project for the sake of his career, his achievements should not go unnoticed and it is a real shame that the powers that be did not see fit to make the final shortlist of three given the season they had.

Maybe failing to obtain the FAW Domestic Licence that is extremely detrimental to the league itself played or factor in the decision is up for debate, but officials should have put that to one side and focus more on the fantastic style of play City brought to the league under Nicholson.

While few would argue that Huw Griffiths of Cefn Druids and TNS’ Scott Ruscoe are thoroughly deserving of a place on the shortlist, Nicholson can rightfully feel aggrieved at the selection of Connah’s Quay manager Andy Morrison ahead of the runners-up.

Nicholson guided City from fourth spot to second in the space of a season, while also achieving a win percentage of 70 during Phase Two of the WPL season.

They also took more points than The Nomads during the second half of the campaign, finished in a higher position overall and achieved more victories during that time.

This also included the most wins over the champions, and the Citizens managed to beat Morrison’s men three times out of four to achieve their high finish.

Their style of play drew widespread plaudits and is a stark contrast from the physical, long-ball style displayed by the Nomads, and this should also have been taken into considerable mention on top of everything else mentioned previously.

Nicholson is sure to have a very bright future within the game as he explores his next exciting opportunity, and individual recognition would have been secondary to him in favour of his side exceeding all their goals as they have done, but there is a very strong case for him to have made this shortlisting and there can be no doubt about that regard.

Morrison did win the JD Welsh Cup and beat City to reach the final, but that is just a five-game route to the trophy whereas the WPL season is held over 32 games and is a truer reflection of a respective manager’s performance.

Football is a game of opinions and it is what makes the sport great, but in this reporter’s humble opinion the WPL panel got this decision wrong and Nicholson can look back in his one full season at the VSM Stadium with a great sense of achievement.