ONE of the JD Welsh Premier League’s greatest ever rivalries will be renewed at the weekend, as Barry Town United head north to tackle three-time champions Bangor City in a 2.30pm kick-off.

With their history highlighted by battles with Napoli and Atletico Madrid, Bangor’s adventures in Denmark this summer signified their 14th European campaign since the WPL’s creation in 1992.

As founder members of the national league, Bangor became the first club to retain the title in 1994-95, scoring almost 100 goals to lift the trophy, in what was Barry’s inaugural top-flight season.

However, Bangor’s dominance of the domestic scene was curtailed by Paul and David Giles’ Barry team in 1995-96, intensifying an on-pitch rivalry that would endure through the turn of the decade.

In May 1997, over 1,000 spectators travelled to Aberystwyth to see Barry beat Bangor on penalties in a dramatic League Cup Final, after Darren Ryan had equalised in the second half of extra-time.

Then, at the start of the ensuing season, the inaugural FAW Invitation Cup kicked off with a 3-0 win for Barry over Bangor in front of the BBC cameras, with Eifion Williams netting his first for the club.

The following spring, Barry beat Bangor 5-0 at Jenner Park to secure their third championship, while the subsequent League Cup Final of 1998 saw the two clubs paired together once more; with the Town again prevailing on penalties, this time following a 1-1 draw at Farrar Road.

In April 2000, Barry’s grip on the Welsh Premier League silverware was ended at Connah’s Quay; the Nomads’ 2-0 win against the travelling Town handing TNS the spoils for the first time in their history.

However, the response from Richard Jones’ men was emphatic; and it was Bangor who felt the full force, beaten 6-0 in another League Cup Final showdown at Park Avenue, a mere 48 hours later.

Then, in May of 2002, came the most high-profile of all the Barry/Bangor encounters, as the clubs contested the 115th Welsh Cup Final; watched by special guest of honour, the great John Charles.

Attracting a crowd of over 2,000 for the final time to date, hopes were high amongst the large North Walian contingent that Bangor could bring the trophy home; the Citizens’ prospects boosted by the presence of prolific forward Marc-Lloyd Williams.

Instead, stunning strikes from forward Jon French and current Newport County manager Mike Flynn steered the Town into a 2-0 half-time lead, before former Manchester United and Wales man Clayton Blackmore delivered a fine free-kick for Huw Griffiths to head home after the break.

Later in the second half, Lloyd-Williams would both hit the post and have a penalty saved by Canadian goalkeeper Simon Rayner, as Jamie Moralee’s brace sealed Barry’s fourth Welsh Cup.

It was another famous day for Barry; but the tide of fortune would soon be beginning to turn...

In February 2003, another four-figure crowd at Farrar Road saw Barry held to a 1-1 draw; the only match in 16 outings that the eventual champions would fail to win.

Then, after the spectacular collapse of the subsequent summer, Barry found themselves unable to stand the pace with Bangor, who ran out 1-0 winners on their last visit to Jenner Park in November, before prevailing by two goals to one in the team’s final meeting at Farrar Road.

In Barry’s 13-year absence from the Welsh Premier League, Bangor have remained ever-presents.

After finishing third in 2004-05, the Citizens would win the coveted Welsh Cup on three successive occasions under manager Neville Powell, one of only a select handful of clubs to achieve this feat.

As Barry languished in the Welsh League and battled ownership issues, Bangor would finish in the top three for three straight years; peaking with their championship-winning season of 2010-11.

City would also experience landmark success in the Europa League; beating Finland’s FC Honka at home and drawing 1-1 in Scandinavia to win their first European tie of the Welsh Premier era.

In the midst of their sixth year at Nantporth’s Bangor University Stadium, the crop of 2017 counts former Blackpool play-off hero Gary Taylor-Fletcher among their number, as well as the likes of former Leeds United defender Paul Connolly and ex-Manchester United man Daniel Nardiello.

Now under the management of former Cardiff development boss Kevin Nicholson, Bangor began their 2017-18 campaign with a bang on the opening night; mauling champions The New Saints by five goals to two, in a match highlighted by a real wonder strike from record signing Brayden Shaw.

Beating both Prestatyn Town and Carmarthen Town by a single goal, Bangor come into Saturday’s fixture having scored two late goals to win a televised thriller at Aberystwyth Town last weekend.

Barry meanwhile will be spurred on by their own recent victory; with manager Gavin Chesterfield commenting after the Carmarthen win that his side will head to Nantporth with optimism.

"We go to Bangor... a difficult place to go, a good team in good form, but we're also a good team and we're also in good form.," he said.

"We look forward to the challenge that's ahead."

Admission to the Bangor City vs Barry Town United match on Saturday afternoon will be £9 (adults), £6 (seniors/students/juniors) and £2 (child under 12).

Supporters looking to travel from Barry by bus are encouraged to contact Mark Hollis via btuafcmembership@gmail.com