Former Bangor City 1876 manager Michael Johnston has been appointed first-team manager of ambitious Merseyside club Halewood Apollo.
Johnston resigned from his position at Bangor immediately after the club’s 2-1 comeback victory over previously unbeaten Cymru North leaders Brickfield Rangers on Friday, 28 August.
Last season, he led the Citizens to the Ardal North West championship and promotion back to the Cymru North following one season in the third tier. Bangor also lifted the FAW Amateur Trophy and Ardal Northern League Cup to complete a memorable treble.
Halewood Apollo described his appointment as a “massive” one and a statement of the club’s ambitions.
Announcing the news, the club said: “Michael spent 17 years at Bangor as both a player and manager, becoming a true legend of the club.
“During that time he won Welsh Cups and Welsh Premier League titles, as well as representing Bangor in both the Champions League and Europa League.
“For Apollo, this is a massive appointment and a real statement of where we want to take the club. To be able to convince someone with Michael’s experience, knowledge and track record to join us shows the direction the club is heading in.”
Johnston succeeds Halewood founder and chairman Joseph Stocks, who had also been serving as first-team manager.
Halewood Apollo are a relatively young but rapidly progressing club. Formed by Stocks and a group of friends in 2014, they began in Division Five of the Warrington and District League and achieved five promotions on their way through the local football pyramid.
They later joined the Liverpool County Premier League and finished fifth in its Premier Division last season. The club’s application to step up into the North West Counties Football League was subsequently accepted for the 2026/27 campaign.
Apollo now compete in the North West Counties League First Division North, at Step 6 of the National League System and the tenth tier of English football.
Johnston inherits a side enjoying an encouraging start to its first season at that level. Halewood are currently sixth in the table with 16 points from nine matches, eight points behind leaders Maghull. He made an immediate impact in his first game in charge, guiding Halewood to a 3-2 victory away at Ashton Athletic.
The club play their home matches at Volair Halewood on Baileys Lane in Halewood, near Liverpool.
Halewood added: “He’s already getting to know the squad and we’re looking forward to seeing him put his stamp on the group as we look to push ourselves further up the table.
“Welcome to the Mighty, Johnno.”
Bangor, meanwhile, continue their search for a new first-team manager. Since Johnston’s departure, the Citizens have suffered defeat away to Mold Alexandra and drawn 2-2 with arch-rivals Rhyl 1879 at Bangor City Stadium.
Photo: Halewood Apollo FC
