BANGOR City’s ongoing despite with the Football Association of Wales has descended into farce and further affected the reputation of both parties.

The governing body suspending the Citizens’ fixtures until their arbitration hearing on August 16 has not only damaged the JD Cymru North’s opening weekend, but two other clubs will also be prevented from taking the field until a formal outcome has been resolved.

Holywell Town, who would receive a second-tier reprieve if the ruling relegates Stephen Vaughan Jr’s side, will now be without a league fixture and it is the latest hurdle for Johnny Haseldin and his management team during a difficult summer for the Wellmen that has affected their preparations considerably.

They deserve an enormous amount of credit for the way they have conducted themselves throughout this whole process, which has gone on exceptionally longer that it should have with competitive league action just days away.

Llandyrnog United will be relegated to Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division Two if Bangor are demoted, and for them to find out of the suspension via social media and not through the official channels of the FAW is representative of how this whole situation has been handled by the sport’s governing body.

It would seem to be common decency to at least phone or email prior to the announcement, which would have given the club time to prepare their own statement and avoid the element of anger and surprise that has followed.

They were far from happy and who can blame them? Both parties have not exactly covered themselves in glory and whatever the outcome may be it would be prudent for the FAW to launch their own investigation into how the initial charges, appeal process and subsequent additional charge have been handled to ensure further problems do not resurface going forward.

The original 42-point deduction was such a big commitment from the FAW and one it seems they are determined to see through to the end despite a fierce challenge from Citizens’ officials, who feel they have a good case to overturn the appeal ruling that would see the FAW look even more foolish.

This saga has also damaged the second tier rebrand and the return of Colwyn Bay, who are going to be a huge asset to the division and Welsh football in general but now find themselves playing a friendly rather than a Friday night game against City that would have brought in a significant crowd.

Truth be told, the majority of the City fan base are past the point of caring about what happens to the club under Vaughan Jr and VSM. Bangor 1876 has been formed and is going from strength-to-strength ahead of their inaugural season, and the crowds they have brought to Treborth are going to be a stark contrast to what will be seen at Nantporth during the upcoming campaign.

They are riding on the crest of a wave and have gathered community support, an experienced manager in Mel Jones, big name signings and a host of hot prospects that were formerly part of the Citizens’ Academy structure.

Vaughan Jr may have significant critics, but he knows the system and has made it as difficult as humanly possible for the FAW to get their charges over the line, but I would be surprised if the arbitration hearing did not eventually end up with them being demoted to the third tier.

Suspending Holywell and Llandyrnog’s fixtures is a strong indicator of this, and any points deduction regarding their alleged unregistered player turning out against Prestatyn Town sees their future now on a knife’s edge once again.

Whether they can appeal once again or not is unclear, but for the good of football in the North Wales area this needs to be brought to a halt at the earliest opportunity.

The FAW are in danger of undoing all the good work they have done for the grassroots game over the last decade, with plenty voicing their concerns on this matter and countless others.

It is another fine mess, and one that could have been sorted a lot sooner.