Oh I do like to be beside the Seaside

Another good season mate, another step towards the top and to only be three points off the top spot is superb work!

It's been another fantastic season at the club Dan and as much as I'd like to win the league title, I still feel we're someway off.

Another season has come and went and once again we exceeded expectations but I'm not surprised as the lads finished third in the Premiership, finishing just three points behind the eventual champions Linfield. Just like last season, our media predicted finish has been rose and we're now predicted to finish the campaign in sixth place (last season was seventh) and that's once again beatable.


Just one player arrived at the club this summer as right back Marty Rooney signed after agreeing a pre contract from champions Linfield, I'm not sure how much game time he'll end up getting but he becomes my third "Rooney" in the squad.

Three players ended up departing the club this summer - two on loan deals. Full back Thomas Lambe left Bangor Fuels Arena when his contract expired while shotstopper Jack Gault and midfielder Darragh Quinn joined Bryansburn Rangers and Knockbreda on season long loan deals.


It wasn't a bad pre season for the club as we lost three of our nine friendlies - losing away to Gretna 2008 and then (as perhaps expected) Swansea U21's and Scottish Premiership side Inverness Caledonian Thistle. We beat Ardoyne, Dalbeattie Star, Ballywalter, Bangor Amateurs, Dunfermline and Byransburn Rangers.

*Friendlies weren't in order due to our participation in the Europa League this season*

So I've began my eighth season at Bangor Football Club and I'm still thoroughly enjoying it as we continue to exceed media expectations and I'm seriously hoping this season will be no difference for the club. They're predicted to finish mid-table (sixth place) but once again I'll be looking to better that and I'm confident that's achievable.

Europa League:


It turned out to be another short run in the Europa League but once again that's understandable as Greek giants Olympiacos dumped us out of the competition in the second qualifying round, winning seven nil on aggregate (6-0 in Greece, 1-0 in NI) - in the first qualifying round we saw off League of Ireland side St. Patrick's Athletic on away goals.

County Antrim Shield:


Do you ever get the feeling you'll never win a cup competition? Yes, that's how I feel about the Co. Antrim Shield. For the second season running we have ended up being runners-up in the Shield, losing to Linfield in the final, this time on penalties following a one all draw. In the previous three rounds we seen off Brantwood, Knockbreda and Carrick Rangers before losing the 'show-piece' final.

League Cup:


I'm very disappointed with how the side performed in the League Cup as they crashed out at the first hurdle, losing to fellow Premiership side Ballymena away from home. Just remember folks, we won this competition last season so to crash out in the second round (our first hurdle) is very disappointing.

League - Premiership:


But in the league it's been another fantastic first period of the campaign as we're yet again exceeding expectations, which once again I'm delighted with but it's also important that's maintained. Nine clean sheets have also been kept which I'm pleased with but we're also yet to beat last seasons Champions, Linfield as of yet this season.


And we will head into the new year in third place, ten points behind leaders Glenavon but also sixteen points ahead of our predicted sixth place finish. In the opening twenty four games the side have won sixteen, drew three and lost five and have quite an excellent goal difference too.

Good start to the season.Hope in the next seasons you can achieve something in Europa League too.It's just bad luck that draw against Olympiacos.

It's going to be tough to achieve anything in Europe while we're semi-professional but we cannot afford to go professional...at the moment TheMazzeRunner. Yeah, it was horrible to draw Olympacos.

Another season has been done and dusted at Bangor Fuels Arena and once again we are on course to overachieve in the Premiership, much to my delight. For the second season running, we ended up being runners-up in the Co. Antrim Shield, losing to Linfield once again but I'd love to add some silverware this season - we've got just the league and Irish Cup remaining but that's still going to be tricky.

Irish Cup:


Runners-up! It was a nice run in this seasons Irish Cup but unfortunately we just couldn't get over the finishing line as Glenavon beat us in the final in front of the 'television cameras'. We beat Loughgall (via replay), Newry City, Crusaders (via replay) and Ballinamallard (after extra time) in the previous rounds before suffering a final defeat to the Lurgan Blues.

League - Premiership:


The second part of the league campaign was quite a successful one, bar the final three games in which we failed to win any of them but seven clean sheets in fourteen league games can't be sniffed at.


Another league campaign has been concluded and we ended the season as runners-up, which I'm absolutely delighted with even though we finished ten points behind eventual champions Glenavon, who finally sealed a league title after being favourites for the 'crown' the past few campaigns.

Other News:


Per the norm, I have signed a one year contract extension at Bangor Fuels Arena and once again it was a no-brainer as I've zero interest in leaving the club. The deal will now expire at the end of June in 2024 and the negotiations were handled by the clubs chairman, as usual. They mentioned me knocking out St. Pats as being 'famous' but no one really cares about that as it was on away goals iirc.

Great work keep it up, unlucky with coming runners up in everything though hate seasons like that.

Another progressive season mate! its the small steps that count!

To be fair gaz12321, I highly doubt we'll be champions for quite a while yet - we're too inconsistent/teams better than us.

Cheers Dan, I 100% agree. As much as I'd love to win the league title, I don't want us to 'rush it'.

It's that time of year again, yes, it's time for another league season to begin and this'll be my ninth in charge of Bangor and I still continue to enjoy every single minute. Last season we ended up being runners-up in the Premiership, which I was absolutely delighted with but I also still feel we're quite a way off winning a league title.


We've had a very busy transfer window as I brought in ten players in an attempt to get the Gibson Cup to Bangor Fuels Arena. Conor McKendry became my first signing - signing from 'unattached' while Daniel Henderson, Conor Woods, Frankie McIlroy, Kevin Foster, Stephen Devine, Alan Millar, Paul O'Rourke and Uel Lafferty all agreed to join on the first day of the transfer window after agreeing pre-contracts.

Steven Toland became our last signing, joining after being released by Ballymena United.

Four players would end up leaving the club this summer - goalkeeper Ryan McBride and right winger Jack Upritchard both left when their contracts had expired and weren't interested in renewing them while Michael Doran joined Albert Foundry and Gerard McMullan headed to Armagh City on-loan for the season.


It turned out to be unbeaten pre season preperations as we ended up playing eight matches, winning seven of them and keeping three clean sheets in the process and they came against Clydebank, Holywood and Bryansburn Rangers. We also beat Groomsport, Workington, Liverpool's Under 21's and Bangor City while we drew away to Welsh side Airbus UK.

*Friendlies weren't in order due to our participation in the Europa League this season*

very nice pre season.

Good pre-season.Good luck for the season !!

Busy window, hopefully doesn't upset the squad too much, you been able to ask to turn professional yet (if you haven't already)

Cheers Ipswich Knights

Cheers TheMazzeRunner, I'm expecting this to be another excellent campaign

Indeed it was Dan and bar a few players, I'm not one hundred percent sure on how many of them are going to be first choice, yeah I hope it doesn't upset the squad but they've had an entire pre season to gel. I've asked the board but they don't want to risk the financial future of the club, fair enough but I'll keep trying.

A busy but quite successful pre season has come and went and now it's time for another league season to kick off and this will be my ninth at Bangor Fuels Arena. Last season we ended up being runners-up, finishing ten points behind the champions Glenavon - I'm not sure what's going to happen this season but I'd like to launch another (potential) title challenge.

Europa League:


Our run in this seasons Europa League ended at the second qualifying stage, losing to Vardar which was frustrating as we missed out on a 'cash cow' in Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord. We beat Cypriot based club Apollon in the first qualifying stage (won 2-0 away, lost 1-0 at our 'home' venue) before our next stage exit.

County Antrim Shield:


"Always the bridesmade, never the bride". That's how I feel about us in the Co. Antrim Shield as for the third season running we have lost in the final, this time Cliftonville beat us by two goals to one and I feel this trophy will never be won. In the previous three rounds we seen off Ballyclare Comrades, Ballymena United and Crusaders (after extra time) before losing the final once again in front of the 'television' cameras.

League Cup:


We have had a much better run in this seasons League Cup as Bangor have reached the final for the second time in three seasons and we'll entertain defending league champions Glenavon in the third week of January. Wakehurst, Dundela, Banbridge and Crusaders were beaten in previous rounds.

League - Premiership:


Once again it's been an excellent start to the league season as we have suffered just six league defeats so far this season and to teams I 'expect' to beat us, bar Coleraine who beat us 2-0 but we were abject on the Ballycastle Road. The year ended with us keeping three clean sheets out of the last four games.


And we will head into the new year with the team lying in third place and just four points behind leaders Linfield as it's been another good season...to date. Bangor have won fourteen of their opening twenty three league fixtures, losing six times, drawing three and also have a positive goal difference which is excellent and needs to be maintained.

Other News:


Do not be alarmed folks, not only did I agree to sign a two year contract extension but I've also received a pay-rise in the process which I'm delighted with. I had seven months remaining so it's nice to see the board wasted no time in giving me a new deal. Of course they had to mention by Intermediate Cup defeat against Linfield Swifts, which again, no one cares about.

That's a sickener with the CA Shield. I won it two seasons running in FM14 but couldn't win anything else.

Three times runners up in the Co. Antrim Shield, least you've got medals to sale winners next year! some big defeats in the league though

It's absolutely awful so it is DNZY, I feel the CAS will never be won in this career. Three consecutive finals, three consecutive runners-up!

One of those trophies Dan I feel I'll never be able to win no matter how hard I can try but c'est le vie and you can't win them all, when we do win it, it will be sweet because of those three straight failures. I'm usually guaranteed some big defeats due to my 'style' but I refuse to change it.

One more season has been concluded as we looked to exceed expectations once more at Bangor Fuels Arena and qualify yet again for the Europa League. It hasn't been a terrible first part of the campaign although we did fail once again to win the Co. Antrim Shield, being runners-up for the third straight season but the club have a good chance of winning the League Cup as we'll 'entertaining' Glenavon in the final.

League Cup:


Scrap that! We have failed to win the League Cup for the second time in three seasons as Glenavon beat us in the 'show-piece' final by two goals to nil in a game that infruitated me as they had TEN MEN since the ninth minute - Chris Paul and Ciaran Kemp struck in the second half to give Lurgan Blues a deserved victory. Wakehurst, Dundela, Banbridge Town and Crusaders were beaten in the previous four rounds.

Irish Cup:


And we have failed in the Irish Cup as well, crashing out in the quarter final stage to Linfield who beat us deservedly three nil - Immaculata and Warrenpoint were beat in the two rounds previous.

League - Premiership:


Just three league defeats and two draws followed in the second part of the 2023/24 league season as our form was quite excellent - our three defeats came against Linfield, Glenavon and Crusaders while the draws came against Crusaders and Glenavon. The league campaign ended with three wins out of the last four games. For whatever reason, while in the Premiership, we always finish the season with three consecutive away games. Frustrating!


It's another runners-up spot for Bangor as we finished just four points behind the champions Crusaders in what turned out to be another excellent campaign for the club. In our thirty eight league fixtures, we won twenty four of them, drawing five and losing nine while we had a +33 goal difference. Stephen Devine was the main reason why we had such a remarkable campaign as we scored 40-odd goals, I'd be surprised if he's here next season.

So many runners up mate

Ouch, that must sting. Probably one more season should do it!

Tell me about it Ipswich Knights, so frustrating!

Indeed it does DNZY. You say "one more season", I'm not too sure how much longer it'll take.

It's time for another season at Bangor Football Club and this will end up being my TENTH at the helm and I still continue to enjoy it. I feel this season I'll want to add a trophy or two to the cabinet as it's been a few seasons since I won something - that being the League Cup when (I believe) we beat Ballinamallard United in the final.


I've brought in two players this transfer window as I found it hard to find 'talent' this time around - Jordan Stewart makes a return to Irish League football after spending time in England with Swindon, Crawley (loan), Barnet (loan), Birmingham and Carlisle following his departure from Glentoran while Willie Curran has joined from amateur side Distillery.

There was TWO major departures from Bangor Fuels Arena this summer as last seasons top goalscorer Stephen Devine went to English side Blackburn Rovers for half a million pounds - didn't want to sell him but the money was too good to turn down - Kevin Foster was also a 'big' departure as well, heading to Nottingham Forest for three hundred grand. Jack Gault was the third player to leave, heading to Donegal Celtic on loan.


It didn't turn to be a bad pre season on the field as seven friendlies were arranged by not just myself but my assistant manager as well, losing just the once to Scottish side St. Johnstone while we also drew away to Marine. Stranraer, Auchinleck, Kilroot, Tottenham U21s and Portmadog were beaten in the friendly games.

In what is my TENTH season at Bangor Fuels Arena, I have reached the mid way point of the campaign and I didn't really know what to expect this time around as I decided to let two star players - Stephen Devine and Kevin Foster depart the club in the summer due to receiving big money for them and I struggled to replace them due to them being 'irreplaceable'.

Europa League:


It turned out to be another second qualifying round exit but we didn't disgrace ourselves against Belgian 'giants' Genk as we crashed out 6-3 on aggregate. Welsh Premier League side TNS were beaten in the first qualifying round, they finished third in the WPL last season, hence the reason they were in the Europa League.

County Antrim Shield:


Although the competition isn't deemed 'important', I'm still disappointed with our performance in the Co. Antrim Shield as we crashed out at the quarter final stages, losing by a single goal to nil at Taylors Avenue against Carrick Rangers. Bitter rivals Ards were beaten one nil in the first round in a game we dominated but just couldn't score more.

League Cup:


Our League Cup run ended at the quarter finals stage as Linfield beat us two one after extra time at Bangor Fuels Arena but I'm surprised we even reached the QF stage as we weren't great in the competition. We beat Championship Two side Islandmagee in the second round but needed extra time to beat them while the side needed penalties to beat holders Glenavon before Linfield dumped us out.

League - Premiership:


It's been another solid but mixed first part to the campaign but I really didn't know what to expect after selling Stephen Devine and Kevin Foster but I've been pleased, especially ending the year with four consecutive wins and three clean sheets from the last four as well, need to take that into the new year. The side have suffered seven defeats so far - against Crusaders x2, Ballinamallard, Linfield x2, Portadown and Glentoran.


And we will head into 2025 with the club lying up in third place and ten points behind leaders Linfield but it's currently tight as we are only four points clear of fifth placed Portadown who are on 41 points and then it's a big gap down to sixth placed Glentoran who are on 29 points, we need to maintain our good form and qualify for Europe once again.

Other News:


Last but not least, I have put 'pen to paper' on a two year contract extension which will now see my deal conclude at the end of June in 2026, I didn't need to think twice about signing a new deal as I want to be a 'one club' man in management, which I'm sure is either rare or impossible but I'm determined. They had to mention my Shield defeat to Carrick earlier in the campaign, like anyone is bothered . . .

My tenth season at Bangor has been concluded and with a third place finished predicted in pre season, the pressure was on me to maintain the clubs excellent few seasons in the top flight of Northern Irish football - come the end of the year, I agreed a two year contract extension and I didn't even hesitate signing the deal - could I end the season with some more silverware or would it be a trophy-less season?

Irish Cup:


I'm absolutely chuffed to have secured the Irish Cup in my tenth season at the football club as we beat Portadown in the final on penalties in front of the 'television cameras'. Our run to the final started with a single goal win away to Queens University Belfast before winning 2-0 at home to Annagh, we then needed a replay to see off fellow Premiership side Dungannon Swifts and Carrick were beaten in the semis thanks to two Jordan Stewart penalties.



League - Premiership:


We had a tremendous second part of the 2024/25 campaign as we lost just the two games as unfortunately Ballinamallard United and Crusaders beat at Ferney Park and Seaview respectively while we drew at home to Crusaders but we won every other game - the season ended with back-to-back victories against Linfield and Glenavon at Bangor Fuels Arena and (perhaps more importantly) five wins from our last six games.


Oh I'm devastated so I am, once again we have ended the season in the runners-up spot as the league title challenge went down to the final day of the season and sadly we couldn't win the league as despite us beating Glenavon 2-0, Linfield beat Glentoran 3-2 at Windsor Park despite being two goals down. Devastated but we'll hopefully come back stronger next season.

So close to the league, gutted for you.

At least the Irish Cup is in the cabinet!

Well done on another season completed man and another trophy! Shame about the league but next season it'll be yours

It was heart-wrenching DNZY, so close but yet so far. Yeah I was delighted to have (finally) secured Irish Cup success though.

Cheers for the comment Dan, I don't know about winning the league this forthcoming season - last season could have been a fluke? We'll see what happens though.

Last season we came oh so close to securing Premiership success, unfortunately failing on the final day but it was always out of our hands and needed to win while Linfield lost, sadly the latter didn't lose but we will come back and continue the quest for top flight success this season - I've once again told the players to qualify for the Europa League to avoid putting needless pressure on the (potential) title challenge.


For the first time in this career, I've decided to spend money on players as both nineteen year old central midfielder Matthew Magill and twenty four year old centre back Graham Wilson cost me £3.3k and £5.75k from Ballinamallrd United and Glenavon respectively while our other two signings, Sean Sheridan and Ciaran Kemp both arrived on free transfers after agreeing pre contracts from both Crusaders and Glenavon.

Seven players ended up departing Bangor Fuels Arena this summer with six of them being released as the club said 'goodbye' to Mark Haughey, Caolan McLaughlin, Marcio Soares, Mark Baker, David Healy and Michael Hynes while I let Jack Gault go out on-loan for another season, joining Championship Two outfit Islandmagee.


And finally, it turned out to be a mixed pre season schedule as we failed to win half of our eight games - losing against Queen of the South at home while we lost away games at Championship One duo Knockbreda and Coleraine, the side drew at home to Brentford's U21 squad. We did manage to win four games though as Ardoyne, Bryansburn Rangers, Bangor Swifts and Stirling Albion were defeated.

Please note: Once again friendlies weren't in order due to European participation.

It's that time of year again, I have made it to the midway point of what has been my eleventh season at Bangor Fuels Arena and I still have the same 'enthusiasm' I had since day one in the job - last season we came within touching distance of winning the Premiership title, finishing a point behind the eventual champions Linfield - I don't know what to expect this season, apart from another potential title challenge.

Europa League:


It would be a third qualifying exit for ourselves in this seasons Europa League as Italian 'giants' Napoli destroyed us over two legs (4-0 at 'home', 7-0 in Italy) but that was to be expected I suppose. In the first qualifying round we beat Gibraltarian second tier side and amateurs Magpies before beating Jablonec in the second qualifying round before the Italians ended our hopes of a potential group stage slot.

County Antrim Shield:


We're no longer the brides-made in the Co. Antrim Shield because after constant failure (remember the three consecutive runners-up?) Bangor have finally won the Shield after edging Crusaders in a seven goal thriller after extra time - Larne, Glentoran and Ballymena were beaten in the previous three rounds, keeping clean sheets in those three games.



League Cup:


And we have a good chance of winning the League Cup as well this season as Dungannon await us in the final around the third week of January and it's a trophy I now expect us to go ahead and win. Championship One side Coleraine were beaten in the second round, Glentoran exited in round three, Ballyclare were easily disposed off in the quarters and we demolished Cliftonville in the semis, even though we only won 2-0.

League - Premiership:


Oh my, we've had a tremendous first half of the league campaign as the club have only tasted defeat twice - against the North Belfast duo of Cliftonville and Crusaders - the calendar year has ended with us on a current nine game unbeaten run (drew two and won seven) including an excellent 3-0 win at defending champions Linfield.


For the first time since being promoted to the Premiership (I believe), we will be heading into the new year top of the Premiership table and four points clear of the reigning and defending champions Linfield but it's still going to be tough to get over the line. Ballinamallard look doomed for relegation with fourteen games remaining as they're fifteen points adrift of third bottom Armagh.

Other News:


Yeah it's that time of year again, I have agreed to sign a two year contract extension at Bangor Fuels Arena and once again I had no intention not to put pen to paper on the new deal. I had seven months remaining on my current deal. It's mentioned my Europa League success against Jablonec and it should as we had to come from behind to win that two-legged tie.

One more season has been completed and it once again I expected us to exceed our expectations, one trophy has already been placed in the trophy cabinet as the Co. Antrim Shield was finally secured and it only took me eleven seasons to win it while we've a great chance of winning the League Cup as well, we also are flying high in the Premiership and still need to enter the Irish Cup as well.

League Cup:


Our second piece of silverware this season has been secured as the League Cup was won following a four goals to nil success against fellow Premiership side Dungannon Swifts. Just one goal was conceded in the competition (against Glentoran) while Coleraine, Glentoran, Ballyclare and Cliftonville were beaten in the previous rounds.



Irish Cup:


Despite not conceding a single goal in the Irish Cup this season, Bangor couldn't win the competition as Glenavon beat us on penalties after a scoreless draw - Donegal Celtic, Cliftonville, Ards and Crusaders were beaten in the previous four rounds before we came so close to retaining the competition.

League - Premiership:


The tremendous campaign continued in the second half of the 2025/26 season as we lost just two more games - against Glenavon (3-1) and Linfield (4-0) both at Bangor Fuels Arena. The league season ended with the club being unbeaten in the last six games, drawing the last two games on the road against Linfield and Portadown.


Champions!! It has been a fantastic season for everyone assosiated at Bangor Football Club as we were crowned Premiership champions against (perhaps) all the odds, finishing two points clear of runners-up Linfield. Ballinamallard and Cliftonville ended up being relegated to Championship One.



Other News:


A consortium, led by former football player Stefan Kuntz could be happening and I should be happy that a takeover could be happening, but I'm not. Why? Because if he takeover the club then he wants to replace me with former Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter who is currently on my backroom staff. An embargo has been placed on the team, I'm just glad I've got the majority of my business done on pre-contracts. Will I be manager next season though?

Well done, terrific season!

Hope you get to keep your job!

Predicted it! Well done chief

Congrats mate great season that, have to admire your persistence as well

Cheers DNZY, I'm so pleased the league was wrapped up once and for all.

It didn't matter in the end Sam as the takeover ended up collapsing, can't believe the guy even considered replacing me.

Cheers Dan, thought we were going to mess it up for a second straight campaign - glad we didn't though.

Having persistence is what makes a good career gaz12321, many a time I would only spend a few seasons at one club before giving up but this is perhaps the longest I've ever spent at one club.

One more season is about to begin and the first notable thing that happened was that our potential takeover collapsed throughout pre season but I'm not overly disappointed as I was (possibly) going to be replaced by former Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter which I found 'disrespectful' for all the work I have done but that's in the past now . . . for now. This is the first time I'm heading into a league season as champions and it's going to be tough to retain.


I'm delighted to announce that six new players have arrived this summer with five of them arriving on the opening day of the transfer window as I "splashed the cash" but I'm not one hundred percent sure on how many of them are going to be first choice. Chris Lawless was our only free transfer after he agreed a pre-contract from Linfield.

Four more players arrived on July 1st - Darren Moore cost us £13.5k from Glenavon and he's one of the players who'll definitely be first choice, £3.5k was spent to get us shot stopper Matty McCarthy from Crusaders, John Bradley arrived from Cliftonville with the seventeen year old costing us £1.5k while Gerard Clarke arrived from Glenavon for £2.6k.

Sean Chambers was our final signing, giving Newry City £7.5k for his services.

Seven players were released this summer when their contracts had expired - Eoghan McCawl, Josh Stanchini, Chris Gallagher, Gerard McMullan, Matthew Buchanan, Paddy Rody and James Knowles all being released. Goalkeeper Jack Gault joined Islandmagee on loan while another keeper, Conor Mitchell headed to newly promoted Ballyclare for ten grand.


Seven pre season friendlies ended up being played this summer and it was once again successful, losing twice to St. Johnstone and Blackburn Rovers as expected while we beat Bryansburn Rangers, 1st Bangor, Bangor City, Linlithgow Rose and Bangor Y.M. - keeping four clean sheets in the progress.