Oh I do like to be beside the Seaside

Once again I've reached the mid-way point of another campaign and it's my twelfth season at Bangor Fuels Arena as we look to retain the Premiership crown but of course it's going to be tough. I've 'splashed the cash' in an attempt to become a two time Premiership champion under my stewardship.

Champions League:


Bangor's first ever Champions League campaign under my reign didn't last long as Polish side Lech Poznan beat us in the second qualifying round over two legs. The Polish side won 3-1 at home and 3-1 at our 'home' ground Windsor Park as once again Bangor Fuels Arena still isn't suitable for European football.

County Antrim Shield:


Our run in the Co. Antrim Shield ended at the semi finals stage as Crusaders beat us by a single goal to nil at a neutural venue - in the previous two rounds we beat both Knockbreda and Larne at home before our semi exit.

League Cup:


And the chances of winning the League Cup this season failed at the semi final stages as well due to a penalty shoot-out defeat at home to Linfield who'll face Ballyclare in the final - our three previous rounds saw us beat Donegal Celtic, Banbridge Town and Dergview away from home.

League - Premiership:


We have had a tremendous first half of the 2026/27 league campaign as we've only suffered the one league defeat - crashing 4-0 at home to Glenavon - the club have dropped points in four other games as we drew against Linfield, Portadown x2 and Glenavon. The year ended with the club winning their last four league games.


And Bangor Football Club will head into twenty twenty seven in top spot and four points clear of second place Linfield as our title defence is looking good thus far but their is still a LONG way to go. We have won eighteen of our opening twenty three games and also have a +36 goal difference. It's been a fantastic start to the league title defence. Newly promoted Ballyclare Comrades are currently bottom but they can still survive.

Other News:


The last piece of news has seen me put pen to paper on a two year contract extension that will now see my current deal expire at the end of June in the year 2028. I only had six months remaining on my existing deal and once again it was a no-brainier in me accepting the deal. Once again it mentioned by Europa League qualifying round win over Jablonec which happened almost eighteen months previous.

Earlier in the season I turned down a job interview from League One side Preston North End.

Great story here and delighted to see the amazing progress made since you took over! I know how you feel with respect to the takeover and maybe being replaced by one of your backroom team as I had the exact same thing happen to me when I was in charge of Newcastle, and the new board wanted to replace me with John Carver! Thankfully I was allowed time to show them what I could do and I'm sure if it does happen to you, you'll show them just what an good team you've created and how important you are to that team! The offer of an interview at Preston NE is proof of that!

Cheers for the comment brabbn, appreciate it. The one they wanted to replace me with is no longer at the club as he went to manage a Welsh club, or so I believe. Getting an interview at Preston, imo, is a little bit stupid as they're a League One club and I currently have ZERO coaching badges as I haven't been bothered to get them yet - thought they'd want to get someone in with badges already, but I was flattered, just not interested in leaving Bangor.

One more season has come and went and once again it wasn't a terrible season at Bangor Fuels Arena as my twelfth season has been concluded as I looked to retain the Premiership title for the first time in this career and I was a little confident in doing just that, even though it was/is going to be difficult to do so.

Irish Cup:


The chances of winning this seasons Irish Cup were dashed in the semi finals as Glenavon beat us on penalties following a three all draw at a neutral venue which I was really disappointed with as we had scored our third goal late on, not late enough unfortunately - Moneyslane, Newry City and Glentoran were beaten in the previous three rounds and those were all away from home.

League - Premiership:


One win from five games wasn't the most ideal start I wanted to the second part of the league season and only scored the one goal in those games (taking out the 2-0 win away to Glentoran in-between) but we recovered well and went on a nine match unbeaten streak before losing to Linfield on the final day, their right back, who will be joining us in the summer, struck the winner late on and that 'upset' me.


And that's why it ended 'upsetting' me because that goal from the right back, who as I said will be joining us in the summer, cost me the league title as Linfield won the Premiership crown on goal difference - GOAL DIFFERENCE!! - the worst way to lose our grip on the league title but we'll need to get over that and try and get the title back next season.

With heartbreak in the league last season, I'd love to see us bounce back and attempt to win the league for the second time and this'll be my thirteenth season at Bangor Fuels Arena and I'm hoping it's not an 'unlucky' one. Last season we failed to win any silverware, which was very disappointing but not the end of the world - this season I'd love to win some silverware, the league NEEDS to be the priority.


We decided to raid champions Linfield as four players agreed pre-contracts from the Blues (five pre-contracts overall) and the majority of them should be important. Craig Clark, Keivin Williams and Shane Casey arrived on frees from Linfield while left winger Paul Ryan cost us £24k from Portadown.

Another full back Simon Tavernier joined from Linfield, costing us £34k and he'll be (hopefully) first choice for at least a decade - our last signing Paul Cunningham arrived on a free transfer, following his release from champions Linfield and he'll be back-up to Keivin Williams.

I decided to let six players depart the club this summer - full back Graham Wilson being the biggest departure as he joined Linfield for £200k and I felt that was too good to turn down - Marty Rooney, Michael Newberry, Luke Fisher and Conor Woods were released when their contracts expired and Jack Gault went to Islandmagee on loan.


We had a busy pre season friendly campaign as we played ten games, losing just the once and that was against Norwich City U21s. Seven clean sheets were kept in pre season which I was pleased with as we kept them against Groomsport, Queen of the South, Bangor Amateurs, Llandudno, Holywood, Ballywalter and Threave Rovers while we drew against Welsh side Bangor City.

I've reached the mid-way point of what's my thirteenth season at Bangor Fuels Arena and it's been another enjoyable campaign to date - last season we had a trophy-less season and it's been a while since I've went 2+ seasons without any silverware. We had a busy enough transfer window and I'm hoping the players gel quite quickly.

Europa League:


We once again exited the Europa League in the second qualifying round as Scottish side Partick Thistle beat us in both legs which disappointed me slightly as I thought we could've progressed, or put up for of a 'fight'. Siroki Brijeg were easily beaten in the first qualifying round, 9-3 on aggregate. One season we'll get further than the SQR.

County Antrim Shield:


Fellow Premiership side Crusaders ended our chances of winning the Co. Antrim Shield this season as the Crues won two goals to nil at Seaview and they deserved to win iirc - Championship One side Cliftonville were beaten two nil in the first round at Bangor Fuels Arena. This is a competition I've unfortunately only won once thus far in this career.

League Cup:


We've a superb chance of winning the League Cup this season as we'll face Armagh City in the final on January 18th at a neutral venue, which I believe will be Solitude. We haven't conceded a goal in the League Cup this season as we beat Warrenpoint 3-0, Ballyclare 1-0, Linfield 2-0 and Glenavon 1-0 all at home in the previous four rounds.

League - Premiership:


It's been another enjoyable campaign in the league even though we've dropped points in six games (one draw and five defeats) as we've lost to Linfield twice, Glenavon, Carrick and Crusaders. The calendar year ended with back-to-back victories against Ballinamallard United and Armagh City. Our best victory thus far this season saw us beat struggling Glentoran 6-1 at Bangor Fuels Arena.


Twenty two league games have been played this season and we'll be heading into the new year lying in third place but the league is very tight as we're just a point behind leaders Glenavon while we're only eleven points ahead of fifth placed Ballymena so we need to remain consistent. It's also tight at the bottom as only seven points seperate basement boys Glentoran and ninth placed Ballinamallard.

Other News:


And the final piece of news has seen me sign a two year contract extension which I wasted no time in accepting the deal as I still love managing this club, and I always will. I had nine months remaining on my current deal and it was a 'no-brainier' that I accepted the deal. It mentioned me being knocked out of the League Cup by Ballyclare in the past but no one cares.

Another season has been concluded as we look to win the Premiership crown for a second time in three seasons but as usual, it's going to be a tough 'un. Last season we failed to win any silverware, this season I'm determined to add at least one more trophy to the cabinet.

League Cup:


I'm delighted to announce that we've managed to win this seasons League Cup, beating Armagh City 2-1 in the final at a netutral venue which ended up being Solitude. In the previous four rounds we beat Warrenpoint, Ballyclare, Linfield and Glenavon all at home without conceding a goal.



Irish Cup:


Unfortunately we couldn't win the Irish Cup as Glenavon beat us on a penalties but truth be told, the Lurgan Blues deserved to win iirc. Our route to the final began with a three nil home win over Dergview, we needed a replay to see off Linfield, Knockbreda were beaten in the quarters and then we had to come from behind to beat C1 side Coleraine in the semis.

League - Premiership:


We maintained our solid form in the second part of the 2027/28 campaign as we failed to win six games (three wins and three draws), our best result of that lot saw us trounce Linfield 4-0 at Bangor Fuels Arena. The campaign ended with a disappointing three goals to two defeat against Linfield for the second season running.


And for the second season running, we've come up a little 'short' in our quest for a second Premiership crown, finishing five points behind champions Linfield for unfortunately (for us, at least) retained their trophy. It was more 'excellent' news for the Blues supporters as their bitter rivals, Glentoran, were relegated to Championship One for the second time in this career.

So unlucky to lose the league title on goal difference especially when it's a right back that scores it, and especially when that right back is joining you (reminds me of David Trezeguet scoring the winner for France against Italy in Euro 2000 just as he was about to move to play his football in Italy.)

I'm sure you'll collect another league title soon!

Well done on adding the cup matey, shame you couldn't do the double in cup competitions! Shame also to see two seasons without the league title after winning it a few years ago however that makes the story so much better!

Yeah I can't blame him brabbn, just frustrating when it was his first goal of the season, ha! I'd love another league title but sadly it may not happen for a while (I'll keep plugging away though) as the finances aren't great at present.

Cheers Dan, it'll be boring if I won the league back-to-back or three seasons in a row, but I'm just a little annoyed because I felt I should have won it two seasons ago when I lost it on goal difference.

One more season is about to begin and this will be my fourteenth season at the helm at Bangor and it's been an enjoyable, yet frustrating stint in recent seasons as I felt I should've retained my league title two seasons ago (losing it on goal difference) after winning it three seasons ago and then finishing five or so points behind Linfield last campaign. I've got the League Cup trophy to try and retain though.


No one has signed for the club this summer as I couldn't find anyone 'suitable' to strengthen the squad, unfortunately.

But two players did depart - central midfielder Dan Rooney and centre back Conor Anderson both left Bangor Fuels Arena when their contracts had expired and I wish them well trying to find a new club.


It was quite a successful pre season on the field as we lost just once in the eight arranged friendly fixtures but again we didn't play anyone 'big'. Our only defeat came at home to Scottish side Airdrie while we beat Holywood, West Brom U21s, Albert Foundry, Bangor Amateurs, Kilroot Rec, Bryansburn Rangers and Saintfield United - keeping four clean sheets.

We've reached the midway point of the campaign, my fourteenth in charge at Bangor Fuels Arena and once again last season we failed to win the league which was disappointing but once again we'll suck it up and move on and try and win it this season. We'll be looking to win some silverware this season as well - while we will try and retain the League Cup which we won last season.

Europa League:


Just like usually normal, our exit in the Europa League came in the second qualifying stage at the hands of Romanian side CFR Cluj who beat us quite convincingly 8-3 on aggregate (5-2 at 'home' in the second leg, 3-1 in Romania), we did beat Mika over two legs in the first qualifying round, picking up a shocking seven goals to one victory in Finland.

Country Antrim Shield


We've won the Co. Antrim Shield trophy for the second(?) time in my managerial career after beating Linfield (the only professional club in the Premiership) 2-1 in the final at a 'neutral' venue. In the previous rounds we seen off Dundela, Ballyclare Comrades and Carrick Rangers.



League Cup:


Despite winning the trophy last season, Bangor crashed out of the League Cup in the second round (our first hurdle) which frustrated me as we lost to Ballinamallard United thanks to a penalty, we played poorly and missed a penalty ourselves. Very disappointing.

League - Premiership:


Once again the football club have had quite a promising first part of the campaign, losing just the three times in the Premiership - versus Armagh City (home) and Linfield twice (once at home and once away) while we ended the calendar year with a disappointing two all draw at home to Ballinamallard, even though we came from two goals down to salvage a point.


And we'll be heading into the new year just four points behind the leaders, and defending champions Linfield and it's not impossible that we can't catch them as they're beatable, even though they've only lost once in the league so far this season. It's tight at the bottom as only seven points separate bottom club Dungannon and seventh placed Armagh.

Other News:


The final piece of news in this update is 'important' as I've once again agreed a two year contract extension that'll see me remain at Bangor Fuels Arena until the end of June in 2030. It mentioned my recent League Cup exit at the hands of Ballinamallard and even though they're in the Premiership, it was still embarrassingly frustrating.

So with the team sitting just four points behind the reigning and defending champions Linfield, I had my work cut out to try and get a second Premiership crown but it wasn't impossible either - if anything is going to (potentially) cost us then it's going to be the needless draws, something that needs to be addressed in the second part of the season, especially three of them being 0-0's.

Irish Cup:


Our run in this seasons Irish Cup has unfortunately ended at the quarter final stage following a two goals to nil defeat against Linfield - things didn't exactly start well in the cup as we needed a replay to get past fierce rivals Ards following a 3-3 draw at 'The Floodgates' but we won the replay 3-0 at home while Armagh were beaten 4-0 in the sixth round at Bangor Fuels Arena.

League - Premiership:


Two more 0-0's came in the second part of the season (five overall, not good enough) and those came on the road at Ballymena and Glenavon but we did end up going six games without conceding a goal which was excellent and the season ended with a well deserved 3-1 win at home to Glenavon.


But it wasn't enough and once again Bangor Football Club had to settle for yet another runners-up spot in the Premiership as we finished just a single point behind the champions who captured their third (I believe) consecutive Premiership crown while in return, it's the third consecutive season I've finished the season as runners-up. Frustrating. In fact, it's the sixth time in seven seasons I've been runners-up.

It's with great regret that this career could be no more as I'm beginning to lose interest, perhaps mainly because I'm a) always losing money and b) the failure to turn professional in those fourteen seasons I've played - I'm expecting Linfield, the only professional team in the Premiership, to go on and dominate while the rest of us, me included, will trial behind them as they'll perhaps dominate.

Even though I've enjoyed the save, I've actually struggled to get through the last few seasons and had to 'force' myself to complete them.

The save will remain with me in an attempt to rekindle the career but I don't think I will. Would love to do a 'media' style career like I used too but don't know if time constraints will allow me - although perhaps it'll be good to get a break from Football Manager every now and then as that's all I usually play as soon as I wake up and wait to start work, if I start at midday.

Thanks to everyone who had been reading, I'd like to get this rekindled but it probably won't be - I'm starting to think the career should've been ended 'one day' after we won the league title three/four seasons ago, go out on a high.

Congratulations on what you've done with Bangor on this seasons FM mate, you've done well and I'm sure after a short break you'll be back to this with your determination to make something of European football and turning that club professional!

You did great stuff with Bangor! Like Dan says I'm sure you'll be back to this at some point! And I hope you are!

It's a shame you've lost interest it's been great following the career up to now and you've done really well, maybe one day you'll continue but there's no point forcing it.