Another all-action week has taken place at Bangor, and, in the final iteration of ‘Seasider Summer Weekly’ before normal pre and post-match review service is resumed, there is much to document on and off the pitch. The senior men have merely one more friendly to contest, having filled in the penultimate and antepenultimate spots in their pre-season itinerary, before taking on the might of Ballyclare Comrades on the first game of the Playr-Fit Championship season.
Meanwhile, Bangor FC Ladies marked their return to action with two fixtures this week, resulting in a win in league play and a defeat in a cup context, plus a defensive stalwart has agreed to stay on while another heads for pastures new. Moreover, a second confirmed addition has been signed and sealed, while the fresh strip for this season has been unveiled too.
Men and women each record a victory apiece amid respective double-headers
There was plenty of action ongoing within both the men’s and women’s camps during the past seven days or so.
In a friendly double-header for Lee Feeney’s charges, Bangor firstly took on Rosario last Friday night before encountering the challenge of Brantwood the very next day.
With his mind set on driving the ball forward for Bangor, line-leader Jordan Hughes looks to skip by the challenge of his Rosario opponent during the friendly match between the sides last Friday. A Dylan O’Kane penalty helped a youthful Seasiders selection battle their way to a 1-1 draw at Clandeboye Park. Image from Sarah Harkness.
It was a youthful Seasiders contingent who faced up to the test Amateur League adversaries Rosario posed in the first round of action, when a Dylan O’Kane penalty was the contribution by the hosts to the scoreline in a line-up that comprised an array of youth players, including midfielder Ross Ferguson (16), winger Kristian Trainor (18) and line-leader Charley Craig (18).
A 1-1 draw was the end result against the south Belfast side, which preceded the Saturday’s proceedings versus fellow capital club Brantwood.
This was an away day on the yellow and blue agenda as recently as four and a half years ago, when both were former Irish League outfits battling spiritedly to reclaim their place in the top three tiers once again.
It was to be away day joy for Feeney and his team, who wrapped up a 3-1 triumph at Skegoneill Avenue courtesy of a brace by teenage hotshot Sonny Redford and an Adam Neale finish. The visitors’ goals – Neale’s was a last-gasp clincher – came each way of a Brantwood leveller, with Redford’s (17) burgeoning reputation continuing to take off.
The quotes section:
“I’ve been really impressed by Sonny Redford, who has only just turned 17. On Saturday, he scored twice, and really he could have had five or six to his name. His movement was so intelligent for someone so young. He is a big strong lad and can handle the physical side of the game. He’s very strong in the air and his link-up play has really come on over the last few weeks as well” – Lee Feeney was effusive in his praise of striker Sonny Redford when speaking to Neil Watson in this week’s Co Down Spectator.
Meanwhile, in Bangor’s final pre-season friendly this Saturday, it is the record Irish League champions Linfield who will come to visit with merely a week remaining until a new season starts.
With David Healy’s men in Europa Conference League action just now – though with a challenging three-goal deficit following a 5-2 defeat at home to the Polish Ekstraklasa institution Pogoń Szczecin to overcome – and battling hard to reclaim the Irish League crown Larne wrestled from the capital last campaign, there will be a sense of optimism and belief in the south Belfast air that the Blues, inspired by such new arrivals as Matthew Fitzpatrick, John Robertson and Jack Scott, can get it done.
In a non-competitive context, though, both Healy and his opposite number Feeney will have the chance to assess their respective squads before embarking on fresh league adventures.
The record Irish League champions’ campaign in review (league stats, 2022-23)
- Position – second-place
- Points – 77 (38 matches played)
- Goals scored – 75
- Goals conceded – 27
- Top scorer – Eetu Vertainen (17 goals)
- Top assister – Kirk Millar (11 assists)
- Clean sheets – 22 (all Chris Johns)
Kick-off at Clandeboye Park this Saturday, July 29, is at 2pm.
Meanwhile, Bangor FC Ladies were in action in midweek, making their return from the summer break and putting three more points in their season kitty for the term’s climax.
On a miserable night weather-wise, it was Head of Women’s Sport Michelle Crawford who helmed the ship in the absence of boss Ethan Boylan, and the ex-Linfield Women assistant boss left her one-game interim stint boasting a proud 100 per cent record.
“I can retire again as manager with three points and a clean sheet!”
Michelle Crawford was pleased to secure the victory when called upon to stand in for usual manager Ethan Boylan
Finishes either side of half-time by Toni Stewart and Amber Dempster did the trick for the Seasiders against Belfast Celtic, bolstering their bid to book third-place in the second-tier.
With just two matches remaining in the league schedule – they shall next face Foyle Belles at Clandeboye Park next Wednesday, August 2 (7:30pm) – that is, indeed, precisely the position they occupy, with a three-point cushion to Comber Rec in fourth.
Player spotlight:
Finding the net for the fourth time in all competitions this season, the dangerous Toni Stewart has regularly stood out for her pace and creativity down the wing. She made a difference once more having come under praise from first-team manager Ethan Boylan immediately prior to the summer break. Image from Sarah Harkness.
And on Friday, the Ladies embarked on the next stage of the Electric Ireland Women’s Challenge Cup.
The journey was to end at the last-16, however, as the NIWFA Championship pacesetters Lisburn Rangers recorded a 6-0 success. Three finishes either side of the interval booked the Stanley Park outfit’s place in the quarter-finals of the marquee women’s competition.
As such, the Seasiders’ best hopes of silverware now lie in the PwC Super Cup, where there is a semi-final tussle to look forward to in due course.
That league duel against the Brandywell troops is followed seven days later with a curtain-closing league encounter against St James’ Swifts. Kick-off at Sally Gardens in west Belfast for that tussle on August 9 is at 7:30pm.
Hume commits to Championship crusade while Boyle secures ‘Point switch
It came as a source of satisfaction this week when the re-committal of popular centre-back David Hume was confirmed.
Hume, who joined the Seasiders in the summer of 2020 following seven years in the Amateur League with Tullycarnet, has gone down as a hit with supporters due to the consistency of his displays in defence.
The 31-year-old from Ballygowan was a mainstay in Lee Feeney’s defensive line last term, making 40 appearances and accumulating 3,368 minutes under his belt – the most among active players across the senior playing squad.
The stats that matter (2022-23)
- Age: 31
- Joined Bangor: August 2020
- Previous clubs: Lisburn Distillery, Dundela, Tullycarnet
- Position: centre-back
- Appearances (2022/23): 40
- Goals (2022/23): Two (four overall)
- Assists (2022/23): one
- Minutes played (2022/23): 3,368 (37.4 full 90s)
Having also been named Man of the Match in one of the great days in the recent history of the club, putting in an authoritative Steel and Sons Cup Final performance where the third-tier representatives had the edge over Dunmurry Rec, Hume – who found the net against Armagh City and Limavady United last campaign – excelled as part of the back-three system and is respected by his peers across all quarters.
“I got two last season, I’m on two already now… it feels good to get in on the act.”
David Hume admitted following the 2-1 Irish Cup Fourth Round victory over Limavady United that he enjoys getting in on the goal act
The extension assures that the former Lisburn Distillery and Dundela man will be a toast of the yellow and blue faithful for the foreseeable future, and his starring contributions within Feeney’s defensive line can continue.
One of Hume’s defensive partners has, however, moved on to pastures new.
Centre-back John Boyle has departed Bangor to link with his home town club, Warrenpoint Town, after helping the Clandeboye clan to a famous double-winning season.
Boyle, who arrived from Newry City last summer, went on to make 40 appearances as a lieutenant in defence, registering a club-high 3,405 minutes across the season and also earning a place in the Premier Intermediate League Team of the Season for 2022-23.
That individual honour came amid the well-regarded ‘Boyler’, who rose to the status of ‘Point captain throughout eight years in his first stint at Milltown, securing a remarkable sixth promotion in the Irish League pyramid.
The defender (37) will link back up with Barry Gray in south Down this upcoming season, and the club wishes him the best of luck in his new ventures.
Promising line-leader Cushnie completes loan switch from Glentoran
Bangor have this week confirmed their second new arrival this summer.
21-year-old attacker Ben Cushnie has linked up on the seaside for the forthcoming season, arriving on a season-long loan from Premiership side Glentoran.
Cushnie, who can figure both as a striker and to the wing, is a player who arrives with top-flight pedigree under his belt. He spent last term on loan at Dungannon Swifts, registering four goals in his 29 features under the tutelage of Dean Shiels.
Player profile:
- Name: Ben Cushnie
- Age: 21
- Clubs (senior): Glentoran (2013-present), Ards (loan, 2019-20), Dungannon Swifts (loan, 2022-23)
- Appearances: 65 (23 Glentoran, 13 Ards, 29 Dungannon Swifts)
- Goals: 8 (2 Glentoran, 2 Ards, 4 Dungannon Swifts)
Having helped the Co Tyrone club avoid relegation – playing a direct role having taken to the pitch in both legs of their play-off success over Annagh United – the Glens Academy product returned to east Belfast with his spirits up, and now joins Lee Feeney’s panel for 2023-24.
It is the 2001-born Cushnie’s third loan move away from The BetMcLean Oval, also enjoying a temporary stint with Ards in the Covid-curtailed 2019-20 campaign, in which he bagged a couple of strikes in his 13 appearances in the Championship. Having scored against Bangor’s red-and-blue-shirted archrivals in addition to finishes against Annagh and Portadown, the highly-rated frontman can make an impression.
It was in May 2021 that Cushnie bagged his first strike for Glentoran, which came in a 2-0 triumph over Crusaders while still in his teens, and came in for praise from then-manager Mick McDermott after that match.
It was a memorable day in May 2021, a little over two years ago, when Ben Cushnie netted his first senior goal for Glentoran during a league match against Crusaders at The BetMcLean Oval. A young player who has been on the club’s books since 2013, he now makes his third loan move away from east Belfast by joining Bangor for the 2023-24 campaign. Image from Glentoran website.
“He went out on loan last season but has been training with the first team all year, but because of the talented squad we have, it was hard to get him in,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“But you saw his qualities, he has something special, he can beat players one on one, create something out of nothing, and to get a goal was brilliant for him.”
“You saw his qualities, he has something special, he can beat players one on one, create something out of nothing”
Then-Glentoran manager Mick McDermott was enthusiastic in his praise of young striker Ben Cushnie after he opened his goal account aged just 19
In total, since making his debut in the renowned green shirt back in October 2020, Cushnie has taken the turf on 23 occasions and scored twice – his other being an added-time clincher in a 4-0 rout of Ballymena United at The Oval exactly 12 months following his first-team bow.
Having gained over 60 features at the top level, the Hillsborough native will be keen to boost his count in Seasider yellow and feel the appreciation of supporters as he puts on a show.
Welcome to Bangor Ben!
Neale, Henderson and Orbinson feature as kit launch unveils minor tweaks
Also this week, the new kits for the upcoming campaign have been newly revealed.
Star striker Adam Neale modelled the home strip – the same design as last year, although with Eventsec as the updated front-of-shirt sponsor and new Playr-Fit Championship badge on the right sleeve – while returnee midfielder Jack Henderson was the feature of the fresh away design; one already put to use by Bangor FC Ladies.
Fresh attire:
With Eventsec the new front-of-shirt sponsor for Bangor, there is a sense of familiarity about this year’s design which Adam Neale modelled during the week. The blue-on-yellow blend of the sponsor came in for particular rave reviews among supporters on social media. Image from Bangor FC Social Media.
A black goalkeeper skip is also served up ahead of the upcoming second-tier crusade, with the Macron touch applied for the second of a four-year kit deal.
Sponsors Bailie Property, 442 Teamwear and G&H Film and Television Services are reprised on the revamped outfit.
And you can sponsor your favourite player by contacting sponsor@bangorfc.com, where you can register your interest on a first come, first served basis. What’s more, you can order the updated match wear via the following link: Bangor Fc Supporters Range Store Online – Teamwear Northern Ireland, UK and Ireland (442teamwear.com)
Bumper booklet available for release as path through the third-tier is charted
Keep an eye out, too, for a special package documenting the recent highs of the club’s history during this weekend’s friendly match against Linfield.
Titled ‘The Journey Back: 2023 Club Review’, this book covers the key events since Bangor secured promotion back to the Premier Intermediate League in 2019, and follows up the bumper ‘The First 100 Years’ publication released to celebrate their century of existence.
New publication:
‘The Journey Back: 2023 Club Review’ covers the key events since Bangor secured promotion back to the Premier Intermediate League in 2019, and follows up the bumper ‘The First 100 Years’ publication released to celebrate their century of existence. At a cost of just £5, copies will be on sale, and you can own your little piece of history after a title-winning crusade.
At a cost of just £5, copies will be on sale, and you can own your little piece of history after a title-winning crusade.
You can also pre-order your copy by emailing company.secretary@bangorfc.com.
Featured image from Sarah Harkness.
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