Bangor Ladies set
to announce sponsorship

Bangor Ladies, the ladies section at Bangor Football Club, are delighted to announce the extension of their sponsorship package with local Hyundai dealers Sammy Mellon and Sons, of Bingham Street, in Bangor. Renowned for their support of local sport throughout the North Down borough, the deal will be formally launched next Monday evening, when the Seasiders open their 2010 season in the Coca Cola Irish Cup against Knockbreda at Clandeboye Park.

The 2009 third divisional champions, who have been connected with Sammy Mellon and Sons for over 12 months, so welcome their continued financial support, which will span the next two seasons. The committee, players and staff of the ladies team would also like to acknowledge the encouragement of director Ivan Mellon, who by association with the ladies has helped put together the sponsorship.


This good news follows the recent announcement of the Clandeboye Park ladies two nominations at the prestigious North Down Sports Advisory Council (NDSAC) which will be held on Friday, April 30th,. After a quite magnificent season, which saw the Ladies team finish their 2009 competitive campaign, statistically as the ladies football club in the whole of Northern Ireland. .


Officially No. 1 out of registered 55 Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association (NIWFA) clubs spread geographically around the Province, Bangor Ladies finished their league campaign unbeaten, with the best record, the largest points total, the most goals scored and the biggest positive goal difference.


Along with the clubs “Team of the Year” nomination. young teenager and goal scoring sensation Natasha Lee will also be been recognised at the evening, which will take place in the Marine Court Hotel in Bangor.
While these distractions off the pitch are welcome, it is now the team must knuckle down and look at their 2010 campaign in Division Two of the NIWFA.

This division presents more than just the problem of competing at a higher level and for the forty two points on offer, it also masks a unpleasant schedule of away matches. Starting away with a visit to Oakgrove College in Londonderry, the Seasiders will also have the tough it out in a campaign which also features trips to Dungoyne, Larne, Ballymoney, Moyola Park and Strabane along the way.


Although it has rekindled a fiery derby fixture against nearest geographical rivals and runners up to the Seasiders in 2009 - 1st Bangor (Newtownards).

So it’s all to play for, as Bangor ladies begin their fifth season in the NIWFA, at Clandeboye Park, next Monday evening (19th) in the Preliminary round of the Coca Cola Irish Cup. The 2009 third divisional champions will welcome Knockbreda ladies as their visitors, in what will prove a very big test for the Seasiders.


This will be quickly followed by that nightmare away trip to Londonderry in their league opener, this time on the road to Derry City ladies F.C. at Oakgrove College on the outskirts of the maiden city. Although the league remains the priority, the cup match will be a good opener against some very reasonable opposition.


Currently unbeaten in 17 consecutive league games, having won 16 of these, manager Andy Craig will be hoping that the team will be fresh enough after this game to take on Derry City in the league for the opening 3 points three days later.


“The cup game is a great fixture and provides us with the opportunity to be tested in a competitive game for the first time since September. While the recent games (friendlies) have been useful, there is nothing better than a competitive scrap to sharpen up the team’s teeth in preparation for the trip to Londonderry.


“While it promises to be a long night with the travelling involved, we will just have to get on with it. Hopefully we will get something out of this one for our trouble, and it would be great to open the 2010 season positively.”


The Irish Cup games against Knockbreda is scheduled for Clandeboye Park on Monday 19th, followed almost immediately with the league opener on the Thursday (22nd), both are 7.30 p.m. kick offs.

Full Draw

Crumlin United Ladies v St Matthews Ladies
Fermanagh Mallards Ladies v Dromara Village
Downpatrick Ladies v Loughgall Lakers;
Armagh City Ladies v Dromore Amateurs Ladies
Dungoyne Ladies v Portaferry Town Ladies
Coleraine Ladies v Moneyslane Ladies
Wellington Rec Ladies /Portadown Int. Ladies v Larne Ladies
Cappagh Spurs v 1st Bangor Ladies
Carrick Rangers Ladies v Blackieville Ladies
Donegal Celtic Ladies v Tollymore Athletic Ladies
RossgJas.s County Ladies v Bangor Ladies/Knockbreda Ladies
Lisburn Ladies v limavady Ladies
Killyleagh YC v Sion Swits Ladies
Craigavon Ladies v Banbridge Ladies
Derry City Ladies v Abbey Villa Ladies

Ties to be played on Monday, May 17



BIG QUIZ NIGHT

Bangor Ladies F.C. is holding a Quiz Night in Bangor Football Club Social Club on Friday, 7th May 2010. Teams of 4 up to 6 people (max) are welcome and will be competing for an array of prizes. The price is £5 person, and the night gets underway at 8 p.m. – all welcome. For more information or to book your table please contact Patricia Webb on 07740 738650.

Last Edited on 18-Apr-2010 9:23 AM