CLANDEBOYE PARK

Clandeboye Park has been the home of Bangor Football Club since 1935.

Bangor began life playing at a ground on Castle Street in 1918, but moved to the Ballyhome Showgrounds in 1923. In 1934, the club were forced out of their Ballyholme  ground when the landowner sold the land for housing development (vicinity of Sandringham Drive) . Bangor played all of their matches in the 1934/35 season away from home.

The first match to be played at Clandeboye Park was on 14th September 1935 when Cliftonville recorded a 1-0 victory over Bangor.

In the 1960's, Clandeboye Park was regularly used as a venue for Go-Karting. Parts of the tarmac track still remain under the gravel around the pitch perimeter.

Three European ties have been played at Clandeboye Park - Bangor 0-3 Olomouc Sigma  (1991) ; Bangor 1-1 Apoel Nicosia (1993); Bangor 0-1 Tatran Presov (1994). Clandeboye Park has also been used on numerous occasions as a training ground for both the Northern Ireland and visiting international squads.

The current floodlighting system was installed at Clandeboye Park in 1987. The first match to be played under lights was a 2nd Round Roadferry League Cup tie on 4th November 1987 when Bangor defeated Ballymena United 2-1. However Bangor were later dismissed from the competition when it was discovered that they had fielded an ineligible player - Stephen Barnes.

The original wooden clubhouse which was situated on the Clandeboye Road side of the ground but was demolished in the 1990's to make way for additional covered terracing. The current clubhouse was built in 1980 and boasts an excellent view of the ground from the upstairs lounge.

Ards FC played their home matches at Clandeboye Park from the start of the 2003/04 season until the end of the 2007/08 season.

The pitch-side facade of the clubhouse was altered in 2008 to create a larger Press/ Media Room. The boundary of the ground was also revised in 2008 with the sale of some land behind the goal at the top end of the ground.

Directions to Clandeboye Park by car from Belfast:
Approaching Bangor on the Main Road from Belfast, you will see a flyover. Before you come to the bridge, take the slip road off to the left and follow the signposts for Donaghadee.

At the flyover traffic lights, stay in the left hand lane as you turn right to go over the bridge. Continue on until you come to another set of traffic lights where you will see Jollye's pet store on your left.

Turn left at the traffic lights into Clandeboye Road and the ground will come in to view at the bottom of the hill

Directions Clandeboye Park from the Bangor bus/ train station:(Distance Approx 1 mile)
Exit the station by the side doors and turn right to head back out of the town. Follow the signs for Belfast/ Newtownards - this will take you along Abbey Street. Keep walking until you reach a set of traffic lights.

Cross the road towards Bangor Abbey and again to cross the Newtownards Road. Turn left and head towards the chip shop on the corner of Church Street.

Proceed along Church Street, which becomes the Clandeboye Road.

Clandeboye Park is about 1/2 a mile along this road on your right.

Other References:
Mapquest.co.uk MAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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