In terms of trophies the War years were the most successful in Bangor's history. The Irish League was suspended in 1940 and Bangor "stepped down" into Intermediate football, playing as Bangor Reserves.

Bangor were "kings of the castle" then: they won the Intermediate League in 1940/41, 1942/43 and 1943/44, the Steel & Son's Cup in 1940/41 and 1944/45, the Intermediate Cup in 1941/42, 1943/44 and 1944/45, and the McElroy Cup in 1946/47.

Perhaps the best season of the lot was 1940/41 when the Intermediate League was won as well as the Steel & Son's Cup (2-1 against Distillery II), but the League record was the most impressive: played 26, won 23, drawn 1, lost 2, goals for 89, against 27, points 47. Bangor were unbeaten at Clandeboye Park and went 21 successive League matches without defeat.

Leading scorer was the remarkable Billy Bradford with 67 goals in 26 League matches (inlcuding six in the final League match against Summerfield from Ballymena). A former Distillery player he notched 74 altogether that season, a club record. Much of the credit belongs to Bangor coach Gerry Wright and trainer Bob Thompson under whom the following players served. Norman Hewitt, Sgt. Major Jennings, Davy McCune, Jack Willis, Dave Griffiths, George Brown or Jimmy Kennedy, Tom McCandless, Harry Frith, Billy Bradford, Bobby Walsh and Jimmy Mailey. Jennings, Willis and Frith were serving soldiers.

SPOTLIGHT ON....... SAM DOHERTY
Sam Doherty played a big part in Bangor's success during the War Years. He came to Bangor having had successful spells with Distillery and Belfast Celtic. He quickly signed professional terms for Bangor and it was not long before he was appointed the team captain.

A Bangor programme in 1947 said: "He has given service of the most loyal kind and has been a good player for Bangor. Standing 5'11" and weighing 11 stones 12 lbs Doherty is quick to recover when beaten, being one of the fastest sprinters at the Club and is no rash tackler. Incidentally off the field as well as on it. Doherty is one of the most popular players and his cheerful disposition often makes him the life and soul of the party" .

Bangor won various trophies during Sam's time  - in one final of the Steel and Son Cup a newspaper reported on the match: "Sam Doherty of Bangor had been down with 'flu but left his bed to play and put up a storming 90 minutes display". Despite Sam's efforts Bangor lost that match to Dundela 3-1.

In another Steel and Son Cup Final Sam captained Bangor to a 4-0 win.

Sam eventually joined Larne Football Club in 1949 and after a number of sucessful seasons, he finished his playing career with them in 1954.

Sam always had a great love of music and became a valued member of the choir of St Thomas' Church on the Lisburn Road Belfast.  He was also a member of 46th Old Boys Silver Band for many years.

Sam passed away in 1994 aged 77 years. Among the mourners at his funeral service in St Thomas' were his friends from the Choir and the Band and of his soccer days.

Pictured above: (i)Billy Bradford. (ii) The 1940/41 Bangor Reserves side.

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Acknowledgement to the County Down Spectator