After the Second World War Irish League football resumed in 1947, and Bangor rejoined the senior ranks. In 1948/49 Bangor finished the League competition in 5th place, highest of any provincial club, and had a chance to win that elusive first senior trophy (the team had been defeated in the County Antrim Shield final replay in 1945/46 3-0 at Windsor Park by Distillery following a 1-1 draw). In 1949 Brantwood were defeated 4-2 before a fine 3-0 victory over Glentoran at Solitude on April 23 in the semi-final. Stars of the game were scorers "Bap" Dunlop, Jerry Taylor and Don McMillen – an excellent Scottish winger who was to join Linfield. After two disappointing draws (2-2 and 3-3) Bangor slumped to a 1-4 defeat against underdogs Linfield Swifts on May 20 at Grosvenor Park. Scorer was Clifford Forsythe – he scored four goals in three finals – who is now an MP. Other stars of those days were the extremely popular goalkeeper Sam Doak and Scotsman Billy Gibson, a skilful inside forward.

THE EARLY FIFTIES
The early 50's were seasons of struggle with coaches and managers such as Billy McDevitt Andy Wylie, Joe Duff, Haydn Green, Lincoln Hyde, Gibby McKenzie and Chris Duffy coming and going. The situation wasn't helped by the loss of talented players such a Tony McShane (to Plymouth Argyle in December 1948), Gerry Taylor (Leeds Utd. in July 1949) and one of the best, Tommy Casey (Leeds Utd. May 1949) – all of whom moved as amateurs, with Bangor not receiving a penny.

Bangor's best season in that decade was 1955/56 under player-manager Sammy Smyth (ex-Wolves, Stoke City and Liverpool). Alongside Smyth was Scotsman Johnny Neilson who netted 39 goals in that season which saw Bangor achieve third placing in the League with the following record: played 22, won 11, drawn 5, lost 6. Neilson scored 5 in a 7-3 victory at Portadown on December 3. Other names to remember are inside forward Hugh Lowry (18 League goals), keeper Ted Hinton, full back Ken Beattie and wing half "Spike" O'Neill.

There followed years of struggle with precious little light in the gloom: in 1958/59 under manager Billy "Dodie" Hanna Bangor reached the Co Antrim Shield final, but were soundly beaten 3-1 by favourites Linfield at Solitude on May 9 1959. Scorer for Bangor was McGreevy and the team read: Ard, Parke, Munster, Moore, Lewis, Keenan, McGreevy, Neill, Dugan, McCue, Hutchinson. Many supporters remember with pleasure servants of the club such as Wesley Ard, defenders Pat Munster, Walter Moore and Jim Lewis while Terry Neill who played as inside forward in that game was transferred the following season to Arsenal and became one of Bangor's most distinguished "exports", gaining 59 international caps and managing Arsenal.

In the 50's Bangor survived several financial crises; the club became a limited company in 1951-52, then seven directors resigned in 1953 with only Chairman Jack Gaw, Bill Strain, Billy Kissock and Dick Beattie to carry on the struggle. Somehow the club survived, but at times it was a close-run thing!

THE SIXTIES
The 60's saw the club still at a low ebb; at times it seemed there was little hope for senior soccer in the town as one poor season was followed by another, there were no trophies and few final appearances: in 1962-63 under Clancy McDermott Bangor lost 4-0 in the Co. Antrim Shield final to Linfield. Team: Fullerton, Boyd, Munster, Lewis, Reid, Sands, Wright, Sloan, Ewing, Waterson and Stuart- Charlie Tully had his first spell as manager in the mid-60's and the club enjoyed a rise in fortunes and for the first time in a long time Bangor did not have to go cap in hand to the League to seek re-election. As the "Cheekie Chappie" remarked: "Even the seagulls were leaving Bangor when I arrived". Skilful players such as inside forwards David Sloan and Billy McCamley went to seek their fortune with Scunthorpe United. Under Ralph McGuicken - he managed the club for a couple of seasons - Bangor did reach the Irish Cup semi-final in 1966-67, but were defeated 3-2 in an exciting match by Crusaders at Windsor Park. It was a match Bangor were unlucky not to win.

These photographs were taken at Clandeboye Park on 23 Nov 1968 when Bangor took on Distillery.  The first one shows the teams lining up and the second is Brian Mulgrew scoring the 3rd goal in a 4 v 3 victory.  Many thanks to Peter Vannucci for supplying us with these photographs.

To the delight of Bangor supporters Charlie Tully returned to Clandeboye Park on January 30 1968 - and at long last the team was to win that senior trophy! Tully, a truly flamboyant character, set about building a successful team from scratch a team which was imbued with the former Belfast and Glasgow Celtic star's never-say-die spirit.

Thus on May 22 1970 in the fourth(!) match in the final of the Co. Antrim Shield at Solitude Bangor defeated old rivals Ards 3-2 to lift their first senior trophy. Scorers were Jim Herron (18 mins), Brian Mulgrew (49) and lanky centre half Ivan McAllister (68). They had been tough and exciting games and Bangor had needed eight matches to lift the trophy, but what celebrations there were in the Social Club which had been opened in March 1969. The team which won read: Billy Irwin, Harry Creighton, Bertie Nesbitt, John Kennedy, Ivan McAllister, Paul Murphy, John Cochrane, Stanley Gregg, Brian Mulgrew, Jim. Herron, Brian Morrison; sub Tommy Craig.

Bangor continued the good work by winning the City Cup in the following season when they beat Derry City in a nailbiting decider at Clandeboye Park on December 5 1970. Prior to that match Bangor had suffered a major setback when speedy centre forward Brian Mulgrew (previously with Scottish amateurs Queen's Park) had broken his leg in a match against Coleraine, but Jim Graham was an excellent replacement and scored the opening goal in that vital game. A real see-saw affair ended in a 4-3 victory for Bangor with other goals coming from Brian Morrison, Tommy Craig and Ronnie Morrison.

Karting was also a regular feature at Clandeboye Park in the 1960s.
 
Many thanks to Alan McKinney for supplying these photographs.
 
Alan features as a driver in one of the photographs.
 
The tarmac track is still present today under the gravel perimeter at Clandeboye Park.
 
The old Clandeboye Road end clubhouse can be seen in the photograph below.

The Beginnings  Pre-War Years War Years  Fifties & Sixties  Seventies & Eighties  Nineties

Acknowledgement to the County Down Spectator