Congratulations to Bangor Groundsman Brian Ritchie who has deservedly been shortlisted for the Carnegie First Division Groundsman of the Year Award.

The winner will be presented with their award at Saturday's JJB Irish Cup Final at Windsor Park.

Good Luck Brian!

FINAL SCORE:
Tobermore Utd 1-2 Bangor
Bangor Goalscorers:

R.Brown(ii), A.Morrow

Ryan Brown opened the scoring on 20 minutes when he blasted home from close range after Marty Verner and David Irvine had seen their efforts blocked. However Tobermore levelled the match just before half time.

Bangor had all the chances in the second half, and new keeper Robert Robinson was rarely troubled. Andy Morrow bustled his way through the centre of the Tobermore defence on 73 minutes to score Bangor's winner.

With the end of the season just over a week away, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our kit sponsors for season 2007/08.

The Club Secretary will be in touch with sponsors when the season finishes to hand over the kits.

SUSPENSION:
Colin Beggs has recieved a two match ban from the Irish FA Disciplinary Committee and will miss Bangor's games against Tobermore United and Carrick Rangers.

Bangor have today agreed to sign experienced Newry City goalkeeper Robert Robinson as cover for the injured Ryan Brown for the remainder of the season.

The Board and Management of Bangor FC would like to thank Newry City Manager Gerry Flynn for his help in securing the deal.

In welcoming Robert to Bangor FC, we would also like to congratulate him on the recent  birth of his son.

Statement from the Board of Bangor Football Club:

"We are pleased to announce that we are the only club outside the current Premier League to have attained the UEFA Club Licence for season 08/09. Achieving the licence has been the result of over 4 months hard work in many off field areas and shows this Board's committment to ensuring we are in a position to compete at all levels within the local game. With the news that 14 clubs attained the licence, comes the reality that 2 of these clubs will not be invited into the new Premier League. Our Chairman and Chief Executive met with the Chairman of the Selection Committee on Tuesday night in what was a scheduled session in order to receive feedback on our application.The Board are increasingly optimistic and were pleased to receive positive feedback on many aspects of our application.

The new Premier Invitational League will be ratified by the IFA on the evening of Thursday May 8th with all clubs being notified by telephone on Friday May 9th. We will issue a further statement as soon as we have been notified.

New Stand - it is our understanding that we have been successful in our application for funding to help build a new stand and toilet block in the away end of the ground. We expect written confirmation shortly and intend proceeding as soon as possible after this. We have also engaged with the IFA with a view to applying for grant funding to replace our floodlights and will lodge the application within the next few weeks. If successful we could have new floodlights in place by end of September and if not we will be prioritised with other applicants so as when funding becomes available, we should get grant aid for the project.

Ryan Brown - it was with much sadness that the Directors learned of the tragic accident in warm up causing Ryan to break his akle while representing his country in the Isle of Man Tournament. Ryan is undoubtedly one of the best keepers in Irish League football and we are confident he along with our other long term injuries, Paul McDowell and Mark Magennis will be back in a Bangor shirt in time for the start of next season. We wish Ryan a speedy recovery and hope to secure the services of a current Premier League keeper for the remaining fixtures.

In finishing, The Board would like to thank everyone who has helped us attain the Club Licence and look forward to a positive outcome in our application to join the new Premier Invitational League."

Bangor's injury plagued season has been further complicated with the news that goalkeeper Ryan Brown has sustained a broken ankle.

Ryan was set to represent Northern Ireland at the Isle of Man Quadrangular Junior International Tournament on Tuesday, but sustained his injury in the pre-match warm-up. Ryan is hoping to return home from the Isle of Man today (Thursday) - we wish him a very speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back in Bangor colours next season.

Meanwhile, Bangor are currently seeking permission from the Irish FA to sign a goalkeeper as cover for the rest of the season.

Bangor have today received notification from the Irish FA that they have been awarded a Domestic Licence for season 2008/09.

The Domestic Licence is an essential requirement for all teams playing in the 12 team Invitational League next season.

A full statement from the club will be issued on Friday.

Niall Currie's Loughgall were confirmed as the Carnegie First Division League Champions last night without kicking a ball.

Ballyclare Comrades were the only side who still had a mathematical chance of catching the League leaders, but a 1-1 draw at Coagh United confirmed that the title will be heading to Lakeview Park.

The battle for second place is still on, with Bangor still very much in the mix.

OTHER NEWS:
The Irish FA are expected to announce the list of clubs who have been awarded a 2008-09 Domestic License on Thursday morning.
The Domestic License is a pre-requisite for playing in the top flight next season.

Details on the outcome of Bangor's application will be announced here as soon as the information becomes available.

FINAL SCORE FROM TILLYSBURN:
H&W WELDERS 4-3 BANGOR.
Bangor Goalscorers:
A. Morrow, R.Brown(ii), C.Rezai

FINAL SCORE FROM HAGAN PARK:
Coagh United 1-2 Bangor
Bangor Goalscorers:
R.Brown(ii), A.Morrow

MATCH REPORT by Neil Watson
MATCH PHOTO GALLERY

REMAINING FIXTURES:
19.04.2008 H&W Welders v Bangor, 2:30pm
29.04.2008 Tobermore U v. Bangor,6:45pm
02.05.2008 Bangor v. Carrick Rangers,7:45pm
06.05.2008  Dundela v. Bangor, 6:45pm

**The Tobermore United fixture has now reverted back to the original date of Tuesday 29th April.

FINAL SCORE FROM CRYSTAL PARK:
Banbridge Town 1-6 Bangor
Bangor Goalscorers:
A.Morrow(2), M.Verner(2), C.Gilmore, C.Beggs.

MATCH REPORT by Neil Watson

Bangor's fixture against Dundela which had been scheduled for Tuesday 22nd April has now been postponed.

Dundela have four players selected for the Umbro Quadrangular Junior International Tournament which takes place on the Isle of Man between the 23rd and 26th April.

No new date has been set for this fixture.

NOTE:
Bangor's match against Tobermore United has also been re-arranged for Wednesday 30th April, 6:45pm.

Bangor's run in to the end of the season is as follows:
12.04.08 Banbridge Town v. Bangor, 2.30pm
15.04.08 Coagh Utd v. Bangor ,6.30pm
19.04.08 H&W Welders v. Bangor, 2.30pm
22.04.08 Dundela v. Bangor, (POSTPONED)
26.04.08 Bangor v. Carrick R, 3pm**
30.04.08 Tobermore Utd v. Bangor, 6.45pm (New date)

**Bangor's game against Carrick Rangers is subject to player involvement in the Junior International Tournament in the Isle of Man.

FINAL SCORE:

Bangor 1-1 Loughgall
Bangor Goalscorer: Ryan Brown(ii)

MATCH REPORT by Neil Watson

Bangor's application for a domestic license hit a snag yesterday when the club were informed that the Clandeboye Park pitch must be rotated by an angle of at least 15 degrees in order to comply with the new criteria.

The new licensing requirements state that all pitches must be laid in a true east to west form, and at present the Clandeboye Park pitch is 15 degrees out of line.

A club spokesman said - "We've already moved mountains to complete the domestic license application, so I guess moving the pitch won't pose too much of a problem."

Heavy lifting equipment and earthmovers are set to arrive at the ground tomorrow, with the lower section of the main stand and the upper section of the away terracing making way for the corners of the new pitch.

All work is scheduled to be completed before the next home match against Loughgall on Saturday. That is just four days from today's date - 1st April.