AndyC Guest 0 post 20-Dec-2007 5:28 AM

Bangor Ladies Football Team 2007 Kim Dockery takes Player of the Year Bangor Ladies football club held their Awards Presentations recently where Kim Dockery lifted the coveted title of Player of the Year 2007 in recognition of her consistently high level of individual performances in the club¹s Intermediate B Divisional campaign which came to a conclusion in late September. It was a fitting finale to a season which marked the clubs second year of competitive football in the sport's governing body the Northern Ireland Womens' Football Association, which runs throughout the summer months. Originally formed in 2005 as North Down Ladies, the club formed an alliance with Bangor Football Club at the beginning of the 2007 season and are now registered as the official ladies section of the Irish League side, playing their designated home matches at Clandeboye Park. Kim Dockery has been with the club since its formation and was a very popular winner of the award, as almost a full complement of the membership met for their Award Presentations and end of season meal at Carnalea Golf Club. Young midfielder Kim, having picked up the Manager's Player of the year 2006, went one better this season, seizing what is the highest accolade at the football club outright Player of the Year 2007 - an award which is only made from within the senior membership of the club. This mark of recognition by her team-mates, is even more remarkable as Kim, was plagued with health issues at the start of the season, although came through with flying colours to ultimately make the desired impact and take the award for her overall outstanding contributions out on the pitch. Kim Dockery - Player of the Year A tremendous talent and obvious asset to the Seasiders, although featuring mainly in defence, Dockery was often fielded as a utility player - and had even answered the call for a short stretch in goals when required; although she is preferred further up the pitch where with her natural technical ability, attacking flair and vision was the springboard for some of the Seasiders¹ better moments of the summer long season. The season itself however, ended up a very frustrating stop/start one for Bangor Ladies with the regular cancellation of games due a number of outside influences. With the subsequent cancellation of fixtures due to a number of reasons, i.e.: cup games, international breaks, the IFA¹s AGM, etc. , it was extremely difficult to reschedule games to which suit other teams, Bangor Ladies were reduced to shelving a number of scheduled fixtures due to no fault of their own. At one point in the 2007 season, over the summer, the club were put off playing in four consecutive games, the side not featuring in a competitive game for almost two months!! Add to this loss of momentum of a promising start, the early setback of the demise of promising new striker Tina Sharpe, who just 15 minutes into her senior debut for the Seasiders, went down unchallenged in a first round cup game at Armagh. The resulting injury led to her sad withdrawal from the rest of the 07 campaign and reconstruction surgery on her damaged knee. The club is however delighted to report that Tina has thankfully fully recovered and hopefully will be back in training in a few months time when the Seasiders will be turning their attentions to the 2008 divisional campaigns. Deirdre Savage - Top goalscorer two years in a row Another blow for Bangor was the additional injury to regular goalkeeper Peggy Bradley mid season, due to an unfortunate car accident, which left her with a broken arm amongst other injuries, thus putting even more pressure on the side who thankfully showed great resilience to overcome this massive setback. More woe was to follow, as the side were dealt yet another blow, although thankfully in contrasting more pleasing circumstances. The announcement of a pending addition to the Duncan household next Spring, saw last seasons Player of the Year and club captain Cathy Duncan become the next key player to be ruled unavailable. However, the side responded admirably, were able to just keep their heads above water and the backbone of the club pulled out all the stops in order to keep the team ticking over and looking forward to a refreshed and better co-ordinated assault on the 2008 NIWFA divisional campaigns shortly. Another of the awards on the night was Most Improved Player of the Year which deservedly found its way into the hands of the young but constantly improving Jennifer Boyd. Having started the year somewhat nervelessly as a rooky, the Belfast teenager soon showed true character and put in a string of impressive gritty performances in midfield, inclusive of a tremendous strike to register a score in an important cup game away to Crumlin in July. The Manager¹s Player of the Year, went to right winger Christina McNamara, who has amassed over 30 league and cup appearances for the club in their short two year history. Christina was a key player for the Bangor side this season, often the one who stood out, working tirelessly out on the right hand side, chasing both defensively and in attack, the talented midfielder showed some real class in some fine performances. Christina also featured last season, lifting the ³Most Improved Player of the Year on 2006, and is capable of lifting a clean sweep of trophies over the coming months. Finally top goalscorer for the second consecutive year was Deirdre Savage who rattled in another impressive goal tally inclusive of two hat-tricks. Deirdre who again led the line without any recognised strike partner, with the resignation of the talented Sharpe - is threatening to make this award her own outright and as she continues to improve her finishing and set individual club records in consecutive seasons. The stage is now set for the Seasider¹s third year in the NIWFA and one which again promises a great deal, and hopefully the tide of injuries and misfortune will eventually turn in favour of the Clandeboye Road based side when the season gets underway in a few months time. Bangor Ladies would however like to register their appreciation to Bangor Chairman Trevor Best and his team for their continued support in 2006 and look forward to the challenges which now will present themselves to what is a relatively young ladies football club.Also to Sammy Mellon, North Down Hyundai dealer and kit sponsor of the ladies section in 2006. Training will get underway - after the festive season - in just a few months time - and new players, whether rookies, novices or seasoned warriors are always welcome - you can keep up to date with the clubs news and reviews, history and progress by staying online. Start Your Preparations for 2008 NOW!! REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2006!! Last Edited on 8-Jun-2008 2:50 AM