BANGOR LADIES 2008 football campaign will kick off officially when the ladies section of Bangor football Club will travel to Cherryvale Playing Fields in Belfast to take on Saint Matthews Ladies in the Intermediate B Division opener on the evening of Thursday, May 1st.
Although the season actually gets underway on the weekend April 21st with the Preliminary Round of the Women’s IFA Cup, although the fixtures have yet to be drawn - this is being handled by the IFA directly and the draw will take place at Windsor Avenue - this has been confirmed to take place on April 10th.
The Seasiders will be hoping for a favourable draw in this one, though it’s a trophy which is traditionally dominated by the ‘big two’ clubs in Northern Ireland, and will probably end up in either Belfast United or Newtownabbey hands come September - these premier division side join the knock-out stages in the third round.
There’s nothing to fear in the league though - and it would be fair to say with the withdrawal of a couple of last season’s multi-clubs - the competition has been thrown wide open and it will certainly be a season which at least the winners of the division will have won purely on their own merit - a reflection of the NIWFA Council to address some of the association’s problems over the past few years.
The NIWFA having finally came up with the answer for the continual flaunting of the League rules by a few clubs - who, with more than one team, are known to beef up their second string sides with ‘eligible’ first team players - well these sides have thankfully been banished to their own ‘Reserve’ division, where they can set about playing amongst themselves, with whatever players they like and generally have a good time.
In the provincial divisions however - Bangor Ladies have been placed in the Intermediate B again - and will be hoping that they can improve on last season’s disastrous divisional campaign which saw the club limp to a miserable mid table position at the end of a stop - start season.
The addition to the side of a few new faces from the start will at least provide the cover which was exposed towards the end of the year, with a couple of talented youngsters coming through to the Seniors this year - at least the side will have more options on the bench come the start of May.
League tables and Fixtures 2008
Bangor Ladies will be again accompanied by last season rivals P.S.N.I., Wellington Rec., Saint Matthews, Knockbreda and Crumlin Athletic, along with some unknown packages; Crusaders and new side Blackeyville to complete the complement of eight clubs competing for the Intermediate B Division crown over the next few, hopefully sun drenched months of competitive football.
There’s nothing to fear in this division - and it would be fair to say the competition has been thrown wide open, this fixture in May will be a good opener for the North Down side.
Time for abit of sunbathing, Christine Morrison takes 5!!
Saint Matthews will be regarding themselves, quite rightly so, as strong contenders for the League Championship having been in the mix all the way through last season - eventually finishing in third place - they will look to do better this year and will be hoping to start with a big three points at home against the Seasiders.
Knockbreda Ladies will be the first visitors to Clandeboye Park, travelling down to meet hosts Bangor Ladies on Tuesday, 6th May - these two sides have enjoyed a couple of thrillers in the past couple of seasons and this match will be a fair indicator of how each of these club’s will fare during 2008.
The next notable clash is the game with P.S.N.I., scheduled for Wednesday, May 21st, which will have an additional interest as the New Forge outfit can be regarded as possible favourites for the title - and despite being in the same division as Bangor for the last two seasons the North Down side have yet to take them on away - so it will be a first as far as that goes.
May will definitely prove to be a very big month for ladies football and an equally busy one as the league slips into second gear and the domestic championship races throughout Northern Ireland kick off and start to take shape.
Trish Webb, a key defender in the divisional campaigns this seasonOnce again Bangor Ladies would like to welcome any new players, whether playing for fitness or fun, and extend an invitation to join what is the fastest growing sport on the planet - the club are currently in training every Sunday in preparation for the season.
This Sunday 6th, the club will welcome back Jeni Boyd, returning from England, to boost the team, as well as the tentative return of Cathy Duncan, who will be making an brief appearance at the friendly arranged against a young Linfield IIs, who will be coming down to Bangor for the game - kick off around 2.30 p.m.
The subscriptions for the 2008 season are now due - and are as follows: Seniors £50, Under 18s £25. A single payment is needed, Senior's are asked to get their subscriptions paid by Sunday April 20th.
Fill in your 2008 Registration Form
Finally the local ladies club would like to wish all clubs in Northern Ireland who will be competing in the sports governing body the NIWFA a great year of competitive action - and hopefully all players will enjoy an injury free year of football - game on!
Keep up to date, on the club scoreboard section
Last Edited on 4-Apr-2008 2:24 PM
