Bangor season preview

2024-25 league position: 1st (NIFL Championship)

Manager: Lee Feeney

Opening fixtures: Cliftonville (H) - 10 August (live on BBC iPlayer); Glentoran (A) - 16 August; Crusaders (H) - 19 August; Ballymena United (A) - 23 August; Dungannon Swifts (H) - 30 August

A first season back in the top flight since 2009 awaits Bangor, who have a tough set of early-season fixtures, including Sunday's opener against Cliftonville at Clandeboye Park, which is live on the BBC.

Manager Lee Feeney, who signed a three-year contract extension in the summer, has moved to add some Irish Premiership experience to his team with the additions of Gareth Deane and Mark Haughey from Glenavon.

Stephen McGuinness and Harry Lynch are exciting additions as young players attracted to the Seasiders with the promise of more regular game time.

While retaining many of the key performers from their title-winning season, their squad still looks a bit undercooked for the demands of the top flight, something Feeney will want to address before the window shuts.

They will hope Championship Player of the Year Ben Arthurs can make the step up to the Irish Premiership after netting 23 goals in the second tier last season.

His goals will be crucial to Bangor's hopes of staying up, with survival their main aim this campaign.

2025-26 signings so far: Gareth Deane (Glenavon), Stephen McGuinness (Cliftonville), Ross Ferguson (Larne), Mark Haughey (Glenavon), Harry Lynch (Glenavon), Liam Burns (Linfield), Paul Osew (unattached)

2025-26 departures so far: Adam Neale (Ballymacash Rangers), Jack Reilly (Ards), James Taylor (Ards), Callum Byres (Victoria Athletic), Ben Fry (Knockbreda), Patrick Solis Grogan (Dungannon Swifts - end of loan)