Developments in Club History ... is Bangor Young Men’s 80th anniversary only 2 years away ??? 

Despite the investigations that seemed to confirm that the Club was formed in 1941 evidence has come to light that may prove that this date needs to be modified to as early as 1931!!!

How this information has come to light is a story in itself. A gentleman called Derek McDermott – a resident of Ontario Canada no less – has provided us with information showing that his late father, Albert, was a member of Bangor Young Men Football Club in the early 1930’s. Feeling a bit homesick for his native Bangor, despite being away since the 1950’s, Derek logged onto the net merely looking for links to the town. He noticed the link to the Club’s website and logged onto the site. As a result he contacted Neil and the communication began. Derek began to send through information and photographs that have confirmed that a Bangor Young Men team played as early as 1931.

The story we can piece together so far goes as follows.

A gentleman’s club called the Bangor Bachelor’s Club was formed in 1929 under Secretary Mr Sydney McConnell. The Club was a mechanism for single men to get together in a social capacity!!

An interesting question then is - was 'The Bachelors' a social club spin-off from the team or was it a team that became the BYM FC?

The club name, however, did not exist for very long – only a couple of years – as some of its members succumbed to the charms of the ladies and got married.

This photo which again shows some of the players you should by now be able to identify is entitled "Eight of the best after their morning swim - Some of the Bachelors with the girls from Airdrie - 1930" may reveal the reason for the Club's  need to change its name !!!! I'm not sure of the setting - down by the sea wall somewhere.

As a result the club’s name was changed to Bangor Young Men’s Club.

A press cutting provided by Derek has shown that the Club had a football team that played friendly matches as part of their social agenda. They played their games at Ballyholme –

Surely Ballyholme???

at the former home of Bangor Football Club prior to moving to Clandeboye Road. From the press accounts the team was of high quality and attracted the attention of the local football scouts. One of those who attracted particular interest was Ernie Watson who went on to play for Bangor and Cliftonville before becoming a Northern Irish Amateur International. Having played at the higher level Ernie Watson was unable under IFA rules to play for Bangor Young Men again. However, he flaunted the rules and played under the alternative name of “Meiklejohn” and it goes to prove that his ties and loyalty to the Club were formidable that he would endanger his football career for the Young Men. Unfortunately Ernie Watson lost his life in the Second World War and cut short his service with the club.

Derek has forwarded us pictures of members of the club and most interestingly a picture including his father that shows what appears to be a Bangor Young Men football team from season 1931-32.

The Caption from another copy of this photo, of less quality, and probably used in later years, reads as follows...

Bangor Young Men FC 1931-32 ... Front - Stanley Gray, Willie Jordan. Middle Row - Hugh Oliver, Arthur Heyburn, Pat Hamilton, ? Young, Syd McConnell. Back Row - Jim Kerr, Albert McDermott, Eric Ritchie, ''Sonny Douglas'', ? McCullough, Fred Miller, Stanley McCready. Can any reader supply the missing christian names?

As we have clear evidence that the Bangor Young Men club in it’s present form came into existence in 1941 there is a strong possibility that the team formed in 1931 may have ceased to exist for a period. Research will continue to try to establish if and when this took place. However, although there is no evidence at present that the team from 1931 was affiliated to any league there seems to be little dispute that a Bangor Young Men Club and football team existed in 1931.

The club therefore would be 77 years old ... and not 67 as previously thought.

Plans can therefore begin for 80th anniversary celebrations in 2011!!!

An enormous debt of thanks has to be given to Mr Derek McDermott for his contribution to this development. Derek has provided photographs, paper cuttings, copies of family documents and of course personal memories with great enthusiasm. It is obvious Derek has enjoyed helping us and we are pleased that the website and the history of the club has been of interest to him. Hope to see you in 2011 Derek...thanks again for all your hard work!!!

...and finally a newspaper cutting from circa 1964/65 from Sydney McConnell...I hope you have enjoyed catching up with the YM history and thanks to all those who helped put this together especially Ricky and Angus Larmour, Brian Douglas and not forgetting our new friend in Canada, Derek McDermott. Enjoy the following...