McCartan and McPartland return to Town

McCartan returns after a short stint in Australia while McPartand, 36, who was a regular in Town colours for many seasons, re-joins the club after a season at Warrenpoint Town.

The majority of the Town squad from last season are back on board for the forthcoming season, which sees the locals playing in Championship 2 following their relegation last season.

Chris Kingsberry, who has re-joined Ards, is the only confirmed departure so far from Crystal Park.

On Saturday the players enjoyed a work-out at Jordanstown and tonight they play their first friendly with a game against against Seapatrick in the Ironside Trophies Cup which is being played in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Kick-off at Cheney Park is 8pm.

The winner of that game shall play Dromore Amateurs for a place in the final of the competition.

Other games against Drumaness Mills, Amateur League Premier Division winners Ards Rangers, Paul Kirk’s Lisburn Rangers, Cliftonville and Mid Ulster Intermediate A champions Camlough Rovers have also been lined up ahead of the season starting on August 11. The fixture list for next season was unveiled last night (Monday) - for full details visit our website at banbridgeleader.co.uk.

Meanwhile the off the park restructuring at the club continues with the news that the committee has been broken up into three sub-committees to look after the social, football and fundraising aspects.

“These are positive steps which we have taken,” said Club Chairman Andrew Cully. “The mood at the club has become fairly upbeat over the last few weeks and there is a determination to improve our club over the coming weeks and months.”