Irish League manager insists 'we wouldn't be where we are' without striker ahead of retirement

Halliday’s class has stood the test of time having registered his first Irish League appearance for Glentoran during the 1999/2000 season.

The striker, who won three Premiership titles and scored the winning goal in two Irish Cup finals at the Glens, initially joined Bangor in 2018 when they were plying their trade in the Ballymena & Provincial League.

He has played a key role in their surge back up the Irish League pyramid, not only on the pitch, but also off it with his vast experience crucial to a new generation of players coming through the ranks at Clandeboye Park.

Bangor have confirmed Halliday will be “bringing to the end an eight year stint with the Seasiders and a remarkable career that has spanned four decades” in Saturday’s final league fixture against Portadown.

When former Linfield attacker Feeney was appointed in 2020, discussions with Halliday focused on extending his career by another year, but that turned into six.

Halliday ended a 4,669-day wait between Premiership appearances after coming off the bench against Coleraine in January and could add to his tally one final time this weekend.

"He's been unbelievable,” said Feeney. “When I first came into the club, I spoke to Michael and was asking him what his plans were.

"He still wasn't sure if he was going to retire.

"He came into Bangor eight years ago to give one more year...it would be the end of a normal career at 38, but he signed for a new club and then stayed another eight years, which is incredible.

"I'm not surprised because working with him, you see his hunger, desire and support he gets from his family.

"He stays behind after training working hard, he's great in the changing room and has lots of friends, I'm not surprised that he wanted to play this long.

"What he has done to be able to do it, working hard and being so professional, is the impressive thing.

"His family support him, his wife Arlene and the kids are always at games, and if he's not playing or involved anymore it'll be a big miss for them too. I'm sure he will try and get involved in football in another way because he loves it so much."

Under Feeney, Bangor have collected Premier Intermediate League and Championship titles on route to their Premiership return.

They comfortably preserved top-flight status this term with eighth position still up for grabs depending on Saturday’s results, but Feeney insists none of it would have been possible without Halliday’s impact.

"We wouldn't be where we are, Bangor wouldn't have climbed up the leagues, we would not have survived this season if we didn't have Michael Halliday around,” he added. “He has been helping players, supporting the young ones, guiding them, throughout the whole season.

"They've always been able to phone him for advice, he has been exceptional for them. They're going to miss him, everyone is going to miss him at the club.”