next three games in a row to become early leaders at the top of the league table. Following Niall Currie's move to manage hometown club Portadown the club appointed Glentoran legend Colin Nixon as his replacement. Londonderry Park Plans were under-way to develop Londonderry Park as the new grounds for the team. Planning officials gave Ards Borough Council the go-ahead on the £3.8 million plan in October 2010. In 2009, supporters launched a campaign, 'Bring Ards FC Home', in which they publicised the need in the media and had discussions with politicians. Back as far as November 2008, the Council had discussed the need for a new Ards stadium. It was decided in April 2009 that Londonderry Park, on the Portaferry Road in Newtownards, was the best option and the Ards Council accepted the tender for redevelopment of the site in September 2010. Plans included upgrades to the existing grass surfaces and the addition of new synthetic surfaces, and to allow for the possibility of future upgrading to meet regulations should the need arise. The ground would have also continued to provide facilities for hockey and cricket. However, in August 2012 it was announced that Ards Borough Council would not be proceeding with the new stadium, and the plans were shelved. European record Overview Matches Current squad Non-playing staff Chairman: Warren Patton Treasurer: Jim Bailie Company secretary: John Heron Club Secretary, Andrew Rodgers Manager: Matthew Tipton Assistant Manager: David Miskelly First-team: Coach: First-team Physiotherapist:Sam Lewis First-team Attendant:Peter Bloomer First-team Attendant: Barry Edgar Football Secretary: Andrew Rodgers Directors: Warren Patton, (Chair), Stephen Wilton (Vice-Chair), Jim Bailie (Treasurer), Timmy Clarke, Gary Anderson, Stuart Dellow, John Heron, David Armstrong PA Announcer: Ivor Edgar Website Editor: Michael Barritt Programme Editor: Adrian Monaghan Rep. to NIFL Premiership: Brian Adams Rep. to Irish Football Association: Brian Adams Vice President Billy Humphries Managerial history Honours Senior honours Irish League (tier 1): 1 1957–58 Irish League First Division (tier 2): 4 2000–01, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2015–16 Irish Cup: 4 1926–27, 1951–52, 1968–69, 1973–74 Irish League Cup: 1 1994–95 Gold Cup: 2 1953–54, 1973–74 Ulster Cup: 1 1973–74 Blaxnit Cup: 1 1973–74 County Antrim Shield: 3 1955–56, 1971–72, 1993–94 Intermediate honours Irish League B Division/IFA Championship 1: 3 1957–58†, 2012–13, 2015–16 Irish Intermediate Cup: 1 1970–71† Steel & Sons Cup: 1 2008–09 George Wilson Cup: 2 1957–58†, 1982–83† McElroy Cup: 1 1940–41† † Won by Ards II (reserve team) International