Bangor's Arthurs served cocaine use ban last year

Bangor striker Ben Arthurs has completed a three-month ban imposed for testing positive for cocaine following an Irish Premiership match in March. The 28-year-old admitted to ingesting the drug recreationally during a social setting, as stated in a UK Anti-Doping [UKAD] statement. The ban was reduced from the original three months because the athlete claimed the substance was consumed out-of-competition and unrelated to performance.

UKAD's investigation concluded that the cocaine use likely occurred before the game, which Glentoran won 4-0. Bangor suspended Arthurs in April, but the club was unable to provide further details during the ongoing investigation. With his ban completed, Arthurs is eligible to return to pre-season training and join his team, Cliftonville, for the 2026-27 Irish Premiership season set to begin on August 15th.

This is Arthurs' ninth season at Bangor, where he holds the second-highest goal-scoring record in the club's history.