OLD NEWS - January 2006
31st Jan 06. Shelbourne Bus - Ballymac will have ONE bus only running to Dublin for the Setanta Cup tie with Shelbourne on February 20th. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis - when it's full it's full. Departure time is 2pm, returning directly after the game, and seats cost 12 quid a head. Contact any member of the club to book.
30th Jan 06. Roy's not a quitter" - "Support the team and the manager" - "Shouting achieves nothing" - Stafford Reynolds on Radio Ulster's 'Talkback'. Click the following link and fast forward the player 10 minutes to listen HERE
Happy Birthday Roy! Coyler is taking a 3 day break as of tomorrow to celebrate his 60th birthday. Many happy returns Roy - FEEL FREE TO TAKE AS LONG AS YOU F****** LIKE!
Rumours abounded yesterday that the Glens on Thursday night had appointed Tom Dick as a new 'Director of Football' at GFC. I asked Tom Dick last night if the rumour was true and he denied any such appointment had been made. He didn't say it wasn't being discussed. I have to say, if we are awaiting 'decisive' action from our Board of Directors and this is to be the height of it, I for one would be very interested to learn how exactly appointing a 'Director of Football' is going to save our season ... !
'As Nero viewed the fire from the tower of Maecenas, exulting, "with the beauty of the flames," he sang the whole time the "Sack of Ilium," in his regular stage costume. Romans danced and Nero played his lyre on top of Quirinal Hill ...
... while the city burned.'
28th Jan 06. Armagh City 5 Glentoran 2! Roy Coyle was escorted from the playing area at the end of today's game by no less than 15 members of the PSNI ... won't be long now before he's consulting the Parades Commission!
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK WHEN WE'RE 'LIVE' ON THE CARTOON F****** NETWORK!
27th Jan 06. Calmed down a bit ... Tomorrow's betting: Armagh 3/1, Glentoran 4/5, and a draw 12/5. All odd by TOALS
If you thought Tuesday was bad ... No Simpson (suspended), and Walker & Nicky both crocked!
Remember, Ballymac's bus leaves Wilgar St at 1.30pm ... make it all go away - travel with us and just get pissed ;-)
24th Jan 06. linfield 1 Elliott Morris 0 - If QPR manager Ian Holloway doesn't go home with Elliott Morris in his luggage he needs his friggin head lookin at ...! He was absolutely outstanding, and saved us from a rout!
Other observations? Here we go ...
Lost Walker after 20 minutes as he limped out of the game, replaced by Gavin Melaugh ...
Browne and Reed up front, hardly got a chance all night as they continually had to go wide and deep to get the ball ...
Linfield goalkeeper had a single save to make all night, a 30 yarder from Shaun Holmes that bounced into his arms ...
Only other two chances went sailing high and wide from McCann and Reed, both from outside the box ...
Referee McCourt was absolutely atrocious, although no excuse. Simpson sent off after 2 yellows for pushing ...
New signings? Willo McDonagh - Jury's very much still out. Reed was replaced by Morgan with 15 to go ...
Nicky and Simpson almost coming to blows and having to be seperated by Ward ...!
All in all, team ran their bollocks off, first half anyway, especially Locky, but they are a friggin mess. No method, no shape, ran into each other all night, passing was shocking, never found a green shirt all night, midfield was shocking, defence was shocking, can't comment on shooting as we didn't do any! It was like watching 11 complete strangers!
I've been following this club for 40 years, and can safely say this is the worst football I've ever seen from a Glentoran side. We are in deep deep trouble. The Chairman, Manager, and his assistant have some serious considering to do.
I'm away to bed before I say something I might regret :-(
Tonight's betting: Linfield 4/6, Glentoran 4/1, and a draw 9/4. All odds by TOALS (the penny's finally dropped)!
23rd Jan 06. Setanta Cup betting: Cork City 3/1, Linfield 7/2, Shelbourne 4/1, Derry City 6/1, Drogheda 9/1, Portadown 10/1, Glentoran 11/1, and Dungannon 33/1. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
Ballymac bus to the swamp tomorrow night leaves Wilgar Street at 6.30pm
22nd Jan 06. Not everyone reads the Ballymac messageboard ... but I'm taking the liberty this morning of showing you a post made today from 'Ballybeen Glens', I hope he doesn't mind ...
Jan 22nd - 10.35am
Yesterday an old man, probaly in his 60's approached me ( i've seen his face over the years at many games) and asked me did i have a season ticket, to which i replied that i and my younger brother there both did. I told him my young cousin also there didn't to which he produced a season ticket and said "that's the worst glentoran team i've ever seen". As i chased after him and told him not to be stupid he said that it hurt too much and that if i didn't take it just to give it to somebody else. That hurt, seeing a fella who has probaly followed our club for about 50 years feel that he can no longer watch this team. I only wish coyler could've seen that.
The sad thing is I know of at least dozen people who feel exactly the same way. My advice was that he send the post straight to Stafford Reynolds. He's the one gave the manager an unprecedented 4 year contract, one of quite quite a few 'quality' decisions he made in 2003! How long's your contract Stafford?
Here's what I wrote on September 12th 2003 - it's still HERE if you care to check ...
4 more years for the Gaffer! - Manager Roy Coyle has just signed a new deal that should keep him at the Oval until at least 2007. With 15 trophies won already in his 6 years in the job to date, Coyler is now set to become the longest and most successful manager ever at the Oval. No disrespect to you Stafford, or Coyler, but is that really a wise decision?
I'm not saying we should sack Roy Coyle - I'm saying thanks to a pissing competition at the Oval 2 and a half years ago, we don't even have that choice!
21st Jan 06. ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING!
TELL YOU WHAT ROY - WE'LL GIVE YOU TIL TUESDAY ...
Limavady 1 - Glentoran didn't - worst Glentoran side I've seen in over 40 F****n years! Limavady's goalie had
A SINGLE save of note to make in the whole game ... from Shaun Holmes in the 70TH MINUTE!
We'll be there on Tuesday night Roy ... if we are made to look like wee boys again ....
20th Jan 06. Who's Jamie Reed I hear you ask?
You'll soon find out coz he's signed til the end of the season! Another centre-forward Roy!
18 years old, playing this season for Wrexham Reserves in the Pontins League Division 1 West, scoring 9 goals, including one against Blackpool on Wednesday.
BallymacGSC.com - NO BULL!
So how's the Community Trust coming on? - Rest in East website updated HERE
Limavady United game - Much as I'd love to be giving you all a deep and reasoned analysis of tomorrows game, it's as much as I can do these days just to hope we come away with the 3 points, and take another step outta this friggin rut!
Highlight other than that would have to be the prospect of seeing our new signing Willo McDonagh make his debut. The feedback on our new midfielder from fans of his previous clubs has been, ahem, disappointing to say the least, and I'm intrigued to learn whether or not Coyler knows something they don't. We shall see.
Reverse fixture for this one finished 2-0 to the Glens way back in October ... but of course by comparison we were Real Madrid in those days. Delighted to hear too that big Parky won't be playing for his new club, had this awful dream ....
Match Betting: Glentoran 1/2, Limavady 11/2, and a draw 13/5. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
19th Jan 06. All's well that ends well ... "I'm happy to go" - "The training facilities at the Oval aren't good" - "Some of the fans had turned on me" - "Unless you put the right preparation in during the week how are you expected to play well on a Saturday?" Stephen Parkhouse goes out with a bang! Full story HERE
17th Jan 06. Parkie moves on ... It'll come as no surprise I'm sure to learn that Glentoran striker Stephen Parkhouse has today transferred to Limavady United by 'mutual agreement'. After a great start to his Glentoran career with an Oval screamer against Allianssi in Europe, the big lad had really struggled to get back into some sort of form after a bad injury last season, and to be honest a move away from the Oval was probably the best for all concerned. The big Derryman now moves a lot closer to home. All here at Ballymac thank him for the memories and wish him well at his new club.
16th Jan 06. CHRIS WALKER BENEFIT - Night At The Races
As previously stated a "night at the races" plus disco is being held on Saturday 21st January in the Hillfoot Glentoran Supporters Club, Castlereagh Rd in aid of the Chris Walker Benefit Fund.
We have managed to secure sponsorship for all the races but still need some sponsorship for the dogs. Cost of sponsoring a dog is £5 and can be done so by contacting myself on 07886337857 (before Friday if possible) with your name and a fictitious name for the dog. All dogs sponsors will be printed on the race sheet for the night with the winning dogs sponsor receiving a small prize.
Admission is only £2 and is payable at the door. A late licence for the night has been obtained to add to what should be a really good night. Doors open at 7. 30 p.m. with the first race scheduled to get underway at 8pm
We look forward to seeing you there. William Cameron (Secretary)
15th Jan 06. Glentoran 2 Ards 1 - A date at the Oval with Ballyclare Comrades awaits us in round 6 ... suffice to say after that display I'm just delighted to be in the next round! Ards were robbed. Really finding it hard to get motivated at the minute, what on earth has happened to this team :-(
Full 6th Round Draw:
Limavady Utd v H&W Welders/Bangor
Lis Distillery v Ballymena United
Cliftonville/D'gannon v Crusaders/Portadown
Glentoran v Ballyclare Comrades
Larne/Donegal Celtic v Carrick Rangers
Newington/Coagh v Portstewart
Glenavon v Coleraine/Newry City
Linfield v Banbridge/Loughgall
13th Jan 06. New DVD released tomorrow - Since the fans forum meeting at the Park Avenue Hotel way back in November many people have asked about getting a copy of the videos shown. ForzaTV have now released a DVD showing all 3 videos! Priced at £5 the DVD will be on sale at half time tomorrow in the 1923 Clubrooms.
ALL PRODUCTION COSTS HAVE BEEN MET BY ForzaTV SO EVERY PENNY RAISED FROM YOUR PURCHASE WILL GO TOWARDS THE LEGAL COSTS OF REGISTERING YOUR SUPPORTERS TRUST.
There are no current plans to sell the DVD online.
Many thanks to the 1923 Committee members for the use of their clubrooms tomorrow.
Update - The remainder of the DVD's can now be purchased at Dawsons newsagents on the Belmont Road.
Ards game - Been here once or twice before haven't we children ... sadly far too often if you ask me :-(
So it's the Irish Cup to save the season for Glentoran FC once again ... I can't help but feel we're
going to play this card once too often - Let's just hope our luck holds out for another year,
because we should all have the gravest of concerns for the very existence of this football club
the first time we don't qualify for European football. I see the Glens are awaiting clearance
to play new-boy McDonagh tomorrow, God knows we could do with more bite in the middle
of the park, whether he's the answer or not we'll just have to wait and see.
So Ards it is for the second week on the trot, no disrespect to them but we couldn't really
have wished for a better draw ... and at home. Anything but a Glens win is absolutely
unthinkable. Time to stand up and be counted. And we can't even get a pint :-(
Match Betting: Glentoran 1/4, Ards 9/1, and a draw 4/1. All odds by TOALS bookmakers.
12th Jan 06, 12.30pm. First new signings? Could one of them be ... Willo (William) McDonagh? Midfielder - Dublin born, previously played for Roddy Collins at Bohemians, Carlisle United, and most recently Shamrock Rovers, but was released in early December with the arrival of Rovers new manager Pat Scully. Only 17 when he joined Carlisle, he played over 150 games for the English League club. Now aged 22, according to the Shamrock Rovers website a strong and powerful player who makes his presence felt in the middle of the park, (and from the number of yellow & red card offences I've uncovered today it would seem they're right)! Guested for Portadown in their friendly against Dutch side Leonidas at the weekend. DOB: 14-03-83, Height: 6'01", Weight: 12.01. Is he any good ...? Dunno, you tell me.
Update, 1.40pm - Just been confirmed officially, McDonagh has signed a 2½ year deal at the Oval.
BallymacGSC.com - No Bull ;-)
9th Jan 06. CHRIS WALKER BENEFIT - NIGHT AT THE RACES (Dogs)
The Chris Walker Benefit are holding a Night at the Races and Disco (plus late license) on Saturday 21st Jan in the Hillfoot Glentoran Supporters Club. Doors open at 7. 30 p.m. with the 1st race due to start at 8pm. A £2 entrance fee is payable at the door. Anybody who wishes to sponsor a race or a dog can do so by contacting myself or any other committee member in the premier lounge after the match or by phoning me on my mobile 07886337857
Cost of sponsoring a race is £25 with the cost of sponsoring a dog £5. William Cameron (Secretary)
Ards 0 Glentoran 1
7th Jan 06. Tom Dick resigns - Glentoran Chief Executive Tom Dick has resigned his position at Glentoran Football Club, in the wake of the Glens receiving a £750 fine for drinking license irregularities at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday. Tom was subsequently interviewed by the local press, the article in question making 'front page' news in yesterday mornings' Belfast Telegraph. The interview has been well documented elsewhere on this and other websites across the net. Tom told me yesterday he believed the article to have been badly edited.
Now it's no secret I have had my fair share of run-ins with Tom Dick over the past year or so, but I have to say being fully aware of the circumstances surrounding the licensing issue, it wasn't down to him. As to his resignation, that is a personal matter. The issues with the press? I just can't help feeling Tom a curt 'No comment' sometimes might have done.
Ards game - Running a bit late folks, just time to tell you that the Ballymac bus will be leaving Wilgar Street at 2pm.
3rd Jan 06. Told ya Halliday could be in diffs ... HERE
Winner of Halfers draw v Distillery ... was Tommy Crossley, (The players lounge and Boardroom doorman). Tommy has now won the draw 5 times!! Tommy won £270 with the ticket 1160.
2nd Jan 06. Glentoran 0 Lis Distillery 0 - Down to 3rd in the table, and now just 5 points off 7th place! In a couple of weeks our season could be all over!
And it gets even better ... Just heard Michael Halliday went home from the game lame today and could be in diffs!
BTW - Tim McCann II just came back from Sligo and crossed to the dark side til the end of the season!
Nicky Summerbee? Yip, son of Man City's Mike - Could be nothin but that's the latest I've heard ... HERE
... another interesting link ... HERE
1st Jan 06. Dungannon 2 Glentoran 1
