Old News - January 2007
31st Jan 07. Fancy a flutter? - Just 3 weeks ago (Jan 5th below) the Glens were 7/4 to win the League, two weeks before that (22nd Dec) they were 5/2 to win the Irish Cup. I mentioned at the time (tongue in cheek) that the combined total made the Glens 8/1 to do the double. To be perfectly honest, and having had the benefit of watching them play all season, quite frankly I wouldn't have touched them with a barge pole at those prices! Now though, assuming you believe we're about to turn the corner, you might just be tempted. Latest odds for the Glens to win the League have rocketed to 4/1, while to lift the Irish Cup we are now out to 7/2 - a combined double of almost 20/1 !!! A tenner on us to lift either trophy would net £50 or £45 at these prices, but a tidy £225.00 for the double!! .... oink-oink, oink-oink ... heads down ... incoming pig alert ;-)
Shels in REAL Diffs - Shelbourne have pulled out of the 2007 Setanta Cup ... BECAUSE THEY'RE SKINT!
(Christ if it was that friggin simple we'd have had to pack it in years ago)! It appears the Eircom League Champions really are in dire financial straits though, and have lost most of their league winning squad during the close-season. They would have consequently struggled to field a full squad for the start of the Setanta Cup next month, even though the revenue that the competiton would have provided could have proved a life-saver. There is real concern now amongst fans over the Clubs' very existence. The FAI have confirmed that St Pat's Athletic will now take Shelbournes' place in the Setanta Cup after they finished as runners-up in the FAI Cup, there's even talk that Derry City might be admitted to the Champions League!
The grass is always greener eh ... :-(
30th Jan 07. ** New Police info for all those travelling to Donegal Celtic ... HERE
BIG RON'S BACK!! ** Breaking News ** RONNIE McFALL - " I'll MANAGE GLENS AGAIN !! " ... HERE
Peter McCann ... has now left the Glens 'by mutual agreement'', with 5 months left on his contract.
... and from bbc.co.uk - "Donegal Celtic have expressed interest in Glentoran striker Gary Browne"
Chris Morgan ... "I felt that I was being pushed out a bit and was being forced to make a decision very quickly, I had until tomorrow night to come up with a decision before the transfer window closed and that was something that I felt I wasn't able to do." "I spoke to 'Windy' (Millar) last night and told him that unless his plans are to dump me in the reserves for the rest of the season, then I want to stay and then take things from there. He said he wanted me to stay and that's what I wanted to hear." Delighted, hopefully that's the end of this Lee Feeney bollox! Full interview in the 'Tele' ... HERE
29th Jan 07. Looks like Morgan out Ward in ... Latest I hear is that former Dungannon Swifts striker Michael Ward has signed for the Glens. Rumours have been circulating for a few weeks now that the 23 year old was coming to the Oval, and breaking news today is that he has finally agreed terms - expect an official announcement sometime tonight. A product of the Leeds United Football Academy, and former trialist at both Derby County and Grimsby Town, Ward returned to Northern Ireland in August 2003 to sign for Roy McCreadies Omagh Town. He then followed McCreadie from Omagh to Newry Town a year later, but a fall out with the infamous 'Mac the Mouth' saw him move back to St Julians Road after just 3 months. A move to Dungannon followed in August 2005, but they parted company under a bit of a cloud just before Christmas 2006, Ward citing 'disillusionment' and 'needing a break from football' as his reasons. No idea what he's been doing since then, oher than some say he's been dabbling with the GAA. ** UPDATE - Ward has signed until summer 2008. As a side issue, I also hear we're after Newry midfielders Richard Clarke & Damian Curran. Don't be surprised if a deal takes Chris Morgan the other way, but you're gonna love this one ... I'm told Newry say Clarke and Curran are going nowhere .... and have offered us Lee Feeney instead !!! (and no I'm not joking - scarey or what)!
28th Jan 07. Bye Bye Chris? - Speculation surrounding Chris Morgans future with the club increased today with press reports suggesting that the Glens have already accepted offers from both Glenavon and Newry City. Dungannon and Ballymena are also rumoured to be interested in Chris, but regardless, it looks like the man who famously all but won the League for us 2 years ago with THAT goal may have played his last game in a green shirt. The transfer window closes midnight on Wednesday.
Lis Distillery 3 Glentoran 1 - Absolutely gutted today ... my pig choked ... too.
25th Jan 07. Distillery game - Betting: Lis Distillery 10/3, Glentoran 4/5, and a draw 11/5. All odds supplied by TOALS.
24th Jan 07. 'Greatest Ever' ... result - The GCT Mural Poll on the 11 Greatest Ever Glentoran Players has started to come in. The 'Legends' list also grows for the 125th GCT Ormeau Park Festival. Click on the GCT website link above for more ...
Bad news all round ... if what I hear is correct, that Jason Hill may have broken a leg! I certainly hope for his sake (and ours) that's not the case. Fingers crossed. ** Latest, delighted to say I hear it isn't broken ... still don't know how bad.
22nd Jan 07. The truth is out there ... Remember that fiasco surrounding the recent Cliftonville game? Seems all of that anger may have been misdirected. Read on ...
The email which I sent to the Event Manager, does not insist that the game should be all ticket.My email was only sent after receiving a phone call from the Club's Event Manager Roger Clarke where we discussed the issues. He intimated that it would suit the Club to postpone the game and he asked me to put my concerns in an email to him. I understood from him that the purpose of this was to inform any decision that the Club might make in conjunction with the IFA. I was out of the Country the following day but attended a meeting at the Oval on my return and clarified the Council's position, which was not to impose any restrictions on the Club regarding ticketing or an early kick off.
It was clear at that meeting that there was a manipulation of the facts and that my email had been taken out of context. I was very direct in clarifying the Council's position and following the meeting I received an email from Roger Clarke apologising for his part in the manipulation. I then received a phone call from Tom Dick also apologising and blaming the misinterpretation of my email on a misunderstanding between him and Roger Clarke.
I would just finish by saying that we meet with the Clubs regularly and provide advice around safety issues some of which is taken on board and some of which isn't. The purpose of these meetings, which include other organisations, is to support the Clubs in providing as safe an environment as possible at games. The Council does not have any hidden agenda.
I have been working with Glentoran Football Club for over 12 years and I am confident that it knows the difference between advice and formal restrictions.
Valerie Brown
Environmental Health Manager
Belfast City Council
Right from the top, interesting stuff - you decide ...
Gary Hamilton 0 Dungannon Swifts 1 - oink oink ...
Halfers Winner ... v Dungannon was Harry Dimelow who won £480 with the ticket no. 7863 drawn by Cullen Feeney.
20th Jan 07. Don't forget your 11 players for the GCT 125th Mural, post them into the box on the 'Halfers' hut.
19th Jan 07. Tonight's League Result - Newry 2 Larne 3 (ht 2-0) ... hi in the name'a friar tuck did Newry bate us!!!
Dungannon Swifts game - No disrespect to Armagh City and Ballymoney Utd, but it's been 5 weeks since we last beat a half decent team! Tomorrow will be a good test. Dungannon may be 9 points off the pace at the minute, but are well in the hunt for at the very least a Setanta Cup spot next season, and on their day are capable of beating anyone. We managed a 4-2 win at their place just 3 games into the new Premier League, but it was certainly no 'gimme' with H&H coming up with a late goal each to secure all 3 points. The Swifts seem to have tightened up somewhat since then though, and have actually conceded just 2 goals more than ourselves in the League - matter of fact we're the only team to have put more than 2 goals past them in 25 starts all season! Take your own pick from who starts for this one, having used 17 players in our last 2 matches your guess is as good as mine! Whatever, 3 points for ourselves would be a very welcome result given second-placed Portadown visit the swamp, a draw there would do very nicely thankyou.
Match Betting: Glentoran 8/15, Dungannon 11/2, and a draw 12/5. All odds supplied by TOAL bookmakers.
18th Jan 07. Dungannon ... last night warmed up for their trip to the Oval this weekend with a 7-1 trouncing of Coagh United in the Irish Cup!
15th Jan 07. GCT 'DOGHOUSE' GIG - Tickets for the Glentoran Community Trust 'DOGHOUSE' GIG at the Park Avenue Hotel on Saturday 24th February are now on sale, and over half of the original allocation of 400 have already been sold at the weekend! Tickets will be on sale again at the Oval this coming Saturday (v's Dungannon Swifts) from the back window of Tommy McKee's 'Halfers' hut before the game, or alternatively by contacting a GCT Board member directly. They are now also available from the 'Teenage Kicks' music shop, 440 Woodstock Road (beside the Eastender), ph 028 90454004.
Hows this line-up for a challenge match ... Alan Paterson, Arthur Stewart (Manager), Barney Bowers, Billy Caskey, Gary Blackledge, George Neill, Jim Cleary, John Caskey, Johnny Jameson, Johnny Jamison, Liam Coyle, Rab McCreery, Raymond Morrison, Reggie Hillen, Robert Strain, Terry Kingon & Trevor Erskine! Keep your eye on the GCT website over the next few days for more ;-)
Halfers - Winner with the ticket no. 7401 drawn by Colin Nixon v Ballymoney, was a William "Kaiser" Cameron, who himself is a good fund-raising servant to the Club. Well done Kaiser - who took home £400, and many thanks to all those who supported the draw in aid of Nicky's benefit season on such a horrible weather day! Tommy McKee
14th Jan 07. Gary Hamilton 2 Ballymoney Utd 1 - and we can look forward to Portadown at the Oval in the next round
12th Jan 07. Good Luck Chris - News that Chris Walker has finally parted company with the Glens will come as no surprise to any of you. The big lad has had no shortage of bad luck this last few years with injuries, and as a result really struggled to find his best form coming in and out of the first team. But Chris had been there before of course, I remember Coyler putting him on the transfer list a few years back when they (ahem) fell out over a certain Irish Cup date, but being the Glenman he undoubtedly is Chris knuckled down, fought his way into the first team, and back off that list! This time though you just knew it was different. When Chris reluctantly went out on loan to Armagh I reckon even he knew his days at the Oval were numbered. But I have to say it was probably the best thing he could have done! In his heart of hearts he'll always be a Glenman of course, but when I spoke to him lately he looked like he was genuinely enjoying his football once again. He was back playing in the Premier League, starting every game for his new team and was justifiably proud of the part he played in his new teams recent unbeaten run! This time 6 months ago the big lad was disillusioned and downbeat at his future, he wasn't himself. I'm delighted to say he now looks to have turned a bit of a corner and is enjoying his football once again. One of the greatest characters ever to don a Glentoran shirt, and someone I value as a personal friend. Good to see you smiling again big lad ... sure you know you never really leave the Oval ;-)
Ballymaney Utd game - Match Betting: Glentoran 1/25, Ballymoney Utd 33/1, and a draw 15/2. Not a bad price ...
... for Ballymoney! All odds supplied by TOAL bookmakers. (Btw, League Table Page now finally updated :-)
10th Jan 07. Last nights 'Halfers' winner was ... Eddie Patrick, who took home £380 with the ticket 7213 - nice prize for a midweek game!! Credit to our support!! -- Again!! Saturday's game will be the last 'Halfers' Draw of the season that Glens fans can appreciate Colin Nixon. The draw v Ballymoney Utd will be donated to Colin's Benefit. Please support a Glentoran Legend in the last few months of his Testamonial. - Tommy McKee
Coyler leaves Newry ... HERE
9th Jan 07. Glentoran 1 Cliftonville 2 ... wha'd I do with that flyin pig FFS!!
Sorry for the lack of updates folks - got NTL to thank for that one! Hope to be back to normal again soon (they tell me after 3 friggin days)!! Meanwhile, thought I'd put my wee flying pig away again ... for now ;-)
By the way ... Halfers winner v Armagh was Wibur Graham with the 6545, and Wilbur recouped £510 after Christmas!
5th Jan 07. Liverpool v Arsenal 'LIVE' at the Ballymac ... This Saturday's Big FA Cup 3rd Round clash at Anfield is being shown 'LIVE' in the Ballymac Clubrooms! Why not head up to Wilgar Sreet after the Glens/Armagh game and watch the tie-of-the-round on our giant screen! The Clubrooms will be open directly after our match at the Oval for the 5.15pm kick-off. You are ALL welcome to come along for the craic, and you never know I might even buy you a pint!
Armagh game - Well if we needed 3 points at Ballymena ... quite frankly we desperately need them this
time. If we were to lose tomorrow we could unbelievably find ourselves way back in 3rd, and 4 points off the pace by the time our next league game comes round in a fortnight! I'm just not convinced we'd recover from that particular one, even with 12 or 13 still to go. A win however, and we could be 4 points clear at the top again depending on results elsewhere! Oh what a wonderful game :-) So, changes tomorrow then? Has to be, Ryan Berry it's feared is out for at least a month, and although we have Dean Fitzgerald finally available, and probably Locky too, there must be serious questions as to both their fitness. I suspect the manager will elect to play either or both regardless - so much for our big squad! Whatever happens though we'll have to sort it out at the back and stop conceding those dreadful goals, you can't continue to score 2 a game and come away with nothing. I believe the ball has to stick in midfield more, if it keeps coming back at you something will eventually give, no matter how many you score at the other end, and the back 4 / 5 have been kicking the ball into each other since start of play on Boxing Day! Tomorrow then should be very interesting, the longer it stays at 0-0 the steeper that hill's gonna seem ... oh how we could do with another 12 minute Hamilton hat-trick! Time to stand up and be counted.
TOALS certainly don't seem to fancy Armagh though ... Match Betting: Glentoran 1/3, Armagh 15/2, and a draw 100/30. Also the latest odds for the Premier League - Win only ... Linfield 8/15, Glentoran 7/4, Portadown 9/1, & Cliftonville 20/1.
And don't forget to have a look at the RUOnTheBall.com website, it could be the best decision you make all year!
4th Jan 07. Hamilton's Harp Award - Glens marksman Gary Hamilton has scooped the Harp 'Player of the Month' for December. 7 goals from 6 games helping the Glens to the CIS Cup and top of the Premier League Table. "I scored in every game I played in during December so it was good from a personal point of view, I couldn't have done more to help my team-mates." "The service to me has been excellent from all the boys and that's why I've been able to score the goals I have." "We slipped up in a couple of games though so getting the award is not as good a feeling as it could be."
3rd Jan 07. County Antrim Shield Semi-Final - Err, hold that bus for next Tuesday night's County Antrim Shield semi-final at the swamp folks. Tell your driver to wait by the phone over the next few days ... I hear there may well be yet ANOTHER twist in the pipeline! Before we're finished with this one we could end up going to the Brandywell !
*** 6.00pm - UPDATE: The game has been switched to next Tuesday night at the OVAL!!
Tickets MAY be on sale at the Oval on Saturday!
2nd Jan 07. Ballymena Utd 3 Glentoran 2 - OINK! OINK! Guess who's back! And here he stays til we sort that shambles out! 150 mile round trip for me tonight to watch that load'a crap. One point from 9, and 7 goals conceded in 8 days ... 4 of those free headers against the "best defence in the league". Outside of a superb goal from Colin Nixon we did absolutely NOTHING for over an hour! It pains me to say it, but by the end that one tonight there were definite shades of 12 months ago! Champions? Yer havin a friggin laff!!
Ballymena game - What's to say, think we all know 3 points are required tonight, and quite frankly I'm delighted to have our Willo back! You don't realise how much you're going to miss someone til there not there do you! Bus details above. Match Betting: Ballymena Utd 7/2, Glentoran 8/11, and a draw 23/10. All odds supplied by TOAL bookmakers.
... and just while we're on betting odds ... Now might be a good time to have another look at the Football 'Tipsters' website RUOnTheBall.com at the link above left. Since November 25th 2006 the weekly treble has hit 5 weeks out of 6, and the last 4 on the trot!! Punters like me in the run-up to Christmas found themselves almost £600 in pocket going into the New Year - an amazing run of form :-) Entirely up to yourselves of course, but DEFINITELY worth another look!
1st Jan 07. Glens still top ... after Portadown and Cliftonville share the spoils ... Results and Table Pages now updated
