OLD NEWS - MAY 2007
31st May 07, 3.30pm. Tom Dick resigns ... HERE, and BBC are now reporting that fellow Glentoran Director Cecil McKeague has now also resigned.
2.30pm. Oh by the way .... Nigel Worthington ;-)
Still no 'Tele' :-( No matter, Roy Walker has also been interviewed today by Radio Ulster (prob be on 'Evening Extra' 5.00pm), and by UTV Sport (6.00 news).
"AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED I'M STILL GLENS' MANAGER!" - Roy Walker has blown the lid right off the recent controversy surrounding his botched 'appointment' as manager of Glentoran Football Club. In this morning's Belfast Telegraph Walker reveals that astonishingly he has STILL to be told he is no longer manager at the club!! Claiming the club are in "chaos", he goes on, "If self preservation and self interest is of paramount importance at the Oval, nothing will change, but if people are truly interested in the good of the club things can move on for the good of Glentoran". Interestingly he adds, "Now some Glentoran Board members have offered me a position on the board. I will consider it on one condition, that the current Director for Football, Tom Dick, for his own sake and the sake of Glentoran FC, does the honorable thing and tenders his resignation, which incidentally, he has told me that he has written". He ends by saying he would be happy to meet with some shareholders, members of the board, or fans for the betterment of Glentoran Football Club. The Belfast Telegraph website is currently experiencing technical problems, as soon as it is back online I'll post a link to the entire article here on the front page.
30th May 07. **UPDATE. 5.00pm. If you haven't already got your copy of tomorrows Belfast Telegraph on order I suggest you get up right'n early ... they may be sold out by the time you get there!
They think it's all over ...? NOT A CHANCE! - A new manager appointed - or not? A caretaker manager appointed - or not? ANOTHER new manager appointed? On the face of it yes, it would seem so, I mean we held a press conference yesterday and announced it didn't we? But sure didn't we do that last week as well? But hold on here, two press conferences, same venue - but some very different faces in front of the cameras, and not just that of the manager. And be under no illusions here, the presence (or lack of) our Chairman or others at each of those events is something that should be of grave concern to us all. My understanding of the situation is that there are now deep divisions in the Boardroom at Glentoran Football Club, possibly terminal. And make no mistake, when Roy Walker has his say (and before this week is out he WILL have his say), it is going to get much much worse! I would suggest no-one comes to any conclusions until ALL the facts are on the table. Whatever the fallout over the next few days or weeks though, I cannot for the life of me see this Board carry on in it's current guise. For all the very public innuendo, and behind the scenes finger-pointing, surely as a collective and responsible body they are each equally culpable for the pantomime we have had played out before us this past week? If not, why not, who on earth then is running the show? And how was it ever allowed to get to this stage? What a sorry sorry mess, and all played out in glorious widescreen in every living room in the country, don't even mention the papers!! Well brace yourselves folks, for the worst is yet to come. Alan McDonald left for Moldova with the Northern Ireland U-21's yesterday, God only knows what he is going to come home to! And Roy Walker, an honest man of impeccable character and good old-fashioned principles seemingly left hung out to dry. What a sad sad reflection on a once great and proud football club ... what on earth have we become :-(
29th May 07. Before we forget, the season's not over yet ... Glentoran Colts play Linfield Rangers tonight in the play-off final of the Carnegie Youth League. After finishing tops in their respective sections the teams now come together at Dundela's Wilgar Park tonight at 7.00pm in the Junior League Title decider. It promises to be a great match and I would encourage as many of you as possible to get down to the "hen run" and cheer on the future stars of Glentoran Football Club. I know they would really appreciate your support. RESULT: Glentoran Colts 3 - Linfield Rangers 5
28th May 07. **UPDATE, 6.15pm - Roy Walker is now reported to be "considering his response, and will release a statement to the media later this week."
**UPDATE, 3.45pm - Now hear there is to be a Press Conference tomorrow @ 12.30pm.
**UPDATE, 11.45am -News reaching me is that Alan McDonald has agreed a 2 year deal. As of yet no official confirmation. Also hear Roy Walker may have something to say on the matter sometime this afternoon.
Will he or won't he? Today could be the day we find out whether or not Alan McDonald is appointed the new manager of Glentoran FC. One thing's for sure though, whoever finally takes up the mantle he should be given the FULL support of the entire Glentoran community. I can't believe some of the crap I'm reading lately from some so-called Glenmen about Alan McDonald and his impending appointment. Let's not forget, due to other commitments the man never even applied for the vacant managers post when it became available less than 2 weeks ago! He was prepared however to facilitate the Glens by letting us hi-jack HIS UEFA 'A' License qualification to get us through the UEFA Cup, and when the ar$e fell out of that pot he has now been asked to 'bail' the club out yet again by accepting the managers post! The very LAST person we should be pointing the finger at in this whole sorry mess is Alan McDonald!! Unbelievable!!
26th May 07, 2.30pm. Big Mac - the Manager's job is yours if you want it! - BallymacGSC.com can confirm that as of yesterday Alan McDonald has been considering an Official offer of Manager at Glentoran Football Club. Furthermore, should he choose to accept, Roy Walker will then be appointed the new Glentoran Director for Football. As you will be aware, complications have arisen as to Roy Walkers lack of the required UEFA Licenses to compete in European Football, but I am assured that the offer to McDonald is not simply that of a 6-week temporary post, the job would be for a full duration, and were he to take it on Big Alan would be at liberty to appoint whatever backroom staff he chooses. Alan is to mull it over the weekend.
25th May 07. Hold that plane ...! Just when you thought you'd heard it all ... HERE
2007-08 Season Ticket Prices - Season tickets will cost £150 for next season (£125 if purchased before the end of June) and once again include admittance to the home leg of our European game (above article permitting of course ;-). Concessions are £50, saving a tenner if bought early. Full details at the Official Glens website - HERE
24th May 07. FC Midtjylland 2 - 1 Aalborg ... Midtjylland it is! Draw 29th June.
IT'S THE WALKER AND SINKY SHOW :-) News breaking this morning appears to confirm what we all suspected, that former Crusaders and Glenavon manager Roy Walker has been appointed Manager of Glentoran Football Club. What we didn't see coming is that apparently he intends bringing Billy Sinclair back as his assistant! Walker, League Championship winner twice with Crusaders in the late 90's has yet to be announced officially, but I think we can take it as read. Sinky though is a real surprise, he played for the Glens in the great Cougars side of course, then returned as assistant boss to Tommy Cassidy before Coyler took over the reins in 97. Regardless, if confirmed we would encourage ALL fans to get behind the new leadership, in advance of what could prove a very challenging season ahead for the club.
Prince Charles will be devastated ;-)
UEFA Cup - If Danish side Midtjylland (remember them) beat Aalborg at home in the league tonight, they'll complete the seeds list (16th May below) for our first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. Failing that it goes to Sunday night.
Many Thanks ... to everyone who came along to the Ballymac clubrooms for both the FA Cup and Champions League Finals, hope you all enjoyed the craic and had plenty to eat!
23rd May 07. Don't forget ... UTV Focus, 10.00pm tonight, directly after the Champions League Final.
Keep that tape recording for ... "The Cougars"
"A look at when Irish League side Glentoran became the Detroit Cougars in 1967. They took on some of the greatest teams in the world and returned to Belfast as heroes" Couldn't have put it better myself :-)
BTW, anybody know did Prince Charles get the job today? BallymacGSC.com - No Bull & No Blue ... FOR 7 YEARS!!
11.00am. Arise Sir Dick! - It seems the Managers job is about to get the Royal seal of approval at the Oval today around 1.30pm! I kid you not - get your ass down there asap if you don't believe me! I hear Charlie's down for an interview for the managers post & Camilla for club Secretary! Sure when am I ever wrong ;-)
21st May 07. Champions League Final in the Ballymac ... Ballymac clubrooms will be open for the Liverpool / AC Milan Champions League Final on our big screen. Doors open Wednesday night at 7.00pm. A £2 cover charge applies with loads of food laid on. All visitors are of course very welcome, so why not come along for the craic :-)
Where's those shades! For anybody who hasn't heard yet, Northern Ireland's European Championship tie against Spain in November will be in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands!! Already booked - this one could be messy ;-)
I wonder have our friends across the bridge any of those dud Euros left? What, you haven't heard? A-rrest my case ;-)
20th May 07. SPIT IT OUT! I'm sure like me you are sick to death of all the unadulturated bullsh*t we've had to listen to from Reynolds this past week, a spade is never a spade it seems when our Chairman is knee deep in shovels! Well I'll tell it how it is - GARY HAMILTON HAS TOLD THE GLENS HE WANTS A TRANSFER, is that clear enough? Now whether or not he has put it in writing yet frankly I couldn't give a toss. Michael Halliday would walk on broken glass for this club, if Hamilton doesn't want to play for the Glens that's good enough for me, take the 50k from the Bohs' and tell him he can stay down south after this weekend!
18th May 07. Clarification? - I have had a conversation with Tom Dick today and we discussed parts of the below article "A time to reflect". Despite continued assurances from my source that there is indeed a new document at the Oval, that all new managers must agree to re the role of a Director for Football, Tom is insisting that this is most definitely NOT the case. He claims no such "pre-nuptial agreement" exists. I am more than happy to post his clarification here. When I pressed him on why then the remit of the new role of 'Director for Football' was never explained to the fans, he countered that it was because I was only the second person to ask! I have this evening emailed Tom and formally given him the opportunity to outline exactly on BallymacGSC.com what the role of Glentoran's 'Director for Football' is ... and isn't.
A time to reflect ... First and foremost I'd like to thank Paul Millar for all his efforts at the club and wish him well in whatever direction he now choses to go. I've gotten to know Paul pretty well since he came to the club, and for all the talk of his failings amongst fans, I can tell you it was certainly not down to any lack of enthusiasm and belief on his part. Whether he had the experience or know-how to manage a club the size of Glentoran is open to debate, but I can assure you there was nodody more disappointed at some of those lacklustre Glentoran displays than him. And let's be honest here, when Paul was offered the managers job at the Oval he couldn't have turned it down. A young manager still cutting his teeth, being given an instant opportunity to establish himself at the top in Irish League Football, and replacing the great Roy Coyle? A dream come true. He must have been nipping himself ! So much so remember, he was even prepared to sign that dreaded pre-nuptial agreement with Tom Dick, effectively turning over any ultimate football decisions to him - the same agreement remember that seen Roy Coyle walk away from the club, the same agreement that I believe will seriously restrict our options when it comes to finding Paul's replacement!
Anyway, as to Paul's record at the club? Well it is worth remembering he did steady the ship somewhat when he came in. After the Armagh 5-2 shambles in January he won 9 and drew 2 of our remaining 11 League games, and got us into the final of the Irish Cup. The style of play might not have suited the purists among us, but asides the Irish Cup setback and a heavy defeat against Linfield in the Setanta Cup, at least he'd stopped the rot. Certainly something to build on for 2006-07. Problem was Paul stuck with his "Wimbledon" style. Understandably. He saw the team get results, and at the end of the day it's a results business isn't it? Unfortunately somebody neglected to tell him that Glentoran fans are a very fickle bunch, we do like to win, but above all else we like to be entertained. Paul must have wondered what he had to do, top of the League, CIS Cup in the bag, and already qualified for the Setanta Cup - but setting aside the exploits of a certain Mr Hamilton, entertainment was at a premium. In short, we were winning, but it was hard to watch. Then the injuries started to pile up, teams started to suss our style, and we were looking decidedly shakey. Paul did try to change it, but it all went badly wrong. Not only were we hard to watch now but we were getting beaten by mediocre sides every week, Ballymena, Distillery, Dungannon ... but for me the alarm bells really started to ring that day at Donegal Celtic. Paul reverted back to the tried and tested "Wimbledon" and we were back where we started. The fact a very average Linfield side were also sweeping all before them only increased frustration amongst the fans, and the final outcome I suppose was inevitable.
A lot has been said about Paul lately both in private and in public, including the forum on this very website, and franky some of the personal stuff was completely unwaranted. Had the manager delivered back-to-back doubles at Glentoran in his 16 months in charge, I reckon most Glenmen wouldn't have given a toss if he'd turned up blocked every week and sat in the dugout bollock naked! The sad fact remains for all his efforts he failed to deliver on the pitch when the Blues did, and that's enough to get anyone the sack at the Oval. Despite some of the harsh criticism lately I know the vast majority of Glentoran fans out there bear Paul absolutely no malice whatsoever. Good luck mate - it just wasn't to be.
17th May 07 - 4.30pm. Keep yer ear to the ground ... If what I'm hearing over the last hour or so is true expect a fairly major announcement from Glentoran FC sometime later today. Fraid I can't say more than that.
** 5.45PM, OFFICIAL - GLENTORAN MANAGER PAUL MILLAR HAS HAD HIS CONTRACT TERMINATED ...
(funny, seemed a wee bit rushed that official release ;-) BALLYMACGSC.COM - NO BULL & NO BLUE!!
FFS, DID UTV's ADRIAN LOGAN REALLY HAVE TO TELL THE CHAIRMAN!!! :-)
SUMMER OF 67 ... HERE
16th May 07. Oval Secretary steps down ... I've had confirmed tonight that as of 2 weeks ago Glentoran Secretary Alex McWilliams, together with his wife Heather, have both resigned their secretarial positions at Glentoran Football Club. Alex, who came into the Oval 'hot-seat' some 3½ years ago, felt the time had finally come to move on despite being offered the position on a full-time basis, but insists his love of the club continues and is looking forward to arriving down at the Oval on Saturdays now at a quarter to three just like the rest of us! I'd like to place on record both my own and the Ballymac's sincere thanks to Alex and Heather for all their help over their tenure at the club, and wish them well in their... retirement ;-)
Final seedings for UEFA Cup 1st Qualifying Round draw - Take your pick from this lot (a few old friends in there too) Vålerengen IF, Lillestrøm SK, & SK Brann Bergen (All Norway)
AIK Stockholm, BK Häcken & Helsingborg IF (Sweden)
OB Odense & *UC2? (Denmark)
HJK Helsinki & MyPa-47 (Finland)
Metalurgs Liepaja & Skonto Riga (Latvia)
Suduva Marijampole & Ekranas Panevezys (Lithuania)
Some real lip-smackin trips in there eh, not a bit 'a wonder we done our best to get into the Intertoto! :-(
15th May 07. Deepest Sympathy ... Just arrived home today from a short break and am deeply sorry to report the very sad news that former Ballymac member, and personal friend of mine Davy McFarland, passed away suddenly on Friday night. Affectionately known amongst his friends as "Limavady" or "Limo", Davy originally hailed from Limavady, but had been a 'died in the wool' Glenman and lived in East Belfast for as long as I've known him. He worked at the Park Avenue Hotel where many of you may know him from, and more latterly moved to Dundonald with his wife Flo, and best friend 'Jerry' - his pet German Shepherd. I was in Madrid when I got the call late Friday night, I was speechless then and still can't believe it, and such was the disbelief among all who knew him my phone never stopped all weekend. Limavady was a member of the Ballymac when I joined over 20 years ago and we became friends, he loved a bit of 'craic' and I have many happy memories of times with him and Flo, and the never to be forgotten trips with the Glens to places like Moscow and Bucharest in the late 80's. I am still finding it hard to believe that now he's gone, he was only in his 40's.
I'd like to place on record my own deepest sympathy, and that of everyone at the Ballymacarrett GSC to Flo at this very very sad time, and extend our sincere condolences to the wider family circle.
Funeral, 1.30pm Friday (18th May) is from the family home, 48 Old Mill Park Dundonald, then to Roselawn Crematorium for a further service at 2.00pm.
10th May 07. "FORZA GLENS" closes down ... HERE
8th May 07. HALFERS DRAW RAISES OVER £23,000 !! ... HERE
"The Somme" revisited ... Ballymac GSC will this weekend (12th May) be holding a Saturday night with a difference. The evening involves a very moving display and presentation, focused on the 1916 Battle of the Somme. "Trench Line Lectures", fronted by William Thompson in full military dress, will see the audience treated to an informative talk on the daily lives of the Ulster men who fought at the Somme, including authentic pieces of kit and weaponry used during the battle. The evening will include a unique display of genuine war-time artifacts, which the audience themselves will be given an opportunity to inspect and examine. Following on from the lecture will be a disco and late bar. There are a few tickets still available at £5 per person, although you will be able to 'pay at the door' on the night. Doors open 7.30pm.
5th May 07. Wee Glens do the double! - Congratulations to the Glentoran U16 side, who last night completed a Lisburn League & Cup double by defeating Shankill Juniors 5-1 in the Cup final. By all accounts there are some real quality prospects among this wee Glens side, one would hope something for us all to really look forward to in the near future. But much credit for bringing these kids to such a high level in what, let's remember, is considered by many to be the toughest junior league in the country, must also go to their coaching team of Paul Trimble and Chris Massey. After such a long and tremendously successful season, what a pity the pair of them are now deeply concerned about their jobs next term!!
Larne relegated ... NOT!! "An innocent mistake" say the IFA now, whereas when it's Glentoran, as in the Gary Smyth debacle just over 3 years ago ...
Here's the statement from the IFA re Larne's appeal last night: The Board took into account the detailed submissions and representations of all parties and unanimously agreed that there was no intention on behalf of Mr Gollogley or Larne FC to subvert the rules and regulations of the Irish Premier League but that the relevant registration documentation had been completed incorrectly. The Board felt that this error could have been recognised at an earlier junction noting however that appropriate failsafe measures were already now being implemented in order to avoid any future reoccurrence. After hearing all the evidence, and acting in accordance with the powers vested in it under IFA Article 19 (8) (vi), and in order to ensure a just outcome, the Board have decided to uphold the fine of £8,000 but have removed the 16 point deduction imposed by the IPL Commission.
And here's the statement re the Glens and Gary Smyth in October 2003: "Following receipt of specific information from the Irish Football League, the Irish Football Association conducted a thorough investigation into the registration of Gary Smyth (Glentoran FC). "After meeting with the Irish Football League and Glentoran FC and conducting an internal investigation, it was found that the player was not registered in accordance with Article 36 (1) of the Association's Articles of Association. "The Association, after legal advice, informed both the Irish Football League and Glentoran FC of the irregularities regarding the registration of this player.
The Glens were then docked 5 League points, fined £4,500, and kicked out of the CIS Cup semi-final, ironically to the benefit of guess who ... Larne! Now don't get me wrong, I have absolutely no beef with Larne Football Club, good luck to them, but are we now to believe that our registration gaff couldn't also have been an "innocent mistake"? Or was the harsh treatment meted out to us more to do with sour grapes after FIFA's intervention in the Andy Kilmartin affair the year before?
One wonders would last night's decision have been the same, if losing those points mean't Glentoran winning the League.
4th May 07. Get a load'a this ... HERE
1st May 07. Portadown 2 Glentoran 0 - If you mised the first 3 minutes of this one you may as well have stayed at home, dirgeball ! Thought I'd leave it over the weekend before summing up our season - think I just did :-(
Champions!! Glens under 16's lift title ... All roads now lead to Ballymacash Rangers ground Rushmore (7.00pm) this coming Friday (7.00pm), and Shankill Juniors in the Lisburn Cup Final!
27th May 07. GAZETTE COMES TOPS AGAIN!!!
The Glentoran Gazette swept to an unprecedented EIGHTH "Programme of the Year" Award on the trot yesterday at the Northern Ireland Football Programme Collectors Club Awards!! Anyone who buys the Gazette will be well aware of the superb quality and content of every issue, but unseen by most of us are the countless man-hours needed every week to ensure the high standards we have all come to expect maintain it's position as Northern Ireland's top award-winning match-day mag. And let's not forget the donations of almost £7,500 to the parent body in the last year! Congratulations to all those involved in the production of the Gazette on their latest recognition, once again a tremendous effort!
