31st Oct 03. What the ****'s goin on! - The IFA statement I quoted below, released yesterday on their official website, has now mysteriously disappeared from their site.
Larne riot ..... errr, game - This write-up's gonna be easy, most of it was for the Cup Semi-Final we ... .... didn't play in!
OK hands up, who remembers the last time we played Larne? No? - 6th November 2001, not even 2 years ago and you'd forgotten already, we beat them 4-0 at Inver Park in the first round of the County Antrim Shield. I remember a very young Damien McGlaughlin coming on with about 5 minutes to go and getting the fourth and his first ever goal for the club in bit of a rout. However, that was then, this is now. Larne were struggling at the foot of the first division then, a slightly different side methinks from the one now sitting third in the table, and, (albeit by default) in the Final of the League Cup in a couple of weeks! There's a few old acquaintances to be renewed tomorrow as well. John Devine and Neil Candlish (remember him) wear the red and white nowadays, and they've played a big part in getting Larne where they are today. I'm sure they'd like nothing more than to put one over us at the Oval. As for us, we're looking for another win to keep this League run going. If we win this one we can do no worse than climb at least one place, two of the teams within our reach, Coleraine and Cliftonville, play each other, and they can't both win! It looks like Locky will miss out this time, I thought it looked a bit iffy when he had to go off in the first half against Donegal Celtic on Tuesday night, otherwise I reckon the Manager is almost at the stage where he can choose from a full squad. Glad somebody's happy :-(
So, a win for the Glens tomorrow and draws everywhere else eh? That'll do me for the next 3 or 4 weeks.
Match Betting: Glentoran 4/9, Larne 6/1, and a draw 11/4. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
30th Oct 03. IFA Statement :
'The Irish FA has noted a statement which today has been issued by Glentoran FC on it's website in relation to the Gary Smyth registration matter. It is noted that the Club has now accepted full responsibility for the problem and has also accepted the ruling by the Irish Football League as to the various sanctions imposed. The IFA can confirm that no appeal procedure was implemented during the allotted time-scale and the Association accepts that the whole matter has been amicably concluded and laid to rest for the ultimate good of local football.'
David I Bowen, IFA General Secretary
What a bloody kop-out! WHY DOES EVERYBODY WANT THIS TO GO AWAY?
You say it best ........... Better with speakers HERE
29th Oct 03. Whatever you say, say nothing! - weren't surprised were ya?
Not ONE of the worrying allegations doing the rounds has been addressed in this latest board statement, not a single one!
We STILL don't know HOW, WHY, or even WHEN this whole thing came to light (initially), and WHO knew about it.
We still haven't been told IF, HOW, and WHEN we actually DID register Gary Smyth with the IFA, and WHY on earth we didn't and aren't fighting this tooth and nail, given the IFA seemingly would have had to acknowledge his registration, by, if as required under UEFA regulations, forwarding it to UEFA TWICE!
The last Board statement read: "The Board are not deliberately hiding or keeping information from the fans but when the facts are known a statement will follow later". Well what do you think? Have you ever heard so much crap!
We've now read that 'later' statement below, and it says nothing!
The fact remains the Board are in possession of 'ALL' the information, and we 'the fans' are in possession of 'NONE' .
If that isn't, quote: 'deliberately hiding or keeping information from the fans', then I don't know what friggin is!
There are still many many unanswered questions, and if they're not forthcoming from the Oval then maybe we'll just have to up the ante and UEFA can give us some answers.
Let's wait till we hear this next IFA statement and take it from there. Together we WILL get those answers!
28th Oct 03. Latest Statement from Glentoran FC - HERE ......... I'll leave it with yez
10.00pm, Glentoran 6 Donegal Celtic 1 - Match report has now been moved HERE
Stroked! - Get yourself down to the Oval early tonight, and ask anyone you can find in officialdom why we're being charged £7 a head in to watch Donegal Celtic, when across the town at the swamp it's only 4 quid! Am I wrong, or have the County Antrim FA always set their own admission fees, and up to now consistently been cheaper than other games to get into? Correct me too if I'm wrong, but I think you'll find last year's FINAL of this competition against Ballymena United at the Oval, only cost 6 quid through the gate! So who's paying that £5,000 fine now eh? Mugs like you and me!
Donegal Celtic game - Are we still in this competition? Maybe the Glens should just pull out now and save us poor supporters some hard earned dough eh! Anyway, assuming it's still on - The IFL website tells us it's a 7.45pm kick-off, the Glens say it's a 7.30pm kick-off, so take your pick, get there for half seven just to be safe! Donegal Celtic, how are they playing? Well the first division side finished 4th out of 6 in their group in the 'Daily Mirror Cup', the 'B' version of the CIS League Cup, winning just two and losing four of their games. In the League so far they have played two, winning one and losing the other, so they are hardly setting the place on fire since they were promoted to life with the so called bigger clubs. Frankly I expect no less than a romp for us! It's time we got on a wee run and this for me is the perfect opportunity to continue where we left off at Dungannon last week. Sorry Celtic, we are the holders after all, and at the moment I'm afraid needs must!
27th Oct 03. My wee bird - say's the IFA will be releasing a statement this week re. the Gary Smyth saga ..............
I hear the words sh*t and fan are in it!
26th Oct 03. Rumours? - Take your pick!
Did we, didn't we (post it)? Was he, wasn't he (registered)?
Were 'they', weren't 'they' (registered)? Or for that matter, Are they, aren't they!!
Will we, won't we (appeal)? Did they, didn't they (IFL know)? Did they, didn't they (IFA know)!
Did they, didn't they (Glentoran FC know)!!! Did we, didn't we (win the League last year)?
Are they, aren't they (Portadown going to appeal as they say they won it)?
Did we, didn't we (do a deal with the IFA)? Do you, don't you (detect an awful smell in the air)?
Are they, aren't they (Glentoran players and fans absolutely pissed off with the whole bloody shambles)!
I think we all know the answer to that last one :-(
25th Oct 03. Dungannon 1 Glentoran 4 - Looks like a stroll in the park doesn't it? Well in the end it was, but up until the 40th minute it was anything but! Match report has now been moved HERE
Results, League Table and Players Stats pages all updated - up to the lofty heights of 10th! I'm away to get pissed :-)
24th Oct 03. The Seconds - have been drawn away to Crusaders Res in the first round of the Intermediate Cup. Ties take place on Saturday 8th November, ko 2pm.
Dungannon game - Dungannon never won a home match in the whole of the League Cup group stages you know, but now that they've started the League they're unbeaten at home, they've even managed to win 1-0 in an away game at Seaview! A long way from that 8-0 tanking we gave them back in August at the Oval. It pains me to say it, but even if we hadn't lost those 5 points we'd still only be 2 points ahead of this lot! As it happens though, a win for us tomorrow would see us leapfrog the mighty Dungannon ...... on goal difference! Christ, we might even be in the top half of the Table! Well, if we're going to do any damage at all in this years League, we have to be able to win at places like this. Ballymena on Tuesday was a major backward step, we're a much better side than that, that's what's worrying me, we need to get whatever it is out of the system quickly - before it becomes terminal! I'd say the same squad will make the journey to Stangmore Park, you might even see Michael O'Neill getting a start if he's fit enough, coz the midfield on Tuesday night was woeful!
No more mistakes this time lads, get your heads round this one and let's get those three points and start climbing that table, if we're there or thereabouts come Christmas and the New Year it's all to play for. But it has to start now!
Ballymacs bus leaves Wilgar Street at 1.30pm, why not come along. You can find some other buses at the link above.
Match betting: Dungannon 6/1, Glentoran 1/2, and a draw 12/5. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
23rd Oct 03. How do you follow last week! Let's just have a quiet day eh? ............ and watch the BallymacGSC.com hit-counter break through the 200,000 mark :-) Two and a bit years it took us to reach the first 100,000 hits on this site, this second 100,000 has taken just 48 weeks! AND STILL NO BULL! Must say I am fairly chuffed ..... Keep on clickin :-)
HJK Champs - HJK Helsinki won the Finnish League Title last night - without kicking a ball! Second placed FC Haka were sitting 4 points behind HJK, but were playing a game in hand last night in a home tie with MyPa. A win would have taken Haka to within a single point of the lead going into the final games this weekend. Unfortunately for them though they lost the tie 1-0, leaving HJK as Champions once again, regardless of what happens in their final game this Sunday.
22nd Oct 03. Ballymena Utd 0 Glentoran 0 - Match report has now been moved HERE
21st Oct 03. Ballymena game - Well one thing's for sure, there ought'a be plenty of goals tonight. Six times we've met Ballymena in the last three years, and there's been 23 goals scored, and 11 of those came in two games last season! Much was made of last years first division runners-up on their promotion to the Premier League, truth be told though they have really struggled. In their League Cup group they managed just a single win from their 6 games, 1-0 at Glenavon, and they've no boots! They've done a wee bit better from the League started, from 4 games losing 1-0 to Cliftonville, drawing with the Crues and Dungannon, and even beating 'wonder team' Larne 2-1 at Inver! I suspect there's nothing that would please Mr 'Happy' Kenny Shiels more though than to put one over us tonight, I remember him gurnin the place down after playing us last year, I don't think he likes us ........... so who does ;-)
I hear the Glens may have a few minor knocks going into this one, nothing serious though, so expect a full squad to travel for ........ well it's our first visit to Ballymena since they tidied the place up isn't it?
Anyway, deja-vu, we've been here before in other ways haven't we, we can't afford to drop ANY points now for the next half dozen games or we're in danger of falling way off the pace. It's a hard call for the team to pull this off two years on the trot, but of all the sides I've seen at the Oval for the last 20 years, you know this one could just do it. Wouldn't you just love it!
Ballymac's bus leaves Wilgar Street tonight at 6.45pm if you wanna come along, check the link above for others.
Match betting: Ballymena 11/2, Glentoran 8/15 and a draw 5/2. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
Latest Board Statement:
'At a meeting tonight (Monday), members of the Glentoran Board of Directors expressed a desire for a statement to be made to our supporters in the wake of the Gary Smyth registration enquiry. The Board have noted the comments from our supporters, made either personally or by post, phone, fax and email and share their frustration and recognise the irritation lack of news creates. The Board are also feeling the same disappointment as you however the club have yet to receive official confirmation from either the Irish Football League or Irish Football Association of their verdict. In the light of this, the Board respectfully ask for continued patience. The Board are not deliberately hiding or keeping information from the fans but when the facts are known a statement will follow later. We thank you for your continued support and tremendous response for the team on Friday evening.'
20th Oct 03. Gary's back - Just been told Gary Smyth has been cleared to play again, he goes into the squad for tomorrow night's visit to Ballymena - a game incidentally which a week ago would have seen us go second with a win.
While you're at it - Let IFA President Jim Boyce know just how you feel as well HERE
19th Oct 03. Have you sent your's yet? - I'm sick of listening to gossip and speculation every time I go down to the Oval or the pub, aren't you? Nobody has to die, all I want is answers, is that so bad? Don't be taken for a fool any more, we can get those answers if we stick together, if you haven't already done so get that email in: chiefexec@glentoran.net.
Here's just one of the dozens I've received on the site, HERE
18th Oct 03. Aftermath - Many MANY unhappy people at the Oval last night. Stripped of all League points AGAIN, kicked out of the League Cup AGAIN, fined AGAIN, made the laughing stock of the whole Irish League AGAIN! The 5 grand fine isn't the end of it either, what about the lost revenue from the cup semi and likely final? Make that fine 20 grand!
I read Staffords statement on the Official site, it ends ... 'Nonetheless it gives the opportunity to get the focus back on the football, which is the important part." Don't think so Stafford, not this time.
I will be calling on my club at the first opportunity to request an urgent 'clear the air' meeting between Glentoran FC and the supporters - ALL supporters. We're not a lot of wee boys, we have followed this team all our lives some of us, and it's about time we got shown a little bit of respect and told exactly what, where and when it all went wrong. Answers were required last year and we're still waiting, there's going to be no FIFA rule to save us this time, and this time we want to know the facts! This is not a witch hunt, it's not about getting people sacked, but if, as a shareholder, I'm supposed to put my faith in the people about to spend millions of pounds in the biggest venture in the clubs history, somebody needs to reassure me and put an end to all this speculation. Enough is enough!
I would urge ALL of you to contact the Glens immediately and ask them to meet with the supporters. We need answers, if we don't do it together they'll bury their heads in the sand and hope it'll go away again, just like last year. Put it in writing to; Stafford Reynolds, The Oval, Parkgate Drive, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT4 1EW - or email chiefexec@glentoran.net
If you're stuck for time all you need to do is send three short words - 'WE WANT ANSWERS!'
Do it through your club, do it with your mates, do it alone, I don't care ........ BUT PLEASE DO IT NOW!
Glentoran 4 Newry Town 0
17th Oct 03. Wha'd I tell ya! - Tonight's 'Tele' is claiming Sammy McIlroy wants to sign Andy Smith for his new club Stockport County! HELLLLOOOOOO! God is Beacom quick or what, I told you that three days ago!
Statement from Glentoran - HERE ..... Then rearrange the following words into a well known phrase or sentence: BROWN, STUFF, OUR, IN, NECK, F******, TO, UP :-( ps (the word f****** can be used more than once if desired)
Newry Town game ........ hopefully! - Newry currently sit 2 points above the Glens in the table, albeit with a game more played, but by the time you read this it could be a lot worse than that. Gary Smyth won't play, even if his papers HAVE now been submitted, there's little chance I'm sure of him being cleared for tonight. Step forward Mr Walker. I'll always partly blame Newry for costing us the League 2 years ago you know. Cast your minds back, the Glens had just tanked Ards 4-0 in the final game of 2001, and the last ever at Castlereagh Park. With games in hand and just behind Portadown in the title race, we looked forward to a cert 6 points with the visits of bottom clubs Newry and Ards to the Oval over the next week. What happened? Newry took the lead twice and the Glens were lucky to get a 2-2 draw, then we scrape a 0-0 with Ards three days later. The following Saturday the slump continued as we lost 2-1 at Omagh, followed by 1-0 defeats at Portadown and Coleraine, and although we rallied to take it to the final day, that's where the League was lost. There now, bet that cheered you up ;-) That sort of slumb is unimaginable now of course ......... isn't it?
God only knows what must be going through the players minds ahead of this one though .... God knows! Suffice to say nothing less than 3 points will do any more, we're just never gonna win this the easy way are we. Let's hope the team can rise above it all once again and do the business. What have they done to deserve this? Don't forget, 8 o'clock kick-off.
Match betting: Glentoran 2/7, Newry Town 17/2, and a draw 7/2. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
16th Oct 03. UEFA Regulations for Champions League 2003/2004 - HERE
3.00pm. Now it's Friday! - It appears the decision reached by the IFL's Rules Revision Committee this evening won't now be released until it's passed by their 'Management Committee' (whoever the **** that is) tomorrow.
(Don't they mean they'll have to ring the IFA and their solicitor first? From what I hear they're gonna have to)
Remember this lot? - HERE Well bar a couple of changes these are the err ........ 'gentlemen' who'll decide our fate today - reassuring isn't it :-( Any news you'll be first to know.
2003-04 IFL Rules Revision Committee: Jim Semple (Crusaders), Bobby Jameson (Portadown), John Hunter (Omagh Town), Nigel McIlrath (Ballymena United), Bob Orr (Larne FC), Paul Weir (Linfield FC) and Eric Wilson (Newry Town FC)
15th Oct 03. Just a thought - A wide awake punter from the site's messageboard came up with this one - If the IFA are gonna throw the Glens out of the CIS League Cup ............ doesn't that mean the WRONG teams are playing in 'tonight's' semi-final? It just gets better and better doesn't it - what a loada tossers :-)
BTW - in case yer interested, Wisla Krakow play NEC in Holland tonight, taking a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Poland. Kick-off's 7.30pm, so check the 'Live' goal link above for updates from then. UPDATE: 2-1 to Krakow, 4-2 agg
Fear-Us - has his tuppence worth HERE
14th Oct 03, 6.45pm. McIlroy Quits! - Jesus, did I say it was boring last week! News is also just breaking that Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy is quitting to join English Second Division side Stockport County. Now I know we've one or two minor problems of our own to worry about at the minute, but reason I interrupt our annual IFA/IFL comedy show to mention it, is the fact Sammy makes no secret at all of his admiration of our very own Andy Smith! Food for thought!
5.00pm. UPDATE - IFA PRESS RELEASE
'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.
On legal advice, the Association will make no further comment on the matter at this time.'
1.00pm. UPDATE - GAME OFF - Tonight's League Cup Semi-Final has now been postponed while the relevant parties try to get to the bottom of this bloody shambles. This had better be f****** good !!!
By the way - the Glens have been drawn at home to Donegal Celtic in the first round of the County Antrim Shield, the game takes place on Tuesday 28th October. Full draw HERE
10.00am. Here we go again! - Unbelievable! Another bloody registration pantomime, this time Gary Smyth ........... and this time allegedly from the START of last season! Apparently it's the IFA who have a problem, and not the IFL. The IFA say they do NOT have a copy of Gary's registration since the beginning of the 2002/2003 season, whereas Stafford Reynolds is quoted this morning as confirming the 'IFL' do: "I understand that the 'Irish Football League' does not have a problem and they are in possession of a full set of registration documents,"."There is a meeting today and I would like to think we will have an opportunity to present some information to the authorities in relation to this."
Once again rumours of expulsion from the League Cup, a fine, loss of League points, and God knows what else are doing the rounds. Christ if it goes all the way back to the beginning of last season ........! This website's been going nuts this morning, all I can say is we'll keep an open mind till later this afternoon - until then tonight's game is in serious doubt :-(
CIS Cup Semi - OK hands up, who remembers the last time we played Larne? No? - 6th November 2001, not even 2 years ago and you'd forgotten already, we beat them 4-0 at Inver Park in the first round of the County Antrim Shield. Did you also know, that tonight Larne will be attempting to become only the second side to beat us in this competition since 1999? The only other defeat coming in a Final against the scum ....... just 3 weeks after that LARNE game! Mind of information me :-) However, that was then, this is now. Larne were struggling at the foot of the first division then, a slightly different side methinks from the one which tanked Coleraine 4-2 in the quarter-finals two weeks ago!
There's a few old acquaintances to be renewed tonight as well. John Devine and Neil Candlish (remember him) wear the red and white nowadays, and they've helped take this side to 3rd place in the League. I'm sure they'd like nothing more than to take them to the first final of the season, and at the expense of us into the bargain. As for us, we're looking for our 4th League Cup final on the trot, and something to maybe just kick start our League campaign. A lot of players have been recovering from injuries through the second string of late, and I reckon the Manager is almost at the stage where he can choose from a full squad. With 14 players on show tonight, your guess is as good as mine!
So, 90 minutes away from yet another final ........ not bad for a team in bad form eh, who'd wanna be a Glenman ;-)
Ballymac's bus leaves the club at 7 o'clock if you wanna tag along, and some other buses can be found at the link above.
Match betting: Glentoran 2/5, Larne 13/2 and a draw 3/1. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
12th Oct 03. Newry Town game - Make a note, another bloody Saturday with frig all to do next week:-( The Glens have just agreed to bring our league match with Newry forward to Friday night, kick-off 8.00pm. God knows why!
BTW - it's £6 and £4 into Seaview for our League Cup semi on Tuesday night, and an extra quid for a seat.
Portadown - go top of the Premier League table after yesterday's round of Irish League fixtures, after tanking Limavady United 6-0! - Catch up time for the Glens. Results and League Table pages now updated.
Greece 1 N Ireland 0 - Surprise surprise :-( It took a debatable penalty though just 20 minutes from time for the group winners to break down the Norn Iron defence this time, with Stuarty Elliott playing from the start and Andy Smith coming off the bench in the 63rd minute to replace Keith Gillespie. I hear Andy had a great chance just 10 minutes from the end to equalize but blasted it over, although by then we were down to 10 men after George McCartney had been red-carded for the penalty decision. So there you have it, 3 points from 8 games, no wins and no goals, and lost twice to friggin Armenia! But hey, look on the bright side ................... can't get any worse can it :-)
10th Oct 03. Under 21's - Elliott Morris and Gavin Melaugh get the chance tonight to help prove the 'powers that be' wrong, for pulling the Northern Ireland Under 21 side out of the next European Championships. The IFA have of course withdrawn the team from the 2008 competition, citing expense, and the fact they currently sit bottom of their group with only a single win from seven games, trailing behind the likes of Armenia. A win tonight in Greece is unlikely to change the IFA's thinking, but would at least restore a wee bit of pride and could give them a chance to avoid the wooden spoon. The game kicks off at 5 o'clock our time and as usual you can keep up to date with the score at the 'Live' goals link above.
Update, 6.55pm. - Greece U21's 0 N Ireland U21's 1 (25mins)
With Armenia having lost 2-0 earlier today at home to Spain in their final game, it means tonight's win in Greece is more than good enough for Northern Ireland to leapfrog them and avoid finishing last in the group. Looks like Elliott Morris didn't get on, strange, considering he was in nets when we lost 6-2 at home to this lot back in April ;-) One point from 6 games, then you win two in a row ............. funny old game :-( Maybe some of it will rub off on the seniors tomorrow :-)
7th Oct 03, 1.00pm. League Cup Semi's - I hear the Glens will be playing their League Cup Semi with Larne at Seaview next Tuesday night, with the Crues/Cliftonville game at the Oval on Wednesday - WAIT FOR CONFIRMATION!
Update, 5.00pm - Confirmed, told yez, Seaview it is - kick off 7.45.
6th Oct 03. It could be YOU :-) Get those jeans back out of the wash, Saturday's 'halfnhalf' draw at the Oval hasn't been claimed yet! Winning ticket number 5476 will land someone a tidy £360 if it's claimed before the end of the game with Newry in a fortnight. Failing that the draw that day will be a rollover. I've friggin lost mine :-(
5th Oct 03. Glentoran 0 Distillery 0
I'm still in the club, is the match over yet? What a loada crap! ...............
End of match report.
Larne - will provide the opposition for the Glens in this year's League Cup semi-final. The game takes place on Tuesday 14th October, and, contrary to rumours yesterday that it will be played at the Oval, a venue has yet to be decided.
3rd Oct 03. Lisburn Distillery game - Next up, the Whites. Paul Kirk's side got off to a great start this season, beating Newry Town 2-1 in the first game of the League Cup to sit second in their group, unfortunately though, they errrr ........... lost their remaining five and failed to qualify! They carried that dismal run into the Championship two weeks ago losing 4-1 at Portadown (it was the Whites kept the scum off the bottom ;-), but stopped the rot somewhat last weekend with a 1-1 draw at home to Coleraine. Last season we met Distillery four times, twice at home and twice away, and won them all, bagging 8 goals to their 2. Don't be fooled though, I remember all those games and believe me they were tight, I think we actually went behind in two of them - one definitely. One thing about them though is that 'Kirker' likes them to try to play football, I hope that's the case tomorrow.
This is one we really want to win, we've no league match for a fortnight after this and anything other than a win could see a gap open up ahead of us with the others all playing next Saturday - we need to at least stay in touch early on. I don't recall any injuries from Tuesday night, all the substitutions were made when we were well on top, solely in my opinion to give some of the others a run out.
So, plenty of goals on Tuesday lads, let's have some more tomorrow please, this title race could be tight.
Match betting: Glentoran 2/9, Distillery 17/2, and a draw 9/2. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
1st Oct 03. Cup Draw - The draw for the CIS League Cup Semi Finals will be made this Saturday. Matches will be played on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th October at venues to be decided. The Final is on Tuesday November 11th.
Just the five ! - Ex Glenmen Stuarty Elliott and Andy Kirk have been added to the Northern Ireland squad along with Andy Smith for Saturday week's European Championship match in Greece. With Elliott Morris and Gavin Melaugh also named for the Under 21's, that makes five in my book! ............. Said it before - just send the lot ;-)
