31st Oct 04. Glentoran 1 Coleraine 0 - Match report HERE
29th Oct 04. Coleraine game - Played the Bannsiders twice already this season, both in the League Cup - 3-0 up there and a 1-1 draw at the Oval. Coleraine certainly seem to have improved a helluva lot since that first game we played, a draw at the Oval probably a fair result after we'd tanked them 4 weeks before. Never a dull moment now with Marty Quinn's side it would seem, their last 4 league games yielding a total of 18 goals ... unfortunately for them 8 of those went in the wrong end! Hard to predict which Coleraine you're going to get now all the same, they get a 4-1 thumping at the swamp just two weeks back, then come out last Saturday to hammer Dungannon 4-2! One interesting statistic they won't be proud of I hear though, is that they haven't won a league match away from home in the whole of 2004! Hopefully that unfortunate trend continues for them for one more week at least, and the Glens add another three points to their title chase, I've a feeling we could make a little ground on the top two tomorrow.
Match Betting: Glentoran 1/2, Coleraine 5/1, and a draw 12/5. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
28th Oct 04. Rest in East ... win even more press coverage for the Glens, in advance of the groups meeting this week with the Glentoran Board of Directors. Front AND back pages in todays East Belfast Observer.
26th Oct 04. Lest we forget ... Thought I'd give the 'Two Towers' serial another re-run above for those of you who may be relatively new to the site or have missed it. Quality stuff. Speakers on if you have them - enjoy :-)
25th Oct 04. Glentoran 11 Glebe Rangers 0 ... Not a lot more to say really. For the record ...
85 mins - 11-0, Halliday's 4th
66 mins - 10-0, Halliday hat-trick
57 mins - 9-0, Halliday
53 mins - 8-0, McLaughlin
51 mins - 7-0, Holmes
48 mins - 6-0, Locky's 4th
HALF TIME
44 mins - 5-0, Locky hat-trick
32 mins - 4-0, Locky again
18 mins - 3-0, Halliday
7.35pm - Told you I couldn't get to the game tonight folks, but just got a phone call from the Oval, it's 2-0 to the Glens after 4 minutes! McLaughlin & Locky!
24th Oct 04. Better late than never I suppose ... Courtesy of Chris Gorman.
The glens walked out yesterday knowing that a win for us and a defeat for Binfield would put us up into joint second. Ballymena did their bit but what about us?
Some nerves were shown in the first half as both teams played well but Elliot Morris didn't have to make a save.
The 1st chance came to the Glens when Chris Morgan had a shot from a tight angle which was hitting the post until Alan Young, the keeper punched it out for a corner. Minutes later Shaun Holmes hit a cracker from outside the box, which was going into the top corner until Young tipped it out for a corner once again.
The second half was equally as boring until the 75th minute when Guess Who, Halliday latched onto a pass and drilled it past Young into the bottom corner.
An uninspired Belfast derby which saw no more than 2 or 3 chances, hopefully better to come from the Glens.
Here, did anyone else notice than our Monday Night Opponents, Glebe Rangers were beaten 7-2 By Ballymoney Utd?
23rd Oct 04. Daddy, I need a wee wee ... It's ok son, the man says the toilets will be here any minute! I kid you not, Solitude yesterday, no bogs!! 25 minutes to 4 the portaloos arrived, back gate opens and 8 shiney new crappers get lifted off the back of a big lorry and set beside the away stand - much to the relief of 1,000 dancing Glenmen ... and WOMEN!!
Cliftonville 0 Glentoran 1 - In my opinion, one of the hardest 3 points Glentoran FC will ever have to earn if we are to win this title. It may not have been 'total football' all the time, but my God it looked to me like this team are trying! With heart like that lads, and your undoubted ability ... you WILL win this League! (match report Sunday .... ish :-)
22nd Oct 04. Cliftonville game - Twice we played the Reds in the League last season, and both ended in 1-1 draws.
(The corresponding match report of tomorrow's game can be found HERE). So what about Cliftonville's form this season? Well their home record is pretty impressive actually - in the League Cup they played four, losing just the one, 3-1 to the Ports, but even overturned that result by winning 1-0 at Shamrock Park! So far in the League at Solitude it's played two won two, 2-1 against Omagh and 1-0 against the Whites. So I think it's fairly safe to say they're not about to roll over for this one. Personally I'm glad this game is tomorrow though, Solitude is one of the hardest places in the League to go looking for points, but I'd much rather get it out of the way on a relatively flat surface in October, than have to come here when the place is like a ploughed field and a blizzard blowing in February or March! With the Glentoran end sold out (as usual) it should once again be quite an atmosphere. No word yet on McCallion or McGibbon, so assuming they're not ready yet it should be very much as you were on Wednesday night. Here's hoping the run continues and another 3 points in the bag come a quarter to five. Ballymac's bus is leaving Wilgar Street at 2.15pm, you're all welcome to come along.
Match Betting: Cliftonville 5/1, Glentoran 4/7, and a draw 12/5. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
Welcome to the Oval - Tuesday night's League Cup semi-final: Railway stand (housing Cliftonville fans) - 18 seats damaged. Main stand (housing Linfield fans - 7 seats damaged and 2 plate glass windows smashed (1 at each end of the stand) The glass at the dressing room end apparently almost fell on top of some supporters. Also damaged were the mens toilet at the main gate. Just so you know. And by the way ... please let's NOT lower ourselves to their level tomorrow.
20th Oct 04. Glentoran 2 Distillery 0 - Match Report has now been moved HERE
League Cup Semi - A win tonight and we'll have reached our 5th Final in this competition in the last six attempts, notwithstanding the fact they chucked us out last year! Second game against the Whites too in just over a week, let's hope we play a wee bit better this time. Still no McGibbon or McCallion I hear for this one, but the return of Chris Walker to the squad is very welcome news indeed, if he gets on it's gonna be like we've signed a new player, when was the last time he played! With big Parkhouse still a way off it looks like Chris Morgan will be getting a quick return to his old stomping ground too, and if he can click on the night with Michael Halliday ... well, we all know how he loves playing at the swamp don't we :-) Darren Armour will be very keen to get on the scoresheet for the Whites tonight won't he, if I remember correctly he did that against us last time the sides met up here - the Irish Cup Semi-Final of 2001, the night Leeper got sent off by mistake! Key for me though will be middle of the park, Distillery put an awful lot of hard work into their midfield game at the Oval last week, but if Locky, Holmes and Co can get to grips in that department I see no reason why we can't be looking forward to Final number five in three weeks time. Kick-off for this one is 7.45, and Ballymac's bus leaves Wilgar Street at 7 o'clock, feel free to come along. Other buses at the link above.Let's get the season really started.
19th Oct 04. CIS Semi - Tonight's other semi-final at the Oval has finished 2-1 to the scum after extra-time.
Walker back - Big Chris and Jason Hill have been drafted into tomorrow night's League Cup semi-final squad.
18th Oct 04. Err ... while I was campaigning ... (Somebody's after my job - read on) 'An easy win for the glens who brushed aside a weak challange from the Ards side. It was surprising that it took the Glens 43 minutes to score, but was a great goal, set up by Andy Kilmartin for Darren Lockhart with a well hit shot to put the ball past the Ards keeper. The second goal came from a right wing corner, hit by Shaun Holms for Morgan to head in. Morgan then set up the final goal which arrived 20 minutes from the end, with Halliday heading it into the net, from 12 yards out. The Glens also had 2 goals disallowed. Roy Coyle said that he was happy with the performance shown by the Glens and so were most of the Glens fans.
Glen Taylor (12)
17th Oct 04. Ards 0 Glentoran 3 - Truth of the story ... we wore them down. A brave showing from Ards on an awful Clandeboye pitch, but once Locky put us one up right at the death of the first half, THAT my friends was THAT!
Still waiting for an email from a wee lad who promised me a match report - I was busy after 4 campaigning for Lord Mayor.
16th Oct 04. REST in EAST - The 'REST in EAST' Action Group 'Official' website has now been launched.
Future updates on the progress of the campaign and contact details can now be found at RESTinEAST.co.uk
15th Oct 04. Ards game - Back to the football. I think it would be fair to say that Ards FC have had a little more on their minds than simply football of late, their troubles off the pitch well documented. I'm happy to say this match goes ahead.
Indifferent would probably best describe Ards start to the season. After qualifying second in their group for the League Cup quarter-finals, they went out 2-1 at the hands of Cliftonville. Four days later they then beat the same Reds team 3-0 in the League, before losing by the same margin last Saturday at Coleraine! They now sit level pegging with the Glens on 4 points after 3 games, having scored and conceded the same number of goals ... one would think a very even contest awaits us at Clandyboye tomorrow. If you recall this fixture last season you'll probably cringe, this was the game in which wee Scotty had his leg broken, and two ex-Glenmen in Marty Hunter and Mucker consigned us to a 2-1 defeat, our third loss on the trot and bye bye to the title by December! That's one memory I could do with putting right. I hear for this one though we may have to do without Pat McGibbon and Tommy McCallion (ironic to think too that it could well have been wee Scotty's comeback game). Whoever gets the nod tomorrow, we will definitely need to improve, I think it's fair to say we've lost our rythm this last few weeks. A win though and we could be off and running again, a wee bit of confidence back and we all know this team could go on a roll from now to Christmas - or even beyond. Now that would be nice - I'll settle for the 3 points :-) Ballymac's bus leaves the clubrooms at 2.15pm if you wanna come along, other buses at the link above.
Match betting: Ards 4/1, Glentoran 4/6, and a draw 9/4. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers
14th Oct 04. Great support - Re below: What a tremendous response today from Glentoran fans, the offers of help have been flooding in from early this morning. Offers of all sorts of help ... from legal to financial, from government to media, from businessmen to the ordinary punter in the street just offering to do some leg work! But all with one thing in common - THE SURVIVAL OF GLENTORAN FOOTBALL CLUB IN EAST BELFAST!. We intend contacting each and every one of you who responded, many of you already, so please be patient, we will be in touch.
There are some out there trying to 'scupper' this campaign before it's begun, step back and ask yourself why?
We were ASKED by our Board for help, and that is what we intend to do. This has nothing whatsoever to do with Ballymac GSC, I find myself involved in this with indiviuals I have never even met before, but all prepared to thrust themselves into the limelight for the sake of our football club. My God we have achieved something already - more people are aware today of the plight of Glentoran FC than ever! People are talking about it ... Isn't that what we all want???
To those who hide in the dark and seem to have nothing to offer only criticism - just what exactly are you doing to help?
Le Jeu Avant Tout - REST in EAST
Pump up the volume! Speculation is now almost at fever pitch as to where the future of Glentoran FC lies. It's been a year and a half now since we agreed to sell the Oval, Laburnam has been and gone, the 'Billy Neill' saga just seems to rumble on and on and on, while we're told enquiries with Belfast City Council at possible re-location of the club in East Belfast seem to have fallen on deaf ears. To punters like you and me, the club we hold so dear to our hearts appears to be in terminal decline. At the same time, we are assured by our Board that 'things' are, and have all along, been happening behind the scenes. Well that may indeed be so, I don't know, but I do know an apparent lack of progress has been born of the last year and a half, the vacuum left rapidly filling with fear, suspicion and resentment. Recent rumour and speculation has only served to fuel what appears a deepening crisis, and some believe it is time it was brought to an end.
Please read the following statement, and if you think you can help raise the profile of our plight in any way whatsoever, please get in touch ... before it's too late. HERE
13th Oct 04. Northern Ireland 3 Austria 3 - Stuarty Elliott to the rescue in injury time, a green shirt, a Glenman, a goal, and a deafening cheer at the swamp ... so what's new :-)
BTW ... any of yez get invited to that big Glentoran bash tonight ... ooops!
11th Oct 04. Inept Football Association! After arriving at the City airport en route from Azerbaijan yesterday, the Norn Iron team bus hurriedly headed off for the Hilton hotel, Templepatrick ... too hurriedly! It left minus Aaron Hughes and Tommy Doherty! Would you believe the two lads had to bum a friggin lift! Shoes and socks off for the next head count.
10th Oct 04. Told ya he hadn't gone away ... err no, not him :-) Welcome back ... FEAR US!! HERE
9/10th Oct 04. Glentoran ... won a game! (1-0) Right - now we're on a F***in roll. Boy have I got a spring in ma step now eh .. Gimme another Bud - so who's next :-)
8th Oct 04. 'Distillery game - Well I don't think too many of us are in any doubt what has to happen in this one, the fact that it happens to be a dress rehearsal for the League Cup semi-final in less than a fortnight will add even more spice! Simple fact of the matter is ... we need the three points. After our heroic exploits in the UEFA Cup, then steamrolling our way through the group stages of the League Cup, the wheels - while not having actually came off yet, are most definitely beginning to wobble! Against Portadown we were simply awful, put that one down to a blip, but to lose a two goal lead last week at Limavady was unforgivable. Haven't a clue where we are on the injury front, Tommy McCallion and Locky both picked up knocks last time out, but hopefully will have recovered in time for tomorrow. Let's not forget the Whites though, after topping their group in the CIS they too are searching for their first win in the League. Ex Glenman Darren Armour has been getting among the goals for his new club, and I'm sure would like nothing better than to turn the knife on his first visit back to the Oval. So, no mistake this time lads, time to get the finger out ... I've already got £13.80 worth of 20p pieces tucked away in my European bottle - another defeat and the missus might start gettin ideas :-)
Match betting: Glentoran 4/7, Distillery 9/2, and a draw 5/2. All odds supplied by TOALS bookmakers.
6th Oct 04. Lost Wallet update - looks like a wasted trip for all you bluedogs ...
Hi Mate - Seems something has worked, police in Limavady phoned and said someone has left the wallet in.
I cannot believe the response I have received from this, once again it shows the loyalty Glenmen have toward each other.
I would like to thank everyone through your web sites for your help on this matter. And a personal thank you to the web authors of the sites for putting the appeal out. Once again THANK YOU - Philip Erwin
5th Oct 04. Wee Scotty - latest ... Good news and bad news. I'm delighted to hear today that there should be no lasting long-term damage after Scott Young's latest break. Although he's broken the same leg in the very same two places as before, this time not clean through, and he'll not require any steel plates or pins fitted. The down side of course is that he'll be back in plaster for a further 12 weeks, and recovery is expected to take just as long as the last time ... and if my memory serves me correctly that break came in December last year! Hang in there pal, we're all thinking of you, far as I'm concerned you still have a major role to play for Glentoran FC ... whenever.
Lost Wallet - Were you at Limavady on Sturday? Did you find a wallet? Philip Irwin has emailed me at the site ...
Jim, can you do me a favour, and put an appeal on your site. I lost my wallet outside the ground at Limavady at the end of the match, probably directly opposite the main gate where the Stewards were standing. Just in case a Glentoran supporter may have found it, I'd be very relieved. Could you ask anyone with information to contact 07767 317647 or 07786 583301.
Many thanks for your help
4th Oct 04. PUT UP OR SHUT UP! - Here I go again ... off on another one! Time in my opinion for the Glentoran Board to prove that actions are INDEED louder that words. Badger your local councillor? .FFS, we have an ex Lord Mayor on our Board!! There are Glenmen, and there are Glenmen. Me? JEEEEEZUS, I would sell my house to follow Glentoran FC, and almost f***ing did twice this summer! I'll share a wee secret with yez. I happen to be a very lucky guy. I'm no Brad Pitt, but I'm married to an absolutely beautiful girl, and I love her to bits... I nearly lost that girl recently over Glentoran FC.
I F***in bleed RED, GREEN and BLACK! Imagine if I was Lord Mayor of Belfast!!!
So Tom, we're almost there pal, I want to believe you, we all do, but at the end of the day actions speak louder than words. Goldie, Stumpy, Philip Stevenson, John Weatherup ... ALL DIEHARD GLENMEN IN MY OPINION - THROUGH AND THROUGH. We all know you have a job to do chum, But if Mr Rodgers isn't doing the business get him OTF!
2nd Oct 04. Limavady Utd 2 Glentoran 2 - 'Last night as I lay down to sleep ...I HAD A F***ING NIGHTMARE! The only plus about this latest loada sh*te is that when our annual registration ballix hits the fan we'll only lose a friggin point!
Two-nil up by half time at Limavady and come away with just a point is absolutely unforgivable! You should'a seen some of that crap we were offered in the second half ... I could do f***in better myself!
1st Oct 04. CIS Semi-final Draw - In case you haven't already heard, it's Glentoran v Distillery at the swamp on Wednesday 20th October, 7.45pm ko. Cliftonville will meet the scum in the other semi the night before at the Oval.
Fans Forum - Ok folks, last night's meeting ... the way I seen it - HERE
