Where do you start to tell this story? I suppose 6am at Nabneys (ok Keens) on the Albertbridge Road would do for starters . Well that’s where our merry ensemble met up before embarking on a two bus and one boat trek to Ardrossan in Scotland to help one of our own, Derek Cook, raise some much needed money in support of the children’s charity Beautiful Inside and Out.
A two hour boat trip followed by two hours on another coach eventually saw the Glentoran Legends and our very welcome guests arrive at the homely Winton Park ground, home of Ardrossan Winton Rovers where we were warmly welcomed one and all by Derek Cook like long lost brothers.
The drizzling rain couldn’t dampen our spirits as we made our way to the cramped dressing room. Somehow, we managed to squeeze in 18 players , a physio and “The Gaffer”. After asking for ten minutes to sort things the players returned to be met by the sight of our brand new kit adorning the pegs around the room. Thanks to the kind generosity of “The Herd” we had been presented with it in memory of a great Glenman, Marty Stitt, who recently passed away and was a friend to many of the Legends, so it was very apt that the Herd should have chosen the Legends to support in his memory.
With the guys all kitted out and looking terrific in the new kit it was left to skipper, Rab McCreery, to lead the guys out onto the pitch and into the now heavier rain. Before kick off the now customary team photo was taken and soon after the referee blew the whistle for the match to begin.
From the kick off the Glentoran Legends took the game straight to the Ardrossan side as they quickly shook of the stiffness of the legs from the long journey. Within five minutes the Legends took the lead.
In a great move up the left wing Mark Glendinning and Darren Parker played a great one -two before the ball was slipped forward to Davy Rainey who caught the Ardrossan centre half napping. He dinked the ball round him but, as he went to shoot, he was clipped from behind and fell in a heap. PENALTY!
Jason Hill took the ball and placed it on the spot took a few steps back before moving forward and striking the ball into the bottom corner of the net, reminiscent of his match winner many years ago against Linfield in the League Cup Final. Great start by the Legends.
As the first half continued, the Legends were a constant threat with Rainey and Hill, ably supported by Justin Mc Bride, giving the Ardrossan rear guard a torrid time. It was a real pleasure to watch.
Around the half hour mark though, Ardrossan started to find their game and it was time for the defence to show their mettle. Rab McCreery cleared one off the line, while Paul and Tommy Leeman were solid and repelling all that Ardrossan could throw at them. Mark Glendinning was at his tigerish best too, defending well but also rampaging up the left wing when the need arose.
With five minutes to the break, Ardrossan managed to scramble one home as the ball bounced around the Legends’ penalty box. It was a frustrating one to lose, but if anything it made them dig even deeper to win the game.
In midfield Barney Bowers was belying his 60+ years and covering every blade of grass and Marty Hunter was supporting the front three superbly too. As a team you could not give any more, but we needed to make one or two changes as the journey was starting to catch up in a few legs.
Andy Mathieson came on for Rab McCreery while Tom Cleland took over on the left of midfield from Gary Hillis. At the break the score was still 1-1, but the Legends were confident of getting a win and return the Butterfly Cup to Belfast for the fifth time in five games.
A slight tweak in the team at the break saw Paul Leeman released from his defensive duties and swop positions with Darren Parker. The threat from the Ardrossan central midfield was getting less by the minute as Paul began to have a real impact in there. His marauding runs forward also caused problems.
On the hour mark the Legends finally got their nose in front again. This time, like the first goal, Davy Rainey timed his run to perfection and raced onto a Tom Cleland through ball just as the Ardrossan keeper came out. As Davy tried to slip the ball under him the keeper blocked it, but it bounced back to Davy who managed to poke the ball over the keeper and towards the goal. It looked like an Ardrossan defender might cut it out but the slight slope on the pitch worked in our favour and carried the ball beyond his despairing dive and into the net.
Our travelling guests, who had come out of the clubhouse after the break, gave a cheer that must surely have been heard in Belfast. The goal was the least the Legends deserved.
A few more fresh legs were needed for the rest of the game with Jimmy Cleary, Andy Veighey and Glen McCartney slotting in and helping to shore things up . What we have we hold!
After that, as the seconds slowly counted down, the game ebbed and flowed with both sides having half chances to score, but in the end the ref blew his whistle to leave the score line at 2-1 to the Legends. A performance that each and every player in Green, Red and Black could be rightly proud of. Superb one and all.
To the surprise of the Legends our good friend John Colrain Junior had made the journey from Glasgow to present the Butterfly Cup to the winning captain Rab McCreery, which was greeted with John’s now famous catchphrase, “Hullo There!!”
With the match over and more photographs taken, the players returned to the dressing rooms before moving to the Winton Clubhouse for “refreshments” and fundraising.
The craic was mighty as the Legends and our guests celebrated our cup win, at the same time supporting the many ballots, scratch cards and auction items that Derek Cook had arranged to help raise funds.
In the end, as the formal speeches ensued, Derek delightedly thanked the Legends and our guests for coming across to help him with the fundraiser and was delighted to let everyone know that a total of £8500 had been raised in aid of the Beautiful Inside and Out Charity which helps kids with special needs. This brought the loudest cheer of the day, and rightly so.
Sadly there had to be one down part to the day, time to go home! That didn’t stop the celebrations though. That continued right through to Belfast, and for some continued into the wee small hours. If ever anyone deserved a wee celebration, these guys do. Wonderful ambassadors for Glentoran Football Club.
Take a bow boys, take a bow.
