As we reported on Friday evening, Stevie Gordon has joined Carrick Rangers after nine years at the Oval. It would be remiss of the club not to thank and pay tribute to a man who was a credit to the Glentoran colours and badge throughout his time at the Oval.
Lifelong Glenman Stevie joined his boyhood club from Glenavon in the 2012 close season, and made a total 161 first team appearances, scoring 22 goals from midfield. He made his first team debut at the end of December 2012 in a comprehensive 5-0 home league win over Donegal Celtic.
That same month Stevie played and scored in Glentoran Seconds’ Christmas Day 3-0 win over Ards in the Steel & Sons Cup Final at Seaview. Stevie played in every round of the tournament, scoring four goals - including one in the final (photo below with the other goalscorer, Richard Gibson) - as the Wee Glens progressed to the trophy.
Stevie was a key member of Eddie Patterson's team that won the Irish Cup in 2015, During that season, his breakthrough year, he scored 10 goals – many of them match winners - in 34 games, after establishing himself in October. He played in 4 of our 5 Irish Cup games, including the final win over Portadown, scoring in our second-round home win over Armagh City.
Although primarily a midfielder, Stevie was also asked to fill in at right back and centre half on occasion and acquitted himself very well in both positions. His final first team appearance on the field was in a 4-1 home win over Glenavon in January 2020 that took us to the top of the league table. Appropriately though, his final appearance in a Glentoran shirt secured him a second Irish Cup winner's medal this time last year as a substitute in our final victory over Ballymena United.
Stevie Gordon – like a number of young players of his time – can be said to have been unlucky to have come through the ranks at a time when the club was in financial difficulties and unable to support them with the experienced leaders so essential to their development. But throughout his 9 years at the club his commitment and hard work for the Glentoran cause was an absolute credit to him and he will be sadly missed by his many friends at the club. Through the difficult years Stevie – along with Marcus Kane, Elliott Morris and Willie Garrett - was always one of the very first players to volunteer to attend or participate fully in any club, supporter or community event, always presenting the positive, professional face of Glentoran.
Stevie made the following statement to www.glentoran.com
“No matter what I’m pleased that when I look back, I can say I lived my dream and the dream of all Glentoran supporters. To have been able to pull the top on for our club will always mean so much to me. Albeit it was probably throughout the toughest period in the club’s history, there are still special memories and moments there that help outweigh the bad ones. I believe I can look back and hold my head high on my time at the club. Anyone that knows me knows how proud I was to play for and represent the club. To watch my first ever game in 2002 and have season tickets ever since, it’s been amazing to play with and be coached by some of my heroes growing up. To have been managed by Roy Coyle on a number of short occasions was special and it gave me an insight into why his teams always challenged at the top. Elliott Morris, Paul Leeman and Colin Nixon are the stand outs for me, and it was great to play with and train with them. I cannot believe Elliott is still playing!!!
I want to place on record my thanks to Eddie Patterson, Seamus and Tiernan lynch for bringing me to the club and giving me my debut.
I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my time here. This ranges from supporters, supporters’ clubs, volunteers at the ground, staff, team mates and beyond. There are too many to name individually and I’ll get in trouble if I forget one! They know who they are. I have developed friendships that will last a lifetime and I am grateful for that.
Finally, thank you to Mick for the last couple of years for working with me and allowing me to experience how the club is moving forward. I never thought I would be involved in a full time set up at The Oval. I’m sure it will only get better and hopefully the trophies will follow. I’ll see you all on the terraces at The Oval.
Bless ‘em all.
Thank you, Stevie”.
Mick McDermott had this to say of Stevie:
“Firstly, I want to thank Stevie for his long-term dedication to Glentoran FC and for his commitment to our recent project, During our transition from part-time towards full-time he was a very important influence in the changing room as his leadership and professionalism played a massive part in our Irish Cup and European success. Stevie has also contributed to other great moments for Glentoran, and I know from many people that he played a very big part in the club’s Irish Cup success in 2015.
Stevie was, is and will always be a Glenman. I wish him every success with his new club and will welcome him back at the Oval any time!”
All the very best Stevie. In every sense you are one of our own!
