Earlier this year, I began to try and tell the story of Glentoran Football Club’s epic adventure across Europe in 1914, which culminated in the winning of the Vienna Cup. The story would in turn become a book called One Saturday before the War, which I launched last Thursday, albeit in the strangest of times and probably not in the most ideal of conditions.
However, the response has been incredible, to a point where me and my wife have been inundated with reservations and orders, deliveries both in person and by post. If anyone on here who lives locally hasn’t received theirs by close of play on Thursday, drop me a message, so that I can sort it for you.
It’s fair to say we’ve been swamped, and the initial run of books has almost disappeared before the I’ve been able to put them into physical outlets.
Thanks to the ability and goodwill of all the folk at Print Library however, I’ve been able to acquire additional copies which I’ve started to distribute TO outlets around East Belfast.
I have had numerous enquiries about where the book can be bought and so from today, you can pick up a copy of One Saturday before the War at Warren’s Newsagents 120 Orby Drive, BT5 6BB just off the Castlereagh Road and also at Beano’s Street Food, 272 Newtownards Road (facing the Great Eastern)
From Thursday onwards, you can pick up a copy at Eastside Visitor’s Centre 402 Newtownards Road, BT4 1HH and from Friday 11th December One Saturday before the War will be available to purchase at The Glentoran Superstore at the Oval. Ruth has informed me that the shop will be open on a very regular basis from now until Christmas. A click and collect facility is also available on the Glentoran Superstore website www.glentoransuperstore.com in the gifts and accessories section.
The book can also be ordered for postal deliveries by dropping me a message on the One Saturday before the War facebook page.
The book would not have been produced without the support of all those who reserved it so, as a thank you to the Glentoran family and in an attempt to give something back in return, I am delighted to announce that from all sales since last Monday in click and collect and from all the outlets listed above going forward, I would like to donate £2 from each book sale to assist Caragh Hamilton, midfielder with Glentoran Women in paying for the operation she recently underwent.
Caragh, a Northern Ireland international suffered a cruciate ligament injury whilst representing Glentoran against Cliftonville in October and as a result had surgery at the beginning of December. As football people we are all aware that this is an expensive procedure and so it’s a privilege to be able to help her in any small way with her rehabilitation.
In closing can I again thank everyone for all their help and support, those who have offered to stock the book and for the kind words I’ve received in response to the project. It’s a great story and it’s been an honour to have been able to tell it.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sam.
COYG.