It was brought to the attention of the Board that references within the strategic document recently circulated were construed as a criticism of individuals or groups. The Board are unanimous and have no hesitation in stating that no such criticism is intended, expressed or implied in any way whatsoever.

The Board are happy to meet with any individual or group within the Glentoran body and clarify any matter that they may wish to raise.
Indeed in the past week the Board have met with the 1923 Committee to discuss the impact of the documents proposals with regard to their production of the Gazette.

The Board are happy to place on record their appreciation of the sterling work of the 1923 Committee in this regard.

In addition the Board would reiterate their appreciation to these individuals and groups that give of their time and energy to promote the best interests of Glentoran.

It is the intention of the Board to meet soon with the various representative groups at Glentoran for the purpose of advancing initiatives relative to the document circulated

Tickets for the upcoming County Antrim Shield Final are now available to buy at all usual ticket outlets.  The Glens take on Crusaders on Tuesday October 30th at Windsor Park, with kick off at 7:30pm.  Tickets will be £8 for adults and £6 concession.  Glentoran supporters have been allocated the North Stand.

Click here for more details and outlet information

Glentoran Recreation Company Co Limited wish to clarify that Kerr Consulting was employed in March 2005 to undertake a business review of the entire operations at that time.

The business review was completed and presented to the Board of Glentoran Recreation Co Limited in July 2005 by Kerr Consulting of which present Glentoran Director Ian Kerr is principle. The review was performed at no cost to Glentoran Recreation Co Limited.

The “Strategic Summary Paper” recently circulated has been undertaken by Ian Kerr and the work associated was neither expensed nor remunerated.

The above is issued for the purposes of clarity and to counter the speculation on various website forums.

Forza TV have produced a brand new DVD to commemorate Paul Leeman's Testimonial year.  The DVD is over 2 hours long and has highlights of the games played on September 3rd, 17th and 24th at the Oval.

Priced at a minimum of £7 the DVD is a must have memento for all those who played in the popular series as part of Leeper's testimonial year.  All profits will be donated to Paul's benefit.

The DVD will be on sale at this Saturday's match at the Oval.

Click Photos to Enlarge

Photos Courtesy of
Russell Pritchard/PRESSEYE

A Paul Leeman headed goal, and a Michael Ferguson own goal put the visitors in pole position, before Distillery pulled one back after a soft penalty was awarded by Mark Courtney.

Click here for Match report and Photographs

The Glentoran Board of Directors has announced a new strategic plan for 2007.  The  plan's aim is to benefit Glentoran both on and off the pitch with emphasis on the current organisational structure of the club.  The strategy will help to ensure the financial stability of the club for future generations, and hopefully lead Glentoran to many future successes.

Click here to read the full report.

This past Sunday marked the 125th Anniversary of Glentoran Football Club and the culmination of the Glentoran Community Trust's year long celebrations.  Supporters, players and officials from many generations appeared for the parade and included a re-enactment of Glentoran's first ever match.

Click here for full photo gallery
Courtesy of Russell Pritchard/PRESSEYE

Nigel Worthington has recalled Gary Hamilton to the Northern Ireland squad for next Wednesday's crucial European Championship Qualifier against Sweden.  The NI squad will fly out to Stockholm for the must-win game without usual starters Keith Gillespie and Jonny Evans.

The Chairman, Board of Directors and Secretary of Glentoran Football Club would like to acknowledge the frustration of supporters regarding the allocation of tickets in relation to the forthcoming game against Donegal Celtic.

Health & Safety requirements stipulate that tickets for this game are restricted to 600 Adult and 60 Concession. With demand far exceeding supply this has forced the Club into a difficult situation. The club have over 1,200 season ticket holders at present, and other supporters that cannot be facilitated while these restrictions are in place.

Glentoran officials have been in touch with Donegal Celtic officials in an endeavour to have more places available for our supporters, and also made contact with local representatives asking for support in this matter. Until such times as the permitted attendance levels are reviewed the club is not in a position other than to sell the limited number of tickets issued to our supporters on a first-come-first-served basis.

The club fully understand the frustration to our supporters that this has caused but please be assured that we are doing all that we can to increase the ticket allocation. These are not our tickets, and not our venue, therefore we can only plead for more in allocation.

We will issue a further statement when we have had a response regarding our request for more tickets

This past Saturday, Glentoran fans, players and officials celebrated with Paul Leeman his Testimonial year at the Glens.  The highlight of the evening was former premiership footballer and guest speaker Neil "Razor" Ruddock.  The evening was a testament to Leeper's dedication to Glentoran FC and the appreciation that everyone connected with the club has for such a long-standing member of the squad.

Click on the link below for photographs of the evening:
Courtesy of Russell Pritchard/PRESSEYE

Click here for more photographs.

The Entire Glentoran Squad and officials were made welcome as special guests of Lord Mayor and Glentoran director Councillor Jim Rodgers at Belfast City Hall.  This special privilege was offered to commemorate Glentoran's 125th Anniversary.

Click on the links below for enlarged photographs:
Courtesy of Russell Pritchard/PRESSEYE

Gary Hamilton and Kyle Neill at City Hall

Lord Mayor Councillor Jim Rodgers Glentoran Manager Alan McDonald Glentoran Chairman Stafford Reynolds Glentoran Captain Paul Leeman

Glentoran players Daryl Fordyce, Tim McCann and Colin Nixon signing the City Hall guest register.

Tickets are still available for the upcoming Donegal Celtic vs Glentoran league fixture on 27th October.   Remaining tickets will be sold on Saturday 20th October at the Glentoran vs Larne league game.  Tickets are only available in limited quantities.

Tickets are £7 for adults and there are currently very limited numbers of concession tickets at £5.

Gary Hamilton has been put on stand-by for the upcoming Northern Ireland European Qualifier against Sweden in Stockholm next Wednesday.

Gary has been left out of international duty in recent years but will be eager to appear again.  Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington will make a final decision this Friday when regular Keith Gillespie undergoes a fitness test for a hamstring problem.

The Glentoran Community Initiative have registered with Tesco for their Sport for Schools  & Clubs scheme, a simple way to purchase much needed equipment for our under age development teams.  

This is a chance for all supporters to play their part in helping our kids. For every £10 spent in Tesco a voucher is issued which in turn can be used towards getting sports equipment from the catalogue supplied with the scheme.  To make the scheme work to the maximum benefit of the children's teams we need mass participation by as many supporters, family and friends.

Once you have got your vouchers you can pass them on to any of our committee or coaches or put them in the appropriate box which is sited in the Milk Bar.  The closing date for the scheme is November 4th so time is of the essence.

For more information on the Tesco Sports for Schools and Clubs scheme click on the logo above.

PLEASE HELP US HELP THE KIDS

Glentoran were knocked off top spot in the Carnegie Premier League with a draw against a determined Dungannon Swifts side that also ended the home sides' 100% winning start to the season.

Six minutes into the 2nd half the Swifts opened the scoring with the aid of a bizarre Paul Leeman own goal. Despite the setback the Glens found themselves level two minutes later courtesy of Gary Hamilton who fired home neatly from 10 yards.

Then four minutes from time the Glens were awarded a penalty and Gary Hamilton had the chance to claim all three points for the home side, however he saw his tame effort from the spot easily saved by Dwayne Nelson in the Swifts goal to give the Tyrone side a deserved share of the points.

The Halfers draw was won by David Simpson who picked up a cracking £500 with the ticket 6701 drawn by Kyle Neill.

Click here for match report and photographs

The Chairman and Board of Directors utterly condemn without reservation the actions of a number of misguided individuals, masquerading as Glentoran Supporters, at Tuesdays night’s Co Antrim Shield semi-final against Cliftonville Football Club at Windsor Park. 

The actions of these people resulted in a baseball being thrown onto the pitch which could have caused serious injury, and the malicious damage of 29 seats in the South Stand, which will undoubtedly result in a further financial penalty on the club. 

The Board want to make it clear that the Club have been investigating all aspects of the matter and have now been provided with information indicating the individuals involved. 
 
While our own internal investigations continue we have been in contact with the Police Service and have passed on all information at our disposal to them with a view to the formal identity and apprehension of the individuals concerned.   

We wish to clearly indicate that irrespective of whatever action the PSNI may deem necessary, that further action will be taken by the club to apply sanctions on all those identified as having participated in these activities. We are determined that such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated wherever and however it may manifest itself, and remain fully committed to the principles of sporting behaviour enshrined in UEFA’s 10 point-plan and Football for All. 

The Glentoran Foundation is an organisation created by fans in order to raise funds for Glentoran FC.  While it is independent from the club, it's main objective is to donate funds to help cover the club's utility bills.

Many fans are already involved and it has proven to be extremely successful.  Since June 2007, the Foundation has raised £14,567 for Glentoran to pay utility bills, which in turn allow finances to be invested in playing staff and other playing expenditures.

Since the foundation began in June 2004 it has raised a total of £57,468 for Glentoran FC, which ultimately secures the financial stability of the club for years to come.

Te foundation was created by fans, and is still run by Glentoran fans on a voluntary basis.  No member of the Foundation receives any of the funds raised, every penny is donated directly to Glentoran FC.  The main source of funds is a regular monthly direct debit of £10 from each Foundation member, while the foundation also organizes special events such as pre-game meals and entertainment.

If you are interested in getting involved or donating to the Glentoran Foundation, click here for more details

Police advise all Glentoran fans going to the above fixture to approach
the Suffolk Road ground from the Blacks Road and up the Suffolk Road.
Car Parking will be available on the Suffolk Road, just past the ground,
and Glen Road. Cars should be parked facing down the Suffolk Road to
assist with departure. 

Any supporters club traveling to the match in a coach or bus should
also approach the ground via the Blacks Road to a police holding area
from were they will be directed to the ground. Parking for coaches will
be available in the Suffolk Estate, there are no facilities for coach
parking at or near the ground.

Organisers are requested to contact Constable Andy Hall on 02890700615 with details of numbers, size of coach etc. 

All supporters are reminded that legislation in respect of alcohol on
the Suffolk Road will be strictly enforced

The U13's also scored 5 as they defeated Newbridge 5-3 in a much more closely contested game. The match seemed to be over at 5-1 but some late pressure gave Newbridge some hope.  Fortunately the Glens were able to hold on to their lead and take all 3 points.

Click here for full match reports & development team news

The County Antrim Shield Final will take place on Tuesday 30th October.  More details will be available soon.

The Glens kept their County Antrim Shield campaign alive in a battling 2-1 win over the holders Cliftonville.  The game was littered with controversy as Cliftonville saw Declan O'Hara and manager Eddie Patterson both dismissed.  Glentoran took the lead on 34 minutes when Gary Hamilton pounced on a loose ball, rounded the keeper and finished from a tight angle.  Cliftonville equalised with a penalty on the stroke of half-time , but it was Colin Nixon who sealed the game for the Glens as he scrambled the ball over the line following a Kyle Neil cross.

Glentoran will now play either Ballymena United or Crusaders in the final of the County Antrim Shield.  This game will take place tomorrow night (Wed 3rd Oct) at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Click here for match report and photographs