On 23rd November the Glentoran Supporters’ Committee (1923), publishers of the multi-award winning Glentoran Gazette and organisers of the Halfers Draw, held our Centenary Dinner in the Long Gallery at Stormont Buildings, joined by many friends from the Oval and beyond.
We were welcomed by the sponsor of the event Joanne Bunting MLA, Philip Stevenson welcomed the guests and presented a fascinating brief history of the 1923, the Committee chairman, Jimmy Carter, paid tribute to former members over the last century and Glentoran chairman Colin Jess expressed the gratitude of the Club for all the Committee’s support, financial and otherwise, before we enjoyed a delicious meal.
1923 President Harry Clarke with Chairman Jimmy Carter
It was one of those nights that will live long in the memory and it was a pleasure to share it with others from the Glentoran family. Many of our Vice-Presidents were in attendance and it was particularly good to see Margaret Stewart who, despite recent ill-health, was able to attend with husband John and our President, Harry Clarke, still going strong at 95 years of age. Add to that seven former and current Gazette editors, long standing contributors Brian McClelland, Roy Downes and Thomas Sewell, Tea Club regulars from the Raven GSC, former players Barney Bowers, Jim Cleary, Don Leslie, Billy McKeag and Jim Weatherup as well as current club captain Marcus Kane.
Glentoran Gazette editors past (Paul Vance) and present (John Grayden)
Helen and Ian Parkinson, widow and son of former 1923 and Glentoran chairman John, were in attendance and we were delighted to receive gifts from the Clarke and Parkinson families and from John Duffy on behalf of Lisburn Distillery FC. Another presentation was made by one of our own members John Moore, a former Gazette editor and a GFC1882 director, to Jimmy. Via his day job at the Ordnance Survey John had managed to track down the oldest aerial photograph of the Oval and has produced a superb print of this iconic image. Fittingly the photograph was taken in….1923.
Don Leslie, Barney Bowers and Jim Cleary
A wonderful night, sharing memories, the friendship of true Glenmen and women and the craic, one on which three East Belfast institutions - Stormont, Glentoran and the oldest supporters’ club in Ireland, the 1923 - came together. Here’s to the next 100 years.
Harry Clarke with Jim Weatherup and Billy McKeag
Photographs by Thomas Sewell
NIFL's coverage of the event can be viewed HERE