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250 Club: Michael Halliday

Tue, 05/05/2020 - 01:06

With everyone away from the Oval for an undetermined period, we have decided to bring Glentoran supporters some of the most compelling content from the multi award winning Glentoran Gazette. We hope you will enjoy the stories and player interviews we bring and that it will encourage you to buy a Gazette at our home matches when football returns. Many thanks to the Glentoran Supporters Committee (1923) for use of this material. The third of our three series,  "250 Club" series will consist of interviews with current squad members with Eddy Patrick this season.

Michael Halliday

468 appearances, 141 goals

Played 2000-2010

 

You had 468 appearances in a Glentoran shirt.  Which matches would you love to relive, one to change the outcome and a glorious one just to experience once again?
I would love to relive either of the Irish Cup finals that we won. I was fortunate enough to score the winning goal in both games so just to enjoy the moment of scoring and when the final whistle sounded would be great. As far as changing a game it would definitely be another Irish Cup final against Linfield when I scored right before half time to give us the lead and I feel that if we had held on to half time we would have won the game. Instead Linfield scored in added time at the end of the half and went on to win the game.

Do you feel your Glentoran career was cut short or did you leave at the right time?
 I had eleven great years but I felt a fresh challenge was a good thing and a move to Crusaders was really appealing. The decision was out of my hands anyway as the money problems had really just surfaced so it wasn’t a decision I had to make.

Are you still currently playing?
I’ve entered my second year with Bangor FC and loving it. We won our league last year and gained promotion to Championship 2. The club have high hopes to return to former glories and hopefully we can get promoted again this year.

What’s next for you in terms of a career in football?
I don’t have any real desire to coach after my playing career is over and I think the wife might have something to say on that anyway.

Do you ever get down the Oval to take a match in?
As I’m still playing I don’t get down but hope to make use of my 250 Club pass soon.

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened in the changing room at The Oval?
I would say Elliott Morris farting (as childish as it sounds) during a Roy Coyle team talk was hard to beat. Reactions were priceless.

You still friendly with ex-players nowadays?
I see Locky and Leeper quite a bit as our wives meet up regularly for loud nights together. I see others when I play occasionally for the Legends.

Was the switch from midfielder to striker a pivotal moment in your career?
I always preferred playing up front but at East Belfast I was playing midfield and that’s where Roy Coyle had seen me play. After a game against the Crues he needed a bit of height for last the 20 minutes so threw me up front. The rest is history.

Who was your favourite strike partner?
I played with a lot of great players; Andy Smith, Darren Armour, Chris Morgan but I’d say Gary Hamilton just shades it.

Best goal you ever scored in a Glentoran shirt?
Only one I’ll be remembered for; the Irish Cup final winner against the Blues.