Glentoran Gazette contributor and former editor, John Grayden, first saw the Glens play in May, 1959. In this series he picks imaginary sides from throughout the years in a random selection of categories. A few are factual while most are subjective and by no means definitive. While he has seen the majority of the players in action, some from other eras are included because of their contribution to the club’s history.
Managerial class: Glentoran players who became bosses
4-4-2 formation
Goalkeeper: TREVOR McCULLOUGH
He added a Bandito moustache to the obligatory 70s long hair and enjoyed the craic with players and fans alike. Once the youngest goalkeeper to appear in European competition he played almost 150 game for the Glens.
Right back: HARRY CREIGHTON
Tall, classy fullback who was rarely ruffled and often took the game to his opponents. Good company off the park as well.
Centre back: ALAN HARRISON
Stylish centre-half who provided a foil for a few of the game’s hard men in his Oval career. Should have played at a higher level.
Centre back: CHRIS WALKER
Had fans’ hearts in their mouths at times but his languid style and skill always seemed to get him out of trouble. He will always be remembered for a late, late thunderbolt goal which saved the Glens from a relegation nightmare.
Left back: BILLY McKEAG
One of Colrain’s famous Cougars and a man deemed good enough to play behind George Best for Northern Ireland in the late 1960s. Not the biggest of guys but tough as well as classy. And as a converted winger he knew the opposition’s tricks of the trade.
Right midfield: GLEN LITTLE
The wrong size and shape for an athlete but allied his physique to his bag of tricks to put opposing defences on the back foot. Once he got started on a run it was virtually impossible to stop him. It was no surprise he moved on to a successful top level pro career in his native England.
Centre midfield: JOHNNY JAMISON
Arguably the most skilful player to have donned a Glens jersey in my time. Stumpy was a pocket-sized midfield creator who could spray the ball around with deadly accuracy. His partnership with Warren Feeney was almost telepathic. His only failing was a lack of pace.
Centre midfield: MICHAEL O’NEILL
Returned to the Irish League to play a pivotal role in the Glens sides in early years of this century. He pulled the strings as the team romped away with the League championship in 2002-03 and fell at the last hurdle in the Irish Cup final as they attempted to complete a clean sweep of trophies. His football brain has now led to a successful managerial career.
Left midfield: JIM CLEARY
As intelligent off the park as he was on it the Fermanagh man left the football stage all too soon. His wand of a left foot not only opened up defences at will but masked a terrific work rate. Both attributes could have sustained him long past his retirement at the age of 33.
Striker: LIAM COYLE
The boy who had it all only for a cruel injury to rob him of his chance at the big time.
Striker: GARY MACARTNEY
A goal machine who could tackle like a defender and ghost past opponents. Imagine what he could have achieved if he had come to the top tier of the local game earlier.
Substitutes:
GARY BROWNE
A player who was not always appreciated by the Oval fans but opponents will tell you of the quality he possessed.
CHRIS MORGAN
Still a hero on Mersey Street 15 years after that famous game against Linfield. His goalscoring feats were tacked onto silky skills.
RORY HAMILL
A dynamic midfielder-cum-forward who could turn games in a flash.