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 players in action, a few from other eras are included because of their contribution to the club’s history.
HARD MEN
4-4-2 formation
Goalkeeper: ALBERT FINLAY
The old adage tells us ‘keepers have to be mad. Albert was a steeplejack by trade, a job only a few are cut out for. It was a fall at work that ended his football career.
Right back: RAB McCREERY
The hard men’s hard man. Forever remembered as the man who recovered from a serious injury on a waterlogged pitch in Bergen to dump renowned Italian aggressor Claudio Gentile on his back a few years later. If you want to argue with this choice, feel free to take it up with Rab, still sprightly after all these years.
Centre back: BILLY McCULLOUGH
Known to one and all as “The Tank”, the legendary Ballyhackamore-born defender played 555 games for the club including his stint as a Detroit Cougar. Tough as teak.
Centre back: DERMOT KEELY
Dublin schoolteacher who introduced himself to Glens fans by almost garrotting English international winger Mark Barham in a pre-season friendly against Norwich City. It was a move that set the tone for his attitude during his two seasons at the Oval. Keely famously turned down a move to Glasgow Celtic because he refused to shave off his trademark beard.
Left back: RONNIE McFALL
A man whose style could best be described as robust. Residents of the Railway Stand in the days when it was filled with Glenmen often feared the worst as opposition right wingers made their way towards the City End and got ready to catch them as Ronnie laid out the welcome mat.
Right midfield: RAYMOND MORRISON
Not his usual position but a place had to be found for the ultimate in silent assassins. Nuts wasn’t the biggest but was fearless. He seemed to take particular delight in winding up Crusaders man mountain, Kirk Hunter, with the Shankill man usually walking into the trap.
Centre midfield: ROY COYLE
Glentoran’s most successful manager is often thought of as a defender but he played a lot of games in the middle of the park before leaving for a pro career in England. The day he chased Coleraine’s clearly frightened Johnny McCurdy up the Oval tunnel as the final whistle sounded is burned into my memory.
Centre midfield: BILLY CASKEY
The Glens version of Graeme Souness, skilful, adaptable and seriously tough. His regular jousts with his Portadown counterpart, Roy McCreadie, were usually worth the admission price alone.
Left midfield: MARK GLENDINNING
Again a player out of his acknowledged position but given his quality a role he could easily fulfil. The man who literally left his mark on opponents was a modern wing back. In this slot he would score even more goals than from his normal full back berth.
Striker: BILLY WHITEHURST
Often described as the hardest man in British football, Yorkshire-born Whitehurst shipped up at the Oval for a brief spell in 1993. Renowned for his spats with defenders, Billy was at one time Newcastle’s record signing. His antics off the park once led to a suspended prison sentence.
Striker: RON MANLEY
Belligerence personified. The much-missed Yorkie, a fixture on the Oval terraces after his playing days ended, always left defenders knowing they had been in a battle. He scored some wonderful goals along the way as well.
Substitutes:
ALEX ROBSON
A duff centre forward who was converted into an excellent central defender.
TONY MACKEN
A Dubliner who could play in midfield and at the back. He could mix it as well as play football.
TERRY KINGON
Midfield warrior brought to the Oval by Ronnie McFall to bring bite to what became his “invincibles” side.
PETE BATEY
English-born midfielder who acted as Scott Young’s bodyguard.
Dublin-born defender who has become a fans’ favourite at the Oval. Unquestionably could have thrived in times when the game was less sanitised and referees were not so card-happy. [IC1]