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Glentoran - 2020 in review part two

Tue, 05/01/2021 - 21:58

This is the second of a four part review of 2020 as it impacted Glentoran on and off the pitch.  It has been written for www.glentoran.com by Andrew Morrison, a final year student in Sports Journalism at Liverpool John Moores University.

Part 2 April– June (Lockdown)

With football brought to a standstill the club's focus turned to what was going on off the pitch. Despite the lack of a fixtures schedule, the month of April was just as busy as the rest of the season.

At the beginning of lockdown everyone concerned with the club was missing Glentoran and football.

This also applied to the legendary Van Morrison. The East Belfast born singer has always been surrounded by speculation as to whether he is a supporter of the Glens or Linfield.

However, in an interview with the Independent the 75-year-old confirmed his allegiance lies with Glentoran.

Speaking to journalist Martin Chilton, Morrison recalled how his father gave him his ‘education.’

“I used to go to matches with my dad. I liked to play football more than I liked to watch it.”

“I used to play with my cousin, he went to Manchester for trials at the same time as George Best and some other friends.”

“My cousin came back because he was homesick. He was quite good. I was quite good at the time, too.”

The full interview can be read here:

This was then followed by the first team squad and management team of Glentoran singing a rendition of Morrison’s most famous song ‘Days Like This.’

The performance was done in tribute to the tireless and selfless work by those in the NHS during the pandemic.

 

As the month went on the tributes to the NHS continued in the form of the 2011 team. The side were due to travel to Brussels for the European Cup.

In anticipation for their trip the team had been fundraising, however, with the Coronavirus outbreak it was unfortunately cancelled.

Nonetheless the side decided to kindly donate £300 to the doctors and nurses based at the Ulster and City hospitals as a thank you for their sacrifices.

In a message to the staff the boys said: “We love you all and thank you so much. We hope you all enjoy the treats during your break.”

April also saw the 15th anniversary of what has now became known as Morgan Day. The day where the club remembers Chris Morgan’s derby winner with just two minutes left on the clock.

The strike was crucial for the Glens in their bid for the title with it coming at such a defining stage of the game as well as the season.

As part of remembering the day the club put out various forms of media including unseen pictures, archive footage and interviews from the day.

Meanwhile UTV’s footage of the match was livestreamed so that fans could relive the action.

Before the month was out Tom Ferrett, son of former Glentoran player George turned 100. Tom’s dad was part of the 1914 Vienna Cup victory and part of the famed half-back line of Emerson, Ferrett and Scraggs.

To mark Tom’s centenary birthday, Director John Moore visited him at Palmerston Care Home with the Vienna Cup. Although John wasn’t able enter the home due to Covid-19 restrictions he presented Tom with a framed photo of his father at the door.

As May began football was yet to return and it remained unclear as to when it would make its comeback.

With the pandemic continuing both the NHS and care homes continued to be under immense pressure. This is why Glentoran decided to continue to offer support where we could.

Tom Ferrett celebrating his 100th birthday with club Director John Moore

The club were proud to donate 150 facemasks to Palmerston Care Home in East Belfast. The donation was part of the consignment of PPE donated to social and care workers across Belfast from majority shareholder Ali Pour.

Elsewhere the Glens extended their appreciation to the NHS and key workers through the strong relationship between the Glentoran Community Trust and Ruby’s Bar, Dundonald.

The car park facilities at Ruby’s began to be used as an overspill for Ulster Hospital staff as the club expressed our thanks.

Through conjunction with Ruby’s Glentoran were given the opportunity to use the billboard situated in the car park.

The GCT commissioned a poster which was designed by lifelong Glens fan Clifford Logan with the hope it would raise the spirits of those working on the front line.

Marcus Kane with John Moore, Ronnie Hoy and Colin Davidson representing the club and the GCT

To further show support for the NHS members of the First Raven Glentoran Supporter’s Club joined forces with their Linfield counterparts.

The collaboration was part of a joint effort to help the Bluemen with the fundraising initiative for key frontline workers.

Linfield supporters were looking to raise £20,000 but when the Glens heard they were just £500 short they offered their support.

However, there was one condition. One of the Linfield supporters, Stephen McMillen (aka Trigger) had to walk five kilometres through East Belfast in a full Glentoran kit.

After the GSC raised £800, Trigger stuck to his word and walked the full distance in what was a true example of sport bringing the community together.

Stephen Beattie of Raven GSC spoke of the improving relationship between both sets of fans and the benefits of the fundraiser.

"People are always talking up the bad relationships between Bluemen and Glenmen but at the Raven club we all get on well.”

“We were pleased to do our bit for the NHS fundraiser, and it was made even more worthwhile by seeing Stephen dressed so well on Saturday.”

“Sadly however, he turned down the chance to keep the kit."

Elsewhere a group of Glentoran players offered their support to Connswater Community Centre.

Jonny Frazer, Steven Gordon, Elvio Van Overbeek, Mal Smith and the club’s kit and equipment manager Sean Macmanus opted to help Amanda Irvine and her team in delivering meals.

At the beginning of the pandemic Amanda and volunteer Connor Ferguson, distributed 20 meals to local pensioners who regularly attended the centre.

However, with the support of volunteers, Connswater Community Centre and the East Belfast ACT initiative the centre was able to start distributing nearly 1700 meals each week.

Amanda spoke of how the much needed support from the community helped her in a hectic period.

“Without the help of everyone within the community the meals programme would not have been possible, we are overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the ongoing support that we have received from local businesses, volunteers, and local sports clubs.”

“We were also delighted to welcome representatives of Glentoran as our local club at the very heart of the East Belfast community.”

As sport came to a halt, there were many people whose lifestyles changed. With that in mind, Glentoran’s Marcus Kane, wife Aimee and daughter Mollie began their #HikeForHarrie campaign.

The initiative was started in honour of their son beloved Harrie Kane. With an aim of raising £10,000 the Kane family were encouraging people to get out and exercise during lockdown.

The task was simple, walk one mile or more in your local area whilst observing social distancing.

With all donations going to Royal Maternity Hospital Belfast to help with bereavement care, Glens fans made a fantastic start by raising £650 in one day.

This came in the form of a season ticket ballot by Dylan Gray. Now, to date the campaign has raised nearly £30,000.

The 1923 and Marcus leave the old Nabney's site

In support of the campaign the Glentoran’s Supporters Committee (1923) completed their #HikeForHarrie by walking from Nabney’s to Windsor Park.

The walk was a regular occurrence in the 70’s and 80’s and was attended by Marcus Kane alongside former Glens players Tommy Leeman and Jason Hill.

Glentoran Chairman Stephen Henderson was also in attendance with members both past and present of the ’23 and groundsman William Kirkwood.

As June began there was continued support for the #HikeForHarrie campaign with the Glentoran family going above and beyond.

Arthur Watson, Chairman of Raven GSC completed a half marathon across Belfast taking in all four senior football stadia where members of the club at the Oval to welcomed him at his finish line Arthur raised £820.

Elsewhere, members of the Stormont Club hiked from the Parliament Buildings to the Oval and their efforts raised £680.

These are just two examples of the many attempts to raise money for the campaign.

Meanwhile there was also support from the rest of the NIFL with various players and staff from other clubs expressing their support.

Players like Crusaders goalkeeper Sean O’Neill and Larne Chairman Gareth Clements were amongst the many to send us photos of them doing their bit.

To donate to the #HikeForHarrie campaign visit Aimee’s Just Giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/harriekane?utm_term=gpv82MWeN

In other news 16-year-old prodigy Charlie Lindsay left the Glens to sign for Rangers.

A future star, Charlie made his U20 debut at just 14-years-old and became the youngest ever player in the senior team when he played against Ballyclare Comrades at the Oval.

Rangers’ Sporting Director Ross Wilson commented:

 “We are really excited that Charlie will join Rangers upon the transfer window opening and international clearance being received.”

“Charlie is one of the most sought after youngsters in the United Kingdom and we are delighted that he sees Rangers as the best place for him to continue in the development of his undoubted talent.”

Charlie Lindsay in action for Glentoran

Rangers Head of Academy Craig Mulholland added:

“Charlie is a player who has been a priority for us for some time and we are delighted that he has chosen Rangers.”

“He is an attacking midfield player who is one of the youngest to play senior football in Northern Ireland.  Charlie was identified initially by our excellent scout in Northern Ireland, Phil Cowen, and having watched him many times it is clear his attributes fit the characteristics we look for in a Rangers player.”

In June we also released a new series known as ‘The Big Interview’ of which featured a three part special with Colin Nixon.

Nixon played for the Glens for 17 and a half years having made his debut in 1995. He also previously held the record for longest serving player before Elliot Morris broke that this year.

He won 25 trophies at the club which included four league titles and six Irish cups during his time at the club.

The first part of the series looked at the Cassidy years, debuts and finals and is available here