In a recent Cup match our U16 team won 15-0 against Mukamore. That is not the story here today. The story is how our Academy and football family reacted to a team struggling to make their way in football and the communication sent by their Manager to the Board of GFC.
Please read the letter below and take pride in the way GFC players, coaches and supporters conduct themselves on and off the pitch.
We thought we should communicate the sequence of communication below that took place with our fans.
Congratulations to all involved
Mark Gardiner, Muckamore Club Manager:
Hi would you say a big thank-you to your U16 team who played Muckamore U16s in the cup. It was 15-0 to your side but not one of your players acted smug or called my team rubbish, unlike other teams we have played this season. Your team was a pleasure to watch and your coaches and supporters are a credit to the good name of Glentoran Football Club. They couldn't have been a nicer bunch of people. A big thank-you from the management and players of Muckamore Wanderers Football Club we wish you well in the next round of the cup and the league.
Glentoran Board of Directors:
On behalf of the Board of Glentoran Football Club can I thank you for taking the time to communicate to us and pass on your positive thoughts about the Coaches, Players, Parents and supporters of our Under 16 team.
I am sure it is a difficult time for your Club and no doubt getting beaten by such a margin can be demoralising. For you to then take the time to write to the Academy shows your Club is in good hands going forward and we wish you every success for the future.
GFC Board are very proud of our Academy-not just on the pitch but off it as well and I am delighted that your message will be passed on to the entire Board and read out at our next meeting.
As you well know so many people take so much time to run youth teams from coaches to administrators and while results can be a big motivating factor I can assure you that positive feedback is just as strong a point and gives everybody a lift so once again thank you and good luck.
Grahame Jenkins, Director Glentoran Football Club
Mark Gardiner:
Grahame & Nichola
Thank-you for your kind comments and best wishes for Muckamore Wanderers in the future.
In this our first year having an Under 16 team I knew we would have some big score lines against us but some of the other teams their coaches and parents have been so insulting to my team. The first thing my team said after are game against your U16s was that it was so good not to be insulted for a change and in their words that team was dead on and never called us rubbish or anything and they couldn't believe that some of your teams parents and supporters where encouraging them on.
That's why I sent the email to thank your coaches, players and parents they were amazing kind and helpful. I’m really pleased that the board will get to hear how fantastic all those connected with running your U16s are because If I had said nothing I would have been doing all those lovely people on Saturday an injustice.
Thanks again and wishing you all a wonderful season at your club and for the future.
Mark Gardiner on behalf of Muckamore Wanderers Cross-Community Football Club.