This is a great article from the Scotland-based football blogger Brian Smith, who visited the Bet McLean Oval for our game with Carrick Rangers last Saturday. Brian can be found and followed on all major social media sites as The Grey Haired Groundhopper.
Today is the day that I’ve had marked in my calendar for a while. Just a little over two years since my first Groundhopping outing was a short trip along the A82 to Dumbarton I’m getting on a plane and taking my blog across the sea!
Ok, so some may point out it’s only across the Irish Sea, it’s still part of the United Kingdom etc and it’s true you can probably fly from Glasgow to Belfast quicker than a morning commute in Glasgow across the Kingston Bridge but in my 35 years of existence I’ve never stepped foot in Northern Ireland despite it being so close!
More to the point when it comes to football stadiums, Belfast has five clubs in the Northern Ireland Premiership alone not to mention many others in the lower divisions too so I really was spoiled for choice when it came to match selection!
However there’s one stadium that many past visitors have referred to online as a must see and the opportunity to visit Glentoran ’s The Oval could not be ignored, so it’s an NIFL Premiership fixture against Carrick Rangers going under the microscope today with an added layer of hospitality thrown in for good measure!
The club: One half of Belfast’s “Big Two”, 137 trophies since formation in 1882 is an impressive haul although the last of their 23 league titles was back in season 2008/09 as their fans have had to watch fellow Belfast sides Linfield, Cliftonville and Crusaders have multiple successes since. Glentoran are also famous (or infamous) for rejecting a certain George Best as a youngster because he was “too small and light” and in more recent times, July 2023 to be precise, Glentoran were the unlucky losers in a record-breaking European game against Gzira United from Malta. The tie went all the way to extra time and penalties, with Gzira winning 14-13 on penalties. This is the highest scoring penalty shoot-out ever in European competition.
Distance from home: 151 miles
Bet McLean Oval Capacity: 26,556 (6,050 safe capacity)
Attendance: around 2,000
Admission: £48 (hospitality)
The stadium: There’s a few famous sports grounds around the world called The Oval but none can match this gem. This stadium was severely damaged during the Belfast Blitz in 1941 by the Germans due to its proximity to the docks and it wasn’t finished being rebuilt until 1949. The impressive main grandstand was built in 1953 and the other seated stand for the away fans on the side wasn’t added until 2000. The ground requires consistent maintenance to fulfil health and safety requirements, and its total capacity is currently restricted to 6,050, a far cry from its record crowd of 55,000 in a European match against Rangers back in season 66/67. Plans to completely redevelop this ground were submitted in 2021 but the collapse of Stormont in 2022 meant funding is yet to be secured but with the Northern Ireland politicians back being friendly again for the time being, could it finally happen? One thing is for certain, it’s truly a must see ground in its current condition. 5/5
The form: To prepare for my first foray into Northern Irish football I utilised live footage of both teams on the BBC I player in the run up to the game. I had observed both teams in home games against the same opponents, title contenders Cliftonville, and noticed both sides concede stoppage time goals. The Glens had thrown away a 2-0 lead to draw and Carrick Rangers lost 1-0 in terrible weather conditions. In between those matches I had seen Glentoran get an impressive 6-1 win away to lower league opponents in the Irish Cup so I expected goals to flow today.
Overall: A game in which Glentoran had gone from total control to total meltdown by the end. The visitors were completely out of the game until they got their first one back and from there possibly could have taken all three points away with them. Glentoran must be fuming as that’s twice in a row two certain victories have ended in draws and questions must be asked about the way they are finishing games off. With three of the four goals today being very good strikes, my first experience of Northern Ireland league football certainly didn’t disappoint. 9/10
Man of the match: Fisher was the best player on the park for me, not just his goal was class, but his overall link up plays with his teammates was great. He’s just renewed his contract for another year here and it’s easy to see why Glentoran would be delighted he’s staying.
The grub: At £48 the hospitality option was worth every penny. You watch from a portacabin beside the old Main stand which is a little strange at first as you don’t hear the full crowd noise from inside it! Now in Scotland, hospitality for this price would maybe mean a limit to the number of drinks available or even a pay bar but not here! A cool box of various canned alcoholic beverages was kept topped up throughout the entire time we were there and there was plenty of sandwiches provided and a good chicken curry meal at half time to soak up the booze. If you’re going to travel a distance to visit here, I’d recommend this option! Leanne was a brilliant host and a special thanks for letting me access the pitch before the game to shoot a video from the centre circle too. 5/5
Final thoughts: Loved every second of my time in Belfast and the football was no exception. The standard of play is probably not that far off a lower half Scottish Premiership match but it’s much more value for money and there’s no VAR to steal the show! If you can, don’t take my word for it and come watch a game here for yourself. Now I’m off to experience the delights of Belfast Town Centre on a Saturday night and if it’s as entertaining as the game was then the good times will roll! I can say for sure though, with so many more teams in Belfast to check out, I’ll be back!
