Another article from the Gazette Series ‘This is My Oval’ at focuses on volunteers and loyal supporters who give that little bit extra to the club. It’s about getting the recognition the volunteers deserve and hopefully it’ll inspire others to give up their time too.
Name: Ian Jamieson
Role: Glentoran Gazette Programme Seller
Where can you be found at the Oval?
“You will usually find me standing at the turnstiles selling the Glentoran Gazette and then I make my way to the upper deck of the main stand to watch the match.”
What would be your match day regime, early start?
“I’m usually down at the Oval for around 1pm ready for the turnstiles to open at 1.30pm. All the hard work producing the program has been completed from the editor, contributors to Clifford Logan who works his magic with the design and layout and finally to the printers. Selling the programme is the easy part! We normally stand at the turnstiles until 3.10pm just to make sure we catch anyone running a bit late and want a program. We always end up missing the first 20 minutes of the match by the time we get the money sorted etc. The 1923 also run the Halfer’s Draw and also a tea club in the 23’s Clubrooms at halftime, every member of the club has a job to do on match days.”
How did you become involved as a volunteer?
“I started coming down to the Oval with my father at around 6 years of age helping him sell programs up at the old Sydenham End turnstiles. I can just about remember selling the programmes for 30p. I started taking a real interest following the Glens when I was about 10 up until then I used to play with my cars on the old wooden benches in the Grandstand way before the bucket seats arrived. Now Holly is helping me sell the match day program.”
How long have you been a member of the 1923 Club and what makes that Supporters’ Club special?
“I’ve been a member of the 1923 GSC now for 28 years. Back then the club had a waiting list for supporters wishing to join the club, how things have changed. We have approx 18 members and we are always on the lookout for any new members, who will be very welcome to join. The 1923 GSC is the oldest official supporters club in Ireland North and South and the club has won the NIFPCC programme of the year award for the past 14 years something that we are all very proud of.”
Isn’t your dad a member of the club too?
“Yes my Dad Alan has been a member of the 1923 since the late 1940s. He is now one of the club’s Presidents along with Gordon Titterington, a position he is very proud to hold. Due to ill health my dad hasn’t been able to attend games recently but he always asks me how the "wee Glens" have done when I call up on a Saturday evening.”
Do you enjoy the craic from all the programme buyers every week?
“Yes indeed that’s one of the main reasons I enjoy selling the programmes, you soon get to know all the regulars who buy the programme week in week out. If it wasn’t for our loyal band of buyers we wouldn’t have such a successful programme. The banter on match days is second to none with the Blanch and Philip Stevenson leading the attack.”
You stand in all weathers for the Glens, can you remember a particular match when the weather was the most extreme?
“Any day that its bucketing down you really do get a good auld soaking and trying to keep the programmes dry holding an umbrella and trying to give out change is a well developed skill we have all acquired. The worst weather for me is a freezing cold night in the middle of December, no matter how many socks you have on you still cant feel your feet come kickoff time. I do ask myself regularly why we stand out in all weathers, well we just do it for the Glentoran cause. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I’ve heard that your daughter has a serious illness and you both have to travel to England a lot yet never miss a match. What does it mean to you to make it to match days together?
“Yes my daughter Holly was born with a serious liver disorder so much so she had to have a liver transplant back in 2008 aged 5. It has involved a lot of visits to Birmingham Childrens Hospital over the past number of years, but somehow we always manage to get back on time to see the Glens. Thankfully Holly is good health and her transplant has enabled her to enjoy a normal life as much as possible. Holly really looks forward to watching the Glens home and away which makes me a very proud Dad considering what she has gone through.”
Why do you do it?
“The main reason I volunteer is to help raise money for Glentoran FC Every penny the 1923 raise be it from the Halfer’s Draw and the programme goes back to the parent club. I want to see the Glens back on top where we belong, slowly but surely I think we are heading in the right direction.”
Best moment since becoming a Glentoran volunteer/supporter that made it all worthwhile?
“Irish cup final wins are very special moments as well as the league successes but my best moment has to be the day we lifted the Irish cup a few years ago v Cliftonville everyone had written the Glens off. It was Holly’s first ever cup final and I must admit I had tears in my eyes when that final whistle blew. A day I will never forget.”
Favorite player and match of all time?
“That’s a difficult question I’ve seen so many great players over the years but my favourite all time player has to be the one and only Jim Cleary closely followed by the big man Glen Little.Two great entertainers.”
“One match that I’ll never forget was away back 1993/94 season home to Coleraine we were leading 2-0 before two goal Derek Cook inspired Coleraine to go 3-2 ahead. I remember looking at my watch with only 20mins remaining somehow we managed to win the game 5-3 with Candlish 2 and McBride scoring another day I will never forget.”