My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
November 2022 was the scheduled release of a 42 year in making book, my epic ChampIAN STEWARTnova. Following the Northern Ireland football team 1980-2009.
In true irony, the only parts of that book that remain in full are the only TWO parts NOT done by me.
1.The cover art and design. I have them on email thank God, from Daniel Sidebottom, my designer. As well as uploaded to this blog.
2.The Foreword written by World Cup footballer (Mexico 86) Ian Stewart. Ian emailed it to me, so I have it.
The rest is lost forever despite me backing it up in three places.
1.My laptop desktop. Standard. Stolen
2.My backup hard drive. Also standard but I backed it up in June 2022 last, which was before a lot of the very final edits and chapter adding. RETRIEVED!!
3.A special USB I had only for my books and poetry. Stolen.
Imagine on one day, I take ALL THREE of those out of my flat with me. And on that day a criminal asshole that should be sentenced to life imprisonment cowardly and callously steals my laptop on a bus with a snatch and grab attack. It all happened so fast and I only realised the horror of that nasty theft when I returned to my flat.
It was then I realised that for once, I hadn’t emailed that book to myself or anyone. I had only those three backups of it. I hadn’t saved or written it anywhere else. That book, with 42 years of effort was gone.
It was a BRILLIANT BOOK. It had stories from watching Northern Ireland football matches from 1980-2009. Once it was finished, I started working on the follow up book, untitled but to be about “20 years following Northern Ireland without actually living there, 2003-2023”. That book was 50% finished as well. It’s gone too.
They’re gone and I don’t have the energy to do 42 more years of work. The only real way I would consider this book being released is if the thief goes to prison or i find a person willing to write/type it all up again if I read it to them. Even then, it will be a different book. I cannot replicate those stories.
For peace of mind, here is the cover art and the final chapter listing, I have a draft version but it will take me a LONG TIME to recover from this and get it ready to release.
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
ChampIAN STEWARTnova by Jonny Blair
Chapter 1 – Where It Began
Chapter 2 – Arconada…Armstrong!
Chapter 3 – Stewart’s Enquiry
Chapter 4 – Norman’s Conquest
Chapter 5 – Zubizaretta…Clarke!
Chapter 6 – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School/Always Look On The Whiteside of Life
Chapter 7 – Darko Pancev
Chapter 8 – Jim Magilton On His Debut
Chapter 9 – You Weren’t Going Till The USA
Chapter 10 – Steve Morrow Never Dies
Chapter 11 – Here We Go…Again
Chapter 12 – We Were The Champions
Chapter 13 – The Day The Football Died
Chapter 14 – Danny Boy
Chapter 15 – The Healy Awakes
Chapter 16 – One Neil Lennon
Chapter 17 – The Night Healy Ended The Drought
Chapter 18 – The Princes of Wales/There’s Only One Dirty Sanchez
Chapter 19 – Four Nil And You Still Don’t Sing
Chapter 20 – From Deansgate To Brandenburg Gate To Barfgate
Chapter 21 – Every Night I’ve Been Eating My Coleslaw
Chapter 22 – DJ-ing With Colin Murray
Chapter 23 – Northern Ireland 1-0 England
Chapter 24 – Badnight Vienna
Chapter 25 – He Came From The Cregagh
Chapter 26 – WAGM and SOENISC
Chapter 27 – Roy of The Rovers Reads David Healy Comics
Chapter 28 – YAMD
Chapter 29 – Isle Of Green
Chapter 30 – Everybody Frankenstein
Chapter 31 – Gillingham Away
Chapter 32 – We’re In The Army Now
Chapter 33 – A Kick In The Baltics
Chapter 34 – Right Backs On The Left
Chapter 35 – Fermanagh’s Ulster Goal Machine
Chapter 36 – Bratislava
Chapter 37 – Trieste
Chapter 38 – Green and White Water Rafting Army
Chapter 39 – Any Port In A Snowstorm
Chapter 40 – Ryanair Loyal
Chapter 41 – The Day I Quit The SOENISC
Chapter 42 – Solitude To Debrecen
Chapter 43 – Just Being Scilly Would Have Happened
Chapter 44 – Ulster’s Number One
Chapter 45 – The End of A Northern Eire
Chapter 45 – ChampIAN STEWARTnova
Chapter 46 – Where were you for Chile 89?
Omitted – Why Serbia At Home Was Significant
Omitted – Tony Kane Loyal
Omitted – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School
Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards
In 1980 I was born in the Northern Irish town of Newtownards. It’s a place with a lot of important links in my life. I was born there. I passed my driving test there. I studied there. I got into university by doing a course there. Despite all of that, I grew up in the nearby seaside city of Bangor. Mum, from Comber and Dad, from Belfast liked it. It’s my beautiful quartet. Bangor, Belfast, Comber, Newtownards.
Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards
Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards
In July 2022 for the first time ever, I visited Islandhill. This is very close to my birthtown, yet I had not previously been. It is an amazing place!
Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards
It is one of many islands in Northern Ireland and is a real treat. It was even better that this was a late notice trip organised by my Mum and Dad because I had an extra two hours spare on the day of my flight out of George Best Belfast City Airport.
Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards
How to get to Islandhill
Islandhill is generally not served by any bus or train route so the best way to visit is by car, on foot (jog out to it) or by bicycle. Coming from Newtownards/Belfast/Bangor – If you are coming from Newtownards (or Bangor/Belfast direction), leave Newtownards on the A21. The A21 is the main road out of Newtownards towards Comber and the turn off to Islandhill is on the left. Dad was driving and knows the route, so you have two options. The first option is to turn left at Longlands Road. If you miss that one, take the next left at Ringcreevy Road. Both roads eventually merge into each other, which leads you straight down to Islandhill! Here there is a car park and some tourist information.
Getting to Islandhill NewtownardsHow to Get To Islandhill Newtownards
If you are coming from the other direction, Comber, you’re also on the A21 and both the Ringcreevy Road and the Longlands Road will be on your right, so look out for them. In Northern Ireland, we drive on the left side of the road. Also, Google Maps has written it as Rough Island, yet even the tourist board and locals call it Islandhill!
Low Tide versus High Tide
I visited Islandhill at low tide and in July 2022. At this time, as the tide was low and out, we could walk across to Islandhill. To check the tide times, if you don’t live nearby, there’s a handy guide here –
Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards
At high tide, when the tide is in, or after rain or in a different season, it might not be easy to walk across to Islandhill.
Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards
What to do at Islandhill
Walk across to it, have a picnic, take the dog or go birdwatching. It’s a Northern Irish nature reserve. The views of Scrabo Tower, Newtownards and the Ards Peninsula are stunning. It’s really worth a trip. A brilliant place. Here are some extra links and photos.
Backpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near NewtownardsBackpacking in Northern Ireland: Touring Islandhill, Near Newtownards
Here are some videos of my trip to Islandhill, Northern Ireland:
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009 is currently in its final edits. This took a lot longer than I anticipated – the writing was basically completed by October 2010, but one thing after another led to delays. Many chapters had to be skipped, cut, replaced, ommited, repositioned, edited etc. This list below is the current chapter listing, which I admit is also subject to change depending on the publishing details and stipulations before the printing begins.
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
There will be a further update around the time of the book’s release, which I expect to be BEFORE Qatar 2022 starts.
Chapter 1 – Where It Began
Chapter 2 – Arconada…Armstrong!
Chapter 3 – Stewart’s Enquiry
Chapter 4 – Norman’s Conquest
Chapter 5 – Zubizaretta…Clarke!
Chapter 6 – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School/Always Look On The Whiteside of Life
Chapter 7 – Darko Pancev
Chapter 8 – Jim Magilton On His Debut
Chapter 9 – You Weren’t Going Till The USA
Chapter 10 – Steve Morrow Never Dies
Chapter 11 – Here We Go…Again
Chapter 12 – We Were The Champions
Chapter 13 – The Day The Football Died
Chapter 14 – Danny Boy
Chapter 15 – The Healy Awakes
Chapter 16 – One Neil Lennon
Chapter 17 – The Night Healy Ended The Drought
Chapter 18 – The Princes of Wales/There’s Only One Dirty Sanchez
Chapter 19 – Four Nil And You Still Don’t Sing
Chapter 20 – From Deansgate To Brandenburg Gate To Barfgate
Chapter 21 – Every Night I’ve Been Eating My Coleslaw
Chapter 22 – DJ-ing With Colin Murray
Chapter 23 – Northern Ireland 1-0 England
Chapter 24 – Badnight Vienna
Chapter 25 – He Came From The Cregagh
Chapter 26 – WAGM and SOENISC
Chapter 27 – Roy of The Rovers Reads David Healy Comics
Chapter 28 – YAMD
Chapter 29 – Isle Of Green
Chapter 30 – Everybody Frankenstein
Chapter 31 – Gillingham Away
Chapter 32 – We’re In The Army Now
Chapter 33 – A Kick In The Baltics
Chapter 34 – Right Backs On The Left
Chapter 35 – Fermanagh’s Ulster Goal Machine
Chapter 36 – Bratislava
Chapter 37 – Trieste
Chapter 38 – Green and White Water Rafting Army
Chapter 39 – Any Port In A Snowstorm
Chapter 40 – Ryanair Loyal
Chapter 41 – The Day I Quit The SOENISC
Chapter 42 – Solitude To Debrecen
Chapter 43 – Just Being Scilly Would Have Happened
Chapter 44 – Ulster’s Number One
Chapter 45 – The End of A Northern Eire
Chapter 45 – ChampIAN STEWARTnova
Chapter 46 – Where were you for Chile 89?
Omitted – Why Serbia At Home Was Significant
Omitted – Tony Kane Loyal
Omitted – The Norman Whiteside Soccer School
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
Original Chapter Listing is below – it doesn’t apply anymore.
Chapters
Chapter 1 – Where It Began
Chapter 2 – Arconada…Armstrong!
Chapter 3 – Stewart’s Enquiry
Chapter 4 – Norman’s Conquest
Chapter 5 – Zubizaretta…Clarke!
Chapter 6 – Darko Pancev
Chapter 7 – Jim Magilton On His Debut
Chapter 8 – You Weren’t Going to the USA
Chapter 9 – Steve Morrow Never Dies
Chapter 10 – One Neil Lennon
Chapter 11 – We Were The Champions
Chapter 12 – The Night Healy Ended The Drought
Chapter 13 – The Princes of Wales
Chapter 14 – Four Nil And You Still Don’t Sing
Chapter 15 – Every Night I’ve Been Eating My Coleslaw
Chapter 16 – DJ-ing With Colin Murray
Chapter 17 – Flag Stays Down, Healy!
Chapter 18 – Badnight Vienna
Chapter 19 – Waggim
Chapter 20 –
Chapter 21 – YAMD
Chapter 22 – Gillingham Away
Chapter 23 – We’re In The Army Now
Chapter 24 – Right Backs On The Left
Chapter 25 –
Chapter 26 – Roy of The Rovers Reads David Healy Comics
Chapter 27 – Fermanagh’s Ulster Goal Machine
Chapter 28 – Green and White Water Rafting Army
Chapter 29 – San Marino Away
Chapter 30 – The Day I Quit The SOENISC
Chapter 31 – The End of An Eire
Chapter 32 – End of the Road
Chapter 33 – Why Serbia At Home Was Significant
Chapter 34 – ChampIAN STEWARTnova
Chapter 35 – Where were you for Chile 89?
My New Football Book: ChampIAN STEWARTnova – Following the Northern Ireland Football Team 1980 – 2009
NORTHERN IRELAND is almost 100. As the clock strikes midnight tonight in Belfast City, (my breath thefter capital) this country becomes 100 years old. I know from my travels that, not everyone knows about Northern Ireland, not everyone agrees with Northern Ireland and not everyone understands Northern Ireland. But tonight, I will you tell this…
– I agree with Northern Ireland.
– I know about Northern Ireland.
– I understand Northern Ireland.
– I am a Northern Irish nationalist and proud of it.
– Everywhere outside the 6 counties of Northern Ireland is foreign to me. (and that includes Donegal, England, UK, Poland, and Botswana). It’s why I travel. I love that.
– I was born in Northern Ireland.
– Both my parents were born in Northern Ireland.
– I have spent more time in Northern Ireland than any other country (3 times more than its nearest rival – England -6years and Poland – 5years).
– A week before Northern Ireland turned 100, the leader of our country left her job.
– Northern Ireland is my favourite country so far out of the 186 I’ve been to. I’ll visit more but it’s unlikely I’ll find a country to oust it.
– I have been to Northern Ireland 99 times in my life (more than any other country). Isn’t it ironic that in year 100, I haven’t been there 100 times yet? Maybe this year I can do it.
– The two national languages of Northern Ireland are Ulster Scots and Irish Gaelic. Some people there also speak English (a foreign language and our “third” language at a push).
– Northern Ireland is a geographical country and religion has no bearing on anything for me there. It is a country of 6 counties of the Ulster Province. It is geographical only, I don’t even notice or care about the religion of our beautiful people within. Anyone that does, you’re on a lower level than me sadly.
– Whether you agree with me or not, Northern Ireland is my country.
– Northern Ireland is the smallest country to be in the last 8 of the football World Cup.
– Northern Ireland is the smallest country to be in the last 12 of the football World Cup.
– Nothern Ireland is the smallest country to get out of the group stage at a football World Cup.
– Northern Ireland is the most successful country in professional golfing history based on population.
– A Northern Irishman invented the penalty kick. He did that before the country even existed.
– Tomorrow, Northern Ireland is 100.
– Happy Birthday to the 1.8 million residents in Northern Ireland.
– Happy Birthday to those non-residents like me who have travelled the world to promote it and check out other places.
– We didn’t choose Northern Ireland. It was given to us in the aftermath of a mixation of Home Rule, First World War, Herbert Asquith, Bonar Law, Easter Risings and Edward Carson. Sometimes nobody has an answer to a tough question.
“Some might say you get what you’ve been given. Go and tell it to the man who cannot shine” – Noel Gallagher.
“Spend your nightlife table hopping, trying to keep your bag of bones in trim” – Noel Gallagher.
When travel used to be a thing, I loved the thrill of it all. I loved the crazy stuff, I needed even the sorrow amidst all that. The unrecognised countries, the secrets, the wacaday museums, the sadness at death camps, but when the gorgeous round ball sank, I used to love finding a random bar. These are some of the bars with quirky records that I was in. I love such wacaday spots. I found them before. I’ll find them again. Bet your bottom złoty.
It’s another tequila sunrise and this old world still looks the same.
1.The Southernmost Pub in AUSTRALIA
Name – Bruny Island Hotel Address – 3959 Main Rd, Bruny Island, Tasmania 7150, AUSTRALIA Further Reading – My lonely beer on Bruny Island
“It’s twelve o’clock till midnight, there must be someone to blame” – Manic Street Preachers.
To get to the Southernmost Pub in Australia, you need to leave mainland Australia for Tasmania. And even once you have done that, you then also need to leave mainland Tasmania for the idyllic Bruny Island. I spent 5 months living in Tasmania and I spent a weekend on Bruny Island. I arrived by ferry from the seaside port of Kettering. There is a sadness here though…
The Southernmost Pub in AUSTRALIA
When I was here, the Bruny Island Hotel was closed the whole weekend so I never got a chance to have a drink here. I still photographed it, parked outside it, had a beer outside and pondered on what might have been. I’ll never be there again.
All alone at Australia’s Southernmost Hotel – the Bruny Islad Hotel.The Southernmost Pub in AUSTRALIA
2.The World’s Lowest Bar, Dead Sea, ISRAEL/PALESTINE
“This is a low but it won’t hurt you” – Damon Albarn.
While some of the claims on this post might seem a little untrue, this is one claim that I can definitely believe. The Dead Sea is really low, but who wins? Israel or Palestine. Let’s not get into that – I visited both countries and I just wanted a low beer. Here at Kalia beach, after reading your newspaper floating in the salty waters, you can beer sink in the world’s lowest bar. Classic quirk…
Doing the typical “reading photo” in the Dead Sea in Israel.Lowest Bar in the World at Kalia Beach, Dead Sea, ISRAEL/PALESTINE
“I’m gonna spend boring minutes talking to people like you” – Brian Clough.
This can be debated but as things stand, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem still claims to be the oldest pub in England, dating back to 1189 AD. I’ve been to Nottingham 4 times, twice to watch Nottingham Forest, double European Champions. I’ve only popped in here once for a pint and it was great. It also oddly links to the previous entry on Israel / Palestine.
Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham – perfect date in England’s oldest pub?!Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Nottingham – perfect date in England’s oldest pub?!
4.The World’s First Bar to Be Televised Live on the Internet, Belfast, NORTHERN IRELAND
Name – The Crown Bar Address – 46 Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7BA, NORTHERN IRELAND Further Reading – The Crown Bar
“I’m from T-bay, that’s the ghetto mate” – Carl Frampton.
The Crown Bar in Belfast, Northern Ireland is one of my favourite bars in the world. I just love it! I try to visit it every time I am back in my home capital city. Visit it – it’s simple. I love it. Tourist gimmick loyal maybe, but it won’t wane.
The interior of the Crown Bar in Belfast, Northern IrelandHaving an excellent pint of Guinness with my Dad in the Crown Bar on a return to Belfast.
5.The Longest Bar In Europe, Birmingham, ENGLAND
Name – The Square Peg (it’s a Wetherspoons) Address – Unit 1-3 Temple Court, 115 Corporation Street, Birmingham, B4 6PH Further Reading – The Square Peg
“That’s becider pint” – Lock In Lee Adams.
The Square Peg, The Longest Bar In Europe, Birmingham, ENGLAND
This is probably not the longest bar in Europe any more, but it once was. I love a good quirk like that. I’ve been to Birmingham a load of times, normally to meet up with Lock In Lee Adams and we usually do different bars each time. I was only in here once and did it for the quirk, plus I love a good cheap Wetherspoons!
Thirsty Thursdays: Beers and Lunch in Europe’s “Longest Bar”, The Square Peg, Birmingham, EnglandLee with his Guinness in the Square Peg
6.The World’s Southernmost Irish Pub, Ushuaia, ARGENTINA
Name – Irish Pub Dublin Address – 9 de Julio 168, V9410 DDD, Tierra del Fuego, ARGENTINA Further Reading – World’s Southernmost Irish Pub
“We’re one but we’re not the same” – Paul Hewson.
The odd thing about this one is that TWO pubs in Ushuaia both claim to be the world’s southernmost Irish Pub!! So the fact that I spent at least a week in this city meant I had easily time to visit both of them. First up the Dublin…
The World’s Most Southernly Irish Pub – Dublin Pub in Ushuaia, Argentina!Having a beer in the Dublin n Ushuaia, Argentina.
7.(Also)The World’s Southernmost Irish Pub, Ushuaia, ARGENTINA
“It was the hand of God” – Diego Armando Maradona.
Yes you read that correctly – numbers 6 and 7 are the same claim! I headed to the Galway Irish Pub, which to me felt like it was more south as it is closer to the harbour part of Ushuaia.
The World’s Southermost Irish Pub – The Galway in UshuaiaA beer in the Galway Irish Pub
Name – The Ponderosa Address – 974 Glenshane Rd, County Londonderry BT47 4SD, NORTHERN IRELAND Further Reading – Ireland’s Highest Pub
“I get so high I just can’t feel it” – Noel Gallagher.
Ireland’s highest pub is the Ponderosa on the Glenshane Pass in Northern Ireland. I have been here quite a few times, including with my friends Chris Ragg and Darren Latimer. My Dad and I also stopped off here in 2008. More recently, in 2017 when I took my Polish friends Rafał and Julia on a tour of Northern Ireland, we popped in. I’ve been 4 times but only drank alcohol once as it’s not a drinking pub, it’s a stop off on the epic drive through Northern Ireland’s Sperrin Mountains.
Name – The Wild Rover Address – Calle Comercio 1476, Esquina Bueno, (frente al Hostal Republica), Ruta Nacional 2, La Paz, BOLIVIA Further Reading – Drinking in the Wild Rover, Best Sights in La Paz
“Go and tell it to the man who cannot shine” – Noel Gallagher.
Again, as we know that pubs and bars love to have debates about who actually should hold that accolade. When backpacking in South America in 2010 – 2011, I was curious to visit the world’s highest Irish Pub. The problem was – two pubs were claiming it, so clearly I’d have to visit both. I started in lofty La Paz, which kind of capitals Bolivia (joint with Sucre).
At the Wild Rover – The World’s Highest Irish Pub, La Paz, BOLIVIA
In this pub I had an epic night with fellow County Down man Grant, who had his Down gaelic shirt on for the evening. It’s fair to say we had a few beers!!
At the Wild Rover – The World’s Highest Irish Pub, La Paz, BOLIVIAAt the Wild Rover – The World’s Highest Irish Pub, La Paz, BOLIVIA
10.The World’s Highest Irish Owned Pub, Cuzco, PERU
“Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” – William Shakespeare.
So having already had some beers in the “World’s Highest Irish Pub” in La Paz, Bolivia, I ended up in Cuzco in Peru after my epic Machu Piccu hike. It was actually on the hike by a fellow hiker that I became aware that Paddy Flaherty’s in Cusco/Cuzco. Curiosity killed the cat…
Paddy Flaherty’s The World’s Highest Irish Owned Pub, Cuzco, PERUPaddy Flaherty’s The World’s Highest Irish Owned Pub, Cuzco, PERU
“Sun’s gone to hell, you got the moon riding high” – Mark Knopfler.
When my wacaday journey was already 100 countries deep, I finally made it to Madrid, which capitals Spain. Here, on a quiet poky old street sits the Sobrino de Botin. This restaurant claims to be the oldest restaurant in the world!
Madrid has the world’s OLDEST restaurant, according to the Guinness World Records
One of my dorm buddies from the Cats Hostel, Andrew (who later met up with me in Hong Kong) came with me to devour a lunch and neck a bottle of decent Spanish wine. I have to say – I enjoyed this place, Glentoran got into the Irish Cup final just before that visit.
Oldest Restaurant in the World? Madrid, Spain
12.The Oldest Pub in Ireland, Donaghadee, NORTHERN IRELAND
Name – Grace Neill’s Address – 33 High St, Donaghadee BT21 0AH, NORTHERN IRELAND Further Reading – TBA
“It’s six mile from Bangor till Donaghadee” – Richard Hayward.
Oh Gracies! I’ll just leave it here…my Polish friend Rafał Kowalczyk had to duck down to get into the pub. This bar is so old, that nobody was that tall back then. I love a good Guinness in Gracies….
Grace Neill’s, The Oldest Pub in Ireland, Donaghadee, NORTHERN IRELANDGrace Neill’s, The Oldest Pub in Ireland, Donaghadee, NORTHERN IRELANDGrace Neill’s, The Oldest Pub in Ireland, Donaghadee, NORTHERN IRELANDGrace Neill’s, The Oldest Pub in Ireland, Donaghadee, NORTHERN IRELAND
13.The World’s Oldest Bar, Wadi Musa, JORDAN
Name – The Cave Bar Address – Tourist Street Main Tourist Street, Petra Guest House, Wadi Musa 71810 JORDAN Further Reading – Things to do in Wadi Musa, The Cave Bar
“Rid a ha Rid a ha” – Song about a girl.
This claim seemed just ridiculous to me. I almost couldn’t believe it, that the oldest bar in the world is in Jordan! For a start, Jordan is an Islamic dominant country and in that religion, alcohol is banned. However, bar doesn’t mean alcohol and Jordan isn’t as strict as Saudi Arabia as you can buy beers here. I had to go in. The Cave Bar in Wadi Musa dates back to the 1st Century BC.
The Cave Bar in Wadi Musa – oldest Bar in the world – dating back to 1st Century BC!
Occupying a 2000-year-old Nabataean rock tomb, this atmospheric Petra hot spot has been known to stay open until 4am on busy summer nights.
Have a beer in the oldest bar in the world in Wadi Musa, Jordan!
We popped in after a day touring the sights of Petra in Jordan. Panny and I. Ya neva change whats been an gone.
When I finally backpacked in Gibraltar in 2015, I stayed at the Cannon Hotel and explored the bars of Gibraltar, as well as Gibraltar Town, top of the rock and Europa Point. It’s a fantastic country. One of the highlights was my relaxing beer at the Top of the Rock. Here you sip a beer in Europe, while you stare at Africa.
Top of the Rock – Highest Bar in Gibraltar – have a beer looking at Africa from Europe
Morocco is just across the sea. Plus you can have an actual Gibraltarian beer here.
Top of the Rock – Highest Bar in Gibraltar – have a beer looking at Africa from EuropeTop of the Rock – Highest Bar in Gibraltar – have a beer looking at Africa from Europe
15.The most Wacaday Bar in an Unrecognised Country, ARTSAKH
Name – The Van Gogh Restaurant, Eclectic Hotel Address – Vank, Find it somehow, NAGORNO KARABAKH/ARTSAKH Further Reading – My night in the Eclectic Hotel, Vank
For a start, Artsakh is whackpacking to a tee. It doesn’t get much more crazy than a night in Vank.
One of the Most Unusual Places I Have Slept In: The Eclectic Hotel in Vank, Nagorno KarabakhOne of the Most Unusual Places I Have Slept In: The Eclectic Hotel in Vank, Nagorno KarabakhDinner at the Van Gogh Restaurant!
There is more wacaday madness in this cannon. I typed this up at Easter over a few jars…
Here are some videos from these quirky bars down the years.
The night Stevie Lomas told me “sure I never touched him”, thon time he elbowed a Liechtenstinian!
I tried to add this one to Wikipedia but it was rejected as they didn’t believe me. Wikipedia are stuck up in their own ego thinking they know better than everyone else. So I’ll post it here instead. This is a list of Northern Ireland international footballers who have represented Northern Ireland/Ireland (the 1880 original Ireland) at full level but were born outside Northern Ireland. B internationals, under 21s etc. are not counted.
Northern Ireland Football Internationals Born Abroad
This list is incomplete, but I will gradually get it updated. England is perhaps not surprisingly the country that has provided the most Northern Ireland internationals born abroad. English born players have also represented Wales, Republic of Ireland and Scotland to name but a few.
Also in 1998, Dele Adebola (born in Nigeria) was included in the Northern Ireland squad to face Slovakia at Windsor Park. Adebola was included in the squad and in the match programme, though he never played for Northern Ireland.
Note: A total of 124 players’ birthplaces remain untraced at this time, the majority from the earliest days of the Ireland national team. It is possible that a small number of these will have been born outside of (Northern) Ireland.
“Precious time is slipping away; but you’re only king for a day” – (East Belfast child) Van Morrison.
Morgan Day: How an Oklahoma Lady Became The Queen of East Belfast in Northern Ireland
The last two weeks have been a little manic for an Oklahoma based Marketing and Social Media lady by the name of Morgan Day. You see, as a Glentoran fan, on the 23rd April every year, we celebrate a “Morgan Day”, a Day with dedications to Chris Morgan. It dates back to Saturday 23rd April 2005 when Chris Morgan scored a late winner in a 3-2 win over arch-rivals Linfield which led to my team, Glentoran FC winning the Irish League that year. That season, Glentoran won the league and Chris Morgan was the top goalscorer. The added buzz of irony is that we signed him from Linfield!
Morgan Day: How an Oklahoma Lady Became The Queen of East Belfast in Northern Ireland
Morgan Day is a lady from Oklahoma in the USA who did not even support Glentoran FC, or had even heard of them, or had even been to Northern Ireland or Belfast before. But by way of a retweet, multiple hashtags and some Twitter interaction, suddenly Morgan Day was the most popular phenomenon on Morgan Day itself. The story gets better though. Morgan Day herself did not shy away and ignore the Morgan Day madness like many people would. She not only became part of it, but she retweeted, tweeted, got in touch with Glentoran fans and by the end of the day, she had been announced as the Queen of East Belfast. It’s all true. By this stage her story was on the BBC, and the BBC again, Belfast Live, Belfast Telegraph and beyond…
Morgan Day: How an Oklahoma Lady Became The Queen of East Belfast in Northern Ireland
An Oklahoma based Glentoran fan Alan aka gravel doc then got in touch with Morgan Day, presented her with a shirt and scarf, which she donned with minimum fuss. Local team OKC Energy FC also got in on the act and have now formed a football friendship with Glentoran FC! One day maybe a friendly match will be possible and will our new homecoming Queen Morgan Day make it to the Oval someday to celebrate this phenomenom…this journey ain’t over yet. It’s all a bit wacaday…
“Le Jeu Avant Tout” – Glentoran FC Motto (“Football comes first before everything else / the game above all”).
The Holy Grail Of Football Stadiums: Taking A Guided Tour of Glentoran Football Club, East Belfast, Northern Ireland
Firstly, I am a Glentoran FC supporter and have been to this stadium well over one hundred times in my life. I am a football groundhopping veteran now with around 700 matches and 200 stadiums under my belt. Down the years, I have witnessed many goals, wins, draws, defeats, penalty shoots outs, red cards, unusual events, floodlight failures, cup finals, riots and famous matches. Particularly European matches. Glentoran FC is a Northern Irish football club based in East Belfast. We play in green, red and black with a hint of white / a white away kit.
The Oval grounds – Glentoran FC’s famous stadium in Belfast city, Northern Ireland
We play at a stadium called The Oval Grounds which is a historic and famous venue in the football world. Our club nickname is the Glens or the Cock ‘n’ Hens. Our stadium sits proudly in Sydenham, East Belfast. We have the Sydenham End (behind the nets) to the east which has the George Best Belfast City airport behind it as well as Sydenham train station and two other local teams – Dundela FC and Harland and Wolf Welders. To the north we have an enclosed seated stand in front of the main Bangor to Belfast road, the famous Belfast harbour where the Titanic was built. To the west is the city end, for away fans and offers a decent view to Belfast city’s skyline where the yellow and grey City Hospital often pierces the sky in front of the gaping hills. The entrance to the Oval is from Mersey Street side, via Parkgate Drive, though a former fanzine was entitled “Nightmare on Dee Street”, a homage to the nearby Dee Street often a fans walk to the stadium.
Location of The Oval grounds – Glentoran FC’s famous stadium in Belfast city, Northern IrelandLocation of The Oval grounds – Glentoran FC’s famous stadium in Belfast city, Northern Ireland
Despite having visited the stadium and been inside the changing rooms and trophy cabinet as a child, my return in December 2019 meant something new for me. I was embarking on the Glentoran FC Groundhopping Tour. This was a first for me, and two of my Polish friends Rafał and Kamil joined me on the tour.
Glentoran FC on Google Earth
This unique tour comes highly recommended not just by myself and all at Glentoran Football Club, but by lunatic groundhoppers and football geeks the world over. The fact remains that due to health and safety, public funding and the need to redevelop – The Oval as it stands today (in 2020) may not last much longer in its current form. You should aim to do the stadium tour now while you can. With no lifts and no clear emergency exit, the main stand at The Oval is comprised of an odd 1950s concoction of brick, wood, metal and plastic in no clear order. There are more twists, turns and nooks and crannies than The Crystal Maze, a Poirot thriller and the Monaco Grand Prix all put together. This is a pure cracker of a stand historically and it needs to be seen. You know the drill – get your flight into Belfast City’s George Best Airport booked. While you are in Belfast, you can also…
Marvel at the wall murals on both sides of the political divide
Go on the rip in a city that loves to go on the rip (Crown Bar, Belfast)
The Titanic Belfast, Northern IrelandTitanic Quarter train station in Belfast
Enough of that promotion of Belfast as a world-beater, onto the tour of Glentoran Football Club’s “The Oval Grounds”.
The Holy Grail Of Football Stadiums: Taking A Guided Tour of The Oval, Glentoran Football Club, East Belfast, Northern Ireland
About Glentoran Football Club
“Winning at Glentoran is not expectation, it’s demand” – Roy Coyle.
Glentoran Football Club were formed in 1882 in East Belfast in an area where there was a shipyard (Harland and Wolf), a cigarette factory (Gallaghers) and a whiskey distillery. In 2032 we will celebrate 150 years as a football club. The club even survived World War II when we almost folded and again in the last decade, we fought to stay alive in the wake of financial problems. The club remains to this day, sitting here in January 2020 fourth in the Northern Irish top division (three points off the top) and into the last 16 of the Irish Cup.
“Winning at Glentoran is not expectation, it’s demand” – Roy Coyle.
We have been winning trophies for more than a century, with the Vienna Cup in 1914 being the first ever European trophy up to the more recent Irish Cup triumph in 2015. In that time we have developed a rivalry with fellow Belfast sides Linfield and Crusaders, with teams like Cliftonville and Portadown also providing rivalry down the years. On one occasion we won 6 trophies in a season and on another occasion we beat Linfield 7 times in a season! Often known as the 7 up. In European competition, as you will read, we have excelled. Reaching the quarter finals of the European Cup Winners Cup in the 1970s, losing to a Borussia Moenchengladbach side which contained FIVE World Cup winners. No mean feat for a wee club from the East…
Some of Glentoran’s Honours. We ran out of room and money…
My links to Glentoran Football Club
This is simple. My Dad was born on Glentoran Street. Not in a hospital but in a terraced house off the Ravenhill Road on Glentoran Street itself. The street has since been bulldozed and now exists as Shamrock Place. But we are a Glentoran family through and through. My Dad had been to hundreds of Glentoran matches and even played at the Oval in a George Wilson Cup Final long before I was even born.
At The Oval with Dad
On my trips back to Northern Ireland my Dad takes great pride in going back to the Oval with me for a match – we also do some away matches, most recently to Warrenpoint Town, Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine.
At The Oval with Dad
My first Glentoran match was in 1990, a 2-0 home win v. Crusaders. My first Glentoran away match was also in 1990, a 2-1 defeat to Bangor. Ever since I have been a Glentoran fan and have attended over 120 home matches and over 50 away matches (I included semis and finals in that). As a child, I read the book “The Story of Glentoran”, a present from my late Great Grandfather John Mawhinney. My family mostly hailed from East Belfast and were Glentoran supporters. In those days we didn’t take many photos, but I have a few childhood Glentoran memories…
A young Glentoran fanaticAt Windsor Park for the 2000 Cup Final v. PortadownMy first Glentoran kit, aged 10At the Oval, home of my team Glentoran FC, mid 1990s
Glentoran’s proud European record
“Out comes the goalkeeper [Rinat Dasaev]. Not too sure this time. And it’s a goal! Terry Moore taking the credit for that!” – NI commentator, 1988.
As a kid, I often felt very proud that so many foreign teams could come to the Oval and fail to get a win. We are talking about European teams with legendary status. Glentoran have a proud and fruitful European home record. We have hosted 7 European Cup winners at the Oval (Marseille, Benfica, Steaua Bucharest, Ajax, Juventus, Manchester United – twice, Liverpool). 5 of those teams we played in a competitive match and we drew 1-1 with Benfica, Steaua Bucharest and Liverpool. We only lost 1-0 to Juventus with Warren Feeney missing a late penalty. I might repeat some of this stuff later on…
Glentoran’s proud European record
During the stadium tour, this proud European record is reinforced into our minds through anecdotes, props and the famous Glentoran wooden board featuring all the teams we have played in Europe. Down the years I have been to around 10 European matches at the Oval, yet oddly NONE of the away matches. I will put that right next time we make it into Europe. When we enter the away team dressing room, replica shirts or player’s shirts from those glory European nights are hanging up as a surreal reminder of the greats who have stepped foot in this very dressing room. Spine shivered, I grabbed some photos.
“Even Standard Liege and Spartak Moscow came in the 1980s. But they couldn’t beat Glentoran in their Belfast home” – Stephen Le Fevre.
Well they couldn’t beat Glentoran in their Belfast home…
All of these teams have come to the Oval for a match and failed to win:
We have an equally good record against teams from the Republic of Ireland at home in both friendlies and competitive matches. We finished runner up in the Setanta Cup in 2008 (losing 2-1 to Cork City away) and won the All Ireland predeccesors in 1944 (beating Belfast Celtic 5-4 agg.) and in 1974 (beating Cork Hibernians 6-2 agg.). These are some of the Republic of Ireland teams failed to win at the Oval.
Longford Town 2-1
St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 (twice)
Bray Wanderers 3-0
Shamrock Rovers 0-0
Derry City FC (Northern Irish team who play in the Republic of Ireland) – numerous wins and draws.
On my travels, I often wear my Glentoran shirt to games and stadiums I visit, including presenting one to former Afghanistan under 19 international Mohammed Reza when I visited the country in 2016.
Glentoran FC arrives in AfghanistanThe day my mate Mohammed Reza signed for Glentoran FC
Random Glentoran European facts
(European Cup/Champions League) We drew 1-1 on aggregate with Benfica in 1967, same year (and just after) they took Manchester United to extra time in the final.
(UEFA Cup) We beat Arsenal 1-0 at home in 1970. They went on to win the trophy.
(UEFA Cup) We lost 1-0 at home to Juventus in 1977, same year as they won the trophy.
(European Cup/Champions League) Team physio Bobby McGregor died on the pitch in Sofia in 1981. We drew the match 2-2 on aggregate over 180 minutes before conceding an extra time goal at the Oval and bowing out.
(European Cup Winners Cup) We reached the quarter finals in 1974, one of only two occasions when an Irish League club has reached the final 8 teams in Europe – Linfield was the other in the 1967 European Cup/Champions League.
Glentoran v. Wisła Kraków away ticket in 2002
Despite a fantastic home record in Europe, Glentoran have won only ONE European away match. This was a 2-1 win in Alianssi in 2004.
Glentoran have managed a draw at these European clubs in away matches – Benfica (0-0), Midtjylland (1-1), KR Reykjavik (0-0), Chimia Râmnicu Vâlcea (2-2), Brann (1-1), Progres Niedercorn (1-1), Rovaniemen Palloseura (0-0), Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja (0-0).
Glentoran have played Polish opposition only once, and I was at the home match that day – a 2-0 defeat to Wisła Kraków.
Drinking with ex Glentoran player Robbie Craig (RIP) in the Belfast Basement, Penrith, Australia
Glentoran firsts and lasts
This blog post could be long and it’s not a book so I don’t have time or energy, but here are some interesting firsts and lasts about Glentoran. Let’s get statistical here:
Glentoran won the first ever multi-country European trophy – The Vienna Cup in 1914.
Glentoran were the first team to be eliminated from Europe on the away goals rule – 1967.
Brian Russell of Glentoran scored the last ever competitive goal of the last millennium – v. Linfield on 31.12.1999.
Glentoran has been recognised as the team where the first EVER football match video was made – a match at the Oval against Cliftonville.
Glentoran were the first team ever to stop Benfica scoring in Europe at their stadium – a 0-0 draw in Portugal in 1967.
Watching Glentoran FC with Michael Whitford in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Why book the legendary Oval Grounds Stadium tour?
Because this is the Holy Grail of world football stadiums! The Oval is a pure fire classic stadium. The main stand has hardly changed since it was built in the 1950s! Groundhoppers around the world love it and even the BBC have cited it as the second best stadium in the world to tour, after La Bombonera, home of Boca Juniors. I visited La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in 2010.
Doing the Maradona in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Where to sleep when doing the Glentoran FC The Oval tour
If you are staying in Belfast as a tourist, I recommend these three places depending on your personal preferences. You can either dorm share for cheap at a hostel, sleep in the childhood home of George Best (!) or go luxury at the favourite Park Avenue Hotel.
1.YHA Hostel, Sandy Row, downtown Belfast (budget and central)
3. The best hotel in the area however is The Park Avenue Hotel. (very nearby – walkable and dear)
Belfast International Hostel, Sandy RowGeorge Best’s childhood bedroom, Burren Way, Cregagh Estate, East Belfast, Northern IrelandThe Park Avenue Hotel
Where to drink when visiting Glentoran FC
Belfast is a drinker’s city – the Northern Irish like a good beer or whiskey. My tip for best bars to have a beer in while visiting Glentoran FC are:
1.Glentoran FC Stadium Bar – up the stairs to the left in the main stand.
The Glentoran stadium Bar
2.The Westbourne Glentoran Supporters Club Bar – walkable off the Newtownards Road
3.The Park Avenue – the bar inside the hotel – also walkable
The Park Avenue Hotel, East Belfast
4.The Great Eastern – bar on the Newtownards Road
5.The Cock n Hen – another Glentoran bar off the Albertbridge Road
The Cock n Hen Bar
Further away The Stokers Halt at Ballyhackamore, The Crown Bar, The Dirty Onion, The Duke of York and Robinson’s are my other recommendations. I love a good night on the rip in Belfast City!
Overview of the tour of the Oval Grounds, Glentoran FC
The tour starts sharply at 12 noon on a matchday, when the kick off time is usually 15.00 / 3 p.m. You meet at the gates to the stadium and meet the guide and pay for the tour. The payment of £25 (in crisp Northern Irish cash – no card payments) includes a pin badge, a beer in the stadium, a guided tour, entrance to the match and you are likely to be able to meet some of the players, boardroom staff and training staff.
Start of the tourStart of the tourStart of the tourStart of the tour
Once you have paid, our guide Sam Robinson takes us back out of the stadium to explain the significance of the area itself. The East Belfast heartland is a special place. Sam grew up just a few doors down. He’s an Ovalite. He’s a Glentoran nut. He has green, red and black blood. And like myself, he hates the Bloos / Blues (Linfield FC).
The tour continues outside the Oval…The tour continues outside the Oval…
We head back in and an introduction to the ground and history ensues before we duck down and into the splendour that is not the away team changing room. Fitting 20 sweaty lads into this tiny room? You must be joking. But this is football at its greatest, at its most beautiful. At its most harsh. At its most pure. The away team dressing room would humble Champions League winners and World Cup semi finalists…
“Eusebio’s quaking in his boots, boys!!!” – Glentoran player manager John Colrain.
Away team dressing roomAway team dressing roomAway team dressing roomAway team dressing roomAway team dressing roomAway team dressing roomAway team dressing roomAway team dressing room
The stories begin in earnest now with a step down memory lane. We are stood in a room which has been visited by 10% of the total number of players who have WON the World Cup. And countless beaten finalists, and semi finalists. And countless Northern Ireland internationals, and even ex Glentoran players, or European Cup winners. Remember – Glens have played 7 Champions League winners. There have only been 22 winners of that tournament. In the 1960s, Arsenal were beaten 1-0 here before going on to win the UEFA Cup. We also humbled the mighty Eusebio and Benfica in 1967. Those results are legendary. Even the mighty Juventus in 1977 scraped the 1-0 win, with a late Glentoran penalty miss costing us a draw with the Italians. More recently, in the 1990s Steaua Bucharest scraped a 1-1 draw and Sparta Prague snatched a 2-1 win. Two screamers in the 2010s saw us knock out FK Renova from Northern Macedonia in another entralling night down the Oval.
Away team dressing roomAway team dressing room
The changing room is basic. It’s worse than a BB changing room. I love it. Imagine the shock of an away team coming in here. Turn the heating off lads, 4 at a time into the showers…but it is what’s hanging up in this tiny room that impresses the most – shirts of the teams that have played here – some match worn, others replicas. A story from Ajax Amsterdam arrives via Sam and it was one I didn’t know about…
Away team dressing roomAway team dressing roomAway team dressing room
After that it’s the physio room and the Glentoran home changing room – much better than the away one. Sadly the physio room is also a memorial room to Physio Bobby McGregor who died on the pitch in Sofia in the 1980s.
Memorial room to Physio Bobby McGregor who died on the pitch in Sofia in the 1980s.Home team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, BelfastHome team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, BelfastHome team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, BelfastHome team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, BelfastHome team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, BelfastHome team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, BelfastHome team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, BelfastHome team changing room at The Oval, Glentoran FC, Belfast
Next a surprise for my two Polish friends Kamil and Rafał – one of four Polish references on this tour in fact! We bump into Glentoran goalkeeper Marijan Antolović!! As Legia Warszawa fans, both my friends saw Marijan play for Legia years ago!! The Croatian former youth international drops by for a chat.
My two Polish friends Kamil and Rafał meet Glentoran goalkeeper Marijan Antolović!!My two Polish friends Kamil and Rafał meet Glentoran goalkeeper Marijan Antolović!!My two Polish friends Kamil and Rafał meet Glentoran goalkeeper Marijan Antolović!!
Then we are out on the pitch checking out the famous turf. We get a chat to both the kit man and the groundsman for a further insight into matchday. Star midfielder Hrvoje Plum drops by for a chat too, though I forgot to get a photo with either him or Antolovic!
On the pitch at the Oval, Glentoran FCOn the pitch at the Oval, Glentoran FCOn the pitch at the Oval, Glentoran FCOn the pitch at the Oval, Glentoran FC
We then hear about the famous 1960s tour of the USA when Glentoran after a long season represented Belfast under the name Detroit Cougars! A 50 year anniversary match was arranged in Detroit in 2017 to commemorate that event.
Today Glentoran will be…The Detroit Cougars!Today Glentoran will be…The Detroit Cougars!Today Glentoran will be…The Detroit Cougars!
Next we are up in the bar and trophy cabinet, perhaps the most insightful part of the tour. There are many trophies here including the famous Vienna Cup and even a keepsake from Kraków – a framed picture of St. Mary’s Church which I recognised immediately from my backpacking days. I was also in the trophy room in the 1990s but it is so great to be back here.
A present from Kraków in the Glentoran trophy roomAnother Glentoran honours boardThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy roomThe Glentoran trophy room
The tour continues with more anecdotes and stories from Sam on the history of the main stand before we veer round to the away section past the smell of wafting Glenburgers. The away turnstiles are not always used and today’s match is a non-ticket affair – pay at the gate.
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
There is a buzz around the Oval today though – just two days earlier we humbled arch rivals Linfield 3-0 in the famous Boxing Day derby. Today it’s the turn of Ballymena United, who will eventually lose 2-0 despite very dodgy and biased refereeing.
The Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, BelfastThe Holy Grail of football stadiums – Glentoran FC’s The Oval, Belfast
Back to the tour though and we head back onto the pitch and I hit a mock air pelanty at the Sydenham End against Rafal…
Scoring at the Sydenham ala Barney Bowers or Matty Burrows.
Up on the hill where good views and extreme history relating to the war give us further insight into just how important and historic The Oval really is. There’s the famous bunker which has war history and extravagant views over Belfast city skyline.
The view from history hill, The Oval, Glentoran FCHistory hill, The Oval, Glentoran FCHistory hill, The Oval, Glentoran FCMen’s bogs…
The tour isn’t finished yet! We pop into the 1922 room where one of the oldest football supporters clubs in the world still operates. The Glentoran 1922 Supporters Club. Here there are match programmes from down the years, framed pictures and shirts from down the years. This includes a picture of George Best who was rejected by the Glens as a teenager but played one game for his childhood team in 1982 in the Centenary match v. Manchester United. Then, it’s time for the bar for a pint and get ready for the big match!!
1922 room pre match1922 room pre match1922 room pre matchGlentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)Glentoran 2-0 Ballymena United (29.12.2019)
World Cup winners to have played at the Oval Grounds, Glentoran FC
Our tour guide knows his stuff and is a Glentoran Geek. He knows more about Glentoran than Glentoran. While we are stood in the away team dressing room, Sam Robinson mentions that he counted 15-16 World Cup winners who have changed here or played the Oval. While this might be difficult to check, I came up with a list of players who might have played in those European games and friendlies down the years. Please feel free to message me or comment below to correct this list. We now believe around 30 World Cup winners have been to the Oval, if not played here, making up around 10% of the entire World Cup winners since 1930. All the facts on this post may not be 100% accurate, will update and alter as I find out more.
1930 – Uruguay
1934 – Italy
1938 – Italy
1942 – Germany / Sweden / (no official World Cup)
1946 – Argentina / Brazil (No official World Cup)
1950 – Uruguay
1954 – West Germany
1958 – Brazil
1962 – Brazil
1966 – England George Eastham for Ards
1970 – Brazil (still checking)
1974 – West Germany
Berti Vogts for Borussia Moenchengladbach
Herbert Wimmer for Borussia Moenchengladbach
Jupp Heynckes for Borussia Moenchengladbach
Rainer Bonhof for Borussia Moenchengladbach
Wolfgang Kleff for Borussia Moenchengladbach
1978 – Argentina
Ricardo Villa for Tottenham Hotspur
Osvaldo Ardiles for Tottenham Hotspur
1982 – Italy
Dino Zoff for Juventus
Claudio Gentille for Juventus
Gaetano Scirea for Juventus
Antonio Cabrini for Juventus
Franco Causio for Juventus
Marco Tardelli for Juventus – scored in World Cup final
Paolo Rossi for Juventus – scored in World Cup final
1986 – Argentina (still checking)
1990 – West Germany
Rudi Voller for Marseille
* Lothar Matthaus, Karl Heinz Riedle, Thomas Hassler all trained at the Oval (possibly more)
1994 – Brazil (still checking)
1998 – France
Fabian Barthez for Marseille
Basile Boli for Marseille
Didier Deschamps for Marseille – has won the World Cup as player and manager
Marcel Desailly for Marseille
2002 – Brazil
(still checking) 2006 – Italy
(still checking) 2010 – Spain
(still checking) 2014 – Germany Thomas M,u,e,l,l,e,r for Germany under 21s
Mats Hummels for Germany under 21s
Toni Kroos for Germany under 21s
André Schürrle for Germany under 21s 2018 – France
Other notable players to have played at the Oval Grounds, Glentoran FC
Not just my heroes in Green, Red and Black like Billy Caskey, Ron Manley, Alan Paterson, Gary McCartney, Elliott Morris, Barney Bowers, Glen Little, Raymond Morrison, J,o,h,n,n,y Jameson etc. Lots of players down the years have graced the pitch, the bench, the changing rooms and even used the stadium for merely training. While West Germans Lothar Matthaus, Jurgen Klinsmann and Andreas Brehme never played here, they trained here once. These players played on the hallowed turf at the Oval.
The day I met Ron Manley and J,o,h,hny JamesonChildhood hero J,o,h,nny Jameson of Glentoran FC and Northern Ireland
George Best for Glentoran (Northern Ireland)
Glenn Little for Glentoran (England)
J,o,h,n,ny Jameson for Glentoran (Northern Ireland)
Fred Roberts for Glentoran (Northern Ireland)
Gerry Armstrong for Bangor (Northern Ireland)
David Healy for Northern Ireland under 21s (Northern Ireland)
Eusebio for Benfica (Portugal)
Luiz Fernandez for Paris St. Germain (France)
Dominique Rocheteau for Paris St. Germain (France)
Norman Whiteside for Manchester United (Northern Ireland)
George Best playing for Glentoran v Manchester United at the Oval in 1982
Peter Beardsley for Everton (England)
Gheorghe Hagi for Steaua Bucharest (Romania)
Mariusz Lacatus for Steaua Bucharest (Romania)
Abedi Pele for Marseille (Ghana)
Dragan Stojkovic for Marseille (Serbia / Yugoslavia)
Joe Blair for Crusaders Reserves (Northern Ireland) (yes, my Dad!)
My Dad, Joe Blair played at the Oval Grounds, Belfast back in the 1960s
Allen Boksic for Marseille (Croatia / Yugoslavia)
David Trezeguet for France under 21s (France)
William Gallas for France under 21s (France)
Frederic Kanoute for France under 21s (France / Mali)
Rio Ferdinand for Manchester United (England)
Pavel Nedved for Sparta Prague (Czechia)
That list is just a few names – many other superstars of world football have played at the Oval.
The Oval Grounds, East Belfast
Secrets of the tour of the Oval Grounds, Glentoran FC
I really don’t want to give away too many secrets about this tour as I want everyone to do the tour for themselves!!! Plus, £25 goes to my club Glentoran FC and this includes entry to the match that day which I consider a bargain and a great way to spend your Saturday.
“My baby’s got a secret” – Madonna Ciccone.
Why the spelling error? Secrets of the Glentoran FC Oval stadium tourWhat happens in this room? Secrets of the Glentoran FC Oval stadium tour
However, here are some hints about the secrets we were told on the tour – bear in mind each tour can also be spontaneous and will not be identical so you may learn things I didn’t learn and bump into players I didn’t meet.
Learn about the German Blitz on Belfast and how the Oval was bombed by Nazis
Find out the story about why the away team dressing room is so legendary
Why have Glentoran not updated their European records notice board since 2003?
Why is the VIP and Director’s box part of the stand at the end and not in the middle?
Come on Ye Glens!Secrets of the tour?Secrets of the tour?
What’s the craic on the hill?
How did “The Troubles” play its part in Glentoran FC’s history?
Find out why myself and everyone at Glentoran FC love Glen Little – a true hero
What is the Vienna Cup?
Why do we play in green, red and black?
Why the cockerel on the club crest?
What does Glentoran actually mean in Irish Gaelic?
The Vienna Cup
Here are the details of booking a tour of The Oval Grounds, Glentoran Football Club:
With Glentoran FC welcoming visitors from many different countries the club has launched a revised ground hopper package for the 2019-20 season to cater for all match day visitors. Locals and tourists/foreigners alike join this tour.
The package includes:
– Admission to the Grandstand for the match.
– Access all areas matchday tour with Glentoran historians.
– One complimentary pint of lager or stout in the Glentoran Premium Lounge.
– One souvenir collectable Glentoran pin badge.
– Photo of the group posted on glentoran.com
Price £25 per person.
New midweek tours are also available, on request.
To book email [email protected]
My thanks to Sam Robinson and all at Glentoran Football Club for the tour and matchday hospitality, which is second to none.
This blog post at almost 5000 words is lengthier than I envisaged and one of my longest blog posts in years. Alas, it merited it. I loved the tour, I love the Glens and I recommend it for all football fans visiting Belfast city, Northern Ireland’s above-weight puncher. Here are some other useful links related to Glentoran Football Club:
