Everybody at Newry City AFC was deeply saddened to hear that Gerry Mulholland had passed away last Monday.
Gerry, always a true gentleman, was a loyal and dedicated supporter of Newry Town/City/ City AFC for more than seventy of his 89 years and had been a club season ticket holder for each and every season since 1945.
He played a major role, in company with his late Brother Danny, in helping to re launch Newry Town FC in 1945, after the club had been dormant during the years of World War 2.
His help and guidance was also of vital importance when “The Town” lost it’s original spacious senior league ground at The Marshes and the club was forced to construct and develop a new stadium at the nearby Showgrounds, during the 1946-47 period.
During the late fifties , Gerry became a founding member of Newry United FC and helped guide United to a magnificent Irish Junior Cup triumph in the 1961-62 season.
An outstanding member of that superb Newry United team was a teenage goalkeeper Pat Jennings. Pat was showing tremendous form and potential as that 1961-62 season came to a close and he became a magnet for a host of Irish Senior League clubs, both North and South.
Despite fierce competition from some of those clubs, Newry Town FC as a B Division team managed to get the brilliant young local custodian to sign on the dotted line during June 1962. There is little doubt that Gerry Mulholland played a massive role with his enormous influence and persuasive powers in that significant signing for The Town.
After that, on numerous occasions, down through the years the club sought guidance and advice from Gerry and he never failed to respond, offering all the help he could particularly at the Annual General Meetings.
He was at his happiest when Newry Town/City/City AFC was doing well and making progress and was very pleased that his son Paul was also a massive supporter and sponsor of the club.
Gerry’s commitment and loyalty to the club was total and everybody at The Showgrounds will miss his friendship and jovial personality.
Everyone associated with Newry City AFC would like to send our sincere sympathy and condolences to the entire Mulholland family.
Rest in peace Gerry.
On behalf of the Mulholland family can I thank the supporters,players and committee of Newry City AFC for all their kind thoughts and prayers at this sad time. My father was at his happiest, with exception for family occasions, when standing in the Showgrounds rain, hail or shine and watching the Town/City. Thank you for your kind thoughts. The Mulholland family
Gerry Mulholland was my first ever manager when I started to play soccer-Newry United under
14. To say that he was a massive influence would be an understatement as he moulded not just young footballers but young people. It was a pleasure just to know him- one of life’s true gentlemen