Name: Gareth McCullough

Age: 33

How long have you supported Newry? 29 years, since I was four years old.

How did you come about supporting the club?
Family tradition. My late Grandfather was a former Chairman, President and Trustee who helped broker the deal for Pat Jennings to begin his professional career and my Dad has supported Newry for nearly 60 years. It’s in my blood!

Your favourite ever player?
Impossible to pick just one from those I have seen – John Corvan was the first player I remember seeing and being amazed by. Joey Cunningham for his sheer ability on the pitch and his personality off it. The living legend that is Ollie Ralph – Goalscorer supreme and one of the nicest people I have had the fortune to meet. Stuart McClean – a colossus at centre-back and the best defender I have seen in a Newry shirt bar none and Richard Clarke – came to the club as a youngster with potential and left as one of the best midfielders in the country.

Favourite current player?
Every player that pulls on a Newry shirt is an instant favourite and gets my support. The lads currently at the club are arguably the most important bunch to pull on the blue and white stripes.

Best memory supporting the club?
Following the team into Europe in 1999. Never thought I would be watching my club playing a Bundesliga team in European football. Also, winning Division 1 was fantastic and the following season beating Linfield, Cliftonville and Portadown was brilliant. Thousands at The Showgrounds. The three trophies we won in Championship 1 a couple of seasons ago was as enjoyable a season as any however. Also, last season in Intermediate B was great fun.

Funniest moment supporting the club?
There are almost too many to mention. Getting into plenty of heated debates with opposition supporters and players is always a laugh. Jonny Ferns going on his backside at ‘Stute on the pitch is as much of a highlight as any of the away days I’ve been on. Plenty of jokers on the bus!

Favourite ground you’ve visited and why?
Hard to look past Mourneview Park or Stangmore Park. Both are compact grounds where you are close to the action and both are good for a pre-match, half-time and post-match beer too! Mourneview just edges it for me though. However, from a results point of view, our 6-4 win at Dungannon a few years ago was up there with the best. Clarkey celebrating with the fans after the sixth goal was brilliant.

What is it you like most about following Newry?
The fact that it’s my local team and the only team that I can truly genuinely say I have affinity to. I like watching matches on TV or going to Old Trafford for example as much as anyone, but nothing beats going to watch your home town team with your mates, seeing friends playing for the club.

Hopes for the future?
That we continue to progress up the leagues until eventually returning to our rightful place in the Premiership. However, it’s more important that the club continues to be run correctly, the way it is at the minute, and that only those who genuinely care for it are allowed to make decisions.
Also, I hope Graeme Edgar can find out where the net is sooner rather than later too!

The NCAFC Travel club’s bus to Fivemiletown this Saturday (3rd Jan) will leave Stonebridge at 12pm. All welcome.

 

Name: Santa Claus

Age: Questionable.

How long have you followed Newry?
I think it was St Stephen’s Day 1923. I happened to be passing after a particularly busy day’s work.

Best Memory?
Oh, has to be St Patrick’s Day 2001 at Windsor Park. Dean Fitzgerald and Gary McPhee (2) scored in a 3-1 victory over the mighty Linfield, Champions and runaway League leaders. Christmas came early that year.

Funniest Moment?
How long have you got? Perhaps when a visit from Linfield had a dedicated supporter on duty behind their dugout. When it came to half time he (Aggro) looked David Jeffrey in the eye and delivered the following in a Mid-West American drawl………“terrible language for a Preacher Man”. The great one beamed broadly as he headed down the tunnel. It could well have been the day Bo Willis scored, even though he was 14 miles offside. Then there was an evening when The Goog almost took out a Flybe plane over The Oval when he ballooned one from 40 yards. You couldn’t make it up.

Favourite Player?
Well, Ollie Ralph is, for some reason, more popular in Newry than my good self. I have a soft spot for flawed talent: Sean Friars, Lee Feeney, Alan Davidson, come to mind and I’m very proud when one of my little elves pulls on the shirt: Austy Friel, Wee Marty Havern, Rambo Hughes. Among our best helpers have been Gavin Dykes, Robbie Casey, Richard Clarke and my own favourite, Dee Curran.

Favourite Ground to visit?
Always enjoyed the Social at Swallytude, I don’t raise as many eyebrows there, but a trip to Stangmore Park was usually eventful. The January evening we came from 2 goals down to win 6-4. Mickey Collins grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and galvanised us. He scored a goal early in the 2nd half before getting a straight red and having a spat with the locals – The ultimate Bad Santa. The unbridled joy when Captain Marvel secured the win remains a cherished memory. Rudolph is no fan of 3G so he has been delighted with some of the grazing available at Intermediate level. Laurelvale and Broomhedge are among his favourites.

What is special about Newry?
The fact that after all the false prophets a band of brothers and sisters came together to prevent their club being relegated into the footballing history books. We also have the great gift of being able to laugh at ourselves.

Thoughts on the future?
Believe. We all believe, don’t we?

It is with very deep sorrow and great sadness that we report the death in the early hours of Wednesday morning of former Newry Town/City FC Secretary and Chairman Billy McVicker.

Billy’s first administrative role in football was as Secretary of The Carnbane League and during the 1969-70 season when he was co-opted to a similar position on The Town management committee.

A short time afterwards he was elected Chairman, a position he held for a number of years.

He also represented the club at the I.F.A. and the M.U.F.A for a number of years and was also Secretary of the MUFA for a lengthy period.

Deepest sympathy and condolences to his loving Wife and the entire McVicker family.

Billy’s funeral service is to be held in Newry Methodist Church this coming Friday.

Name: Stephen Beattie

Age: 22

How long have you supported Newry? Almost 8 years now.

How did you come about supporting the club?
When I heard that Newry were playing on Sky Sports during the 07/08 season against Coleraine I decided to go down. I was instantly hooked and have been watching Newry home and away ever since!

Your favourite ever player?
It would have to be our captain from my early years supporting the club, Richard Clarke. Very notable mentions to Emmet Friars and Stephen Garrett also.

Favourite current player?
Based on what I have seen over the last year and a half it would come down to Jimmy Walker or Mark Lowry, the latter of whom has been very influential for Newry so far this season. The goals these two scored against Seapatrick last month were two of the best I’ve seen at the Showgrounds.

Best memory supporting the club?
Winning 3-2 away to Coleraine (09/10 Season) in the final minutes on my second trip up there within 3 days is a great memory! I also remember a Newry win on a cold afternoon at the Oval, fondly.

Funniest moment supporting the club?
If only I could accumulate all of Kevin Ruddy’s ‘slightly’ elaborate stories from the terraces! I also recall myself and a few friends spending an entire half time haggling with the late Tommy O’Hanlon over old Newry Town shirts in the club shop!

Favourite ground you’ve visited and why?
Purely for the atmosphere – Elland Road. In the Irish League I have always enjoyed going to Seaview – a compact stadium and you’re always close to the action.

What is it you like most about following Newry?
It is my hometown and a club that I can be undeniably linked with.

Hopes for the future?
To win Intermediate A and continue to progress up the Irish league ladder. (Playing against Warrenpoint competitively ASAP would be great)