Danske Irish Premiership
Glentoran 1 Ballymena United 2
The Oval - East Belfast
Quite
simply a visit to The Oval , home of Glentoran FC is as good as it
gets. The place just wreeks of history . From the moment you turn
into Parkgate Drive and the 'Old Lady' comes into view you are
immediately spellbound. It feels like you are making a pilgrimage to
football mecca. The massive main stand overpowers you and you
can literally smell the bygone European night matches as the history
simply overpowers you into submission , even when the stand is
empty.
As i was just standing in awe , i heard a voice from high above from a small window welcolming me "I'll be down in a second OB" . It was the Club Secretary Ricky Rea. What a fantastic man Ricky is. His passion and love for the club is just amazing. His stories of supporting the Glens as boy and man are just fascinating. He fondly recalls the European nights in the 60's v Benfica , Juventus etc and how the atmosphere in the packed ground is something he will never forget.
Ricky told me that Glentoran were the first club to go out of a European competition on the 'away goals rule' when they drew 1-1 at home to Benfica and in the 2nd leg drew 0-0 in Portugal. They were the first club to prevent Benfica from scoring on their own pitch in Europe. The Boardroom is just magnificent with all the trophies and memorabilia on display, including the solid silver eagle that Benfica presented them taht famous night. Also proudly on display is the Vienna Cup won in 1914 and according to Ricky Glentoran were the first ever British club to win a competition in Europe.
Tonights match v Ballymena United was
an important one for both sides as the winners would make the last
place for the end of season playoffs and possible european
qualification.
The condition were damp and the rain
was intermittent. But it was the visitors who scored a late winner to
send the loyal locals home frustrated to the poor end to the season
and the failure to make the play-offs.
The vast open terraces , the large
covered stands , the location backing on to the ship building dock
yards, the aeroplanes flying scarily close over the main stand to and
from the nearby George Best Airport – Photos of George Best playing
for Glentoran hang proudly in the boardroom , along with many others
including Danny Blancflower , Billy Bingham etc , a visit to
theclub's famous 'Milk Bar' , meeting the locals all make visitng The
Oval a very special place to visit , very special indeed.
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