Lurgan Town Football Club Winning Isn t Everything - Issue 16: January 2016 @lurgantownfc.com www.lurgantownfc.com #heartonthesleeve info@lurgantownfc.com HAVE YOUR SAY ON FUNDING FOR FOOTBALL Lurgan Town has the opportunity to receive some more funding for the Arena and this is how you can help. It is your chance to have a say on how and where 36m of NI Executive funding should be spent. Please follow the link below and read where it is proposed the 36m will be spent. The draft is based on the IFA Strategic Facility Need (March 2011) and is broken into 5 Strands. Strand 1-10m to redevelop The Oval in partnership with Glentoran FC Strand 2-17m to Significant Sub Regional Stadia - IFA Designated Venues only (max award 3m) Strand 3-3m to IFA Championship Clubs (max award 500k) Strand 4-3m to National Training Centre Strand 5-3m to Intermediate and Junior Football (a single high quality facility) A few questions for you to ponder: Could we benefit from the proposal for Strand 5? Can you imagine the facilities we could achieve with 3m funding? It's an interesting thought and one which the Committee at LTFC have been giving some serious consideration. Could Strand 4; 3m National Training Centre be built in Lurgan? At a recent public meeting with DCAL the advice they kept repeating was that it was a public consultation on a draft document and therefore it is up to the public and in particular the football family to complete the survey have their say. They will then bring the results and any suggestions to the minister for consideration. Here s how we need your help: Go to https://www.dcalni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/consultations/dcal/sub-regionalstadia-programme-for-soccer.pdf and then read the document and complete the survey. Obviously we would like to see more money channelled to the strand 5 bracket which would cover ourselves. LTFC will also be proposing less funding goes to Strands 1,2 and Strand 3 with the surplus going into Strand 5. Lurgan Town Arena, 83 Glenavon Lane, Lurgan, Co Armagh, BT66 8TN
www.lurgantownfc.com Winning Isn t Everything @lurgantownfc Page 2 CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to senior striker Matt Irvine and wife Laura on the birth of their son Freddy. Another wrecking ball of a centre forward we hope. GOLDEN GLOVE UP FOR GRABS Goalies (U13 to Seniors). Keep the highest number of clean sheets this season and this award is yours (see page 10 for totals so far. NEWS IN BRIEF MCS FUELS Our title sponsor of the reserve team have been in touch to offer the club a cash reward for every new customer we refer to them. If you purchase your fuel from MCS quote the reference Lurgan Town FC and we will receive 10. GIRLS ACADEMY There was a great turnout for the first day back for the Girls Academy following the Christmas break. A reminder that the girls train every Thursday night from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and all newcomers are very welcome. LOST AND FOUND A reminder that there is a lost and found box located in the corridor by the toilets in the clubhouse. Items that have not been claimed for a number of weeks will be donated to charity. SENIOR LADIES PRE SEASON Head coach Davy Welshman is delighted with the start to the new chapter in the club. The ladies have been putting in some tough shifts at the Arena (below) in preparation for the start of the season. Age 14+ are welcome to attend on Sunday s from 2pm to 4pm and then Thursday s from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. MONEY RAISED FOR MACMILLAN We reported in last month s issue of WIE the fantastic night that was had for the Senior Legends game. On the night 135 was raised for Macmillan Cancer Support. Thank you to everyone who donated. GET WELL SOON GOO GOO All at the club send their well wishes to Under 11 Lisburn League manager Gregory Goo Goo Cassells following his recent operation. Hopefully we will see him back around the club in 3 to 4 months time, and in the meantime we extend our thanks to the parents and other coaches who are helping out with the U11 side in Greg s absence.
www.lurgantownfc.com Winning Isn t Everything @lurgantownfc Page 3 ADAM CRAIG GK EXTRAORDINAIRE 15 year old Adam Craig had a feast of football action in the space of 24 hours recently. Adam (in his first season as goalkeeper) played for the U19s on Friday night in a 5-4 win over Rathfriland. He then turned out for his regular U16 MU team on the Saturday morning in a 3-2 win over Windmill. He finally finished of with his senior debut for the Reserves in the Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 win over Bourneview. Not only did he play 3 full and win all 3, but he was awarded man of the match for the reserves. Well done Adam keep up the good work. It is now official, Lurgan Town have a ladies team. Following their recent AGM, the ladies released an impressive set of pre season fixtures for the Senior squad for the 2016/17 season. New games will be added to the website as they are confirmed: Sunday 7th February v Ballynahinch Ladies (KO 3pm, Lurgan Town Arena) Sunday 21st February v Cliftonville Ladies Res (KO 3pm, Lurgan Town Arena) SENIOR LADIES PRE SEASON GAMES Download our app from the App Store Sunday 28th February v Bangor Ladies (KO 3pm, Lurgan Town Arena) Sunday 13th March v Sion Swifts Ladies (KO 2pm, Lurgan Town Arena) Sunday 20th March v Carnmoney Ladies (KO 3pm, Lurgan Town Arena) Sunday 3rd April v Linfield Ladies (KO 3pm, Lurgan Town Arena) Sunday 10th April v Mid Ulster Ladies (KO 3pm, Lurgan Town Arena)
www.lurgantownfc.com Winning Isn t Everything @lurgantownfc Page 4 to watch than man Utd this season. PARENTS CORNER JONNY AND CHRIS MALLET Jonny Mallet was quick to sign up for this edition of Parents Corner. He must be very keen to dish the dirt on his son. Chris, from Lisburn, has been with the club for 4 years. Winning Isn t Everything: How did you become involved in the club? Jonny Mallet: Robert Davidson contacted myself looking to sign Chris When we were still in the Lisburn League. WIE: Describe a normal Saturday morning routine in your house. JM: It usually involves Chris trying to get an extra ten minutes in bed and spending too long doing his hair, while I rush about trying to get him to the venue on time. WIE: How do you cope with the demands of having a young teenager? JM: To be honest I enjoy the running about etc. Most of the demands are in relation to his football and I enjoy watching his games and the training sessions. Let's be honest they are easier WIE: What does it mean to you and your son to be part of the Lurgan Town family? JM: It means a lot. I have been around football for many years and there is very family orientated feel about the club and the kids welfare is always the priority. I like the fact that from Christopher's time at Lurgan has always been about developing the kids. WIE: What's the reaction like (win, lose or draw) in your house after a game? JM: A bit like the premier league I guess very quiet if we lose and buzzing when we win WIE: Have you got a most memorable moment at Lurgan Town. JM: Yes, our boys staying up in the national league A last season, with effectively the same squad from NL B [the season before]. They boys and coaches worked so hard all season and got their just reward. WIE: At the most important question? Which is better? Badgers Soup or Brian s Bacon Rolls? JM: Badgers soup defo the best soup in the national league
www.lurgantownfc.com Winning Isn t Everything @lurgantownfc Page 5 ARENA TO HOST FINALS Lurgan Town Arena has been chosen as the venue to host the junior finals from the Mid Ulster Youth League. The clubhouse and tuck shop will be open on the day. Details of the games to be played are: Mid Ulster Youth League, League Cup Finals - Saturday 27th February U11: Dungannon Youth v Lurgan Town Predators (KO 9.30am, Arena 9-a-side) U12: Dungannon Youth v Mountjoy Utd Juniors (KO 11.15am, Arena 9-a-side) U13: Armagh City v Banbridge Town Juniors (KO 9.30am, Arena 3G) U14: Lisdrum Youth v Rathfriland Youth (KO 9.30am, Arena Grass) U15: Ardstraw Utd v Armagh City (KO 11.15am, Arena Grass) U16: Armagh City v Cookstown Youth (KO 11am, Arena 3G) Who s out there? Tweet us @lurgantownfc @HarbinsonTrudi Spin class in a few hours, then a bit f strength work. Looking forward to pre season starting on Sunday @83Stokes That s training out of the road 4 another nite!! @MickyShill Lawrenson has the skill of making a football match sound soul destroying down to a fine art. My ears are bleeding @jguyso Good luck to my old buddy Brian Adair and his new company @MakeYoursEpic @dylanhoy8 Rudy to the rescue #villa @therealdicko West Brom are pathetic! And so is that chairman! Who prices these players up? It s laughable!18month prison sentence for Saido #nufc @sbeats1984 @liam_beckett only other man I know may be able to help is Paul McClean. He done the heros and icons book @Jedgreenaway #gawa #euro2016 #firstblog Jedgreenaway.wordpress.com @jonnyhoey New boots #adidas
www.lurgantownfc.com Winning Isn t Everything @lurgantownfc Page 6 30th January 1st Team P-P Broomhedge 2nd Team P-P Dungannon Rovers U19 MU P-P Dromore Youth U16 NL P-P Bright Stars U16 MU P-P Dergview U15 LL P-P Hillsborough Boys U15 MU P-P Rathfriland Youth U13 NL P-P Foyle Harps U13 MU 0-4 Rathfriland Youth 29th January U14 MU 2-2 Craigavon City Colts (Conor Lavery, Alex Wheelan) 27th January U15 LL 2-5 Glentoran Academy (Simon Wilson, Jack Hogg) 26th January U16 MU 2-1 Willowbank (Nathan Stewart, Aaron Winters) 23rd January 1st Team 1-2 Craigavon City (Matt Irvine) 2nd Team 2-1 Bourneview Mill Res (Scott Gordon, Andrew Houston) U16 NL 1-2 Cliftonville (Ross McMorris) U16 MU 3-2 Windmill Stars (Nathan Stewart, Jack Evans, Adam Hall) U15 LL 2-2 Lurgan Celtic (Jack Hogg x2) U15 MU P-P Tandragee Rovers U14 MU 0-10 Cookstown Youth U13 NL 2-2 Ballymena Utd (Nathan Bell x2) ALL OF THE STATS FOR THE MONTH 22nd January U19 MU 5-4 Rathfriland FC (Adam Wing, Gareth Cousins, Harvey Joyce, Matthew Hagan, OG) U13 MU 2-2 Lisdrum Youth (Dylan McKerr x2) 20th January U16 NL 4-0 St Oliver Plunkett B (John Lee McAfee, Ross Hull, Jamie Lamont, Darragh Gray) 16th January 1st Team P-P Moneyslane 2nd Team P-P Ambassadors Res U19 MU P-P Ashgrove U16 NL P-P St Oliver Plunkett B U16 MU P-P Windmill Stars U15 LL P-P Lisburn Distillery U15 MU P-P Tandragee Rovers U14 MU P-P Cookstown Youth 15th January U13 MU P-P Lisdrum Youth 9th January 1st Team 3-1 Seagoe (Aaron Parks x2, Kyle Cousins) 2nd Team 4-1 Portadown BBOB Res (Simon Freeburn x2, Andrew Houston, James McNally) U19 MU 2-9 Cookstown Youth (Dillon Hoy, Ryan Cousins) U15 LL P-P Portadown Youth U15 MU 0-0 Banbridge Rangers U14 MU 1-3 Tandragee Rovers (Conor Lavery) U13 NL 0-3 Derry Colts U13 MU 0-2 Banbridge Town Juniors THE RACE FOR THE GOLDEN BOOT Totals for games played up to and including: Saturday 30th January 2016 17 Goals Matt Irvine - Senior Teams 14 Goals Kyle Cousins - Senior Teams 13 Goals Nathan Stewart - Under 16 MU Jack Hogg - Under 15 LL 12 Goals Andrew Houston - Senior Teams 11 Goals Philip Bingham - Under 19 Niall McBride - Under 15 MU 10 Goals Matthew Hagan - Under 19 THE RACE FOR THE GOLDEN GLOVE Totals for games played up to and including: Saturday 30th January 2016 4 Clean Sheets Lee Dickson - Senior 1st Team Ciaran McGeown - Under 19 MU 3 Clean Sheets Tyler Boyce - Under 16 NL Adam Craig - Under 16 MU Aaron Hancock - Under 15 LL Rhys Lawlor - Under 13 MU Konrad Subzcak - Under 13 MU 1 Clean Sheet Robbie Redpath - Senior 2nd Team Scott McBride - Senior 2nd Team Dylan Watters - Under 15 MU Riley Jamison - Under 14 MU THE MONTH IN NUMBERS - JANUARY Games Played = 23 Games Won = 8 Games Drawn = 5 Games Lost = 10 Goals Scored = 37 Goals Conceded = 59 Top Scoring Player = Jack Hogg. (3 goals) 8th January U16 NL 1-0 Warrenpoint Town (Joshua Millar) U16 MU 0-1 Dromara Village 2nd January U19 MU P-P Dromore Youth Top Scoring Team = U19 MU. 7 goals Highest Scoring Win = 5-4. U19 MU v Rathfriland Youth.
www.lurgantownfc.com Winning Isn t Everything @lurgantownfc Page 7 The competition is well underway this season for the NIBFA Cup. Given our success in the competition last year (our Under 11 side won the Northern Ireland Cup and Under 12s won the Northern Ireland plate) we have a keen interest this year also. Details below of how our teams have been getting on in the competition this year: Under 11 Lisburn League Rd 1: Lurgan Town 5-2 Hillsborough Boys Rd 2: Lurgan Town 4-1 Roe Valley Juniors Rd 3: Lurgan Town 5-1 Linfield Youth Under 12 Lisburn League Rd 1: Lurgan Town 4-3 Warrenpoint Town Rd 2: Lurgan Town 3-1 Glenavon Academy Rd 3: Lurgan Town v TBC Under 13 National League Rd 1: Lurgan Town 1-5 Cliftonville Youth Under 15 Lisburn League Rd1: Bye Rd 2: Lurgan Town 1-0 Glendowan Rd 3: Lurgan Town 2-5 Glentoran Academy NIBFA CUP ROUND UP Our Under 16 Mid Ulster side who are into the quarter finals of the NIBFA Cup. The first 11-a-side team from LTFC to do this. Under 16 Mid Ulster League Rd 1: Bye Rd 2: Lurgan Town 0-0 (6-5 Pens) Hillsborough Boys Rd 3: Lurgan Town 2-1 Willowbank QF: Lurgan Town v TBC Under 16 National League Rd 1: Bye Rd 2: Lurgan Town 4-0 St Oliver Plunkett Rd 3: Lurgan Town v Bright Stars
www.lurgantownfc.com Winning Isn t Everything @lurgantownfc Page 8 UNDER 10s IN TO LEAGUE CUP FINAL We had hoped to bring you news of another piece of silverware in the trophy cabinet, but the snow on 30th January soon ruled that out. The game has been re-scheduled for the 27th February and it will be played at the Arena. The boys have been in fine form all season and have put in some convincing performances in getting to the final. What makes their achievement even more impressive is the fact that they are a year young. Yes that s correct, the boys should still be playing in the Mid Ulster GDC, but they have been moved up a year to the Mid Ulster U11 programme to aid their development. Good luck lads and hopefully February's issue of WIE will have a front cover with a trophy being hoisted aloft. U10 ROUTE TO THE FINAL OCTOBER GROUP GAMES 17th - Lurgan Town 4-3 Dungannon Youth 24th - Lurgan Town 5-0 TTBS Juniors 31st - Lurgan Town 2-2 Craigavon City NOVEMBER GROUP GAMES 7th - Lurgan Town 2-1 Armagh City 14th - Lurgan Town 9-2 Glenavon Academy KNOCKOUT STAGES QUARTER FINAL Lurgan Town 5-1 Castlecaufield Youth KNOCKOUT STAGES SEMI FINAL Lurgan Town 6-5 Banbridge Town Juniors KNOCKOUT STAGES FINAL Lurgan Town v Dungannon Youth BUDDING WRITER? WE NEED YOUR HELP Fancy yourself as a bit of a journalist? Why not give us a hand at WIE to write some articles and do some investigative work. The pay is zero, but the craic is mighty. Get in touch now. info@lurgantownfc.com