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Yes indeed Andy in another life, I was that soldier!
But keep it under you're hat, I'll look like a right eejit after all the slagging I give the poor old much miligned footballers !
(Dan's probably in hiding after that poem I wrote about him)!!
Caleb - I didn't realsie that you are THAT C. Boomer who played for Moira Albion. And I thought that I didn't know any stars! In talking aboput all-round sportsmen don't forget Ossie Bailie who seems to have played every sport for everybody! Cricket for Ballymena & Muckamore, football for Belfast Celtic, Cliftonville, etc., tennis for Ballymena, bowls and golf. P.S. thought that Dan might have been on crowing about K.P.!
Ted Hinton [goalkeeper] who was capped for Northern Ireland seven times kept wicket for Shorts second eleven team in the early seventies.
Victoria PlayerS
Add Jackie's son Alec who played for Glenavon and maybe even in a team that beat Lnfield 6-1 in the Budweiser Cup Final. Also NCU umpire Reggie McNally who played for the Blues
Rodney hassard dundrum c.c / Newcastle f.c
Toon Army or seaside resort?
David Healy (North Down/ Rangers and Norn Iron!) and on a musical theme Gary Lightbody (Snow Patrol and NDCC).Both medium pacers!!
There were numerous famous Glenavon players (from bac when Glenavon were good) who pulled on the whites for Victoria in the early days....
Jimmy Jones and Jackie Denver would be the first two to spring to mind.
I'll admitt to it, C.Boomer before his cricket career got going, played centre-half with Moira Albion F.C. for years, reaching the top division of the old mid-ulster league and even played in two cup finals..winning one & runner up in the other!
The annoying thing about it is, I would consider myself a natural cricketer of some aplomb, however I've won nothing at this sport, by contrast I was very ordinary at football !!
Ref JK. I think Decker played Irish League football for Coleraine, Neil Fullerton played in the Irish League for Ballymena Utd, our Jackie won an Irish League medal with the Crues and played in Europe with Derry City, while his brother Jimmy ( Neil's dad) played senior rugby, football, cricket and tennis for Ballymena.
In a town that has produced some great sports people, some great musicians and great actors it is probably a fair shout that Neil's father and Jackie's brother and my friend Jimmy Fullerton is the greatest living Ballymena man. As well as his sporting poweress, he was a lead singer in a showband and is a terrific after dinner speaker.
What other towns can produce such great all rounders?
RE Wayne
Stan McDowell played senior cricket for Civil Service
With regards football Gary Smyth and George Neill both played for Holywood and Civil Service.
Tony Adams of CI also played all Ireland league rugby for CI.
CI
Warren Feeney junior that would be. Jeremy Davidson played on McNally's fourths around the time of Stephen Baxter. Rory McIlroy was the only golfer ever allowed to play on the hallowed turf.
Armagh's Colin Russell played for Glenavon until injury ended his career. Lurgan's Cameron Grieve is currently with GFC too.
Rugby players - jan cunningham must be a notable omission being the only european cup winner who has played senior cricket (mark mccall was injured if i recall correctly)
Cliftonville Cricket Club are looking to organise pre-season friendlies. If interested please contact myself via email bigdavy1982@gmail.com.
Neil fullerton played reserve football for ballymena utd. As did James Kennedy. I think Neil also played for larne from memory. Also throw in our Jackie. Cricket for ballymena and football for glenavon. Davey munn played a bit of Irish league football for armagh and chimney corner as well as ballymena reserves. North west Decker played for limavady utd.
