Killyleagh’s Chris awarded a medal

Killyleagh’s Chris awarded a medal

31 December 2014

KILLYLEAGH man Chris Hagan has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year honours.

Chris, who is the news editor of UTV Live, is also a former editor of the Down Recorder which he joined in 1980.

A former Down High school student, Chris, who is married to Michelle and has two children and three grandchildren, has been awarded the BEM for his services to young people in the community.

The Killyleagh man has been involved with the town’s very successful summer football league for 35 years.

More recently, Chris played a key role in helping launch a new youth group in Killyleagh to provide a range of activities for young people at the weekend.

Although he has known about his New Year Honour for a few weeks, Chris has had to keep the news under wraps until today’s formal publication of all the various recipients.

“I was stunned to discover I had been nominated for a BEM and feel very humble indeed,” he said. “I have been involved with the Killyleagh Summer League for 35 years coaching children from local primary schools and it’s something I enjoy very much.

“Most people get to do this kind of thing for a few years but I have been lucky and extremely fortunate to be doing it now for 35 years.

“I work with a team of other people and it is immensely satisfying to be involved with them and working with young people from the Killyleagh and Shrigley areas.”

Chris said that given his long association with the summer soccer league, some of those currently taking part in the popular football league are grandchildren of those who were involved when the initiative was launched.

“The summer league has been very successful and produced 15 Northern Ireland schoolboy internationals. Indeed, the Killyleagh league has produced players who have represented Northern Ireland at every level, including full international in David Healy who started in the summer league,” the Killyleagh man continued.

Chris said he wants to share his New Year Honour with the people of Killyleagh and Shrigley in recognition of the support they have provided him with over the years.

“I could not have done what I have without the help of other people and am very grateful for that support over many years. Anything I have ever done, the people of Shrigley and Killyleagh have supported me and I cannot thank them enough,” he said.

Chris said during the worst years of the troubles the Killyleagh summer league continued and brought children from both sides of the community together in sport.

He also spoke about setting up a new Youth Club and -In Centre in Killyleagh in recent years with the help of his wife Michelle and other volunteers.

“This was all about taking young people off the streets and it has proved very popular and successful,” he said.

Chris praised his family for all the support and encouragement they have provided him with over the years and said he does not do any of the work for reward.

He added: “Our strongly family ethic is about putting something back into the community and that is what I enjoy doing. It’s not for reward, but to help young people in the Shrigley and Killyleagh area.”