Supporters Club celebrates

Supporters Club celebrates

27 June 2018

IT all began with a letter in 1993 from Dominic Doran to Manchester United asking permission to establish an affiliated supporter’s club in Downpatrick. Permission was granted and 25 years later it is going stronger than ever.

Over the years there are normally three organised coach trips per season to Old Trafford, but many more prefer to travel independently with the club providing tickets to members for every home game in the Premiership, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League. 

Tickets to away games are also popular. Some members have travelled as far as Moscow, Barcelona and Stockholm attending European finals.The club have eight season tickets available to members.

It is estimated over 1,000 kids have travelled with the club to the Theatre of Dreams during the 25 years. With the passage of time many of these young members are now bringing their own children over.

United allowed the club to make player presentations each season — Keane, Giggs, Sheringham, O’Shea, Irwin and the magnificent Cantona among the recipients. 

It is always the club’s plan to bring players and former players over to Downpatrick, Paddy Crerand, a real gentleman, was the first. He was followed by David May who agreed to be club president when he transferred from Blackburn. 

A back page headline in the Recorder Down at the time read: “Mayhem comes to Downpatrick” as so many turned up to see him.

The most memorable event was the 10th anniversary celebration when United sent over Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Diego Forlan, multi-million pound players. This was to be a never to be forgotten occasion with club member Paddy Kielty the, compère for the night with TV news interviews on ITV and BBC. Tickets were restricted to members, but we could have sold another 1,000 with no bother.

Sadly, as time moved on, United and other clubs are reluctant to allow such access to players, but former Red Devils have come across to attend functions including Denis Irwin, Paul Parker, Lee Martin, Clayton Blackmore and Paul Scholes who has Downpatrick roots. 

Norman Whiteside also provided a great night’s entertainment last year.

It is the 50th anniversary of the 1968 European Cup win on May 29and to mark the club’s 25th celebrations, legendary goalkeeper Alex Stepney agreed to come over for a night of nostalgia and celebration.

United recently presented the club with a framed signed shirt by Gary Pallister on the Old Trafford pitch just before kick off at the West Brom game in April to mark 25 years affiliation.

Club trips have been arranged with the same partners over the 25 years - Logan Coaches, Travel Solutions and the Village Hotel group. Consideration is given to entertainment throughout the two- night stay with a band accompanying members, excellent leisure facilities in the hotel and complex nearby. It’s not all football.

The club has always provided financial support to charitable causes, often without publicity. The devastating Boxing Day Tsunami led to worldwide fundraising with the supporters club playing an active part with a small dedicated organising group who raised tens of thousands of pounds in one week. 

As part of the 25th celebrations the club is presenting four charities, which members have nominated — Downpatrick Sports Club, Community Dementia Care NI, MS Group and the NSPCC have each received £250.

One of the highlights of each year was the United float in the St Patrick’s Day Parade. There is no doubt this float attracted the most vocal reaction of any going through Downpatrick from the ABUs and the United Supporters. Unfortunately, public liability insurance costs prevented recent participation.

Members certainly enjoyed the ‘Fergie’ years, endured the Moyes and Van Gall reigns and opinion remains divided on Jose but the future looks bright.

The club has almost 200 members, is in the top 50 supporters clubs affiliated to United and draws membership from Newcastle, Castlewellan, Ardglass, Crossgar, Ballynahinch, Killyleagh, Saintfield and beyond. 

The club started in the Avenue Bar, moved to the Arkle, Owenbeg and Murphys before returning to the Avenue Bar a few years ago. The club website is www.downpatrickmusc.co.uk, with twitter and Facebook accounts

Preparations are underway for next season and anyone interested in joining or re-joining should contact Terry Holland on 07712 622242, David Keating on 07526 740228 or Shane McEvoy on 07783 316089.