Portadown F.C.
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| Full name | Portadown Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The "Ports" | ||
| Founded | 1889 | ||
| Ground | Shamrock Park, Portadown, Northern Ireland | ||
| Capacity | 2,770 (seated 2,770) | ||
| Chairman | Roy McMahon | ||
| Manager | Pat McGibbon | ||
| League | NIFL Premiership | ||
| 2014–15 | 4th | ||
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Portadown F.C is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club which plays in the NIFL Premiership.
The club was founded in 1889 but did not join the Irish league until 1924. It is based in Portadown in County Armagh and plays its home games at Shamrock Park. The club home colours are all red with white, while their away kit is white. The club's main rivals are Glentoran and Glenavon others include Linfield and NIFL Championship 1 local side Annagh United.
Ronnie McFall served the club for 29 years from 1986 to 2016 as manager.
History
In 1887 the Mid Ulster Football Association was established and in Portadown a young group of men set about creating a football club to participate in the Mid-Ulster Cup.Early meetings in the committee were held in a dimmly lit room for the Young Men's Institute in Edwards Street in Portadown.Where club secretary William Mullen would read the minutes by candlelight.Early games were played at Tavanagh and Ripleys Field on the Armagh Road and Oldthree minutes left and the scores tied at 0–0, William Kelly Johnston scored the winning goal amid scenes of wild celebration for the Ports supporters.
The team that won that historic first senior trophy was Charles Lawson, Robert Gourley, Ben Clarke, Hugh Bulloch (captain), James Hart, William Ewing, Henry Johnston, Harry Sinnamond, Alex Smyth, WK Johnston and George Cochrane (uncle of the famous Davy Cochrane.
The scenes that greeted that winning goal were nothing compared to the hysteria as the team returned to town that night. They were met by thousands of people at the railway station and toured the town in an open top coach before stopping at St. Marks Church for speeches. Chairman William Mullen led the speeches before igniting a terrific bonfire. Little did those fans know that this was to be the start of a great love affair with the Gold Cup in years to come.Shamrock Park located approximately where Clounagh Junior High School is now sited.Amongst the early names to turn out for The Ports were Val Wilson who would later become High Sheriff for County Armagh and Harry Bell, whose father owned brickworks on the Armagh Road.
It didn't take them long to put some silverware in the trophy cabinet when they won the Irish Junior Cup beating Larne at Grosvenor Park on Saturday 18 March 1899.That same season The Ports won their first ever cup double by bringing home the Mid-Ulster Cup for the first time.Portadown retained the trophy the following season and the next five seasons before the outbreak of the great war.The junior game was very strong in the town at the time and The Ports had to compete for talent with teams such as Edenderry Arrows, Greenview from Edgarstown, Portadown Celtic and Parkmount.Portadown are the only one of these clubs that remain.In 1916 the new Irish Intermediate League was formed and Portadown were selected as one of the inaugural clubs for the new competition.However they were forced to withdraw due to the large number of players who had gone of to fight in the great war.
With the return of the local men from the war the clamour for senior football was growing. One man in particular was leading the bid for the club's senior status, William A Mullen the man responsible for coining the phrase "The Hub of the North" which is used in songs by Portadown fans today, back in the late Victorian days when Portadown's extensive rail network led to all parts of Ireland. The many junior clubs in that area put aside their rivalry with The Ports to back the club's bid to join the Irish League. This was in a time of expansionism in Irish Football with the league keen to take the game beyond the boundary of Belfast. The only team who were in the league at the time were bitter rivals Glenavon. In 1923 the Irish League was expanded from six to ten clubs with the introduction of Newry Town (now Newry City), Ards and Barn. Then finally after several years of preparation, Mr Mullen together with Tom Dawson and his committee met the league chiefs in June 1924 and were able to present a strong case for joining the league. Their good work in winning friends and influencing people paid dividends and at long last Portadown became a full member club of the Irish League together with the readmittance of Belfast Celtic. The nucleus of the first teams to represent the club came from the local junior clubs who had supported the bid. Names such as Nisbet, Dinnan, Carraher, Boyd, Cochrane and Hunter.
And so it was in August 1924 Portadown played their first senior game the opponents that day were Glentoran.The first game played at Shamrock Park was against the champions Queens Island in game that finished 0–0.
Portadown had a fantastic first season in the Irish league, finishing 4th two points behind Belfast Celtic with Queens Island taking 2nd place behind champions Glentoran.Along the way The Ports had some memorable games including a 4–3 victory over Linfield at Shamrock Park and a 1–0 win against the mighty Belfast Celtic in the City Cup.
With the historic first season behind them the Ports settled well in the environment of senior football season 1925–1926 saw a continuation of their consoldiation in the league with away victories at Belfast Celtic and Linfieldthree minutes left and the scores tied at 0–0, William Kelly Johnston scored the winning goal amid scenes of wild celebration for the Ports supporters.
The team that won that historic first senior trophy was Charles Lawson, Robert Gourley, Ben Clarke, Hugh Bulloch (captain), James Hart, William Ewing, Henry Johnston, Harry Sinnamond, Alex Smyth, WK Johnston and George Cochrane (uncle of the famous Davy Cochrane.
The scenes that greeted that winning goal were nothing compared to the hysteria as the team returned to town that night. They were met by thousands of people at the railway station and toured the town in an open top coach before stopping at St. Marks Church for speeches. Chairman William Mullen led the speeches before igniting a terrific bonfire. Little did those fans know that this was to be the start of a great love affair with the Gold Cup in years to come.
Portadown's first major trophy success came in the 1933–34 season when they won the Gold Cup under manager Tommy Sloan. Their first championship success came in the 1989–90 season when they were crowned Irish League champions for the first time in their history, having come close on numerous occasions in the past. The 'Ports' then went on to have a period of continued success winning the league title a further two times within five years, including a 'double', when the Irish Cup arrived at Shamrock Park along with the league championship in 1991. They beat their County Armagh rivals Glenavon 2–1 at Windsor Park in the Irish Cup Final, with Stevie Cowan scoring both goals to take the trophy to Shamrock Park for the first time.
On 30 April 2008, Portadown, who had been a senior football club in Northern Ireland since 1924, were relegated to the Championship as a result of the club's final application form for the new IFA Premiership (due to replace the Irish Premier League for 2008–09) having been received 29 minutes late and thus not considered. The club unsuccessfully appealed its exclusion.[1] Due to the drop from Northern Ireland's top domestic football league, the IFA Premiership, Portadown were forced to take on intermediate status, due to the IFA Championship, which is Northern Ireland's second tier of football, being an intermediate league. In their first season in the Championship, the club won promotion straight back into senior football, beating their closest rivals Donegal Celtic 2–0 in the last (and decisive) match of the season. Also after beating Newry City 1–0 at Mournview Park on 28 February 2009, Portadown became the first intermediate club to win the Irish League Cup. Scotsman Gary McCutcheon scored the winning goal.
Portadown qualified to play UEFA Europa League football in the 2010–11 season on account of being runners up in the 2009–10 Irish Cup to Linfield. They defeated the Latvian side Skonto Riga 2–1 on aggregate to advance to the second qualifying round. It was their first win in European cup competition since 1974. The second qualifying round 1st leg match was played at Shamrock Park on 15 July 2010 with Richard Lecky scoring the opening goal against the Azerbaijani side FK Qarabağ, but two second half goals from the Azerbaijanis saw them take a 2–1 lead back home for the second leg on 22 July 2010. The 2nd leg in Azerbaijan ended 1–1 which was not enough for the Ports who were knocked out 3–2 on aggregate.
Portadown started their 2014-15 season in amazing style, by beating newly appointed Warren Feeney's Linfield team 3-0 on the opening day of the season. Portadown had maintained a title challenge until late December when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Warrenpoint Town.
On March 21, 2015 Portadown reached their first Irish Cup Final since 2010 by beating Ballymena 3–1 at The Oval with Mark McAilaster, Peter McMahon and Michael Gault the scorers within the first twenty five minutes.After a season that promised so much,Portadown were beaten 3-2 by ten men Glenavon with Andy McGrory scoring a last minute penalty to secure European qualification for the Lurgan blues.They then were beaten 1–0 by Glentoran in the a controversial final when Michael Gault was clean through on goal when he was tripped by William Garrett with nothing being given and Glentoran went up the other way and David Scullion scored to win the game. Portadown started the 2015-16 season in great strength beating champions Crusaders 2-1 with two goals from want away striker Darren Murray. Portadown's season took a nose dive with them picking up 14 points from 13 games that season included a 4-0 defeat to Coleraine , a 3-0 defeat to Ballinamallard United , Linfield and Cliftonville their four-game losing run came to an end on the 14th November,when 0-2 to Carrick Rangers Gary Twigg managed to pull a goal back for The Ports then Gary Breen was dismissed for a two footed tackle on Gary Browne soon after they were back on level terms with Ken Oman scoring a header from a free kick with twenty minutes to go. Portadown fans couldn't have dreamt given their recent form what happened next in stoppage time Ken Oman scored again with a header prompting wild celebrations from the players and the fans. Portadown players were given a standing ovation of the field by both sets of fans. This result was followed up by a 2-0 win over in-form Linfield and a stunning 5-3 win over bitter rivals Glentoran.Long serving manager Ronnie McFall resigned as manager following a 3-2 defeat to Championship one side Lurgan Celtic following a poor season. Days later ex player Pat McGibbon was appointed as the clubs caretaker manager until the end of the season.Pat brought in club legend Vinny Arkins as his assistant.McGibbon was announced as manager on a permanent basis in April 2016.
The Ronnie McFall era
From 11 December 1986 to 5 March 2016 the club's manager was Ronnie McFall. He signed another in five-year contract in 2009 and signed a two-year deal in August 2014.Mcfall brought great success to the club winning their elusive first ever league title in 1989 and league title wins in 1991,1996 and in 2002 he also won the club 3 Irish Cups.He was born and raised in Portadown and played left-back for the club during the 1960s and 1970s. He has also played for Dundee United of Scotland, and afterwards Ards and Glentoran where he began his managerial career. Ronnie McFall was the longest serving manager in European football surpassing Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 and being surpassed by Arsene Wenger in 2016.McFall is also one of the most successful managers in Irish league football.Following a run of poor results, McFall announced he would step down from his position as manager following a shock 3-2 defeat to Lurgan Celtic in the Irish Cup Quarter Final.
Problems
In 1999 a social club outside the stadium was the scene of a violent incident in which members from the Loyalist Volunteer Force, some of whom were out on Christmas parole, were attacked by members of the rival Ulster Volunteer Force,[2] beginning a violent feud that resulted in multiple deaths.[2][3]
In 2007 there was an incident at The Oval when rival Portadown and Glentoran fans clashed in the streets outside the ground and missiles were thrown and cars damaged. The club management condemned the incident.[4] In 2015 Portadown fans clashed outside of Shamrock Park with Glentoran fans with police getting involved. Portadown have signed up to the UEFA 10 point plan on racism. along with the eleven other NIFL Premiership clubs.
European Record
| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Agg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962–63 | Cup Winners Cup | R1 |  OFK Belgrade |
3–2 | 1–5 | 4–7 |
| 1974–75 | UEFA Cup | R1 |  Valur |
2–1 | 0–0 | 2–1 |
| R2 | Partizan Belgrade |
1–1 | 0–5 | 1–6 | ||
| 1990–91 | European Cup | R1 |  F.C. Porto |
1–8 | 0–5 | 1–13 |
| 1991–92 | European Cup | R1 | Red Star Belgrade |
0–4 | 0–4 | 0–8 |
| 1992–93 | UEFA Cup | R1 | .svg.png){kind=small} Standard Liège |
0–0 | 0–5 | 0–5 |
| 1994–95 | UEFA Cup | PR |  ŠK Slovan Bratislava |
0–2 | 0–3 | 0–5 |
| 1996–97 | UEFA Cup | PR |  FK Vojvodina |
0–1 | 1–4 | 1–5 |
| 1999–00 | UEFA Cup | QR |  CSKA Sofia |
0–3 | 0–5 | 0–8 |
| 2002–03 | UEFA Champions League | QR1 |  FC Belshina Bobruisk |
0–0 | 2–3 | 2–3 |
| 2003–04 | UEFA Cup | QR |  Malmö FF |
0–2 | 0–4 | 0–6 |
| 2004–05 | UEFA Cup | QR1 |  FK Žalgiris Vilnius |
2–2 | 0–2 | 2–4 |
| 2005–06 | UEFA Cup | QR1 |  Viking FK |
1–2 | 0–1 | 1–3 |
| 2006–07 | UEFA Cup | QR1 | FBK Kaunas |
1–3 | 0–1 | 1–4 |
| 2010–11 | UEFA Europa League | QR1 |  Skonto Riga |
1–1 | 1–0 | 2–1 |
| QR2 |  Qarabağ FK |
1–2 | 1–1 | 2–3 | ||
| 2012–13 | UEFA Europa League | QR1 |  FK Shkëndija |
2–1 | 0–0 | 2–1 |
| QR2 |  NK Slaven Belupo |
2–4 | 0–6 | 2–10 |
By competition
| Competition | P | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Cup / UEFA Champions League | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 24 |
| UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| UEFA Cup / UEFA Europa League | 28 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 16 | 62 |
| Total | 36 | 4 | 8 | 24 | 23 | 93 |
Last updated on 26 July 2012
Honours
Senior honours
- Irish League: 4
- Irish Cup: 3
- Irish League Cup: 2
- Gold Cup: 6
- 1933–34, 1937–38, 1952–53, 1971–72, 1978–79, 1992–93
- Ulster Cup: 3
- 1990–91, 1995–96, 2004–2005
- Floodlit Cup: 3
- 1990–91, 1992–93, 1994–95
- Budweiser Cup: 3
- 1990–1991, 1992–1993, 1993–1994
- Texaco (All-Ireland) Cup: 1
- 1973–74
- Tyler Cup: 1
- 1977–78
- Mid-Ulster Cup: 22
- 1898–99, 1899–00, 1902–03, 1903–04,1905–06, 1907–08, 1909–10, 1931–32, 1933–34, 1960–61†, 1962–63†, 1964–65†, 1969–70†, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03
- Charity Shield: 1
- 1999
- Royal Mail Community Action Cup: 2
- 2003–2004, 2004–2005
- Ivan Marshall Cup:1
- 2004–2005
- City Cup:1
- 1938–1939
† Won by Portadown Reserves
Intermediate honours
- IFA Championship: 1
- George Wilson Cup: 1
- 1996–97†
- Bob Radcliffe Cup: 2
- 1982–83†, 1983–84†
† Won by Portadown Reserves
Junior honours
- Irish Junior Cup: 1
- 1898–99
- Harry Cavan Youth Cup:3
- 1979-1980
- 1991–1992
- 2013–2014
- Mid-Ulster Youth Cup:1
- 2015-2016
Current squad
[5] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
- As of 7 March 2016
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club Officials
- Manager: Pat McGibbon
- Assistant Manager: Vinny Arkins
- First team coach: Trevor Williamson
- Physiotherapist: Chris Loughran
- President: Noel Dalzell
- Directors: Roy McMahon
- David Jameson
- Cyril Connolly
- Ronnie Stinson
- Trevor Marshall
- Club Secretary: Bill Emerson
- Legal Secretary: Lewis Singleton
- Treasurer: Trevor Marshall
- Media Officer: Trevor Clydesdale
- Groundsman: Walter McElroy
- Health & Safety Officer: Ronnie Thompson
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References
- ↑ "Portadown out of Premier League". BBC News. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
- 1 2 "What bloody sparked the UVF/LVF feud; AS LOYALIST PARAMILITARY GROUPS". Sunday Mirror. 17 December 2000. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
- ↑ David McKittrick (11 January 2000). "Fatal gun attack may signal fresh loyalist infighting". The Independent.
- ↑ Stuart McKinley (12 February 2007). "Violence discredits real fans say Ports and Glens". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
- ↑ http://www.portadownfc.co.uk/squad/
External links
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