County Antrim FA
Encyclopedia
The County Antrim & District Football Association (also known as the North East Ulster Football Association but more commonly as the Co. Antrim FA) is the largest of the four regional football associations within Northern Ireland
and affiliated to the Irish FA, the others being the Mid-Ulster FA, the North-West of Ireland FA and the Fermanagh & Western FA
.
. The founding seven member clubs were Belfast Athletics, Cliftonville, Clarence, Distillery, YMCA, Oldpark and Whiteabbey. These clubs were joined shortly thereafter by Ballyclare, Linfield Athletics, Mountcollyer and Beechmount. In the intervening years the membership has grown from these eleven clubs to in excess of 500.
Aided by a grant from the Irish FA, the Co. Antrim FA set about organising a competition for its members, the County Antrim Senior Challenge Shield
, for which the first round draw was made in November 1888. Also organised were a fund raising match, held between Cliftonville and "The Rest", and a first representative fixture, lost 6-2 to a touring side from Canada
. In the first few years of its existence Co. Antrim FA XIs also faced teams representing Co. Londonderry, Mid-Ulster and the Irish FA.
Continued expansion of football in the region permitted the Co. Antrim FA to found further competitions, the Steel & Sons Cup
in 1895 and the County Antrim Junior Shield in 1900. Regular representative fixtures continued until the 1950s when financial losses incurred on trips to face the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA proved too much for the Association to bear.
In 1988, to celebrate the Co. Antrim FA's centenary a special competition was organised - The County Antrim FA Centenary Chalice. The specially produced crystal trophy was won by Glentoran who defeated Ballymena United 4-2 in the final at Windsor Park
, Belfast. That same season a County Antrim Select lost 6-2 to a Combined Mid-Ulster/North-West Select in a commemorative match at Windsor Park.
, intermediate, junior and youth leagues and includes the reserve teams of many IFA Premiership
clubs.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and affiliated to the Irish FA, the others being the Mid-Ulster FA, the North-West of Ireland FA and the Fermanagh & Western FA
Fermanagh & Western FA
The Fermanagh & Western Football Association is one of four regional FAs within Northern Ireland and affiliated to the Irish FA, the others being the County Antrim FA , the Mid-Ulster FA and the North-West FA.-History:...
.
History
The Co. Antrim FA held its inaugural meeting on 23 April 1888 at the Commercial Hotel, Donegall Street, BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. The founding seven member clubs were Belfast Athletics, Cliftonville, Clarence, Distillery, YMCA, Oldpark and Whiteabbey. These clubs were joined shortly thereafter by Ballyclare, Linfield Athletics, Mountcollyer and Beechmount. In the intervening years the membership has grown from these eleven clubs to in excess of 500.
Aided by a grant from the Irish FA, the Co. Antrim FA set about organising a competition for its members, the County Antrim Senior Challenge Shield
County Antrim Shield
The County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
, for which the first round draw was made in November 1888. Also organised were a fund raising match, held between Cliftonville and "The Rest", and a first representative fixture, lost 6-2 to a touring side from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In the first few years of its existence Co. Antrim FA XIs also faced teams representing Co. Londonderry, Mid-Ulster and the Irish FA.
Continued expansion of football in the region permitted the Co. Antrim FA to found further competitions, the Steel & Sons Cup
Steel & Sons Cup
The Steel & Sons Cup is an intermediate football competition in Northern Ireland run by the North East Ulster Football Association . The competition culminates in the final which has traditionally been played on Christmas Day...
in 1895 and the County Antrim Junior Shield in 1900. Regular representative fixtures continued until the 1950s when financial losses incurred on trips to face the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA proved too much for the Association to bear.
In 1988, to celebrate the Co. Antrim FA's centenary a special competition was organised - The County Antrim FA Centenary Chalice. The specially produced crystal trophy was won by Glentoran who defeated Ballymena United 4-2 in the final at Windsor Park
Windsor Park
Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:...
, Belfast. That same season a County Antrim Select lost 6-2 to a Combined Mid-Ulster/North-West Select in a commemorative match at Windsor Park.
Today
The Co. Antrim FA now has over 500 member clubs, spread beyond the traditional boundaries of Co. Antrim (for instance, Glentoran, Dundela FC, Bangor and Ards are members despite being based in Co. Down). Membership comes from all levels of football within Northern Ireland, from the seniorIFA Premiership
The IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
, intermediate, junior and youth leagues and includes the reserve teams of many IFA Premiership
IFA Premiership
The IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
clubs.
Competitions
- Senior ShieldCounty Antrim ShieldThe County Antrim Shield is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association , often plus intermediate teams who...
(founded 1888) - Open to senior and selected intermediate teams (usually based on performances in the previous season's Steel Cup). - Steel & Sons CupSteel & Sons CupThe Steel & Sons Cup is an intermediate football competition in Northern Ireland run by the North East Ulster Football Association . The competition culminates in the final which has traditionally been played on Christmas Day...
(founded 1895) - Open to intermediate teams only, including senior clubs' reserve teams. - Junior Shield (founded 1900) - Open to junior teams only
- Centenary Chalice (one-off competition held in 1988) - Open to senior and selected intermediate teams.
Representative Matches
Selected representative matches played by Co. Antrim FA Selects.| Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Sept 1888 | Shaftesbury Grounds, Ormeau Road Ormeau Road The Ormeau Road is a road in south Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ormeau Park is adjacent to it. It forms part of the A24.-History:Having previously been the home of George Chichester, 2nd Marquess of Donegall, a road was first built in 1815, when it was known more commonly as the New Ballynafeigh Road... , Belfast Belfast Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly... |
Canada Canada men's national soccer team The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant... |
2-6 | Canadian side selected by the Western FA |
| 14 Oct 1953 | Solitude Solitude (football ground) Solitude is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the home ground of Cliftonville. The stadium holds 6,224, but is currently restricted to 2,180 under safety legislation. The stadium was built in 1890.... , Belfast Belfast Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly... |
South Africa South Africa national football team The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in... |
1-0 | |
| 10 May 1988 | Windsor Park Windsor Park Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:... , Belfast Belfast Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly... |
Mid-Ulster/North-West Select | 2-6 | Co. Antrim FA Centenary game |
Chairmen
- 1888-1898 (office not in existence)
- 1912-1916 G.D. Jenkins
- 1912-1916 R. Ervine
- 1916-1943 J.M. Small
- 1943-1966 F.J. Cochrane (also Irish FA President 1948-1957)
- 1966-1967 T. Moorhead
- 1967-1985 W. Carlisle
- Designation of post changed to president in 1985
Presidents
- 1985-1989 H.A Johnstone
- 1989-1991 D. Crawford
- 1991-1993 J. Boyce (also Irish FA President 1995-2007)
- 1993-199? B.K. McGaughey
- 199?-1997 G.F.W. McIlwrath
- 1997-199? T.E. Pateman
- 199?-200? B.H. Dunlop
- 200?-200? S.J. Shaw
- 200?-date B. Reid