Football: Remembering the glory days

The stars of the 1976 Irish Cup winning team were out in force to mark the 35th anniversary of that fairytale victory over Linfield and the ensuing European adventure in the Cup Winners’ Cup.

Then player-manager Jimmy Brown and the bulk of the history-making squad, rolled back the years as they watched archive footage from that incredible era before reflecting on the glory days with the questions coming from BBC broadcaster, Jackie Fullerton.

Goal hero Gary Prenter played down his brace in the final at The Oval, insisting the plaudits go to the entire squad for their impressive 10-game run in the competition.

And skipper George Matchett was full of praise for Brown’s professional approach at Taylor’s Avenue which, he said, helped form a “real bond” in the camp.

Proud members of the club committee from ‘76 were also at the event along with former Northern Ireland international Michael Hughes, current Carrick manager Stephen Small and players Davy McAlinden and Glenn Taggart.

For the fans it was a chance to meet their heroes and hear exactly how little Carrick Rangers made Irish League history.

For more photos and coverage of Saturday evening’s trip down memory lane, get your copy of this week’s Carrick Times which is in shops today