Whole new ball game for Kilroot

Kilroot, in its previous guise as ICI, did play at intermediate level when, under Bobby Love and George Wright, they were runners-up in 2a to Downpatrick Rec in 1970/71.

Kilroot Rec came into being in 1981/82, after the factory closed and stated that the football team could no longer use the name. Kilroot then played their home matches in what was Eden Playing Fields.

Thr current home base at Beltoy doesn’t meet the intermediate criteria, but the IFA have notified them of the work that needs to be carried out, including a surrounding fence to enclose the ground.

For the first season at least, while the work is being carried out, Kilroot will share Wilbourne Park with Islandmagee, with both second strings using Beltoy.

While Kilroot still haven’t received written confirmation – and that’s why they didn’t take up the chance of entering the Steel and Sons Cup - it seems to be a done deal, with Rec along with Iveagh United, Crumlin Star and Dromore Amateurs all included in the Border Regiment Cup draw.

Official Terry Thomas said: "It’s a big step forward for the club and it’s something we have been working hard for. It’s also the main reason why I stepped down from the manager’s job, to give me time to concentrate on behind-the-scenes activities and try and take the club forward.

"And doing that has worked, for we have got up to intermediate football, although I’d like to go back to management and coaching some time in the future.

"It has helped that Paul Hannan and Brian Anderson have done such a fantastic job with the Firsts. People will say that it wasn’t the normal 2a, but we were runners-up only to Crumlin Star, who had won it the year before when 2a was stronger, so we were the best of the rest, better than the likes of Ford and Albion Star who had been in 2a the season before. It was a great achievement for the boys.”

Terry added: "The second team, under Colin McElnea and John Thompson, have also been going really well. I don’t think they even lost a match at Beltoy all season!

"It’s going to be a big step for the lads, but it’s a step we thought we had to try and take, especially when the opening was there, with the league looking for new teams. From now on, it might be a case of having to win Division 2a to get up – but that won’t be easy, as some good new teams progress up through the Amateur League divisions.

"Now we’re going to have to concentrate on some serious fundraising. We’re going to have to pay Islandmagee for the use of their ground, as well as make the improvements on our own ground, and also referees will cost us more in 1c.”

Kilroot Rec supremo Mervyn Smith is also excited by the news, though is also "a little bit apprehensive”. He said: “There’s a massive job ahead of us. The stakes are a lot higher this year, but it’s a great chance for the players.

“When you look at the likes of Barn and Islandmagee, a lot of their players started out at Kilroot, and this gives us a chance of maybe holding on to our better players, as they can get intermediate football at Kilroot, they don’t have to leave.

"We’re grateful to Islandmagee for sharing their ground with us, but we’ll need to try and get working on our own ground sooner rather than later.”

Islandmagee secretary Crawford Wilson said he was pleased to accommodate Kilroot, adding: “It gives them the chance of intermediate football and unlike some of the other teams that have made the step up, at least they’re trying to upgrade their own ground.

“It’s only right, too, that local clubs should help each other out. We at Islandmagee remember how Whitehead Eagles came to our assistance, letting us use Castleview Road when we were getting work done to our pitch.”

While the opening league fixtures haven’t yet been released, the Border Regiment Cup draw has been made, where Kilroot make their baptism with a local derby against Mossley Young Men at the Glade.

The other main news from the Kilroot Rec camp is that John Grant, assistant manager to Stuart Pike at Newington Rangers last season, has joined Paul Hannan’s backroom staff. John did some of his coaching badges alongside Terry Thomas, and is a former Kilroot player.