In Saturday’s final Glentoran Gazette of the season, Rodney McAree says he is expecting a tough game against a quality Cliftonville side. However, he adds many of the players still feel the hurt of falling at this stage last year and are determined to qualify for the UEFA Conference League. Beth Stafford has Glens Player of the Year, Bobby Burns, on the cover of a programme which looks at a Cliftonville side moving on from the resignation of former manager Paddy McLaughlin, puts the focus on the League’s richest game and examines the Glens record this season against other top six teams. The Gazette team, which has worked overtime to rush out a 32-page issue for the game, also details the renewed interest in the local game from clubs in Britain while publishers, the 1923 Committee, welcome the excitement of the Play-Offs. Philip Stevenson tells how the club honoured the last wishes of a former player, Brian McClelland recalls Johnny Leathem, as effective on the cricket pitch as he was at the Oval, Henry Muldrew celebrates the international language of football while John Grayden blames a lifelong addiction on his Da. And, of course, Tommy Sewell and Norman Ternahan wrap up all of Wednesday night’s semi-final action in words and pictures. The £4 Gazette, the Irish League’s leading programme, is by the fans for the fans. Our thanks to all our readers for their continuing support this season.
