The club is absolutely delighted and proud to announce that the Glentoran Gazette has been voted Northern Ireland's Programme of the Year for an unbelievable 22nd consecutive season. The award was announced and presented at yesterday’s Northern Ireland Football Programme Collectors’ Club Annual Programme Fair at the National Stadium.
This award was particularly appropriate as we are in the centenary year of the Glentoran Supporters’ Committee (1923), Ireland’s oldest football supporters’ club, and was awarded for a season when the team produced a special edition to commemorate the 140th birthday of Glentoran Football Club.
Gazette Editor John Grayden (right) and GSC 1923 officer David Blanchflower (centre)
proudly receive the award from David Hand Chairman of NI Football Programme Collectors Club
GSC1923 had the following to say on receipt of the trophy:
“Today was a very special day for everyone connected to the Glentoran Gazette. It is a fantastic honour and a tribute to the work of our editor, John Grayden, and his band of contributors.
"We are fully aware that the humble programme is not as trendy as it used to be but whilst we still have a loyal support continuing to purchase each week, we will continue to produce and sell the Gazette. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who purchased a Gazette during the last season, giving us quite a few sell outs too. By doing so, we can continue to support Glentoran financially, as we have done since the 1923 was founded 100 years ago. Thanks again, your support really makes all our efforts so worthwhile.”
The proud GSC1923 team manning the Glentoran Gazette stand at yesterday's event
The current Gazette team, led by Editors John Grayden and Norman Ternahan, comprises Roy Downes, Brian McClelland, Philip Stevenson, Tommy Sewell, Matthew Brown, Henry Muldrew, William James, Ian Clarke and cover designer Beth Stafford.
The Gazette is sold week in and week out at the Oval turnstiles, no matter what the weather, by the long standing and regular sellers - David Blanchflower, Jimmy Carter, Philip Stevenson and Ian Jamieson.
Glentoran supporters are very lucky to still have a programme of such quality in these radically changing times. So if you are not familiar with the Glentoran Gazette, check it out at the first home game next season. It’s a great read and you’ll definitely be back for more.
The special edition from last season to mark Glentoran's 140th anniversary.