TOWN'S TEAM SPIRIT WINS THE DAY
Town's team spirit wins the day
Soccer giants Chelsea bring hope to Omagh
By JEANETTE OLDHAM
UNDER a clear sky last night, Omagh's moment of terrible tragedy was remembered with an impeccably observed minute's silence.
More than 6,000 fans crammed into Omagh Town's small stadium to support an extraordinary match - their home team versus Premiership greats Chelsea.
Players bowed their heads as the crowd fell silent.
Chelsea's Denis Wise said it was an honour for his team to come and play in the town.
And team captain Gianluca Vialli had these poignant words for the entire town: "I am delighted and proud to be able to bring the Chelsea team to play in this fund-raising event for the families of your Omagh victims.
"I hope you can take heart from Chelsea Football Club.
"Long before I joined, it was famous for acts of hooliganism by its fans and for racism.
"Now we are not only famous for our football, but for the cosmopolitan nature of our team. They are wonderful.
"They love us being from different countries and different cultures.
"It is something to celebrate. I hope this can come to your home too".
Omagh Town's captain Roy McCreadie added: "This is a momentous occasion for Omagh Town Football Club due to the visit of Chelsea followed by Manchester United next week."
All the proceeds from the match, expected to run into thousands, will be donated to the Omagh Fund.
Neither the Omagh players nor their supporters had a care about winning - they just wanted to see the Chelsea greats at their best.
And they weren't disappointed with the feast of eight goals and spectacular skills.
St Julian's Road had never witnessed anything like this before. The atmosphere was electric and for once the stands and terraces were packed to capacity.
Even when it was all over fans, reluctant to leave the ground, were yet again united in the common bonding which had left sectarianism and street politics where they belong - in the past.
Soccer giants Chelsea bring hope to Omagh
By JEANETTE OLDHAM
UNDER a clear sky last night, Omagh's moment of terrible tragedy was remembered with an impeccably observed minute's silence.
More than 6,000 fans crammed into Omagh Town's small stadium to support an extraordinary match - their home team versus Premiership greats Chelsea.
Players bowed their heads as the crowd fell silent.
Chelsea's Denis Wise said it was an honour for his team to come and play in the town.
And team captain Gianluca Vialli had these poignant words for the entire town: "I am delighted and proud to be able to bring the Chelsea team to play in this fund-raising event for the families of your Omagh victims.
"I hope you can take heart from Chelsea Football Club.
"Long before I joined, it was famous for acts of hooliganism by its fans and for racism.
"Now we are not only famous for our football, but for the cosmopolitan nature of our team. They are wonderful.
"They love us being from different countries and different cultures.
"It is something to celebrate. I hope this can come to your home too".
Omagh Town's captain Roy McCreadie added: "This is a momentous occasion for Omagh Town Football Club due to the visit of Chelsea followed by Manchester United next week."
All the proceeds from the match, expected to run into thousands, will be donated to the Omagh Fund.
Neither the Omagh players nor their supporters had a care about winning - they just wanted to see the Chelsea greats at their best.
And they weren't disappointed with the feast of eight goals and spectacular skills.
St Julian's Road had never witnessed anything like this before. The atmosphere was electric and for once the stands and terraces were packed to capacity.
Even when it was all over fans, reluctant to leave the ground, were yet again united in the common bonding which had left sectarianism and street politics where they belong - in the past.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/223
Published Date: 29-Jul-99
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