SOCCER GIANTS KEEN ON MEMORIAL MATCH
Soccer giants keen on Memorial Match
The four leading soccer clubs in Britain - Manchester United, Liverpool, Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers - have indicated that they will assist in any way possible to raise funds for the victims of last Saturday's bomb outrage.
Omagh Town secretary Pat McGlinchey disclosed on Tuesday that the St.Julian's Road club had received positive responses from the four giants of the game regarding their participation in events to raise proceeds for the Memorial Fund set up by Omagh District Council.
Mr McGlinchey stresses that the plans are still at a preliminary stage but the four clubs had all been in contact with Omagh Town this week to express their sympathy with the people of the town.
"Roy McCreadie telephoned the clubs and I then contacted them in writing. As soon as we mentioned where we were from, all four clubs stated that they would be all too willing to help out.
"It's obviously early stages and we agreed to get back to them after we can get this harrowing week behind us, but we hope that a memorial match can be arranged," said the club secretary.
Meanwhile the Irish League football authorities this week complied with Omagh Town's written request to have this Saturday's home league fixture against Newry Town postponed.
McGlinchey said that none of the players had the 'stomach to play football' after the awful events of last weekend while boss Roy McCreadie also issued an emotional statement asking the authorities to call the match off.
"On behalf of everyone involved with Omagh Town Football Club we pass on our condolences to all those affected by the tragedy. It is terrible and very hard to take in."
He continued: "This is not a time for football, considering what has happened. I'm sure Newry Town will not have a problem in agreeing to rearrange the match and hopefully this can be arranged."
"I know football is striving to get some normality and to play games at the arranged times but this is a circumstance that no-one could have foreseen.
"Personally I would not have the stomach for a match on Saturday and I think my players and the rest of the staff will be feeling the same. How can you think of a football game when there is devastation all around."
McCreadie said that his players first became aware of the atrocity during the first half of last Saturday's league match at the Oval.
"The news came filtering through from Glentoran fans who had been listening to radios and they tried to inform us in the nicest way possible. But the longer the game went on the worse the news became when we were informed that there had been multiple deaths and injuries.
"Our backroom staff became very concerned and at times they had left the dugout to telephone home. But what could we do in such a situation.
"Thankfully the club emerged relatively unscathed because no one immediately connected with the club was affected."
Omagh Town also wish to acknowledge with thanks the messages of sympathy that have been sent from the Irish Football League, Glentoran F.C and various other individuals which they have received on behalf of the people of Omagh.
McHUGH
Meanwhile the IFA last week stood steadfastly by Omagh Town's side over the Michael McHugh transfer wrangle despite football's world governing body FIFA having instructed them to sanction the Ramelton striker's move to Derry City.
The IFA refused to grant the player international clearance after receiving a fax message from FIFA who were made aware of the well-publicised rift between the two North-West clubs.
Commenting on FIFA's intervention, IFA secretary David Bowen said: "We will always stand by one of our clubs until they have been proved wrong and so far Omagh Town haven't been. They still believe Michael is their player and that is how it must remain."
Bowen added that FIFA's fax wasn't accurate and felt they hadn't been given the 'proper story'.
It also emerged this week that Coleraine have offered a �12,000 fee for the player while Finn Harps have also made an approach, believed to be in the region of �10,000.
The four leading soccer clubs in Britain - Manchester United, Liverpool, Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers - have indicated that they will assist in any way possible to raise funds for the victims of last Saturday's bomb outrage.
Omagh Town secretary Pat McGlinchey disclosed on Tuesday that the St.Julian's Road club had received positive responses from the four giants of the game regarding their participation in events to raise proceeds for the Memorial Fund set up by Omagh District Council.
Mr McGlinchey stresses that the plans are still at a preliminary stage but the four clubs had all been in contact with Omagh Town this week to express their sympathy with the people of the town.
"Roy McCreadie telephoned the clubs and I then contacted them in writing. As soon as we mentioned where we were from, all four clubs stated that they would be all too willing to help out.
"It's obviously early stages and we agreed to get back to them after we can get this harrowing week behind us, but we hope that a memorial match can be arranged," said the club secretary.
Meanwhile the Irish League football authorities this week complied with Omagh Town's written request to have this Saturday's home league fixture against Newry Town postponed.
McGlinchey said that none of the players had the 'stomach to play football' after the awful events of last weekend while boss Roy McCreadie also issued an emotional statement asking the authorities to call the match off.
"On behalf of everyone involved with Omagh Town Football Club we pass on our condolences to all those affected by the tragedy. It is terrible and very hard to take in."
He continued: "This is not a time for football, considering what has happened. I'm sure Newry Town will not have a problem in agreeing to rearrange the match and hopefully this can be arranged."
"I know football is striving to get some normality and to play games at the arranged times but this is a circumstance that no-one could have foreseen.
"Personally I would not have the stomach for a match on Saturday and I think my players and the rest of the staff will be feeling the same. How can you think of a football game when there is devastation all around."
McCreadie said that his players first became aware of the atrocity during the first half of last Saturday's league match at the Oval.
"The news came filtering through from Glentoran fans who had been listening to radios and they tried to inform us in the nicest way possible. But the longer the game went on the worse the news became when we were informed that there had been multiple deaths and injuries.
"Our backroom staff became very concerned and at times they had left the dugout to telephone home. But what could we do in such a situation.
"Thankfully the club emerged relatively unscathed because no one immediately connected with the club was affected."
Omagh Town also wish to acknowledge with thanks the messages of sympathy that have been sent from the Irish Football League, Glentoran F.C and various other individuals which they have received on behalf of the people of Omagh.
McHUGH
Meanwhile the IFA last week stood steadfastly by Omagh Town's side over the Michael McHugh transfer wrangle despite football's world governing body FIFA having instructed them to sanction the Ramelton striker's move to Derry City.
The IFA refused to grant the player international clearance after receiving a fax message from FIFA who were made aware of the well-publicised rift between the two North-West clubs.
Commenting on FIFA's intervention, IFA secretary David Bowen said: "We will always stand by one of our clubs until they have been proved wrong and so far Omagh Town haven't been. They still believe Michael is their player and that is how it must remain."
Bowen added that FIFA's fax wasn't accurate and felt they hadn't been given the 'proper story'.
It also emerged this week that Coleraine have offered a �12,000 fee for the player while Finn Harps have also made an approach, believed to be in the region of �10,000.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0127
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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