UH/1263

Soccer giants to play Omagh
BY: BARRY O'DONNELL

ENGLISH soccer's golden boys, David Beckham and Michael Owen, together with top continental stars like Gianfranco Zola and Dwight Yorke, will soon be putting their dazzling skills on parade at Omagh Town's humble St.Julian's Road ground .
The local Irish League side announced exciting details on Tuesday of three glamour friendlies against Premiership giants, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool, which are certain to capture the imagination of supporters throughout the Omagh district.
Proceeds from the fixtures will go to the Omagh Fund.
Omagh Town manager, Roy McCreadie who, along with other club officials, has worked tirelessly behind the scenes over the last eighth months to finalise arrangements for the games, was understandably delighted to see their efforts rewarded.
"There's been a lot of hard work up until now to get these three giants of the Premiership to come over and support such a very worthy cause. We are delighted that three clubs of this stature have put us first in terms of priority in making their pre-season arrangements."
Chelsea are first in town on Wednesday 28th July for a 7.30pm kick-off and departing; again on the same night. Gianluca Vialli's multi-national squad finished third in the Premiership and are a mouth watering appetiser for what is to follow.
Mr McCreadie also revealed that he had approached ex-Tottenham and German superstar, Jurgen Klinnsman, with a view to him guesting in an Omagh Town jersey in that match.
On either Tuesday 3rd or Wednesday 4th August, Alex Ferguson's all-conquering Manchester United leaves the 'Theatre of Dreams' for two days to go to Omagh. This visit will involve an overnight stay in the Silver Birch Hotel , where Omagh Town intend to arrange a function for their prestigious guests. The silverware lifted by United this season will also be on parade.
The domestic league and cup double champions, for the third time in five seasons, they were going for the unique treble in the European Champions League final last night (Wed).
The fabulous trio of captivating fixtures is rounded off on either Monday 13th or Tuesday 14th September with the visit of another huge favourite in Ireland, Liverpool FC.
The Anfield club, which dominated English and European football in the eighties, may have had by their own high standards a 'poor' season to finish seventh in the league, but they are also a team crammed with internationally famous names.
Exact dates for the United and Liverpool games will be finalised within the next fortnight, once the English Premiership fixtures for the opening weekend are made known.
The Omagh Town select side will consist of former and current club players.
Omagh Town secretary, Pat McGlinchey, stated that they had received reassurances from the clubs that they would send their full squads, as they didn't wish to denigrate the cause by sending under strength sides.
The club official added that a 'couple of months of solid toil lay ahead of them' in terms of preparation. This entailed liaising with health and safety officials, the local district council, contractors, police and others.
Ground capacity is to be increased to 7,000 by the installation of 4,200 temporary seats for each match, with standing room for 2,800 fans.
Mr McGlinchey said that the club's current stand, which holds 300, would be set aside for invited guests, including those directly affected by the bombing.
The secretary explained why the club had worked so earnestly to entice these three English giants across to the town.
"A tragedy such as that visited upon the area made us in the football club realise how trivial is a mere sport in such circumstances. As time wore on and Omagh tried to get back some semblance of normality, we felt that perhaps in some small way our own sport of football could bring some long overdue joy to the area.
"That is the primary thrust of these matches, to give 7,000 people in this area the chance to come and see in the flesh the stars they would normally only see on TV."
Dervla Johnston, representing the Omagh Fund, thanked the local soccer club on behalf of the Fund for undertaking such a mammoth task.
"I know the financial support will be very gratefully appreciated but also you will lift spirits in the town and specifically those of young supporters who have been injured in the bomb. It will lift them to see all these star players here."
Admission will be by ticket only, with the emphasis very much on making this an occasion for the people of Omagh and its surrounding areas.
Orders for tickets must be made in writing to 'Ticket Sales', Omagh Town F.C, 16d Sedan Avenue, Omagh BT79 7AQ, giving name,address, telephone number, and number of tickets for each match. (Maximum of four per person).
Tickets will be available for collection upon payment four weeks before each match. Those ordering tickets for the Chelsea match will be entitled to priority status for Man Utd or Liverpool tickets.
Further details of prices, availability etc, will be published in the local and national press, but it is envisaged that prices will range from £10 to £15. Due to the expected high demand there will be no reduction for children.