Jumpers for goalposts! Templepatrick 'old boys' are seeking rivals for charity match

A TEMPLEPATRICK man is hoping to host a reunion with a difference after coming across an old photograph during the Covid lockdown.

Stephen Law says he was part of the Templepatrick Primary School class of 1979 football team - ‘the best team in the world at the time’.

He found a snap of himself and his teammates during lockdown and was reminded of Timmy Conway, the team captain who sadly died suddenly last year.

His sister Judy tragically lost her brother, husband and father in one year.

Stephen said that the loss has spurred him to do something positive and he decided to embark on reuniting the rest of the team.

He told the Antrim Guardian that the idea had snowballed.

“I was thinking we could perhaps meet for lunch in memory of Timmy, but now the idea has grown - we might actually have to have a game of football as well.”

Stephen admits that the ‘79 squad are not all in the best shape these days, but added that no-one will be taking anything too seriously.

“It’s just a bit of fun really - we are even going to get the old yellow and blue jerseys made up.

“Mr Tom Sterling was our P7 teacher and football coach, he was a bit scary but we all respected him, he is on board as well.

“I remember when we left we clubbed together and got him a pair of red tracksuit bottoms and he was still wearing them ten years ago when he was nearing retirement.”

So far Stephen has tracked down Iain McKinney, Jason McMahon, Stephen Clyde, Stephen Hamill, Jonny and Peter Forbes, Eddie and Ricky Bill and Simon Turner.

And now they need one more thing - an opposition team.

“I can’t remember having any rivals, because we were the best!” laughed Stephen.

“I was just thinking that this is a brilliant opportunity after Covid for people to get off the sofa and reconnect with old mates.

“So if there is another P7 team from 1979 out there that might fancy a bit of a laugh, they should get in touch.

“It’s for charity - it’s nothing competitive, and we don’t want to be playing any combine harvester types - if they are very good we will just run away in the opposite direction.

“There has been great local interest in Templepatrick so hopefully one of the other teams from the district that we played back in the day might like to reform and get in touch.

“It’s all about having a laugh, having a reunion and raising a few pounds.

“I will be consulting with Timmy’s family to see which charity they would like to support.

“Timmy was a fit man who died very suddenly and it was a big shock to us all.

“He may not be with us anymore, but the rest of us are fortunate to be here and we would like to do something to remember him by, I am sure he would approve and think it was very funny!

“Life is short and it is to be celebrated.”

Stephen joked: “Sky Sports are interested in buying the rights and I think St John’s Ambulance will have to be on standby.

“We thought we were very good at the time, but we probably weren’t.

“We are not wanting any grudge matches and hopefully no one will be going to hospital, so we respectfully ask any potential teams to be gentle on us!”

Stephen can be contacted on 07831770992.