Between 1960 and 1965, QUB won the Collingwood Cup on four occasions. At that time the home ground was Cherryvale, off the Ravenhill Road, and we were fortunate to have several pitches of excellent quality and fine changing-room facilities. Enthusiasm was always high, reinforced by two great motivators, Harry Megaw our bucket and sponge trainer and Harry Lowry, our benign manager and President. Our first team squad played in the “B” Division of the Irish League and usually acquitted itself creditably. The moral victories were countless! We were no respecters of reputations, and this probably battle-hardened us for the Collingwood campaigns. However we also took pride in our friendly hospitality, and acted as hosts to many University touring teams at Cherryvale, sharing a convivial pint or two after the matches. From the Freshers upwards there was regular competitive football and many players were able to progress from the “nursery slopes” to the first team. There is now a groundswell of feeling that the time is more than ripe to try to arrange a reunion of all the squad players from that era. Inevitably messages have been circulating across the world from Canada to New Zealand, from Hungary to New York. Tentatively it is planned to hold a dinner at QUB around June 2012 with a multi-media presentation drawn from old news clippings, match reports, photos, minutes, even film. It’s hoped that it will provide an opportunity for old friends to meet again, perhaps after many years in some cases, and enjoy an evening of nostalgia and fun! This being so, it would be much appreciated if you would bring our plans to the attention of anyone who played for QUB during that era. If you yourself played in the Collingwood Cup squad at that time, we would be delighted to hear from you. We would also love to hear from anyone associated with our soccer club as a committee officer or a friend. Best of luck with all your endeavours at QUB soccer.


Brian Caul (Email: brian.caul1@btinternet.com)

Didn’t make it to the trials?
If you are interested in joining the club but didn’t get to the new players trial games, it’s not too late. Just come along to training (on astro) at the Dub on Mondays at 7pm (start) or Thursdays at 8pm (start). Our Seconds and Colts (thirds) teams are still looking for student players who have played at a reasonable level and who would like to play for Queen’s in Saturday football. We are particularly keen to find good quality goalkeepers. Just turn up and introduce yourself to team managers David Bradley and Kevin Kennedy.

Queen’s Students are very welcome to join the club.

You can in the following ways:-

1. come to the Soccer club stand at the freshers bazaar in the Students Union on Thursday 29th September or

2. come to the trial games for new players on Wednesday 5th October at the Queen's playing fields at Dub Lane at 2pm (on grass pitches) or

3. come to training on Mondays (7pm start) or Thursdays (8pm start), both at the Queen's playing fields at Dub Lane (astroturf pitch).

The people taking training will be David Bradley d.bradley@qub.ac.uk and Kevin Kennedy k.kennedy@qub.ac.uk.

Trial games for new members will take place on Wednesday 5th October at 2pm at the Queen’s University Playing Fields at Dub Lane, Upper Malone Road, Belfast. The games will take place on grass pitches. Players should bring their own playing kit, though shirts will be provided. New players who have played at a high standard* for other teams are asked to contact Denis Clarke d.clarke@qub.ac.uk with details of their past experience, playing position etc.

* High standard means Irish Premier League, IFA Reserve League, IFA Championship, Mid-Ulster League Int A, NI Intermediate League, Amateur League (Intermediate divisions) or high standard leagues in other countries.

Queen's have received a bye in the first round of the Steel&Sons cup. In the second round we will be away to Dunmurry YM or Bloomfield on Sat 27th August.

The work on the new pavilion and stand at the Dub is almost complete. The new grass is still growing on the pitch which is expected to be ready for use by mid October.

Having taken over as first team manager in early March, following the resignation of Neil Evans, Barry Gamble will continue in the role, assisted by Ryan Prentice and Tommy Gowdy.

David Magee has left the club having signed for Glenavon, his home town club. David, who improved greatly as a player during his 3 years with us, was a very popular, well respected member of our club and we wish him well in the Premier League.

The annual sporting awards Blues Dinner took place on 9th June in the Whitla Hall. Congratulations to Full Blue recipients, Paddy Donnelly and David Magee and to Tony Tumelty and Connor Mulholland who received Half Blues.