Touchline Talk from Rathfriland Football Club

The committee sincerely thank owner Tom McAvoy for his generosity and support from the Newry Street business and look forward to a partnership in sport and business.

Exciting times are ahead on the pitch with this sponsorship adding to what hopefully will be a positive time for both club and business. Rathfriland FC and The Milestone Service Station – the perfect match!

CLUB SHOP - Anyone wishing to purchase their Rathfriland FC regalia please contact David Davenport on 07840860308.

YOUTH REGISTRATION AND FOOTBALL - Wednesday nights from 7-8pm at Rathfriland FC for the rest of August will see Registration followed by football.

All age groups are welcome from 5-15 years and for new registrations players will need two passport size photographs and a copy of the birth certificate. Membership for the season is 20 with a 2 charge per training night.

It is an exciting time at Rathfriland FC – if you want your child to be part of it please contact David Davenport on 07840860308 or Mark Bickerstaff on 07525214733.

IN COMMITTEE! - The September committee meeting will take place on Tuesday October 19 at 7.30pm at the clubrooms.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - Saturday December 11 – Annual Christmas dinner and Christmas draw.

FIREMEN ON THE MOVE! What do you think of the two bustling, tough Rathfriland firemen who needed a nice wee comfortable lift (four wheels!) in the town because they were out of breath from running to the fire station after their buzzers went off? This is all the more interesting as their starting point was only 100 yards away! They might have thought they were Starsky and Hutch were on the way there but they were Chub and Hoddle on the way back!

SPONSOR BOARDS - It is the intention of Rathfriland FC to continue to surround the main Iveagh Park pitch with Sponsorship boards over the coming months.

Any person or business wishing to take the opportunity to have their business displayed 24/7 at the Wembley of the Mournes please contact Commercial Manager, Mr Dessie Davenport, on 07767817703.

There will be an initial fee for the “set up” of the board and also a sponsorship subscription, which would be renewed annually.

A big thank you goes to al the local businesses for their sponsor boards at Iveagh Park.

WHAT`S MY LINE? - Brian Todd (President) 028 406 23023; Junior Murray (Chairman) 028 406 71464 / 07850656579; Mark Ingram (Vice-Chairman) 07798733361; Trevor Weir (Secretary) 07980853720; John Annett (Treasurer) 07713511373; Eric Annett (P.R.O.) 07715046132; Dessie Davenport (Commercial Manager) 07767817703; Brian Adair (Rangers Manager) 07789373242; Eric Annett (Swifts Manager) 07715046132; Bobby McDowell (Swifts Assistant Manager) 07796614982; Alex Scott (Colts Manager) 07889220476; David Davenport (Youth Development Officer) 07840860308; Mark Bickerstaff (Youth Coach Co-Ordinator) 07525214733.

RFC ROLL OF HONOUR: 1962 – Rathfriland FC formed; 1965 – Iveagh Park opened; 1975 – Newcastle League Champions, Mid Ulster Shield Winners; 1976 – Mid Ulster Shield Winners, John Magee Cup Winners, Mid Ulster League Champions (Div 4); 1977 – Mid Ulster League Champions (Div 3); 1978 – Mid Ulster Shield Winners, attained 1st Division Mid Ulster League; 1979 – Mid Ulster Shield finalists; 1980 – Pavilion opened; 1982 – Irish Junior Cup finalists, Ingram Park opened; 1996 – Bobby Dalzell Cup finalists; 1997 – Winners NAFL Division 1B; 1998 – Winners NAFL Division 1A; 2005 – John Magee Cup Winners; 2006 – New pavilion opened; 2007 – Bignian Cup Finalists; 2008 – Mid Ulster League Champions (Div 3); 2009 – Foster Cup Finalists.

TRAINING - From next week on Rathfriland FC training will take place at Cheney Park on a Monday evening from 8–10pm and on a Thursday night at Havelock Park from 9–10pm (Seconds & Thirds only – Firsts still at Iveagh Park). A 2 charge will be required for the Banbridge venues. All new and existing players welcome.

FIXTURE BOARD – RANGERS: Saturday October 2 – no fixture; SWIFTS - Saturday October 2, away to Goodyear in the Mid Ulster Shield. Kick off 2pm; COLTS - Saturday October 2 – away to Newcastle in the league. Kick off 2pm.

RANGERS NO FIXTURE - This Saturday Rathfriland Rangers have no fixture. The following week they will travel to Fivemiletown in the Mid Ulster Cup.

SWIFTS AWAY IN SHIELD - Rathfriland Swifts this Saturday travel to Goodyear for a Mid Ulster Shield first round fixture. The Craigavon side are going really well this season and will prove a tough test for the visiting Swifts who will be looking to return with a passage to the second round of this highly respected competition. Kick off 2pm.

COLTS AWAY IN LEAGUE - This Saturday Rathfriland Colts travel to Newcastle for a league fixture. The visitors will be looking to continue their run of form after having taking four points from a possible six in their first two games. Kick off 2pm.