Islandmagee F.C.

Islandmagee F.C. is a Northern Irish football club from Islandmagee, County Antrim and playing in the Premier Division of the Northern Amateur Football League. They are currently sponsored by Qef Global Ltd. infobox Football club
clubname = Islandmagee F.C.
current =


fullname = Islandmagee Football Club
nickname = "Islandmagee"

founded = 1955
ground = Wilbourne park
capacity =
chairman = Peter Ross
owner =
manager = flagicon|NIRStephen Donald
Assistant Manager = flagicon|NIR Steven Mcateer
league = NAFL Premier Division
season = NAFL Premier Division 2008-09
position = NAFL Premier Division, 3rd

History

After formation there was a series of friendly fixtures before joining the Larne and District Junior League in season 1956-57. Then in the 1957-58 season their application to join Northern Amateur Football League was successful. And they had their first Amateur League game was in division 1B on the 17th August 1957, when they defeated local rivals Barn United 5-3. Five years later (1962-63) both clubs gained promotion to division 1A, then the League’s premier section. Islandmagee were promoted as Runners-up. The following season (1966-67) they were Border Cup Winners defeating Albert Foundry 1-0 in the final. Three out of the next four years saw the club contest the final but to lose out to RUC, Ards Rangers and Chimney Corner. The club’s most successful season was in 1967-68 when despite losing 3-1 to Chimney Corner in the Border Cup final, they became division 1A Champions with an undefeated run taking 58 points out of a possible 60. This achievement had never been done before and will not be equalled again as the number of teams in the league have been reduced to 14 instead of 16. Relegation in the mid-seventies brought lean times on the playing front, but in 1984/85, they managed to regain their Premier section status being promoted to 1A with Champions Civil Service. However relegation followed a year later and almost a decade passed before they again put in a meaningful challenge. In season 1993/94, promotion to the premier section was denied them by Crumlin United in a play-off for runners up place. 1st Shankill N.I.S.C. defeated them by three goals to one in the 1994/95 Border Cup decider but a spirited rally in the second half of the season saw the team clinch promotion to the Premier Section as runners-up to Barn United. A year later they again contested the Border Cup Final, this time against Coagh United who defeated them by four goals to two on penalties after an exciting 3-3 draw. They once again reached the Border Cup Final in season 1998/99, but this time they brought silverware to the club for the first time since 1968 when they defeated the much fancied Killyleagh Y.C. by three goals to one. Season 1999/2000 saw Islandmagee relegated to division 1A, but thanks to new management and virtually a whole new team, the stay below was short lived, as the Islanders bounced straight back up into the Premier League.

The 2003/2004 season was certainly the most successful under manager Graham McConnell, with the team reaching the semi finals of the Border Regiment and Steel & Sons Cups, only to be defeated on both occasions by a strong Killyleagh side, which coincidentally knocked the team out of the Nationwide Irish Cup. This Steel and Sons Cup run was particularly unique as club secretary, Crawford Wilson, was chairman of that very competition. The run in the Steel & Sons presented the club with an opportunity to compete in the last 16 of the County Antrim Shield, where they met Linfield at Windsor Park, however, despite the 4-0 defeat; they held the IPL outfit for 57 minutes and the club definitely didn’t embarrass themselves, gaining praise from many quarters. League form was worryingly inconsistent, with pressure on the team to avoid a late relegation battle run in. But with many games in hand, they achieved a mid table finish. cite web|url=http://www.islandmageefc.vze.com/ClubHistory|title=History|publisher=Islandmageefc.com|accessdate=2008-10-05]

Current Squad

cite web|url=http://www.islandmageefc.vze.com/PlayerProfiles|title=1st Team|publisher=Islandmageefc.com|accessdate=2008-10-05]

Premier Division 2008/09 Season

On 9th August in their first match of the new season they defeated Malachians in a 4-3 victory. In their second game they would play Barn Utd and lose 3-1. On 16th August they played Hollywood F.C. and won 3-1. Their fourth match would be on 16th August and they would play (and lose to) Wellington Rec 4-1. On 30th August they would lose to Downpatrick F.C. 3-1. On 13th September they would beat Comber Rec 6-3. On the 4th October they would come back from to goals down to beat Dromara Village 3-2.

Steel & Sons Cup 2008/09 Season

Since they already qualified for the second round they wouldn't need to play a First Round match. On 23rd August they would once again play Hollywood F.C. and (once again) beat them this time 4-2 to qualify for the third round. On the 6th September, in the third round of the Steel & Sons Cup they would beat Lisburn Rgrs 3-1 to qualify for the fourth round. On 27th September they would be put out of the cup by Ballymoney Utd after a 4-1 loss.

Border Cup 2008/09 Season

Since they already qualified for the second round they wouldn't need to play a First Round match. On 20th September, In the Second round they would defeat Larne Tech OB 3-1 to qualify to the third round. They are scheduled to play away to Downpatrick on 11th October in the third round of the Border Cup.

Honours

League

*Northern Amateur Football league
*NAFL Division 1A :"Winners (2) 1967-68, cite web|url=http://www.islandmageefc.vze.com/ClubHistory|title=History|publisher=Islandmageefc.com|accessdate=2008-10-05] 2007-08 cite web|url=http://www.islandmageefc.vze.com/News|title=News|publisher=Islandmageefc.com|accessdate=2008-10-05] :"Runners-up (1) 1962-63

Cups

Border Cup:"Winners" (2) 1966/67 and 1998/99 cite web|url=http://www.islandmageefc.vze.com/ClubHistory|title=History|publisher=Islandmageefc.com|accessdate=2008-10-05] :" Runners up" (5) 1967/68, 1968/69, 1970/71, 1994/95, 1995/96 cite web|url=http://www.islandmageefc.vze.com/ClubHistory|title=History|publisher=Islandmageefc.com|accessdate=2008-10-05] Clarence Cup:Winners (1) 2007/08

Refernces

External links

* [http://www.nifootball.co.uk/ nifootball.co.uk (fixtures, results and tables of all leagues)]
* [http://www.islandmageefc.vze.com/ Islandmagee FC official website]