Drumaness Mills Football Club - Short History
The village of Drumaness is nestled in the rolling drumlins of
Co. Down, just a short distance off the main Belfast to Newcastle
road. Once the towering chimney of the flax spinning mill
stood out on the landscape and it was the location where many of the
community plied their talents in the spinning of flax into yarn.
The mill was built in 1850 by William Davidson in partnership with
Thomas Chermside of Belfast and was once described as "like a great
ship stranded in the middle of the rolling countryside".
Drumaness Mills Football Club known locally as "The Mills" have
been in membership of the Northern Amateur League since its
formation in 1929. They started in the Second Division,
finishing runners-up in 1931/32. They are in fact once of the
oldest clubs in membership of the League.
While the demand for Irish linen declined and the Mill was
finally closed (and then knocked down in 1985), the local soccer
club still kept the name alive. They were first known as
Drumaness but then added Mills to their title, as the Mill owners
took a keep interest.
Due to war time difficulties they left the League 1941 and
rejoined in 1950 for a short period but came back for good in 1954,
stepping up from the Second Division and maintaining intermediate
status ever since.
Records show that "The Mills" had to wait more than 30 years for
their first trophy, the Division 1B Athletics Stores Cup won in the
1960/61 season. They have won five First Division titles and
finished runners-up three times in the new Premier Section.
They also won the Border Regiment Cup four times. Drumaness
also graced the Clarence Cup final final three times, winning the
trophy twice.
The club now has one of the best equipped grounds int he league
with the newly opened club house situated just behind the pitch.
Vintage Years of Sport
Village where they're born with football
boots on their feet!
To many people the words "The Mills jersey" will have no special
meaning but to have it associated with you has a significance of its
own in Drumaness.
If you are said to have worn "the Mills jersey" means you have
played for Drumaness football team and in Co. Down village so
dedicated to soccer that means a lot.
The Club, formed in the 1929-30 season, got its name from the
Flax Spinning Mill in the village, but now sadly demolished.
The team then competed in the Amateur League under the guidance of
the late Dan Gelston, a man whose devotion to the game in the
village was outstanding.
Among those names in the early days were Joseph Toman, Hughie
Cranston, Jim Matheson, Billy Oakes, Fred Noade, Robert Curry and
Johnnie Cush.
The follow up to the 30s saw what many still believe to be some
of the great names in the team. There was Sean Hanna, a
skilful winger in the village and had four sons deeply involved -
Noel was the manager of the firsts, Ronan who managed the thirds and
played for Portadown while his brother Tom, while John, the elder
brother, was club treasurer.
Other stalwarts were Tom Lewis, one of the great all rounders,
Micky Marner, who helped in the running of the social club, Patsy
McCormic, who rarely missed a match, PJ Walsh who had three sons
playing for the teams, Barry, Malachy and Paul.
One of the most famous Drumaness players was Eddie Hinton, former
Fulham and Ireland goalkeeper now in exile living in Belfast.
The village team had their own star goalkeeper in Murphy Rogan.
In the 1950s under men like Bill Killen as secretary, Hugh Marner
and George Maguire, soccer was kept to the forefront. A
probable line up of the team would embrace Fergie Gordon, Willie
Rea, Wilbert Gillespie, Doc Ard, Seamus Hanna, Ray McNerlin, Colum
Walsh, Michael Donnelly and Charlie Oakes. Two noted brothers
also on the scene were Brendan and Gerry McCormick. John
McKeown graduated to Larne where he became captain and led them to
several Steel and Sons Cup victories, while also prominent at this
period was Michael Owens.
By this time there was hardly a boy in the village who hadn't
been born wearing football boots! As many as six double decker
buses would be needed to take supporters to games in Ballygowan and
Comber Summer League.
When there was evening matches there was a rush home from work or
school and youngsters would bring along their boots in the hope that
someone would fail to turn up and they might get a game.
The sixties brought its quota of new talent to the team with the
McCormick brothers and the others. Joining Michael Donnelly
were his brothers Sean and Barney and friend Conn Magee, a member of
the present committee, and George Gillespie, the present secretary.
Also on the go at that time were Hugh Hawthorne, Roly Hanna and
George Green, later went on to join Portadown. There was also
Jimmy Blaney, Harry Stevens and Jackie Brothwell, all leading
lights.
Other names in the 60's and early 70's were Ivan Hoare, who had
scoring gifts of his own, Robert Strain, who also went to Portadown
and later had a spell with Manchester City, and managed the Glens
second string.
There was also Gerry Rodgers who had spells with Brantwood and
Ted McKibben featured in those days as left back. Another
prominent figure, Paul Gelston after spells with Portadown, returned
to the village and became player/manager, guiding the team to a
league championship and two Border Cup successes, an example to
every young player.
Conspicuous in the club's history are Damien McLean, goalkeeper
Liam Wilson, Sidney Stevenson, now in Australia. Cyril Lennon
and Harry Murray, Brian McAughtrey, who was to become player manager
of the club, Willie Woodside, Stevie McCormick, Martin Singh and
Michael Rainey with his brothers Brendan, Gerard and Jim.
The club also had a successful second string playing in the
Newcastle League, their trophies including the Bobby Dalzell Cup.
Drumaness now have three teams and can look back with pride to a
record of four league titles and three Border Cup victories.
In 1981 there was the opening of the social club now thriving so
successfully that plans were made to develop the playing fields and
training area and provide new changing facilities.
Under the guidance of the present committee, there is every
indication that Drumaness has many triumphant years ahead.
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