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The
1950's saw a resurgence in the fortunes of the club with 4 trophies
being won:--- CAS 1953/54, Irish Cup 1955/56, Ulster Cup 1957/58
and City Cup 1959/60. The club was also runners-up in 5 other trophies
and reached semi-finals on 7 other occassions. In the League the
club was in mid-table for most of the decade with the high-spots
of 4th in 1952/53 and 3rd in 1959/60. It was a decade in which the
team re-established it's reputation in cup competitions --- a decade
of charismatic managers ( Jimmy McIntosh, Maurice Tadman and George
Eastham ) and a decade of innovation with the club pioneering floodlight
football.
1
BILLY SMYTH continued
as first choice keeper at the start of the decade, gaining 2 more
Ireland caps and playing 6 more times for the Irish League in this
period. In 1951/52 he lost his place to the young Joe Kinkead but
reclaimed it the next season. He played his last game on 18-12-54
against Glenavon and after being replaced by Charlie Calow, he moved
on to play for Ards. He made 122 appearances in this period.
2
JIMMY 'SLASHER' McEVOY
who had previously been at Wolves was signed from Dundalk in October
1951 and was immediately moved to right-back to replace Rab Wilson.
In April 1954 he played three games at centre-forward and scored
4 goals (including a hat-trick against Derry ). He also scored in
the first Irish Cup Final in 1955/56 at centre-forward, got injured
in the second game and unfortunately missed the third game. He gained
2 Irish League caps and played his last game on 8-2-58, finishing
his seven season career with 184 appearances and 9 goals.
3
GERRY BRENNAN was
signed from Derry City for £1000 in January 1952 and immediately
established a formidable partnership with 'Slasher' McEvoy. He played
a vital part in winning 3 of the trophies:--- CAS, Irish Cup and
Ulster Cup, and scored his only goal against Glenavon on 29-11-52.
In 7 seasons he made 257 appearances and scored one goal.
4
AMBROSE WILSON
was a former Glenavon and Belfast Celtic player who had returned
from Swansea Town to be signed by the Whites in October 1952. He
played in all half-back positions and helped win the CAS in 1953/54.
His last game was on 9-2-55 then he moved on to Portadown. He made
88 appearances and scored 2 goals.
5
FRANKIE WATTERS
was a Lisburn lad who joined the Whites from Banbridge Town at the
start of the decade, making his debut on 31-1-51. By November 1951
he was the established centre-half. He played throughout the decade
and got one Irish League cap. He took part in 3 trophy wins:---
CAS, Irish Cup and City Cup. In 1957 he dropped down to the Seconds,
making a few first team appearances at full-back over the next four
years. In December 1958 he became temporary first team coach when
Maurice Tadman left and by 1960/61 he was the reserve team coach.
In his 11 season career he made 264 appearances but never scord
a goal.
6
JIM WILSON had
been a reserve left-back at the club since 1944/45, making his debut
on 27-3-46. However, he got few oppurtunities and moved to play
for Ballymoney during 1949/50. He returned at the start of 1950/51
and established himself as the regular left-half.He was at the club
for 9 seasons making 204 appearances and scoring 6 goals. His most
important goal was when he scored the only goal of the 1953/54 CAS
Final. He moved to play for Ards at the start of 1955/56.
7
SAMMY DODDS
made his debut on 5-4-1947 and by 1948/49 was the first choice right-winger.
He helped win the CAS and played 3 times for the Irish League. Altogether
he played for 10 seasons, making 278 appearances and scoring 59
goals. His last game was on 24-9-55 then he moved on to play for
Portadown.
8
FRANK JOHNSON
was signed from Limerick for £1000 in October 1951. The 22 year
old was an Eire International and made his debut on 13-10-51. He
helped win the CAS and was a classy performer at inside-forward
or half-back. He scored in the loosing Gold Cup Final of 1953/54.
He made 175 appearances in 5 seasons, scoring 43 goals.
9
MAURICE TADMAN was
appointed as player-manager on 31-7-1955. He was an ex-Plymouth
and Charlton Athletic centre-forward who arrived with a formidable
reputation. He only played for 2 seasons, then managed the team
for one and a half more, winning the Ulster Cup. In 62 appearances
he scored a phenomenal 55 goals.
10
FERRIS LUNN
joined from Linfield in 1955/56 and made his debut on 3-12-55. His
goals helped to win the City Cup and Ulster Cup, where he scored
in the Final. He was capped once by the Irish League and he also
played at left-half and outside-left. He moved on to play for Derry
City in January 1961. He made 192 appearances and scored 78 goals.
11
KENNY HAMILTON made
his debut on 17-3-1956 and scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over
Crusaders. His fourth game for Distillery was the Irish Cup Final
of 1955/56. He helped win 3 trophies:--- Irish Cup, Ulster Cup and
City Cup, scoring vital goals in the City Cup in particular. He
was Distillery's all-time top-scoring left-winger. In this era he
made 182 appearances, scoring 67 goals and playing twice for the
Irish League.
Reserves:---
John
Beare
was a solid keeper who played at the end of the decade.
John
Dugan was a vital player both in mid-field and up-front.
Jimmy
McIntosh was an ex-Everton centre-forward who was player-manager
for a spell.
Brian
Moore was a classy striker who was signed by West Ham in February
1955.
Denis Shiels was a consistent scorer before joining Sheffield United
in October 1958.
Derek
Dougan mainly played at left-half and left-wing at Distillery
before later becoming an international centre-forward.
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