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The
start of the 1980's saw Distillery settle into their new home ground
at Ballyskeagh (later re-named New Grosvenor Stadium). On the playing
side they struggled for a while until they appointed Roy Welsh as
manager and immediately he took the team to the CAS Final of 1981/82.
He began building up an exciting young team that won the only trophy
of the decade --- the CAS in 1985/86. Following this the young stars
were sold off, Welsh resigned and the team struggled for the rest
of the decade until former N.I. International, Billy Hamilton, was
appiointed manager at the end of 1989/90.
1
ALLEN McKNIGHT
was signed from Chimney Corner and made his debut on 1-12-84. His
performances helped win the CAS in 1985/86. In two seasons he made
68 appearances before joining Glasgow Celtic in August 1986. He
later played for West Ham, Airdrie and Rotherham and was capped
10 times by N.I.
2
ROBERT BEGGS
from Dunmurry made his debut at centre-forward on 27-3-82 and played
5 games at the end of the season before returning to Dunmurry, He
signed again in January 1983 and played in the losing CAS semi-final
of 1982/83. He played in all forward positions but he first played
at right-back on 2-1-84 when he swopped with Buster Andrews. He
played in another losing CAS semi-final in 1984/85 but got his winners
medal in the CAS Final of 1985/86. He made 149 appearances and scored
3 goals. In 1994/95 he returned from RUC to play for the Seconds
for a spell.
3
NEIL CUMMINGS made
his debut on 7-4-80 and it was his only game of that season. He
played in the losing CAS Final of 1981/82. He also played at no.4
for spells and he was in that position during the 1985/86 CAS Final.
Over 8 seasons he made 231 appearances and scored 2 goals before
moving on to Carrick.
4
EAMONN HAWKINS
made his debut at no.7 on 3-3-79. He took some time to get established
and by 1982/83 he was a first team regular. He played in seven different
positions and was a decent penalty taker. In 7 seasons he made 99
appearances and scored 7 goals before joining Newry.
5
MARTY QUINN
arrived at Distillery after 8 seasons at Cliftonville and made his
debut on 5-9-81.He missed the CAS Final of 1981/82 through injury
but four years later he got the reward of a winners medal in the
CAS Final of 1985/86.He finished playing at the end of 1986/87 with
237 appearances and 3 goals in his 6 seasons. He returned as Distillery
manager in 1988/89.
6
PAUL WILLIAMS
who was born in Sheffield made his debut at no.10 on 3-9-83.In his
three seasons he played in various striking and mid-field positions
as well as right-back occassionally. His wonder goal in the CAS
Final of 1985/86 virtually clinched the trophy for the Whites. He
left at the end of that season after 110 appearances and 22 goals
and moved back to England where he played for Preston, WBA, Coventry
and Stockport among others.
7
TONY FERRIS
made his debut on 31-12-77 at no.7. He was a tenacious mid-fielder
and at the end of his first full season, 1981/82 he played in the
losing CAS Final. He played in various other positions and in September
1985 he had a spell of 7 goals in 8 games. He helped win the CAS
in 1985/86 before emigrating to New Zealand. He returned in December
1987 for five games and also in 1991/92 for nine games. In his 11
seasons at the club he made 252 appearances and scored 25 goals.
8
FRANCIS SMITH arrived
from Bangor in exchange for Norman McGreevy and made his debut on
15-8-81. He had previously played for Glenavon and Sheffield Wednesday.
Although he took 12 games to score his first goal, he made up for
it later on. He emigrated to New Zealand in the summer of 1983 but
returned in September 1984. He scored the third goal in
the 1985/86 CAS Final, however in his entire Distillery career
he never scored a hat-trick. He moved to Portadown in August 1986
after 154 appearances and 62 goals for the Whites.
9
ROBERT 'BUSTER' ANDREWS from
Shorts made his debut at right-back on 29-12-79. He was an extremely
versatile player and loyal servant to the club. He first played
at centre-forward on 19-3-83 (and scored) and by the 1983/84 season
it was his regular position. He was a reliable penalty taker and
scored a hat-trick on 24-9-83. He was part of the CAS Final squad
of 1985/86 but did not play. In his later career he played at no.4
and in 9 seasons he made 304 appearances and scored 43 goals before
moving to Ballyclare in August 1988. He later returned to manage
(and play for) the Seconds for several years in the 1990's.
10
BERTIE McMINN
continued his record-breaking Distillery career in this decade.
He played in the losing CAS Final of 1981/92 but got the only winners
medal of his career in the CAS of 1985/86. He scored a hat-trick
on 10-11-84 and established himself as a penalty expert both in
winning them and scoring them. In March 1988 he became player-manager
but then resigned in September 1988 and moved on to play for Ards.
He returned once more in December 1990 for the rest of the season
and finished his 15 season Distillery career with 521 appearances
and 105 goals. He was capped once for the Irish League in 1980/81.
11
TOM CLELAND
made his debut on 11-4-85. By 1985/86 he was the regular left-winger.
He helped win the CAS that season by scoring the opening goal in
the Final. He played on both wings and in mid-field. In December
he was bought by Glentoran after 129 appearances and 14 goals. He
returned in March 1992 to continue his career.
Reserves:---
Davy
Reynolds
was a reliable keeper who played for three seasons before emigrating
to New Zealand.
Anton
Rogan was a tall strong defender who overcame two leg breaks
to put in star performances. He moved on to play for Glasgow Celtic,
Sunderland and N.I.
Liam
Burns from Coleraine played in several positions and was left-back
in the 1985/86 CAS Final.
Tom
McCracken was a strong solid defender whose full potential was
never realised. He played during the last four years of the decade.
Ron
McCreery from Glentoran was a whole-hearted mid-fielder and
team captain (when he wasn't suspended).
Michael
Surgeon was a lively player with a keen eye for goal. He moved
on to play for anyone who would have him.
George
O'Boyle played only 25 games at no.11 before moving on to Linfield
and International honours.
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