'History' provides the following information
'The Whites - the history of Distillery Football Club 1880-2004'
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1880/81
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| 1882/83 |
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| 1883/84 |
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| 1885/86 |
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1887/88
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1888/89
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1889/90
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1890/91
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1895/96
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1896/97
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| 1902/03 |
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| 1903/04 |
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| 1904/05 |
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| 1913/14 |
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1922/23
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1927/28
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1932/33
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1940/41
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1952/53
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1957/58
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1962/63
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1963/64
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1964/65
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1970/71
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1971/72
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| 1975/76 |
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1979/80
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1980/81
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| 1985/86 |
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1987/88
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1990/91
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1993/94
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1995/96
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1998/99
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1999/00
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2000/01 |
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2001/02 |
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| 2003/04 |
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| 2004/05 |
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2005/06
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TEAMS OF THE DECADES - players who have worn the White shirt
(as selected by Dawson Simpson - author of 'The Whites - the history of Distillery Football Club 1880-2004'
From the future to the past, it’s the dateline journey that culminated in the official opening of the Memorabilia Exhibition at New Grosvenor in the 2004-2005 season. It was a simple post on the Internet that kick-started the idea as Ged Irwin, Chairman of the Lisburn Whites and manager of the Club Shop explained.
He said "A few years ago the Lisburn Whites and a few friends of
the club became aware of Distillery medals being sold on the Internet
and felt that we should purchase these as they were a part of the club
history. The three medals belonging to Tom McClatchey were advertised
by an antiques dealer on eBay and were from 1895/1896. We clubbed together,
bought them and it really started from there. Over the last year or two
we have been collecting bits and pieces here and there, small items such
as programmes, medals and then shirts and we have now put them together
into this exhibition."
The Lisburn Whites Supporters Club have done much to contribute to the Whites on and off the pitch over the last 12 years and there have been spin-offs for them in terms of this latest project as Ged went on to explain – "Some of the items have been easy enough to get and when we started up word got out and things started falling into place through our connections with the 1963 League Championship and the 1971 Irish Cup winning sides but we are always on the look for more material"
On the walls in the club shop are framed shirts spanning a number of decades, framed programmes, medals and other memorabilia. Amongst the more unusual items are items from Dunville's Distillery where the club was founded, Mervyn Law’s club blazer from the European Cup Winners trip to Barcelona and an original minute book dating back to late 1800s, unearthed recently by local journalist Colin McAlpin in a Dublin Road bookshop.
The opening in October 2003 was yet another unique event and another first for the club with a proud tradition and famous history and fittingly in keeping with that they invited a number of former players "home" to mark the occasion.
The exhibition was opened jointly by then Chairman Tommy Anderson and Distillery’s youngest ever chairman Denis Moore, who sadly passed away in the summer of 2005.The following players represented the various decades –Tommy Walker (40s), Frankie Watters (50s), Derek Meldrum (60s), Alan McCarroll (70s), Bertie McMinn (80s), Winkie Armstrong (90s) and Chris Coffey (2000 onwards)
It was back to the future though as Ged went on to add "There is a long way to go still, we plan to do things with players shirts, individually and collectively, add more items and then hopefully aim for a combined museum and a hall of fame."
The exhibition is a permanent feature and is situated in the club shop area, it is open to all fans visiting New Grosvenor and of course if you want to donate or lend something to it, then Ged Irwin will be only to happy to hear from you
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It's an exclusive club to join - there are only 30 paid up members! However on the 27th November 2004, the Lisburn Whites erected a plaque in the clubhouse to honour and record all those who had netted 50 goals or more for Distillery. The event took place in the shop/memorabilia area and fittingly, the plaque was unveiled by Mrs Joy Collins, daughter of the all time Distillery goalscorer, Sam 'Bull' McAdams. After the match, there was a presentation to those players who had been able to attend the event and the Lisburn Whites were delighted to welcome Mr Christopher Dunville to event. Mr Dunville, a direct descendant of the famous Belfast, Dunville family, had travelled from Canada and presented each of the players with a silver salver to mark the occasion. There were familiar faces past and present and it was great to also welcome post-war record holder Joe Meldrum back to the club, his first visit since he moved to England many years ago. Details of the exclusive club members are in the table below. John Martin became the newest member, joining the club on the 22nd April 2006, his fiftieth goal coming against Larne.
Back row (l-r) Darren Armour, Peter Watson, Jim McCloskey, Joe Meldrum, Gerry McCaffrey, Tom Cleland, Ferris Lunn Front row - Philip Dykes,Francis Smith, Bertie McMinn, Christopher Dunville, Joy Collins, Roy Welsh, Johny Cochrane, Dawson Simpson
Note 1 - friendlies have been included due to the low number of competitive games at that time Note 2- * - those players asterisked did not play continuously for the club during the dates stated Statistics from Dawson Simpson's book - 'The Whites - the history of Distillery Football Club 1880-2004'
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The Whites - the history of Distillery Football Club 1880-2004
Find out about Dawson Simpson's book
'The Whites: A History of Distillery Football Club 1880-2004' by Dawson Simpson
"This
is the first published history of one of the oldest association football
clubs in Ireland. From its formation in Belfast in 1880 and the sensational
early cup victories, through all its trials and tribulations, up to Paul
Kirk's promising young side of the present. It is a fascinating insight
into local football history --- a story that explores, the lean years
as well as the successful decades, the achievements of the legendary players
and managers, the great games and the upsets, the innovations and the
memorable European nights.
Illustrated with some rare photographs and containing a unique statistical
section, this book is a highly readable, nostalgic and informative account
of Distillery Football Club.
An essential fashion accessory for any true fan of the Whites and an enthralling
read for any local football enthusiast."
Price:
£13
Publisher: Dawson Simpson
ISBN: 0954908007
Pages: 224
Published on: 4th December 2004.
This publication is now currently out of print. If you have a statistical or information query please contact Dawson Simpson on:dawsonsimpson44@yahoo.co.uk
Availability
"The Whites: A History of Distillery Football Club 1880-2004' is currently out of print.
