The match sponsors on Friday night are

Ballykine Structural Engineers Ltd

55 Lisburn Road

Ballynahinch

Co Down

BT24 8TT

www.ballykine.com

We would like to take this opportunity to thank their Chairman Mervyn Algie for their sponsorship of Friday night's game.

We hope that Ballykine Structural Engineers and their guests enjoy both the match and their evening at New Grosvenor and appreciate their support for the club.

Other commercial opportunities including match sponsorship are available at the club - please click on the commercial icon above for more information.

Lisburn Distillery is not responsible for the content of, or services/products supplied/advertised on external websites

The cancellation of this week's CIS Cup Final due to George Best's funeral means that Linfield will now play Lisburn Distillery in the Carnegie Irish League as originally scheduled.

The game will be played at New Grosvenor this Friday (02nd December) kicking off at 07.45 pm.

The club today signed Northern Ireland U19 international midfielder Ryan Catney. The central midfielder played earlier this year for Northern Ireland against Scotland and Ukraine and returns home from Championship leaders Reading.

He will play for the rest of the season before considering taking up a sports scholarship in the US.

Paul Kirk is delighted that Ryan has signed for the club and looks forward to seeing him in action shortly.

There is good news from Michael Ferguson. Michael continues to build up his fitness levels following his absence due to injury since the start of the season.

He played for an hour in the Seconds IFA Belfast Telegraph Intermediate Cup win over Shorts at the weekend.

Injuries and suspensions take their toll ahead of tomorrow night's visit to The Oval.

Manager Paul Kirk has called defender Simon West and midfielder Aaron Johnston up from the second eleven.With Stuart Thompson and now Gary Spence already in the first team, the Whites boss sees the current predicament as an opportunity for the youngsters to show what they can do and also gain some experience.

Chris Coffey will shortly be out of action until the New Year.

The former Arsenal and Crewe Alexander player will head off to Australia on Monday week on business and will be absent for six week due to work commitments.

Chris is scheduled to return mid-January

Just under 100 people squeezed around the dining tables at New Grosvenor last Friday night to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary.

A minutes silence was held in honour of Northern Ireland's football legend, George Best, who had very sadly passed away earlier in the day. After giving a brief history of the foundation of the club, MC for the evening, Dawson Simpson, then read out messages of congratulation from Christopher M. Dunville (great-grandson of R. G Dunville), IFA Chief Executive Howard Wells, and former Distillery player and Northern Ireland manager, Brian Hamilton.

First speaker on the night was Dr Malcolm Brodie, MBE. The internationally respected former sports editor of the Belfast Telegraph and Ireland's Saturday Night described the club as one 'gripped with nostalgia' before congratulating Dawson Simpson on his book 'The Whites - a history of Distillery Football Club 1880 -2004'.

Malcolm went on to recall his 'happy association with Grosvenor Park' over many years before the tragic loss of the ground. Despite that, Distillery was a club that was full of character, had vibrancy and one that was innovative throughout its' history.' He recalled the ground-packed floodlit and Inter-City games, the contribution that the club had made in terms of legislative input into the IFA, and how Grosvenor Park and Distillery had kept Glentoran in football after The Oval had been bombed in The Blitz. He talked about players from yester-year right up to recent times, concluding by 'admiring the efforts of the club and the endeavour against all the odds', he wished Lisburn Distillery all the best in the years ahead.

Chairman Jim McGrory then gave an update on things that were happening at the club before thanking 'the catering staff, the bar staff and everyone involved in making the event a success'. He said 'I am privileged to be chairman at this historic time; our supporters can rest assured that the board and management here at the club will continue to work hard to make the club a success.'

Vice-chairman Tommy Anderson then read out a fax from Martin O'Neill. Martin, understandably, was unable to attend as he continues to spend time with his wife Geraldine who remains ill. In his fax Martin stated how it was a privilege to play for Distillery and wished the club all the best for the future. Tommy Anderson then responded on behalf of the club by sending the club's best wishes to Geraldine, Martin and their daughters at this difficult time - we continue to think about them.

Presentations were then made to the club by the two supporters clubs. Francie Parkinson presented a crystal football boot to chairman Jim McGrory on behalf of the Grosvenor Whites, whilst Ged Irwin presented vice-chairman Tommy Anderson with a crystal football on behalf of the Lisburn Whites.

Former captain and Northern Ireland international Peter Rafferty then brought the house down as he reflected on his time at the club. The Raff was in full flow as he looked back over his own playing career and how the statistics didn't really tell the true story behind the scenes! He concluded 'that anyone who has played for the club can only take 'good' out of Distillery. Everyone should be proud and look back on a tremendous achievement, on behalf of all the players I would like to thank everyone for the 125 years of great history.'

Finally, and in his own words, 'last but not least', broadcaster Ivan Martin recollected events and things, past and present at the club and also on the wider Irish League scene. He closed the event by saying 'things look good, the future looks bright, happy 125th anniversary'

The organisers would like to thank both the IFA and Glentoran Football Club for their kind co-operation in making the various trophies available to the club.Very much part of our history, their appearance was greatly appreciated.

Additional photos

Francie Parkinson (right) presents Lisburn Distillery Chairman Jim McGrory with a crystal football boot on behalf of the Grosvenor Whites

Ged Irwin (right) presents Lisburn Distillery Vice-Chairman Tommy Anderson with a crystal football on behalf of the Lisburn Whites

This coming Saturday, David Taylor's side take on Shorts in the Second Round of the IFA Belfast Telegraph Intermediate Cup.

The Whites are away to Shorts, the game being played at Aircraft Park on the Holywood Road, Belfast (next door to the Blanchflower Playing Fields).

Article courtesy of (publication date 19th November 2005)

One hundred and twenty five years ago tomorrow, at Daisy Hill, off Roden Street, Belfast, a group of men gathered to take part in an association football practice match, and the rest really is history.

The Whites will proudly celebrate their 125th anniversary, officially, later next week and are currently awaiting word from Glasgow Rangers on a commemorative friendly.

Back to that 1880 practice match, and a newspaper ar-ticle commented that 'there was a large muster of members and a capital game was enjoyed.The players were most enthusiastic in their love for the game, and as the roll includes several Scotchmen, who have played the game in Glasgow and other places, the club is ere long certain to work itself into the front rank.'

The club that was formed in November 1880, began life thanks to employees of then Belfast whisky blenders, Dunville & Co, and others, and within a few seasons they had indeed made their mark on local football.The first of 12 Irish Cup wins came in 1883-1884, their first Irish League success came in 1895-1896.

Two days earlier, on the 18th November, the Irish Football Association had been founded and Distillery was on board by time the IFA held their second meeting.The princely sum back then was a joining fee of ten shillings and an annual subscription of the same amount.

Following the Whites though has not always been about success, ask any supporter and you will find that their history has been a roller -coaster of success and fai-ures, trials and tribulations but despite it all, they have survived everything including all the adversity and hardship after they were forced to leave Grosvenor Park back in 1971.

These days, the Whites are continuing to make progress under manager Paul Kirk and their board, led by chairman Jim McGrory and vice-chair-man Tommy Anderson - all three instrumental in progress at a club that is once again beginning to believe that it can bring trophies to New Grosvenor.

The history of the club is simply fascinating - from its' foundation to temporary 'suspension' from the league in 1891, to the decades thereafter, it shows the input of the club that has made Distillery an indelible name in Irish Football history.

The spirit of innovation from the many 'firsts' - the first wooden stand at an Irish Football ground, the first season tickets in Ireland, the first tubular goalposts and crowd-barriers, the first floodlit League game in the UK.

More recently these have included the team nickname within stand seating and in 2002, squad names and numbers on shirts.

All their magnificent history will no doubt be discussed by former players, supporters and football fans in general, at a special dinner at the club next Friday to commemorate this new milestone.

A handful of tickets remain and anyone wishing to go should contact Ged Irwin on 077 30 505 190.

If you want to find out more about the club's history, read Dawson Simpson's superb club history 'The Whites - a history of Distillery Football Club 1880-2004'.

(available from dawsonsimpson44@yahoo.co.uk).

When they raise the glasses at New Grosvenor next Friday, sadly there will be no 'Dunvilles' to down, but Whites fans can rest assured that there is more history to be written in the years ahead.

Lisburn Distillery is not responsible for the content of, or services/products supplied/advertised on external websites

The club history has now been revised and is on-line (link above).

The Fanzone and Second team areas will be updated next.

Paul Muir made it two in a row when he collected the Lisburn Distillery.net Player of the Month Award for October 2005.

This month's award, which saw the highest number of votes polled since the award was started, was presented by team attendant Steven Ferguson.

Voting for the November award will be here on site at the end of the month.

The big news from the club prior to our CIS Cup semi-final game against Linfield on Wednesday is that captain Wayne Buchanan has tonight signed a new two year professional deal.

Wayne (23) joined us in January 2003 after returning from Bolton Wanderers. An U21 Northern Ireland international, as a Lisburn Distillery player, he subsequently played for Northern Ireland at U-23 level. He returned to the team on Saturday after injury, and is very happy to continue his career here at New Grosvenor, he said 'I am pleased to sign a new contract given the way that things have gone at the club over the last couple of seasons and the way they are still continuing to develop. Last season we got into Europe and we were disappointed not to have progressed there, and I feel that that things are going to get even better for the club and I want to play a part in it'

With Wayne now back at full fitness and producing the performances that saw Kilmarnock interested in him last season, manager Paul Kirk is delighted with his signature and his commitment to the future of the club.The manager said 'We are attracting better and better players but we also want to keep our best, I am absolutely delighted that we have done that and that Wayne has committed his future to the club.'

It's Ferguson 'the older' this time. Stevie Ferguson, father of Michael, had the televison cameras hot on his trail before and after Saturday's match against Armagh City.

Now is the time to find out what the Whites Team attendant does on a Saturday as he features in this week's BBC Northern Ireland's 'Season Ticket' programme.

The programme will be broadcast on Wednesday night on BBC at 22.00 hrs and if we achieve victory in the CIS Insurance Cup semi-final you may may indeed miss it, however the programme will be repeated the following night (Thursday) at 19.00 hrs.

Please check local TV listings for exact timings.

Michael Ferguson is back in light training again following his recent operation. Michael, pictured training before the Armagh City game yesterday, is looking foward to playing again, he is also swimming regularly to build up his fitness.

Also training yesterday but also taking no part in yesterday's fixture was former Whites striker, Kevin Bates.Batesy, also pictured, sustained a serious cruciate ligament injury back in February this year whilst playing for Armagh City.Things are looking good so far as he battles back to full fitness and we wish him a full recovery.

For the third time in just over a month another copyright image appears to have been lifted off the site and used without permission.

We understand that two earlier incidents are in the process of being resolved, however this latest incident is being investigated further.

Please remember that all images on this site are copyright and cannot be used without permission - if you want to use images you can contact us at LDnet Website to see if this can be arranged.

Official Lisburn Distillery products are available from the club shop.

• Watch this space for details of a rather special draw to be announced in the next few weeks

• Last month we informed you that former webmaster Johnny McKinstry was managing Northumbria FC Thirds (one of Northumbria University's football teams) in Division Five of the BUSA Football League (the British Universities League).After a scoreless draw on his debut the latest news to reach us is that Johnny's side won their second fixture 2-1.

In Round 2 of the Crest Teamwear Co Antrim Shield, Lisburn Distillery have been drawn against Glentoran at The Oval.

This game will take place on Tuesday 29th November 2005.

Tickets for the dinner in the Social Club on Friday 25th November 2005 are selling fast.This is one of a series of events marking the 125th anniversary of the club.

Broadcaster Ivan Martin and Dr Malcolm Brodie will be amongst a number of speakers on the night.

Remaining tickets available at £25 each (price includes meal and wine) are available from Ged Irwin (via email link below) or 077 30 505 190.

Club shop link

Help celebrate the history of our famous club by coming along.

Lisburn Distillery held a media event this week to mark the new Second Team sponsorship deal with Mini-Coach Executive Travel & Tours.

This was held at the Balmoral Hotel, Blacks Road, Dunmurry and attended by representatives from the Belfast Telegraph, Ulster Newsletter and Ulster Star.

The club thanked Rodney McCombe, managing director of Mini-Coach Executive Travel & Tours and chairman Jim McGrory was delighted to announce a generous three year sponsorship package for Lisburn Distillery Seconds.

The sponsorship package is a big boost to the Second eleven under manager David Taylor and the club in general. The club would like to thank Mini-Coach Executive Travel & Tours for their commitment to,and support of, Lisburn Distillery.

The Seconds are already wearing a new kit with their sponsor's logo and a team photograph with the new kit will follow shortly.

For more information on Mini-Coach Executive Travel & Tours and the extensive range of services they provide, please click here

This match is ALL TICKET

Tickets will be available from Club Secretary, Andy Thompson at New Grosvenor on Saturday 5th November from 12.45 p.m throughout the televised Aston Villa v Liverpool game in the social club and also in the Club Souvenir Shop before the Armagh City match.

ADMISSION PRICES:Adult - £8, Children/Senior Citizens - £5

Match details

DATE: Wednesday, 9th November 2005

VENUE: Seaview, Belfast

KICK-OFF: 7.45 p.m. (extra time of 15 minutes each way and penalties if necessary)