ABBEY Villa Football Club celebrated their 70th anniversary in style with a formal dinner at Donaghadee Golf Club attended by over 130 people.
Guests on the night included Stephen Dunne MLA, Dennis S Nash BEM, Brian Adams BEM, Stephen Carlisle (Amateur League chair) and Ian Frazer (Down Area League chair).
Despite the loss of his wife Jennie earlier that day, Dennis Nash still found the time and the strength to address the guests with a short history of Abbey Villa’s early days.
Video messages of congratulations were shown from several household names including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Liverpool and Northern Ireland’s Conor Bradley, refereeing royalty Pierluigi Collina and Howard Webb and former Northern Ireland international Jimmy Nicholl.
Irish FA President and long-serving Villa man Conrad Kirkwood was master of ceremonies for the occasion and a dedicated anniversary committee organised the night. The committee included Ryan Munn, Jonathan Busby, Paul Magee, Conrad Kirkwood, Gary Pitman and Simon Wilson.
Presentations were made by both the Amateur League and the Down Area League to honour the anniversary. The occasion was also marked with a special presentation to club president Terry Hegan, who has been at Villa since 1967 when he was brought to the club from Boys’ Brigade B football by then chair Thomas Waugh. Terry has given unwavering service to Villa as a player (twice being named player of the year in 1972 and 1980), captain, manager, committee man, secretary, chair and now in his role of president since 1996. He received a standing ovation.
Local MLA Stephen Dunne paid tribute to the club for their ‘outstanding contribution’ to local sport and community life as they marked their 70th anniversary.
“It was a great privilege to join with so many past and present members of Abbey Villa FC to celebrate this tremendous milestone,” he said.
“Abbey Villa is a club with a proud history at the heart of the community in Millisle and the wider local area, and over the decades, it has provided countless opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in sport, make friendships, and build a sense of belonging,” he added.
“I want to commend the current chairman, Gary Pitman, the club’s committee, players, coaches, volunteers and supporters who have sustained the club through the years and ensured that it continues to thrive. Their dedication and passion have made Abbey Villa more than just a football club.
“Everyone involved at Abbey Villa should be rightly proud of all they have achieved over the past 70 years, and I look forward to continuing to work with them as they continue to serve the local community in the future.”
