By Paul Fitzsimons
REGENT House will endeavour to lift the Belfast and District Schools’ U18 Cup for the first time in their history next week and in doing so, put an end to a run of previous final defeats.
Appearing in the final for the first time in 22 years, and after battling through five rounds of cup football, Regent are keen to make up for lost time when they meet the winners of the Grosvenor Grammar v Ashfield Boys’ High tie on Wednesday, April 17 at the Blanchflower Stadium (1.15pm).
Recalling their cup heartache of the past, former teacher and Regent Football stalwart Martin Bleakley said: “We got to our first Belfast Schools’ Cup final in 1994, losing narrowly to Castlereagh College (now Belfast Met).
“In 1999 we lost 1-0 to St Malachy’s College and in 2002 we again lost to Castlereagh College.
“I still try to get to as many Regent games as possible and wish the boys all the best for the final.”
In a nice piece of family symmetry, the first time Regent made the final in 1994 they were captained by a certain Alan Nixon.
Now, 30 years later, his son Ryan will step out for the school at the very same venue, but will hope to go one better than his father and come home with a winner’s medal.
Someone else who played in the 1994 final is local man John Anderson, who today, through his business Teamwear Ireland, provides Regent footballers with playing kit and training gear.
“As part of the first ever Regent House football team to make a Schools’ Cup final exactly 30 years ago, I was delighted to hear that the school will be making another appearance in this year’s final,” said John.
“I am also pleased that my company, Teamwear Ireland, has supplied the team’s kit (sponsored by Patton’s Bakery) and I am happy to be in a position to provide a set of commemorative warm-up
t-shirts for the players.
“The 1994 team are planning a mini-reunion at the game, which will be a great chance to catch up with some old friends and relive some great memories,” he added.
“We all hope this year’s team can go one better than we could and win the competition for the first time in the school’s history.”
With an anticipated crowd of over 1,000 spectators, it promises to be a day to remember.
