The latest Touchline Talk from around Rathfriland FC

The committee sincerely thank owner Tom McAvoy for his generosity and support from the Newry Street business and look forward to a partnership in sport and business.

Exciting times are ahead on the pitch with this sponsorship adding to what hopefully will be a positive time for both club and business. Rathfriland FC and The Milestone Service Station – the perfect match!

CLUB SHOP - Anyone wishing to purchase their Rathfriland FC regalia please contact David Davenport on 07840860308.

YOUTH REGISTRATION AND FOOTBALL - Wednesday nights from 7-8pm at Rathfriland FC for the rest of August will see Registration followed by football.

All age groups are welcome from 5-15 years and for new registrations players will need two passport size photographs and a copy of the birth certificate. Membership for the season is 20 with a 2 charge per training night.

It is an exciting time at Rathfriland FC – if you want your child to be part of it please contact David Davenport on 07840860308 or Mark Bickerstaff on 07525214733.

YOUTH FOOTBALL TRAINING CHANGES: U15 training will take place on Tuesday at Rathfriland Community Centre from 6-7pm. U13 training will take place on Wednesday at Rathfriland Community Centre from 7–8pm. The rest of the age groups continue at Iveagh Park on Wednesday from 7–8pm.

IN COMMITTEE! - The September committee meeting will take place on Tuesday October 19 at 7.30pm at the clubrooms.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – Saturday December 6 – Fancy dress fundraising night; Saturday December 11 – Annual Christmas dinner and Christmas draw.

MATCHDAY SPONSORS - Matchday sponsor for Rathfriland Swifts on Saturday past was Maxi Beale. Maxi is a vice president of the club and has been a real driver of the links with Rathfriland FC and the Shared Neighbourhood programme over the last two years.

This is a tremendous gesture by Maxi and the club are indebted to him for his continued personal support.

Matchday sponsor for Rathfriland Colts on Saturday past was Brian Magennis. Brian has been a long time playing servant to the club for a number of years and this is a superb gesture by him towards the club. Well done Brian.

SPONSOR BOARDS - It is the intention of Rathfriland FC to continue to surround the main Iveagh Park pitch with Sponsorship boards over the coming months.

Any person or business wishing to take the opportunity to have their business displayed 24/7 at the Wembley of the Mournes please contact Commercial Manager, Mr Dessie Davenport, on 07767817703.

There will be an initial fee for the “set up” of the board and also a sponsorship subscription, which would be renewed annually.

A big thank you goes to al the local businesses for their sponsor boards at Iveagh Park.

WHAT`S MY LINE? - Brian Todd (President) 028 406 23023; Junior Murray (Chairman) 028 406 71464 / 07850656579; Mark Ingram (Vice-Chairman) 07798733361; Trevor Weir (Secretary) 07980853720; John Annett (Treasurer) 07713511373; Eric Annett (P.R.O.) 07715046132; Dessie Davenport (Commercial Manager) 07767817703; Brian Adair (Rangers Manager) 07789373242; Eric Annett (Swifts Manager) 07715046132; Bobby McDowell (Swifts Assistant Manager) 07796614982; Alex Scott (Colts Manager) 07889220476; David Davenport (Youth Development Officer) 07840860308; Mark Bickerstaff (Youth Coach Co-Ordinator) 07525214733.

RFC ROLL OF HONOUR: 1962 – Rathfriland FC formed; 1965 – Iveagh Park opened; 1975 – Newcastle League Champions, Mid Ulster Shield Winners; 1976 – Mid Ulster Shield Winners, John Magee Cup Winners, Mid Ulster League Champions (Div 4); 1977 – Mid Ulster League Champions (Div 3); 1978 – Mid Ulster Shield Winners, attained 1st Division Mid Ulster League; 1979 – Mid Ulster Shield finalists; 1980 – Pavilion opened; 1982 – Irish Junior Cup finalists, Ingram Park opened; 1996 – Bobby Dalzell Cup finalists; 1997 – Winners NAFL Division 1B; 1998 – Winners NAFL Division 1A; 2005 – John Magee Cup Winners; 2006 – New pavilion opened; 2007 – Bignian Cup Finalists; 2008 – Mid Ulster League Champions (Div 3); 2009 – Foster Cup Finalists.

TRAINING - From next week on Rathfriland FC training will take place at Cheney Park on a Monday evening from 8–10pm and on a Thursday night at Havelock Park from 9–10pm (Seconds & Thirds only – Firsts still at Iveagh Park). A 2 charge will be required for the Banbridge venues. All new and existing players welcome.

SPONSOR DAY - This Saturday sees the annual Sponsor Day at Rathfriland FC whereby the club in some small way gives something back to those who have financially and practically supported the club over the last year.

From a footballing point of view the Saturday in question doesn’t come any bigger with Rangers at home to Loughgall in the quarter final of the Bob Radcliffe Cup and the Swifts at home to three in a row and current holders of the Junior Cup Immaculata of Belfast. Events off the pitch kick off at 12.30pm while events on the pitch kick off at 2pm.

FIXTURE BOARD – RANGERS: Saturday October 16 – home to Loughgall in the quarter final of Bob Radcliffe Cup. Kick off 2pm.

SWIFTS - Saturday October 16 – home to Immaculata in the Coca Cola Junior Cup. Kick off 2pm.

COLTS – Saturday October 16 – away to Dromara III in league. Kick off 2pm.

RANGERS HOME TO LOUGHGALL - This Saturday Rathfriland Rangers host Loughgall of the Championship in a massive Bob Radcliffe Cup quarter final at Iveagh Park. Loughgall, Rangers manager Brian Adair’s former employers have won this competition a number of times and Adair was very much part of all that.

He now has the opportunity to lock horns with former boss Niall Currie and in cup competition anything can happen.

There is added spice to the game with former Loughgall players such as Willie Herron, Ryan Evans, Luke Ebdon, Ally Wilson and Clifford Sterritt all having the opportunity to ply their wits in the tie of the round.

A large crowd is expected for this one. Kick off 2pm.

SWIFTS HOME TO IMMACULATA IN JUNIOR CUP - Rathfriland Swifts this Saturday host Immaculata of Belfast in the second round of the Coca Cola Junior Cup. This fixture came very close to being the official tie of the round with the Falls Road outfit sitting proud at the top of the Amateur Legaue Division 2A. Immaculata are the current holders of the most prestigious cup competition in junior football and also three in a row winners as well! One could count the number of games they have lost in all competitions in the last three years in one hand – they just don`t come any tougher than this but that`s the beauty of these cups and the interest that they bring with them. Kick off 2pm.

COLTS AWAY TO DROMARA - This Saturday Rathfriland Colts travel to Dromara III’s in a league fixture. The Colts had another great win on Saturday with a 2 – 1 home win and will be looking to continue that form on Saturday. Kick off 2pm.

SENTRY DUTY - Saturday October 16 – Barbara M, Rodney P, David W.