SLIDESHOW: Billy hailed for half-century of service to league
Glowing tributes were paid at the Ballymena & Provincial League annual dinner to league secretary Billy McIlroy, who has completed his 50th season of being associated with the league.
Billy was presented with a special memento by Councillor Tommy Nicholl, representing Mid and East Antrim Council, who paid tribute to the Ballymena man’s service.
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Hide Ad“Billy was always associated with the Cullybackey team and we, in Cullybackey, are very proud of him.
“He has been a marvellous servant for football in the Ballymena area and he deserves all the plaudits he receives.”
League vice-chairman Robert Fenton echoed those sentiments, noting that the occasion was made all the more special for Billy by the attendance of his wife Pat, daughter Lisa and son-in-law James.
“This is very much a golden moment for Billy and he is very much the golden man of this league.
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Hide Ad“Billy McIlroy’s name is now synonymous throughout the corridors of power at Windsor Avenue.
“Everyone knows which league he represents and everyone knows his standing - he has earned that respect over the years.
“To serve 50 years, never mind as a league representative, is simply unheard of and phenomenal.
“We will never see his like again in this league. No one individual could take on the responsibility and have the enthusiasm, drive and passion to see the league develop.”
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Hide AdBilly himself reflected upon his involvement in what has also been known as the Ballymena & District Junior League and Ballymena & District Premier League, which first kicked off in 1948, from his involvement as a player with Wakehurst and Cullybackey before turning his attention to becoming a highly-accomplished administrator.
“Young people today don’t know they’re living,” smiled Billy.
“I remember pedalling a bicycle 20 miles to a match, then getting changed in a ditch and afterwards, having a bath in a nearby river.
“When you played at venues like Coronation Park, on a good day you were up to the ankles (in mud) - on a bad day, you were up to the knees!”
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