Football For All Unsung Hero Awards Evening, November 2009

FOOTBALL For All Ambassador, Colin Murray, hosted the Football For All Unsung Hero Awards Night on Saturday night in the Great Hall, in the impressive Belfast City Hall. Our very own Stephen Calvert was awarded Outstanding Contribution to Womens Football. Newtownabbey Strikers goalkeeper Angela Platt presents Stephen Calvert with his award (see below).

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Newtownabbey Strikers W.F.C., the top women’s football team in Northern Ireland, held their Annual End of Season Presentation on Saturday 3rd October 2009 at The Corrs Corner Hotel in Newtownabbey.  With players, staff, parents, supporters and football associates alike plus special guests the Deputy Mayor of Newtownabbey and Crusaders FC representatives, the evening was a very enjoyable occasion.

2009 proved to be another packed season full of competitive matches.  After a close fought competition Newtownabbey Strikers beat rivals Glentoran Belfast united to lift the title of Carnegie Premier League Champions for the first time in 3 years.  The club also won the Carrickfergus Ladies International Football Festival Shield competition but just missed out on the prestigious title of Coca Cola Irish FA Women’s Cup Champions after being beaten by rivals Glentoran Belfast United 1-0 in the final.

Strikers Reserves could not add any silverware after their league efforts fell short in the newly established Reserve League.  They were semi-finalists in the Divisional Cup.

As for awards presented on the night the deserved winners were:

1st Team Manager’s Player of the Season – Danielle McDowell
Reserve Team Manager’s Player of the Season – Nicole Connolly
1st Team Player’s Player of the Season – Angela Platt
Reserve Team Player’s Player of the Season – Nicole Connolly
1st Team Top Goalscorer – Terri Harper (17 goals)
2nd Team Top Goalscorer – Paula McConnell (9 goals)
Recognition Awards – Elaine Roden, Danielle McDowell (for their coaching work with the Strikers Junior squads). Laura (for her work as secretary and website administrator). Brian Roden, Eddie Armour and Mr Dickinson (for their support this season).

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Carnegie Premier League Champions 2009

Champagne corks popped at a soggy Seaview on Wednesday night – only this time for our fab ladies. Yes indeed it was Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers who made the guys move over as they celebrated winning the Carnegie Premier League.

 And Stephen – if you’re ever looking for a striker if David, Ross, Mark or Jordan aren’t available – then look no further than Terri – Terri Harper that is!  Before the game she’s eight to her credit in the league – and so she proves her class by putting the Strikers in front for her ninth with a great header. She’s also been on target in the cup as well and is a lass Glentoran Belfast United will be keeping firm tabs on when it comes to the Coca Cola Cup Final next month. Oh yes – the Strikers are in that too – of course they are!

Our girls were already assured of the league title and could not be overtaken by second-placed Glentoran Belfast United. Nevertheless they go all out for another win – and get it - beating Mid-Ulster Ladies two-nil in their final game.

Only losing once in the league all season we finish three points clear. Nice way to face our meeting with Glentoran in the Coca Cola Irish FA Cup on 11 September. You’ll be there won’t you?

 So Terri heads us in front first half – while Danielle McDowell fired in a second after the break to make it safe. Conditions by the way awful – continuous rain under grey skies and muggy but the pace never slackens and a word of praise for the visitors - they too stuck at it and give us a decent game. .

 Manager Stephen Calvert said it was very satisfying to win the title after coming second in the last two years.

 “We’ve a new coach this year – Jeff Montgomery – who has worked the girls really hard and it’s obviously paid off. - and of course winning this title means we have a place in Europe next season.”

  Strikers’ captain Nadine Murphy agreed their coaching had been first class.

 “We had a totally different outlook this year both on and off the field and we’re now confidently looking forward to the Coca Cola Cup final next month.”

 “We’ve beaten Glentoran Belfast United home and away this season in the league but of course they’re the cup holders so they won’t give up the trophy  easily – but winning the league with just one defeat I think proves we are consistent performers,"

Report by Bill Smyth

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The Carrickfergus International Women's Football Festival 2009 - Plate Winners

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Season 2009 saw Newtownabbey Strikers welcome their affiliation with Irish League mens club Crusaders Football Club.

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Newtownabbey Strikers W.F.C. 6- A-Side Indoor Football Tournament

The club held an indoor 6-a-side football tournament for females aged 14+ on Sunday 7th December 2008 at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown.

The teams were drawn into two leagues:

TEAM	LEAGUE A	TEAM	LEAGUE B
1	MID-ULSTER	1	DOLLY MIXTURES (PREDS)
2	STRIKERS RED	2	STRIKERS BLUE
3	BELFAST UTD	3	ST MATTS
4	BLACKIEVILLE UTD	4	BLACKIEVILLE SENIORS
5	GLENAVON	5	DONEGAL CELTIC

Folowing all the group fixures the table results where:

LEAGUE A						LEAGUE B
TEAMS	WON	LOST	DREW	POINTS		TEAMS	WON	LOST	DREW	POINTS
STRIKERS RED	3	0	1	10		STRIKERS BLUE	3	0	1	10
BELFAST UTD	2	1	1	7		ST MATTS	3	0	1	10
MID-ULSTER	2	2	0	6		DONEGAL CELTIC	1	2	1	4
GLENAVON	2	2	0	6		PREDS	1	2	1	4
B'VILLE UTD	0	4	0	0		B'VILL SENIORS	0	4	0	0

In League B N'Abbey Strikers Blue beat St Matts 9-7 on goal difference to take 1st place.

Semi-Final 1: (League A Winners) Strikers Red vs (League B Runners-up) St Matts

Semi-Final 2: (League B Winners) Strikers Blue vs (League A Runner-up) Belfast United

3rd Place: St Matts vs Belfast United

Final: N'Abbey Strikers Red vs N'Abbey Strikers Blue

Results:

Tournament Winners: Newtownabbey Strikers Red

Runners Up: Newtownabbey Strikers Blue

3rd Place: Belfast United

Top Goalscorer: Paula McConnell (x5 goals for N'Abbey Strikers Red)

Player of Tournament: Rachel Rogan (St Matts)

Thanks to all the teams that participated: Belfast United, Blackieville United, Blackieville Seniors, Donegal Celtic, Glenavon, Mid-Ulster, Dolly Mixtures (Predators), St Matts, Strikers Blue and Strikers Red and congratulations to all the award winners.

Special thanks to the voluntary referees Ronnie, Eddie, Tuda and Lee, Newtownabbey Borough Council for providing participation gifts and The Beautiful Game for sponsoring the awards.

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The Carrickfergus International Women's Football Festival 2008 - Winners

The 6th Annual Carrickfergus International Ladies Football Festival was held at Taylor's Avenue in July 2008. Being Newtownabbey Strikers's 6th year in the competition and having been Championship Runners-Up in 2007 the club had a desire to get their hands on the main prize. They did not disappoint beating newcomers Newbridge Predators in round 1, then main rivals Glentoran Belfast United in the Semi-Final to go on to beat the NI Under 19 Development Squad 2-0 in the Final through fantastic goals from Elaine Roden and Clare Carson. Well done everyone who participate and special thanks to everyone that came to support the club.

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NIWFA Premier League Runners-Up 2007

The season ended with Newtownabbey Strikers 1sts just missing out on the Premier League title. Although they scored more goals than rivals Glentoran/Belfast United, conceding more home goals against them went against them and the Glens snatched the title.

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NIWFA Premier League Cup Winners 2007

Having lost the league to their main rivals Strikers put up a determined fight to win the Premier League Cup. The match was a closely fought game, going to extra time, penalties and even sudden death. Newtownabbey Strikers were able to hold it together and lift the trophy after a very close competition. Lisa Armour was named player of the match for an outstanding performance.

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Coca Cola Irish F.A. Cup 2007

The final of the Coca Cola Irish F.A. Cup was held at Taylors Avenue, Carrickfergus. It was to be a another tough match against the two top teams in Northern Ireland, Newtownabbey Strikers vs Glentoran/Belfast United. Strikers went 1 - 0 down early in the 1st half but were able to get a late equaliser in the 2nd. However a wonder strike from an unlikely source minutes from full time killed off any chance of Strikers lifting the prestigious trophy.

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NIWFA Intermediate B League Winners 2007

2007 season seen a very successful return for the Newtownabbey Strikers Reserve Team. They won their Intermediate B league with great confiction, scoring an amazing 112 goals and only conceding 8. With no perminant goalkeeper their performances throughout the season was exceptional.

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NIWFA Intermediate B League Cup Winners 2007

Having won their league they fancied making it two trophies and they did not disappoint. Their opponents Northland Raiders IIIs gave them a tough game but it was through goals from Terri Harper and Nicole Vance that finally won the match 2-1 to give Strikers Reserves their second trophy of their first season back.

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The Carrickfergus International Women's Football Festival 2007

The 5th Annual Carrickfergus International Ladies Football Festival was held at Taylor's Avenue in June 2007. This was Newtownabbey Striker's 5th year of competing in the competition. This year they beat main League rivals Glentoran Belfast United and Nationwide team Larne Ladies. They met Alevsa in the group stage beating them 2-1, only to be beaten 1-0 by Boavista in the Championship Final.

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NIWFA Premier League Runners-Up 2006

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The Carrickfergus International Women's Football Festival 2006

The 4th Annual Carrickfergus International Ladies Football Festival was held at Taylor's Avenue. This year the team picked up the Tournament Plate Winners, for the third time running, beating Carrick Rangers in the final.

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UEFA Women's Cup 2006/2007 - 8th August - 13th August 2006

After winning the N.I.W.F.A. League in 2005, in August 2006 Newtownabbey Strikers travelled to Austria to compete against the best teams around the world. This year Newtownabbey Strikers played against Neulengbach of Austria (Host Nation), Breidablick of Iceland and Dezembro of Portugal.

Results:

Tuesday 8th August 2006 vs Neulengbach (AUS) - Lost 5 - 1 (Rosie Clarke)

Thursday 10th August 2006 vs CSU 1 Dezembro (POR) - Lost 7 - 1 (Helen McKenna)

Sunday 13th August 2006 vs Breidablik (ISL) - Lost 7 - 0

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Inaugural Nationwide Irish F.A. Women's Cup Winners 2005

Picking up their second trophy of the 2005 season Newtownabbey Strikers beat Northland Raiders 2-0 to win the first year of this competition after goals from Carol Bonnes and Laura Johnston. The match was watched by Craigavon Lord Mayor George Savage, IFA President Jim Boyce, IFA Chief Executive Howard Wells, IFA Performance Coordinator of Girls and Women's Football Alife Wylie and Northern Ireland Women's Football Association Chairwoman Maura Muldoon amongst a good supportive crowd.

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NIWFA Premier League Winners 2005

This is the third year in four that Newtownabbey Strikers have won the Premier League title, again boasting an unbeaten record. Scoring an impressive 33 goals and only conceding 7. Strikers were the team to beat with only last years Champions Belfast United coming close to snatching the title from them.

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The Carrickfergus International Women's Football Festival 2005

The 3rd Annual Carrickfergus International Ladies Football Festival was held at Taylor's Avenue between the 29th June and 1st July 2005. This was Newtownabbey Striker's third year of competing in the competition. This year they competed against Liverpool Ladies, Larne Ladies and Carrick Rangers. With exceptional performances throughout the tournament Strikers beat off Cliftonville Ladies in the Final of the Shield Cup to win their first piece of silverware of the season. (See upcoming link for match reports)

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Athletic Club Bilbao Trip - April 2005

As part of our pre-season preparation the club travelled to Bilbao Spain to compete against hosts Athletic Club and Barcelona.

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Templepatrick Girls Football Club - January 2005

Newtownabbey strikers welcomed Templepatrick Girls Football Club to be their junior club, with Clare Forsythe, Terri Harper and Laura Johnston joining the coaching staff.

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N.I.W.F.A. League Runners Up and Premier Cup and Divisional Cup Winners 2004

Although Strikers had an uncharacteristically disappointing start to the season they finished on a high regaining the Premier Cup title and adding the Divisional Cup title to their achievements. They also put on a fine recovering throughout the season to finish runners up in the N.I.W.F.A League.

The reserve team also achieved medal status coming runners up in the Belfast Division League Cup.

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UEFA Women's Cup - Romania 2004

Having won the N.I.W.F.A. League in 2003/2004, for the second year running, Newtownabbey Srikers qualified to compete in this years UEFA Women's Cup Tournament, held in Romania. We competed against Athletic Club of Spain, Maccabi Holon of Israel and the hosts CFF Clujana of Romania in the first. The girls put up a brave fight in tremendously hot weather conditions return to Northern Ireland with their heads held high to very proud supporters. Well done to everyone involved.

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NIWFA Division 1 and Premier Cup Winners 2003

The competition was tougher this year with the fate of the NIWFA Division 1 trophy relying on the result of the last match of the season. Our performance overshone our apponents for us to lift the Division 1 League Trophy for the second year in a row. And not to be outshone by the previous season we performed once again to claim the Premier Cup Trophy.

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UEFA Women's Cup - Sweden 2003

After winning the NIWFA Division 1 for the first time we qualified to compete in the UEFA Women's Cup that was held in Umea, Sweden. We came up against last years competition Champions Umea Ik, of Sweden, Slavia Prag of the Czech Republic and F.C. Clujana of Romania. The experience was physically and mentally draining but has made the squad stronger and more determined to perform at this high level in the near future.

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NIWFA Division 1 and Premier Cup Winners 2002

We played are best season ever by boasting an unbeaten record in our league to clinch our first trophy. This season was to excel itself when through team work and determination we achieved more success in lifting the Premier Cup Trophy. What a year!

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The Carrickfergus International Womens Football Festival 2003

This tournament was held at Taylors Avenue, Carrickfergus in July 2003. We were invited along with six other teams from N. Ireland, Rep. of Ireland, Wales and England to compete. We made it into the semi-finals only to be beaten by Combined Irish Universities 3-4 on penalities.

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Newtownabbey Strikers Vs Manchester United Ladies - March 2003

The club travelled to Manchester for a pre-season match against Manchester United Ladies in March 2003. Although the match result went against us the overall trip was a success and very enjoyable.

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Newtownabbey Challenge Cup 2002

This Women's International Soccer Tournament was held at Parkview Hockey Club in Doagh on the 3rd August 2002. Competing teams were the Sundance Kids and Butch Cassidys of Martoni Ladies from England, St. Catherines F.C. from Rep. of Ireland, Athletes in Action from Canada, Sparta Ladies from Coleraine, Parkview Ladies from Doagh and Newington F.C. from Belfast. The event was a success with St. Catherines of Dublin winning overall.

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Westport - 2001

A new venture this year was travelling to Westport in Ireland to take part in a national outdoor 5-a-side tournament. In this we reached the semi-finals only to be beaten by Arsenal Ladies from England.

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Whitehill Welfare Ladies - August 2000

In August 2000 we travelled to Scotland taking part in an outdoor 7-a-side soccer tournament organised by Whitehill Welfare Ladies. This was a very enjoyable weekend not only as a team building effort but we won the tournament beating all our Scottish rivals.

Previous to this we were triumphant in winning an indoor 5-a-side soccer tournament at Dungannon Leisure Centre beating our local rivals.

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Holland Cup - 1997

Newtownabbey Strikers are proud to have taken part in the Holland Cup in 1997 in which we made it all the way to the final, beating teams from the USA, Switzerland, Denmark and Germany but failing however to win against the Taiwan National Team in the final. This was disappointing but we had done ourselves and our country proud and the memories will stay with us for many years to come.