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       #Post#: 17808--------------------------------------------------
       Belfast United
       By: glen man Date: December 28, 2023, 8:05 am
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       A blast from the past, not directly related to OWC, but
       interesting none the less, mentions the fabled 40K capacity
       stadium this time on Queens island in Belfast.
       From what I remember at the time this was a complete non-starter
       and the only angle I recall is Eamon Holmes being its chief
       cheer leader - doesn't mention if he was going to abandon man
       Utd to become 'fan number 1' tho!
  HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67832071
       This 2nd article/link notes the conflict between Ronnie Spence,
       the then permanent secretary of the Department of the
       Environment, who "hoped that a Belfast-based team would "be able
       to build up strong cross-community support".  I'm guessing if
       Ronnie was from N.I, he was from a nice MC background, had went
       to a rugger playing grammar school and had never been to a
       football match in his life, but had a jolly old time supporting
       Ulster and Ireland.
       His counterpart in the Department of Economic Development, Gerry
       Loughran, had a much more realistic view IMO, "recommending the
       writings of Nick Hornby to Mr Spence, (Loughran) was skeptical
       that local football fans would transfer their allegiances from
       English and Scottish teams. These were "bonds for life" in which
       "the passion never dulls".
       
       Wonder who Gerry supported?
  HTML https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67770678
       #Post#: 17809--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Belfast United
       By: exhausted Date: December 28, 2023, 8:33 am
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       Already has a thread
  HTML https://ourweecountry2020.createaforum.com/irish-league/i-thought-our-home-grown-politicians-were-idiots/msg17807/#msg17807#msg17807
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