Belfast Deaf United Football Club
Belfast Deaf United is the only deaf football club in Northern Ireland and, as of 2020, was playing in the Down Area Winter Football League.[1][2] One of two deaf football clubs on the island of Ireland,[3] the club play their home matches at the City of Belfast playing fields at Mallusk.[1]
The club was originally known as the Belfast Deaf Mute Football Club and reputedly founded in 1900.[4] The first club chairperson was Francis Maginn, a deaf activist in the early 20th century. Maginn was elected, along with other club officers, at a meeting held in August 1900.[5] In September 1929, the club were admitted to the "Belfast Minor League".[6] The football club played until World War II when, after the war, three local deaf football clubs were formed; Ulster Institute for the Deaf (FP), Kinghan Church (KC) and St Joseph's.[citation needed] After these three clubs folded in the late 1960s, management representatives from each former club got together and decided to form Belfast Deaf United. The new club was formed in 1967.[citation needed]
Belfast Deaf United has played in various football leagues across the Greater Belfast area since its formation, including the Down Area League and the Belfast District Football League.[7][8] The club has also participated in the annual British Deaf Cup,[9] a tournament which involves the top deaf football clubs across the United Kingdom.[10] Competing in the British Deaf Cup on several occasions,[11][12] the club won the competition in 2011, 2012 and 2014.[10][13] A number of club members have also represented Ireland at the Deaflympics.[14]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Belfast Deaf United". dawfl.com. Down Area Winter Football League. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ "Football". dsni.co.uk. Disability Sport Northern Ireland. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020.
Belfast Deaf United [..] play in the Premier Section of the Down Area Winter League
- ^ "Clubs". deafsportsireland.com. Deaf Sports Ireland. Archived from the original on 14 January 2020.
- ^ @beldeafutd (21 September 2017). "Official club founding date: 24/8/1900" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Belfast Deaf Mute Football Club". Ballymena Weekly Telegraph. 25 August 1900. p. 7 – via britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk.
A meeting was held [..] in connection with the Deaf Football Club [..] The officers elected were: Chairman Mr. F. Maginn [..]
- ^ "Association Football". Belfast Newsletter. 18 September 1929. p. 12 – via britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk.
Everton and Belfast Deaf Mutes were admitted to the Belfast Minor League at the meeting of the management committee last night in the Irish League offices. Mr. W. H. M'Clatchey (chairman) presiding
- ^ "Football: Local side contest Brirish Deaf Cup". newsletter.co.uk. The News Letter. 6 November 2008. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020.
Belfast Deaf United [..] has recently been promoted to the Down Area Premier Division and are holding their own so far in this mainstream league with a top six position
- ^ "New players wanted for Belfast Deaf United". nideaf.com. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
Belfast Deaf United [..] currently play in the Belfast District Football League Premier Division
- ^ "Irish Football Association - Activity Report - 2017-2018" (PDF). irishfa.com. Irish Football Association. 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
Belfast Deaf United participated in the 2017-18 British Deaf Cup [..] Notable victories on the way to the plate final included a thumping 8-2 win against Brighton and Hove Albion
- ^ a b "Deaf football - British Deaf Cup". irishfa.com. Irish Football Association. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
Belfast Deaf United won the British Deaf Cup 2011, 2012 and 2014 [..] The British Deaf Cup represents an elite standard of football
- ^ "Stormont MLAs' football team embarrassed in 13-0 defeat". belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Belfast Telegraph. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- ^ "Belfast Deaf Target Semi-Final Place". Belfast Telegraph. 30 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020 – via pressreader.com.
- ^ "Belfast take the spoils in British Deaf Football Cup Finals". SL First Magazine. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "Ireland look for medals at Deaflympics". fai.ie. Football Association of Ireland. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
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