Established in June 1988 by the RUC Station Football League, the Soccer School was first held at the Police Federation Country Club, Carrickfergus. I am having a hard time finding out when the Country Club building was first built, but from the style of building I am guessing 80’s also.
Supported initially by the RUC Benevolent Fund and Welfare Branch the school was there to provide children with the opportunity to be coached in an array of football skills and techniques by invited coaches and International football stars.
The Police Federation Country Club remained the Football Schools spiritual home up until its closure in 1994 were, in the summer of 1995 the school was re-located to the Police Sports Athletic Association grounds in Belfast.
Obviously in Northern Ireland it was extremely dangerous to be a Police Officer, (it still is to a point). So places like this were heavily guarded. It was somewhere where they could relax and have a good time.
The main club was the local bar for many police officers, who unlike mainland police could not got to many public bars as the risk to them was too great.
I remember being in this building as a child with my Primary school. It was part of a Police information day. I can remember pressing my fingers on the glass and then dusting the prints, then collecting them with sellotape.
I am genuinely saddened by the state of the place now.
Supported initially by the RUC Benevolent Fund and Welfare Branch the school was there to provide children with the opportunity to be coached in an array of football skills and techniques by invited coaches and International football stars.
The Police Federation Country Club remained the Football Schools spiritual home up until its closure in 1994 were, in the summer of 1995 the school was re-located to the Police Sports Athletic Association grounds in Belfast.
Obviously in Northern Ireland it was extremely dangerous to be a Police Officer, (it still is to a point). So places like this were heavily guarded. It was somewhere where they could relax and have a good time.
The main club was the local bar for many police officers, who unlike mainland police could not got to many public bars as the risk to them was too great.
I remember being in this building as a child with my Primary school. It was part of a Police information day. I can remember pressing my fingers on the glass and then dusting the prints, then collecting them with sellotape.
I am genuinely saddened by the state of the place now.
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