Billy "The Beat" Beatty - Omagh Rugby Club

Ken Beattie, the current secretary of Omagh Accies, has been collecting a few stories about our founding member Mr Billy "The Beat" Beatty. We have selected a few that we can print here. Please read and enjoy what was truly the beginning of Omagh Accies Rugby Club

Alan Buchanan – Speedboat to Donegal

During the period when Billy had no driving licence he would bring a driver to go with him for the weekend to Dunfanaghy.

Sean Hynes , who worked for Billy servicing oil burners ,told me of one particular time that he was asked to go. After picking up the usual supplies, steaks, eggs, drinks, along with any ice that was in the rugby club bar, they headed for Donegal. But Sean knew that his role as driver would end at the border. Sure enough he was told to pull over, Billy would drive the remainder of the journey. He seemed sure that he was legal to drive in the "Free State".

Things were going fine until they heard the motorist behind them continually sounding his horn and flashing his lights. Little remarks was passed at first but Billy was starting to get annoyed by the behaviour of the motorist behind them.

They carried on with Billy cursing under his breath .Eventually the man pulled out and passed them and then proceeded to pull in at the side of the road, got out of his car and waved Billy down.

Ready to give him a piece of his mind ,Billy jumped out and asked the modest Donegal local if he had any problem with his driving. He was assured that his driving was fine, but he just wanted to let them know that their speedboat had fallen of 3 miles back down the road.

Alan Buchanan

Alan Buchanan – Speedboat to Donegal

During the period when Billy had no driving licence he would bring a driver to go with him for the weekend to Dunfanaghy.

They carried on with Billy cursing under his breath .Eventually the man pulled out and passed them and then proceeded to pull in at the side of the road, got out of his car and waved Billy down.

Alan Buchanan

David McCurdy

My Beat story is quite poignant.

The Saturday following the Beat’s funeral his ashes were sprinkled on the halfway line by Ken Kingston before KO, by coincidence Omagh were playing Cooke, Gordon McFarland was Accies Captain, and I was Captain of Cooke (we’re cousins). My Dad would have been very proud, it was emotional for me, and of course the Accies won (the only consolation was that I scored), but it’s still a very personal memory for me.

David McCurdy

Eddie Giboney Sun Setting on Taj Mahal

In 1981 Omagh Academicals 1st XV, were in section 4 of the Junior League, having been promoted the previous year, during which we did not lose a league match. We had also acquitted ourselves favorably in a number of cup competitions. This resulted in an invitation being extended to play in the Senior Cup. A tremendous honour considering our lowly league position
In the first round we were drawn against Ballymena, at Eaton Park. Their team featured Ulster, Ireland and two British Lions players. We were given little chance of progressing. As usual ‘The Beat’, immaculately turned out in his trademark green tracksuit was our touch judge. Willie John McBride opened the scoring with a try which was converted. Ballymena had an unusually quiet day on the score sheet and we played well above ourselves. Late in the game Aidan Lagan kicked a long range penalty to leave the final score 15 - 6 in our favour. As the ball sailed between the posts ‘The Beat’, an always unbiased touch judge, commented. “It was the most beautiful sight in the world - just like the sun setting over The Taj Mahal.” Later whilst in the changing room he told us another story as he was almost doubled over in laughter. A Ballymena alickadoo came across to our pitch having been watching another game. He asked ‘The Beat’ what the score was and on being told, shook his head, and in his best Ulster-Scots, muttered “ Cudnae be. (Could not be). Cudnae be..” For most of the next year, if you met ‘The Beat’, you were greeted with the phrase “Cudnae be” followed by a laugh which shook his whole body.
Our reward for beating Ballymena was a home tie against Instonians in the next round. There was considerable interest by the media, with Jim Neely visiting the club to record a vox pox, for BBC sport. Instonions had a number of Irish players on show. Prior to the current tactic of resting International players, they were required to turn out for their clubs when not on International duty. Instonians scrum half, Colin Patterson, and winger Keith Crossan, played against Scotland, Omagh and Wales on consequent Saturdays. There was a large and raucous crowd on the sideline, with lots of Belfast banter. As always ‘The Beat’ was our Touch Judge, resplendent in his immaculate green tracksuit. At one stage during the match, we were under considerable and sustained pressure close to our line. We stole an Instonians lineout and kicked for touch with the ball crossing the sideline just past the 22-meter line. ‘The Beat’ ran down the line and was generous in his interpretation of where the ball went out. He put up his flag close to the 10-meter line. A voice rang out from the crowd “Hi Mister, are you running the line or running to catch a bus.” ‘The Beat’ turned around, glared at him for a couple of seconds, and walked forward to the halfway line and put up his flag. He remained unmoved despite uproar from the away supporters. Alas the final score was 10 – 9 in favor of the visitors.
Eddie Giboney

Images below Supplied by David Logan

Harry Gilmore – The North Coast Drive

During the late seventies or possibly early eight eighties Beat was serving a UK wide twelve-month driving ban. It caused him much inconvenience alleviated only by its exemption in the Republic of Ireland. Conveniently, once he had someone to drive the car as far as Lifford he was free to enjoy his beloved Dunfanaghy and the caravan.
As an annual treat for his two sisters, Doreen and Clara, Beat would take them on a summer trip along the beautiful North Antrim coast road. His dilemma this time was who would he trust to drive the vehicle. Although this was no small ask as it entailed at least a five hour commitment I felt honoured to be invited and readily accepted the commission.
We departed Beat`s residence at Irishtown on a Sunday morning at 9 am, me at the wheel, Beat beside me and the two girls in the back. Billy had the boot stocked with food and flasks of tea and coffee. We didn`t stop for a break till we reached Larne. Then on through Glenarm, Cushendall, Cushendun heading towards Ballycastle when he called a halt at a nice picnic area. There was a great selection of food as you`d expect, Billy being a prolific eater. We all sat eating and chatting merrily until Beat got up and started fussing around the car leaving me in the company of his sisters. Not unusually back then the conversation soon came round to law and order. The girls were of the view, not uncommonly held at the time but not strictly true of course, that the police weren`t doing enough to apprehend real criminals but were more interested in annoying decent people. Furthermore, half the men in the country were driving around full drunk but it was “only people like our Billy who drinks the odd sherry that ever get caught”.

Harry Gilmore - Veronica

Now I wasn`t in Hughd`s bar when it took place but Beat recounted this story to me on more than one occasion and I have no reason to doubt its veracity.
Mollie McGinley, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal ran a small but popular public house on the main street. She had a young female summer assistant named Veronica who would take over while Mollie was resting or otherwise engaged. Veronica was aged about 18 and was a first year student at Letterkenny College. A local girl she was quiet and shy who if she even spoke at all she just said Hi. She was all ears though and was believed to be one of those who would `take all in`. It was an evening when a group of locals, Beat included, all seated round the bar, all in the same conversation which was, rather innocuously, on the subject of what nicknames they possessed in their youth. Just as the subject was drawing to a close didn`t Veronica pipe up and say “when I was at school they called me the mersey tunnel.” A stunned silence engulfed the assembled company for a few moments until broken by the eruption of a loud chorus of raucous laughter.
It later transpired that her father was one those many Irishmen who built the MT.

Harry Gilmore – Boat Trip

The Beat`s favourite watering hole in Dunfanaghy was Hughd`s Bar. It was owned by Molly McGinley a widow, who carried on the licence following the death of her husband Hughd. She ran a tight ship and didn`t suffer fools gladly. Billy liked that. It was one of those small pubs where most of the drinkers sat around the bar often engaging in the same conversation. His favourite time to spend there was the noon to 2pm opening on Sundays.
Beat kept a flat bottomed fiberglass boat with a powerful outboard engine moored at Marble Hill. He had invited a few of us to stay in the caravan with him over a weekend and after a heavy Saturday night in town and a huge breakfast Billy decided as the weather was good we would take a Sunday morning boat trip out to sea. There was Beat, me, Archie, Ivan Tierney, Knoxy Wilson and I think Jimmy Boyd. We were headed towards Tory Island when the outboard spluttered and died. There was no panic as we had oars and it was expected another vessel passing by would render assistance. Archie and I rowed as strongly as we could but were making no progress and were in fact drifting further out. Beat blew his top. FFS he shouted at us,” we`re going to miss the twelve o`clock session in Hughd`s !” At this juncture we were about to fire the flares when a fishing boat from Tory appeared and kindly towed us back to shore where we disembarked and arrived with Molly a mere twenty minutes late for a rake of well-deserved pints.

Below Supplied by John McCandless
Building the Pavillion

John McCandles gave me the photo above of the Volunteers who helped build the Pavilion at the Club in 1970. There have been some suggestions that Jimmy Carberry was involved in the design of the steelwork for the main hall. What is not in doubt is that the Master Builder was Billy Beatty himself.

The Beat and the Lord Chief Justice

I have been asked to recount some memories of my adventures with the ‘Beat’.

On one such occasion I invited the Beat as my guest to the centenary celebration dinner, for Queens University Rugby Football Club. It was a well-attended affair and one of the guest speakers was the Lord Chief Justice at that time, Lord McDermott.
He gave a mixed account of his own rugby experiences which were largely confined to rugby in the North West of the Province.
He recalled one particularly hard fought encounter between Omagh & Strabane. It was a brutal hard fought match between the 2 rivals and at one stage he even recalls tucking down into a suitable spot and letting the game pass over him.
As McDermott continued with his speech I could see the Beat getting increasingly agitated, no doubt with the comments made by the Speaker.
Once McDermott sat down – the Beat took it on himself to respond to the comments made, and not only stood up but proceeded to get up on the table, where he would be better seen & heard, so that all could hear his criticisms of the previous speaker’s remarks. There was much cheering and cajoling from those present. To which the Beat responded most capably until eventually he sat down, but content that he had made his feelings known, as he strongly defended his beloved rugby club from the North West.
Hugh Johnston

Mervyn Beattie – in an interview with Ken Beattie

Billy Beatty was a regular visitor to Dunfanaghy to stay in his caravan there. Important Accies were invited by The Beat to stay the weekend in his caravan. Mervyn Beattie was one of the chosen few. The Beat was usually up early on Sunday mornings to cook massive Irish breakfasts for his invited guests.
However, on one weekend a lot of drink was taken on the Saturday night. As a result of this Mervyn was suffering a terrible hangover. When presented with the Beat’s signature breakfast Mervyn knew that he could not eat it. Mervyn noticed that the Beat had gone outside the caravan and Mervyn decided to dump the breakfast out of the caravan window. Unfortunately, the Beat was outside the caravan window changing the gas cylinder and was not impressed when Mervyn’s breakfast came down over his head.

However, despite this unfortunate incident Mervyn and the Beat remained friends with Mervyn being a great support to Billy in the last 2 years of his life by carrying out Secretary duties and acting as touch- judge for the 1st XV matches.

Hi Kenny
I have many fond memories of Billy but only 2 things stand out in my mind-his generosity and his love for the Club.
I arrived in Omagh in October 1961 on a meagre bank clerk’s salary.
I recall my first trip to Dublin for an international when he approached me and 'quietly ‘stuffed a fiver in my pocket saying 'this could be a rough weekend.'
A fiver may not seem much but when a sirloin steak with full trimmings in the Royal Arms cost 7/6 the equivalent of thirty seven and a half pence £5 was a lot.
His generosity took another twist when he ran the touch line and often added a yard or so in our favour.
I wonder do many of the young players of today know just how much Billy contributed to the history of the Club. It was he who wrote to the Mellons and secured the money £11,500 to buy the ground.
The Club was the 'Beat's baby and he loved it dearly.
There are perhaps other memories which are not for recounting!
These are just a few thoughts Kenny about a man whom I greatly admired.
Kind regards
Ted

Another instance comes to mind. It was when I visited him in hospital in Belfast.
While he was concerned about his own serious illness he would be concerned about others in the ward pointing out how ill they were.
He never gave up hope and was a fighter to the end!
Again regards
Ted Parkes

Ken Duncan – Benign Dictator

WILLIAM J. BEATTY ( THE BEAT” ) ( 1923 – 1988)
It is no exaggeration to say that without Billy Beattie Omagh Academicals Rugby Football Club, as we know and admire it today, would simply not exist in its present form .
Not only was he a founder member of the club in 1952, he was from its instigation the Honorary Club Secretary, a role he fulfilled for the rest of his life until his untimely death in 1988. Under his stewardship and a regime that could best be described as a benign dictatorship, the Accies grew to become one of the most successful and innovative junior clubs in Ireland.
Billy demonstrated his entrepreneurial skills early on when he organized a tour by the Accies to Paris during the 1955/56 season. Thirty two Accies flew to France on 27th January 1956 , played a match against the Racing Club de France the following morning and then attended the Stade Colombes for the France v Ireland match that afternoon . It was almost unheard of for a junior Irish club to play a fixture in France in that era . Omagh won 6-3. Sadly Ireland lost 14-8.
For the first three years after the club’s formation its teams played their home matches on the Omagh Academy school grounds before moving in 1955 to the Showgrounds in the centre of Omagh. These grounds were owned by the Tyrone Farming Society and were enjoyed by the Accies on generous terms but it was always Billy’s ambition that the club should acquire their own playing fields. That opportunity presented itself in 1968 when the 21acre site in Coneywarren became available. The price paid was £10,500, the equivalent of almost £250,000 today. To help with the fundraising for this project Billy had the brainwave of writing to the head of the Mellon Foundation in the USA. The Mellon family, steel magnates and bankers, were one of the richest dynasties in America and had recently identified and renovated their ancestral home in the townland of Castletown, just outside Omagh. Billy’s letter had a positive response. The head of the Foundation regretted that in the current fiscal year the Foundation’s funds had already been fully allocated but in the next fiscal year they would be happy to donate the sum of £11,000! Thus, the financial foundation of the Accies was securely laid and the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields were born.
A fine pavilion was erected on the site, mainly by voluntary labour and largely driven by Billy’s indefatigable energy. He was an acknowledged businessman establishing a very successful oil distribution company and he brought that same business acumen and impatience for success to his running of the club. It was very much Billy’s way with the Committee struggling to keep up. He didn’t suffer fools gladly or, indeed at all , but his generosity was prodigious . The words and deeds of the Beat became legendary in rugby circles throughout Ulster and indeed among the cognoscenti further afield.
Dr Kenny Beattie has done a magnificent job in assembling many of these anecdotes from those who knew and cherished this extraordinary man. This collection will, I hope, ensure that the memory of this true icon of Omagh rugby will live on even among those who had not had the privilege of knowing him in person.
Billy died in 1988, tragically only a few months after retiring from his business. In accordance with his wishes his ashes were scattered on the first team pitch so that he could remain, even in death, part of the fabric of the club that he loved so much.

Ken Duncan

Kenny Beattie - Billy Beatty’s Easter Tour to the Scottish Borders

I first encountered Billy Beatty when I was a student and decided with 3 or 4 of my friends that we should join Omagh Academicals Rugby Club. It seemed a natural thing to do as we all played together for Omagh Academy. On hearing that we were all students Billy paid our membership for the Club.
My next encounter with Billy was after a game in Belfast when he told me that I was to drive his car back to Omagh. This was a top of the range Vauxhall Cresta. He got in the front passenger’s seat and three other players got in the back seat. He didn’t ask me if I had passed my driving test or if I was insured to drive. His only stipulation was that I must stop at Tommy Kelly’s pub at Garvaghy on the Ballygawley Road. I had only driven my father’s Morris Oxford car before this and was itching to see how fast Billy’s Car would go. He soon dozed off and I got him back to Tommy Kelly’s in record time.

At the end of our first year playing for the Accies Billy announced that we were all going on a Mini Tour to Scotland. Nobody except The Beat seemed to know where in Scotland we were going. There was a bus waiting for us when we got off the ferry in Stranraer. I remember we stopped in Drumfries and seeing John Robinson coming down the main street pushing John Rainey in a pram! Nobody seemed to want to leave the pubs in Drumfries and get on the bus, which was understandable as the bus was not in good shape. After finally leaving Drumfries the bus radiator over heated and we were stranded for a while. When we got going again John Robinson convinced everyone on the bus that the driver did not know where he was going. And maybe the driver was really lost. We arrived at our destination in the Scottish Borders at 11.00 pm to find that the host club Earlston had a dinner ready for us at 8.00 pm. After a very late dinner we checked in to the Black Bull Arms in Lauder.

The day after we played Earlston we went to the Galashiels Seven-a-Side Competition as spectators. The rivalry between the Scottish Border teams was immense. Gala, Hawick, Melrose, Jedburgh, Langholm, Selkirk were all there as well as teams from Edinburgh. England was represented by Loughborough Colleges.
I had never seen sevens play at such a high level before – it was majestic. Gala had Duncan Patterson the Scottish scrum-half in their side, Hawick had the two Scottish centres (Jim Renick and Alistair Cranston) in their side. Andy Irvine the Scottish full back was in the Heriots F.P. side and boy was he fast. All the Loughborough Colleges players were very fit and they got to the final to play Gala. Some of the Gala boys convinced the Loughborough players that their jerseys clashed with the Gala jerseys and Hawick would loan them their jerseys for the final. This was a big mistake. Hawick jerseys to the Gala players was like a red flag to a bull and Gala just blew Loughborough away in the final.

The next morning (Sunday) the Beat announced that everyone was to get on the bus. Nobody seem to know where we were going except the Beat. It was rumoured that we were going to Fife! Everyone thought that this was not a good idea but the only guy not to get on the bus was Peter Rowan. We had some very senior players on the trip, Ross Workman, Brian Lambert, Sammy and Billy Jameson, Jim Kerr, Desie Givan, John Robinson, Ted Parkes, Harry McCartney, Dan McCurdy and Brian Barnet and if the Beat said get on the bus they got on the bus and us students did likewise.

The Beat had arranged the tour by himself and he was not going to let anyone spoil it on him. This was his style. He always seemed to get away with ruling the roost but he spent his whole life dedicated to Omagh Academicals RFC.

Kenny Beattie

Billy Beatty and the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields.

Towards the end of the 1960s a group of senior members of the club thought that the Club should have its own pitches. At this time the main pitch the 1st XV played on was at Omagh Showgrounds on Sedan Avenue. This pitch was owned by the Tyrone Farmers Association. The Omagh Academy pitches in Campsie playing fields was the venue for the Clubs’ 2nd XV home matches, when the 1st. XV. were also playing at home.

Originally an area of ground owned off the Dublin Road was identified as suitable for the Rugby Club. However, before the finance could be organised the land owned by the Late Molly Hughes was sold. This ground was eventually sold by the new owner to Omagh Golf Club, as an extension to their then 9 hole course

Undaunted and spearheaded by the late Dan McCurdy, who unfortunately, a few years later, lost his life while playing for the Accies in Magherafelt, along with Dick Hinds, who gave a lifetime of service to Rugby in Omagh as Rugby Master at Omagh Academy and myself, headed out, to find an alternative site for the club’s playing fields.
On their very first outing they headed out the Drumquin road. stopped to have a look around. However, they spotted level ground along the back of the then Nestle’s Factory, made their way across the fields to the said ground and immediately felt that it was eminently suitable. Billy Beatty was contacted the next day. He was also impressed – the rest is history.

Negotiations commenced to purchase the grounds, which extended to 21 acres, with the then owner Mr. Campbell. These were eventually successful, the late Ian Duncan proving to be a very tough negotiator on behalf of the Club.

Various Fund-Raising efforts had already begun at the time of the original effort was made to purchase grounds off the Dublin Road such as Dances in the Royal Arms, Quiz nights and Coffee Mornings.

About the same time the Mellon Family, the seventh richest family in America were in negotiations, to buy their ancestral home, at Mountjoy, that Thomas Mellon had left for America in 1818.
Mellon Homestead has, in the intervening years been developed into a great visitor attraction. It is called the Ulster American Folk Park

Billy Beatty and some of the Club’s senior players were travelling to a match against City of Derry and as they passed the Fulton Farm someone in the car suggested that maybe they should approach the Mellon family for a donation for the new pitches. Billy, in his usual forthright manner, said ‘I have done it already’. Billy Beatty’s request had hit a cord with the Mellons and they agreed to foot the bill, for the 21acres on condition that the new pitches be named the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields. [The story being, at that time, that Park smacked too much like a Baseball Ground]
The club readily agreed to this and thus our pitches are known as the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields. This was all thanks to Billy Beatty’s initiative.

Ross Workman

ON THE WAY BACK FROM BELFAST TO OMAGH AFTER A GAME – Ross Workman

The first story relates to a trip in the early sixties when the Accies’ were playing in Belfast – I think a friendly versus Civil Service, who Omagh had a good rapport with, at that time.

After a long sojourn, following the game in Belfast, the Beat and Co were returning to Omagh
in the Beats car. – No motorway at that time - Thirst overtook the car load as they approached Tommy Kellys, that well known watering hole between Omagh and Ballygawley - However it was closed.

At that time there was no such thing as Milk Tankers collecting milk from the farms. Milk was collected mostly from the roadway, near the farm or at the end of a lane way to the farm. It was also traditional for some Farmers to leave out their cans of milk on a Saturday night, at the edge of the road, for early collection on a Sunday morning – Giving the farmers a longer ‘lie in’. Sunday morning’s milk was then sent, to the factory, on the Monday.

In their thirst ‘The Beat’ et. al pulled up at one of these collections of cans, a lid was removed from one can, milk was poured into the lid. The Beat lifted the lid, had a good slug of the milk and exclaimed ‘Christ that is Nectar’.

A TRIP WHERE THE ACCIES ARRANGED A FRIENDLY GAME WITH BALLYMONEY - THE ACCIES TRAVELLED TO BALLYMONEY WHILE THE BALLYMONEY TEAM TRAVELLED TO OMAGH
The second story, involving ‘the Beat’ goes back to the early sixties. The Accies were scheduled to play Ballymoney in a friendly. Due to a ‘mix up’ the Omagh team arrived in Ballymoney and the Ballymoney team arrived in Omagh. The Beat had as ‘Alickadoos’ in his car that day ‘Biro’ Kerr, Alan McDowell and Harry Lucas. [Harry is now the only survivor of that trip].
When they found the game was ‘off’ in Ballymoney they decided to go to the Linfield v Coleraine football match at the Showgrounds Coleraine. In the ground they found themselves in the middle of a crowd of Linfield supporters. Apparently, the Beat’s references to ‘Belfast Sammys’ did not go go down well with the Linfield crowd. They had to make a hasty exit - where to - to Bertie’s Bar in Newmarket Street. [Bertie’s Bar was owned by the former Coleraine, Glasgow Celtic and Northern Ireland footballer, Bertie Peacock].
After a sojourn there they headed for Derry. On the way down the mountain from Coleraine to Limavady, ‘Biro’ Kerr thought that The Beat was going too fast. As a means of alerting the Beat to his speed, he ‘Biro’ leaned over to look at the speedometer on the dashboard – ‘the Beat’ annoyed with this gesture went to switch off the Dash Board lights [It was possible to do that in cars at that time]. Instead, he switched off all the lights. Here they were hurtling down the mountain on a dark night with no lights and at speed. Fortunately Billy was able to switch on the lights again – his passengers breathed a sigh of relief. They continued on their journey to Derry stopping in the then famous Dan McCool’s for food and more liquid refreshment. Billy [The Beat] was plied with a few more drinks and the sober Alan McDowell took over the driving to Omagh. However, a stop was made at another ‘watering hole’ - Phil Richardson’s in Newtownstewart, before arriving safely back in Omagh.
To add to the happenings of the day Harry Lucas’s daughter was born that night.

Ross Workman

Ted Parkes – Arriving in Omagh in 1961 and the Accies

Things here a bit hectic at present but I will try to send a few thoughts by text.
I arrived in Omagh in 1961 not knowing what to expect. But what a vibrant community!
Settled in quickly with the Accies who could only field a regular 1st xv. The seconds were in their infancy!!
The social scene was brilliant with The Royal Arms hosting such stars as Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Dusty Springfield and Jim Reeves to mention but a few.
It was the showband era with the local Plattermen to the fore!
But enough of this social scene.
My life entirely revolved around The Accies.
My first tour with the club was that ill-fated trip to Clanwilliam club in Tipperary. I was beside Stanley Miller when he tumbled out of a line out.
There was an old doctor on the touch line who suggested that the injury could be fatal.
Stanley was taken to hospital and it was not until well after the game when we were all in the bar that we heard that Stanley would live.
What a great relief!
His story is of great heroism and success and I was very sad to hear of his passing.
I have so many other memories and another that stands out in my thoughts is our first visit to Ravenhill for the Junior Cup final against Queens Freshers.
When we got off the train in Belfast, we were greeted by a number of entrepreneurs selling rosettes with pictures of each of the team taken from that week's Con!
We were gutted to lose by a drop goal scored early in the game to nil.
I have played that game many times in my dreams!
I remember our first "floodlights "
We bought the lamps etc from Poppy McFarlands. I think his scrapyard was on the Crevenagh road.
Jim Kerr a club member and brother of the Illustrious Biro fitted them to the posts around the pitch.
The Showgrounds was a great place to play despite the almost open-air showers!
I wonder what the present-day players would make of it.
Then there was the purchase of Mellon Park.
All initiated by the great Billy Beatty commonly known as the Beat. As I recall when travelling to play at Ballymena I said when passing The Mellon Homestead "Why don't we ask the Mellon Trust to fund the purchase of a ground just like Eatons founded the Ballymena club "
The quick retort from Billy "Wrote to them last week!"
I think the actual amount given was £11500.which was enough to buy the land.
Coming to the Beat. He was a most generous man. I remember my first trip to Lansdowne Road .
We stopped at many hostelries on the way and I remember Billy taking me aside and stuffing a fiver in my pocket saying that this could be a rough weekend so don't go short. This was done quietly and not in front of those present.
You may think a fiver was a pittance but given that my salary in the Belfast Bank at that time was circa £300 pa it was quite a sum.
Incidentally a high tea in the Royal Arms with an enormous sirloin steak and all the trimmings cost 7/6 the equivalent of 37and a half pence in today's money!!
A £5 was a fortune!!
Billy was a most generous man and the Club owes him a great debt.
Other memories include digging the holes for the first posts with the late Dan McCurdy.
I am truly grateful for all my very happy days with The Accies and wish them every success in the future.
Ken these are but a very few memories and I'm sure I have many more which aren't appropriate!
I hope this is of use but if I can be of further assistance, please let me know
Regards and keep well.
Ted Parkes

Above Note supplied by Tony Neill

Above Piece supplied by Hubert Hamill

Archie Linnegan - The Day a Lion stayed to dine.

Eating of a Saturday evening was a given with Billy. At some stage amongst the surfeit of pints after a game, a squad would be assembled for ‘a feed’. Sometimes, the white Opel Record was swung round by the Royal Arms Hotel, where all assembled were fed and watered, sometimes however, the meal was prepared and taken in the Clubhouse kitchen.

On this occasion, that is what happened. Exact dates fail me, due to the passage of time, naturally enough, as may some of the attendees, but the early 1980’s would not be too far away.

The match was a friendly against City of Derry, (if that was possible), and a large crowd were in attendance, resulting in the bar being extremely busy afterwards. Billy was in his element, chewing the fat as it were with his old North West rugby pals, and about 5:30 pm, he approached me to assemble the diners for some time later. A phone call was put through to Kenny McGirr, ex Club Captain and local Newtownstewart butcher. Instructions were given to Ken to drop off 6 large steaks at Coneywarren on his way home at 6:00pm, along with a ‘flat’ of eggs, 6 onions and a tube of English mustard. Carbohydrates were provided courtesy of a large bag of frozen chips from Clara’s freezer (Billy’s sister) for which he possessed a key. (There were several large bunches of keys I recall, which would have opened anything between Semple’s garage and the Fairy Water, but I guess he was the Hon. Sec.!)

Cooking fell to me for the most part, under the close supervision of Executive chef, the Beat, and eventually the diners were called. I can remember Harry G., Ivan Tierney, Aidan Lagan, Billy, myself, and a guest from City of Derry, Ken Goodall. Now at that time, Ken Goodall was an enigma to the IRFU. Seen as an embarrassment by the powers that be, due to his ill-fated switch to Rugby League, when he was at the pinnacle of his powers in world rugby, an Irish international at 19 and a Lion in 1968 to South Africa. His last try against Wales in March 1970 will be remembered fondly by those of a certain vintage. (See www.irishtimes.com Ken Goodall). Although the rugby hierarchy shunned Ken, the grass roots members of Clubs did not, and he was rightly welcomed throughout Ireland.

I cannot say if the meal was memorable in quality, it certainly was in quantity, as we sliced our way through Kenny’s ‘rare’ beef, with an accompaniment of lightly fried eggs, fried onions and chips. Certainly, enough to set the party up for “Round 2’ before the evenings musical entertainment started.

At the completion of activities, our guest, Ken rose and asked his host Billy if he could say a few words. He outlined, as above the kindness of the Clubs of Ulster who had welcomed him back, to speak at Club Dinners etc. but he was certain this was the first time he had ever been asked into the kitchen!

ARCHIE LINNEGAN.

Gordon Montgomery. CVRFC. – Beat Logic

Played rugby for Omagh back in the day.

Went on an Easter tour with the Accies. The Beat piled four teenagers into his new Opal.

We had a meal in Galway, Beat parked up an entry. When we were leaving space in the entry was tight. A big Mercedes and an old damaged Ford Escort were partially blocking us. Beat showing no patience at all. Decided he was going through anyway. He took his brand-new Opal down the side of the Mercedes. Declaring I can afford it and so can the Mercedes owner the poor old bugger who owns the Ford can't.

Beat logic.