In attempting to write a history of Glebe North Football Club, I must qualify what will be a personal and selective account of our club, which dates back to 1945. Following World War II there was a tremendous upsurge of interest in soccer. Soccer clubs were formed in many parts of Ireland at this time, Glebe North being one of them. A soccer tradition flourished in Balbriggan for many years: the factory of Smyth and Company fielded a team in the 1930s.
The late Jack Kennedy, Town Commissioner, was instrumental in founding the Smyco team and was also involved in a team called Seaforth. Due to his involvement with the A.U.L. the fledgling club of Glebe North entered the A.U.L. in 1945 and the rest, as they say, is history. Incidentally, the name Glebe North comes from the area in the parish of Balbriggan where the club first played. This area was situated across the main road from the present site of Wavin Pipes Limited. The word Glebe, refers to church land usually attached to a church or presbytery. Other names inextricably associated with the club were Freddie Harper, Nick Dunne, Gerry Nixon and Martin Fanning. Sadly, these luminaries have passed away in recent years but their footballing exploits and commitment to the club will never be forgotten. Many senior citizens will remember the appearance of Glebe North in the Leinster Junior Cup which took place in Tolka Park in 1949. Their opponents were Whitehall Rangers and the match attracted a hugh crowd with gate receipts of £1,800 being recorded! On their way to the final, Glebe North had beaten Drogheda United in an exciting replay at Market Green with a score of 2-1. The final also went to a replay with Glebe North losing 5-1 after losing three of their men through injuries! Substitutes were unheard of in those hardy days.
Several past players have received international honours; both Anthony Guildea and Michael Reid were capped for Ireland at junior level. This was accepted as a great honour for the club and its members. The club's first chairman was Frank Carton with Peter Murray and Liam Rooney serving as first Secretary and Treasurer respectively. The cottage depicted on the club's official logo belongs to Dessie McCann behind which lay the ground called "Glebe North."
The founder members of Glebe North were: Frank Carton, Dessie McCann, Sean Reid, Peter Murray, Peter Costello, Phil Barnett, Francis Guildea, Hugh Reilly and Tommy Raymond. In their first competitive match under the auspices of the official league, Glebe North played in an away match at Clonsilla. Freddie Harper became their first player to score a goal for the club in official competition. The club's first team included the following legendary names: Sean Reid, "Franco" Guildea, Hugh Reilly, Freddie Harper, Gerry Landy, Andy Monks, Sean Benton and Peter Costello.
The following is a selection of honours won by the club: 1945. Winners of the Drogheda Junior Shield. 1945-46. Joined the A. U.L. 1947-48. Winners of the Leinster Junior Shield. 1952-53. Winners of Division Three, A. U.L. 1963-64. Joined the Leinster Senior League and won the PolikoffCup. 1988. Winners of the Metropolitan Cup verses the Gardai: Result 1-0, the goal scored by Dessie Quinlan. 1997-98. Winners of Division 1A of the Leinster Senior League.
Club players who secured the distinction of representing their country at amateur level were: Michael Reid, Anthony Guildea, John Webster and Oliver Adamson. Anthony Guildea played professional football for Ards in Northern Ireland and also for Shamrock Rovers. In the present era, Ross Darcy currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur and has been capped at schoolboy and under age level. Anthony "Boots" Grant has played for Leeds United, Preston North End, and is currently on the books at Glenavon.
Kevin Prout and Gary Woodhead played on the first Leinster Senior League Youth Team with Kevin captaining the team. Damien Doyle has two Leinster Youth Cup Medals, (under 18) and was also 227 selected on the first ever North/South Youth Squad which toured the U.S.A.
A splendid new clubhouse was officially opened at Market Green on 31st. May, 1998 and I wish to thank the herculean efforts of the many members and supporters who made this a memorable occasion. Special mention must be made of the wonderful work carried out over the years by successive Ladies' committees who proffered the proverbial cup of tea to visiting teams during half-time, while not forgetting their duties as fervent supporters from the sidelines during the rest of the games! In 1999, the club hosted an international under 16 Ladies competition, and on June 16th. staged an international tournament featuring teams from Ireland, England Scotland and Holland
