John Colhoun: Omagh “Accies”

Wednesday, 16 March 2016: John Colhoun: Omagh “Accies”

Through the use of archive photographs John brought to the screen several names and faces well known to many of those present. He recounted how the club had been formed by Dai Waterson Tom Hendly and Billy Beatty in 1952 and how the first matches were played on school pitches in Campsie. From 1955 to 1969 the Club was based in the Showgrounds before moving to its present location on the Derry Road. The site was purchased from local landowner, Robert Campbell, for £10,500, with money gifted to the club by the Mellon Foundation after whom the playing fields are named. The first of many club tours took place in 1956 when the team recorded an away win against “Racing Club de Paris. Tours to Canada, the Unites States and Australia followed with club growing all the while in confidence and stature. Promotion to the All-Ireland League in 1997 and success at Junior and Senior level saw the club’s collection of silverware grow. John rounded off an interesting talk with fond reminiscences about some of those who had served the club long and well over many years including “The Beat” and Dick Hinds, a former President of Probus. He was thanked by Derick Rainey who complimented John on his own dedication to the “Accies”, as Player, Captain, Coach, President and Chairman.