HISTORY

THE FABULOUS 50's

The 1950's were, without doubt the heyday for Glenavon with the first of three League Championships being won in the 1951-52 season. (The webmaster is forced to admit that Glenavon first lifted the Gibson Cup in the year of his birth!)

At the end of that 1951-52 season, Glenavon became the first provincial club to lift the coveted Gibson Cup In those days 22 games were played in the League and, with a win being worth 2 points, Glenavon's playing record read

The prolific Jimmy Jones was the leading goal scorer with 27, including four hatricks (two of which were four goal blasts). Jackie Denver weighed in with 17 goals and the incomparable Wilbur Cush scored an amazing 11 goals.

MOURNEVIEW PARK 1895-2003

Since Glenavon played the inaugural match against Linfield Swifts in September 1895, Mourneview Park has seen many changes and is now widely regarded as  the most modern and well appointed stadium in Irish League football. At the time of that historic match Glenavon was a member of the Irish Alliance and the ground consisted of nothing more than a pitch. Previously, the team had been based at Solomon's Field, McAvoy's Field, Gilford Road and Tannaghmore Park. In 1897 a running and cycle track was laid around the pitch by voluntary labour with the first meeting staged on September 13th, 1897.

The present main grandstand replaced the original structure which had been erected at the turn of the century. The old stand was entirely wooden in structure and featured just six rows of seating. It was, in effect, the middle section of the old stand. The two wings were subsequently added bringing the seating capacity up to approximately 600. The old pavilion was built around the same time as the stand. It was almost entirely of wooden construction and featured a large bath.

In 1924 Mourneview Park was purchased outright by Glenavon. At this stage the ground consisted of the pavilion, the stand, a secretary's hut and a pitch and running track with a wooden panelled surround. During the 1930's and early 1940's Mourneview Park was a popular venue for greyhound racing.

In 1950-51 £1,000 were spent on ground improvements, principally the building of the stone wall which now surrounds the pitch. The railings were added in 1977, bought from Glentoran.

In 1954 the unreserved stand was erected at a cost of £1,567. At that time the ground had no terracing. Instead there were three grass banks on three sides. During the 1960's terracing was added at the hospital end continuing through to the unreserved stand. A small area of terracing was also built at the Glenavon Crescent end.

In 1969 the Social Club was opened and a secretary's office was built to replace the cramped wooden hut which had been occupied by Glenavon's long-serving secretary Billy Walker. Further terracing was added at the Glenavon Crescent end in the 1970's.

The Home changing room in the pavilion

In 1987, with the assistance of Football trust grant aid, floodlights were installed at all Irish League grounds, including Mourneview Park. Two years later a new pavilion was built at a cost of £60,000. Featuring spacious dressing room accommodation for both teams and a downstairs gymnasium area, this new building represented a significant improvement on the previous wooden structure.

In 1991 the terracing was extended between the unreserved stand and the Glenavon Crescent end. In 1992 the Crescent stand was built at a cost of £50,000. This new structure, which provided cover for several thousand standing spectators, was opened by then Tottenham Hostpur manager, Terry Venables.

A packed main Geddis stand watches Glenavon play Kilmarnock in the UEFA Cup, 2001

The present main grandstand was erected during the summer of 1993. Built to replace the old wooden stand, the imposing building stretches from the pavilion end almost to the Crescent Stand. Completed in less than 12 weeks, the stand's 10 rows of ergonomically designed seating accommodates 1,247 spectators.

In 1994 a new wall was built at the front of the ground and a turnstile block was erected for the use of home supporters at the Crescent end. The Broomhill Suite, Glenavon's plush hospitality lounge, was opened on Boxing Day 1994. Other facilities included under the main stand are a suite of offices for the administrative staff, a boardroom and meeting room's for the Club's three main Lurgan-based Supporters Clubs.

Opened on 9th August 2001 by the Northern Ireland Assembly Minister for Sport, Michael McGimpsey MLA, the new Glenfield Road stand provides seating for 1,900 spectators on the unreserved side of the ground. At the same time the Glenavon Crescent stand was seated, though at the request of some supporters, a small section for those who prefer to stand was preserved.

In 2002 Glenavon's ultra-modern new floodlighting system was completed. Entirely built and paid for by private sector investment, the new 80 luminaire installation is reckoned to be the best system of its type in Ireland.

George Ruddell