ADRIAN TEER: JIM BOYCE

Jim Boyce served as Vice Chairman (1978-1988) and Chairman (1988-1998) of Cliftonville F.C. He was also the club’s President and is currently its Patron.

He was Vice-President (1993-1995) and President (1995-2007) of the Irish Football Association (I.F.A.). He is currently the Association’s Honorary Life President.

He was a Vice-President of the Federation of International Football Associations (F.I.F.A.) (2011-2015) and Chairman of the Referees’ Committee at the 2014 Men’s World Cup Finals

Jim and Adrian were lifelong friends. Jim has provided the following tribute:

Adrian and I grew up not far from each other in North Belfast. I recall us, as children, catching the train together to Lurgan to watch Glenavon versus Cliftonville at Mourneview Park. Adrian wore a blue scarf; I wore a red one.

Later we were chairmen of our clubs’ Boards of Directors at the same time and were colleagues at committee level in both the Irish Football League (I.F.L.)  and Irish Football Association (I. F.A.)

Adrian gave sixty years or more of dedicated service to Glenavon F.C. as first an influential supporter and then Director and Chairman. He showed a level of commitment which is probably unparalleled in Irish football history. Thanks in large part to his wise counsel and administrative acumen, Glenavon achieved success on the field and remained solvent off it.

For decades Adrian also worked tirelessly for the betterment of Irish football at the I.F.L., the Northern Ireland Football League and the I.F.A. He was a member of and acted as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of important committees. He was also, for many years, an influential voice on the Council of the I.F.A., Irish football’s most powerful body.

He was a modest but gifted man. He was also straight and loyal. He always sought to protect his club’s interest but never to the detriment of others. He was revered in football circles not only in Northern Ireland but throughout Ireland. It is difficult to think of a more highly respected figure.

Adrian and I had lunch, as we often did, just five weeks ago. It is hard to believe that he has gone.

I offer my sincere condolences to his family, friends and everyone at Mourneview Park. Glenavon and Irish football has lost a truly great man.

Jim.