Tobermore FC Hits Pause on Season but Vows to Continue

Tobermore FC, a historic football club from Co Londonderry, has announced its withdrawal from the remainder of the Ballymena & Provincial League season. The club, which faced relegation from the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) last season, stressed that it will not be folding but instead intends to regroup and return for the next season.

Founded in 1965, Tobermore FC holds a significant place in local football history, notably as the only club from Northern Ireland that Manchester United legend George Best represented in a competitive match, suffering a 7-0 defeat against Ballymena United in February 1984. Following their recent struggles, the club has opted to take a step back for now, focusing on restructuring before re-entering competition.

In a statement on Thursday evening, club representative Black explained the difficult decision: “We got relegated out of the NIFL pyramid last season, and you lose players naturally at that point. The performances weren’t there in the Ballymena League, and players move elsewhere.” The club is currently in a phase of reassessment, having held several committee meetings to discuss the best path forward.

The decision to pause the season was not taken lightly. Black added, “The manager was working hard to get players in but was hitting a brick wall.” The club’s leadership is determined to find a way to rebuild and enhance their squad for the upcoming season. A committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to outline their plans moving forward.

Despite the challenges, Tobermore FC has received an outpouring of support from the football community. Fans and former players have shared their memories and expressed their wishes for the club’s future. Black noted, “The main thing is the club isn’t folding and will still be there. It may be restructured, it could be a bit different, but it’ll still be going on, and that’s the main thing.”

He emphasized the importance of the club’s history as a motivating factor in their decision to continue. “It’s a small village team which did great things for a long time, and we need to try and bring it back up again. A lot of people have good memories of Tobermore, and it’s been great to get all the messages. There seems to still be a lot of support for us in the football community.”

As Tobermore FC navigates these uncertain times, their commitment to maintaining the club’s legacy and future remains strong. The upcoming meeting will be crucial in determining the next steps for this storied club, which has touched the lives of many in the local community.