John McNulty - A Silsden Legend
Thu 30th June 2011 | Silsden | By Ian Templeman
Silsden AFC groundsman John McNulty received his second surprise in a matter of months when he turned up at the Silsden clubhouse last Saturday.
John was greeted by numerous family and friends, who had gathered to celebrate his 70th birthday at a surprise party. Among the guests were former school mates from Eastwood School and the National School in Keighley.
Last December John had attended the grand opening of the ASDA Foundation Stadium expecting merely to watch the game against Bacup Borough.
John cut the ribbon to mark the official opening and then John and his eldest son, Sean, the Club Chairman, were given the honour of releasing the banner, which was covering the main stand. The word STAND had been exposed by the wind but Sean and John had both expected the stand to be called the ASDA STAND. (The Committee members were sworn to secrecy). When the banner was released, both were aghast when the name uncovered was The McNulty Stand.
John, who has worked at the ground for many years, has suffered ill health in recent years but he is still, early every morning, going to work on the ground and make sure everything is in place.
John moved to Silsden fifty years ago and became groundsman in 1980. He has done the job for over thirty years, except for a short break when the Senior side didn't run any teams. On the re-formation of the club in 1996, John and his good friend, Mick Hook, spent hours, days and weeks rebuilding fences and re-roofing the changing rooms.
The family club is almost a second home for the McNulty family. Sean, before becoming chairman, was the club's goal keeper and his brother, Jason ran the Sunday side for years and is now playing in goal for the Silsden over 40's side. He also coaches the Under 8s which includes his younger son, Matthew. His older son, Joe plays for the Under 11's.
Jason' wife, Michelle is now the Secretary of the Silsden Juniors and daughter, Ami, helps out in the bar at functions and providing bacon sandwiches, teas and coffee etc on Saturday mornings when the ground is used by Bradford Schools' FA.
Anne, Sean's wife - a football WAG! - looks after Sean and three footballing sons, enough said. Their sons are Danny, a regular first-teamer, Andy and Josh , who have both represented Bradford Schools, and have links with Bradford City.
John's birthday cake was decorated with the Liverpool FC badge and his family presented him with a portrait, on canvas, of his footballing idol, Kenny Dalglish. John received numerous presents including lots of his favorite tipple, Guinness and a Silsden AFC first team shirt emblazoned with JOHN MAC” 70.
John is pictured below with sons Jason and Sean.
Jim Rosser, Press Officer, Silsden AFC
John McNulty - A Silsden Legend
Thu 30th June 2011 | Silsden
By Ian Templeman
Silsden AFC groundsman John McNulty received his second surprise in a matter of months when he turned up at the Silsden clubhouse last Saturday.
John was greeted by numerous family and friends, who had gathered to celebrate his 70th birthday at a surprise party. Among the guests were former school mates from Eastwood School and the National School in Keighley.
Last December John had attended the grand opening of the ASDA Foundation Stadium expecting merely to watch the game against Bacup Borough.
John cut the ribbon to mark the official opening and then John and his eldest son, Sean, the Club Chairman, were given the honour of releasing the banner, which was covering the main stand. The word STAND had been exposed by the wind but Sean and John had both expected the stand to be called the ASDA STAND. (The Committee members were sworn to secrecy). When the banner was released, both were aghast when the name uncovered was The McNulty Stand.
John, who has worked at the ground for many years, has suffered ill health in recent years but he is still, early every morning, going to work on the ground and make sure everything is in place.
John moved to Silsden fifty years ago and became groundsman in 1980. He has done the job for over thirty years, except for a short break when the Senior side didn't run any teams. On the re-formation of the club in 1996, John and his good friend, Mick Hook, spent hours, days and weeks rebuilding fences and re-roofing the changing rooms.
The family club is almost a second home for the McNulty family. Sean, before becoming chairman, was the club's goal keeper and his brother, Jason ran the Sunday side for years and is now playing in goal for the Silsden over 40's side. He also coaches the Under 8s which includes his younger son, Matthew. His older son, Joe plays for the Under 11's.
Jason' wife, Michelle is now the Secretary of the Silsden Juniors and daughter, Ami, helps out in the bar at functions and providing bacon sandwiches, teas and coffee etc on Saturday mornings when the ground is used by Bradford Schools' FA.
Anne, Sean's wife - a football WAG! - looks after Sean and three footballing sons, enough said. Their sons are Danny, a regular first-teamer, Andy and Josh , who have both represented Bradford Schools, and have links with Bradford City.
John's birthday cake was decorated with the Liverpool FC badge and his family presented him with a portrait, on canvas, of his footballing idol, Kenny Dalglish. John received numerous presents including lots of his favorite tipple, Guinness and a Silsden AFC first team shirt emblazoned with JOHN MAC” 70.
John is pictured below with sons Jason and Sean.
Jim Rosser, Press Officer, Silsden AFC
