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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Glentoran hero Bertie Wright celebrates 100th birthday milestone

Glentoran will make a special presentation to the club's oldest surviving player on Friday night.

Bertie Wright celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday, October 22.

The centurion will be honoured before tonight's Danske Bank Premiership game against Ballymena United at the Oval.

Former Glens star Bertie, who lives in Laurelvale near Portadown, joined the East Belfast club in the 1941-42 season.

Over the following eight seasons he played 214 games for Glentoran and scored 47 goals, twice finishing as the club’s second highest scorer.

Bertie also represented the Irish League on five occasions; three times against England and also against Scotland and the League of Ireland.

The Glens tweeted on Friday: "Prior to kick off this evening, the club will make a presentation on the pitch to Glentoran Great, Bertie Wright to mark the occasion of his 100th birthday. 

"We urge all supporters to try to take their seats early to give Bertie the welcome he so richly deserves!"

In an interview with the Glentoran Gazette several years ago, Bertie explained how he joined the Glens.

"It actually came about following a mistake by Portadown," he revealed.

"They failed to re-register me on time and I became what is now known as a free agent.

"My old friend Davy Cochrane was playing for Linfield at the time (back home due to the war) and he, knowing my situation, told the Blues to try to sign me.

"The Linfield Chairman, Charlie Stewart, and two other directors came to see me and actually offered me terms well in excess of what Glentoran had offered.

"However, I just couldn’t bring myself to leave my club and I signed for the Glens."

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