A West Belfast football club is planning a legends game and anniversary dinner to help celebrate its 50th birthday.
Ford FC was established in 1970 and has continued to grow from strength to strength over the past five decades.
Starting in the old Lisburn League with managers Victor Taylor and Frankie Bradley, the club then moved to the Northern Amateur Football League where it has remained for the past 30 years.
"In our history we have won Division 2C, 2B and 2A twice which is the league we still compete in," said manager Gary Kelly.
"We have never been able to gain promotion from 2A due to not having the necessary Intermediate facilities required.
"In the past 20 years, when we were managed by Liam Burns and then John McGrath, we have reached numerous Junior Cup and Junior Shield semi-finals and always competed at a high level of junior football.
"As this footballing season brings us into our 50th year we have decided to organise a number of celebrations.
"In April we will be hosting a Legends game and on Friday, May 1 we will be arranging an anniversary dinner and would like to be able to reach out to all our former players and members to attend.
"It is a special year for the club. We are a very family-orientated club.
"The fathers of current players Eoin Smith, Stephen Webb, Conor Murphy and Gavin McGrath all either played for or managed the club and all four lads would of came and watched our games as kids."
Ford FC have also designed a special anniversary jersey in the original club colours of gold and black trim.
The aim is to sell these tops with all proceeds going to the club's chosen charity.
"We felt at the beginning of the year this would be a great idea not only for our club but also if we could give all proceeds from sales to a charity," Gary added.
"We asked our players to put forward a charity which was close to their heart and Gerard McVeigh brought forward Caoilte's Legacy.
"The charity was set up to honour the life of Caoilte Fitzsimons who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
"We met with Caoilte's parents and when we heard their story we felt we had to help in some way.
"The charity has only been formed a short time and already just recently they have donated £4000 to the Children's Intensive Care Unit for much needed sensory equipment.
"We have already placed one order for jerseys an raised £325 and with a much needed jersey sponsorship from the guys at Chip Company Belfast this has risen to £825.
"Our goal when we started this was to raise at least £1000 for the charity and with each jersey sold we can get closer to our target. "
Anyone interested in buying a jersey or wishing to help the charity drive can contact Gary on 07999649252 or through the club's Facebook page.
"We would also love to hear from former members in regards to our 50th year celebrations with our upcoming legends game and anniversary dinner if you could contact me also," Gary added.
