Galway Utd vs. Derby County

I've done a few posts in recent months on some of my old bits and pieces from childhood. 'What do you mean' says you...

Let me fill you in.

I called to my parents house a couple of months back and they weren't in. I was about to turn on my heel, but my three boys were with me and asked if they could see my old room as they like to do sometimes, and so we popped upstairs in my parents house and had a look, and we uncovered some interesting bits and pieces.

Old photos, sticker books, mementos and old equipment, including old cameras and a wireless as they were called then, we call them radios now. I got the old equipment handed down as I thought they looked really cool back in the day.

This post is about the match and racing programs I found and today it's about the match programme from the 1998 friendly match between Galway Utd and Derby County.

This was back at time when not many kids were brought over to England to watch their favourite football team play live. So when a Premier League team like Derby County visited Galway, it was a big deal and every kid with an interest in soccer wanted to be there and there I was.

Here's a look at the Derby squad that travelled to Galway 26 years ago.

Some well known players jump out, none moreso than new England Boss and ex Ireland international Lee Carsley.

Others of note include Paulo Wanchope, Dean Sturridge and Chris Powell.

On the Galway team, we see stalwarts Billy Cleary, Ollie Neary and Jumbo Brennan.

Billy is now incolved as head coach with Salthill Devon where my sons play and I am also coaching there, so I work closely with Billy now.

Thanks as always for stopping by everyone.

Peace Out