Jack of all trades

Legendary BBC commentator Jackie Fullerton will be the Guest of Honour at Cliftonville Football Club’s next Matchday Lunch – when his playing days at Solitude could be up for discussion.

Many supporters may be unaware that Fullerton made 16 appearances for the Reds during a career that also took in sojourns at Ballymena United, Derry City and Crusaders and, more than half a century on from his brief spell with Cliftonville, he’ll be recalling some of the highlights of his career on an off the pitch when he takes centre stage at our all-ticket event.

Jackie made his debut in a 7-1 defeat to Ards on September 26, 1964, with his final outing coming when the Reds were thumped 6-0 by Linfield at Windsor Park on February 27, 1965.

In between times, he netted three goals – in a 7-1 loss to Glenavon, a 7-2 thrashing by Ballymena and a 10-1 humiliation at the hands of Derry – which were sufficient for him to finish as the Club’s third highest scorer in a campaign that saw Cliftonville win three and lose 39 of their 42 fixtures, scoring 38 times in the process and conceding on a quite staggering 187 occasions.

Hosted at Cliftonville Bowling Club ahead of the Danske Bank Premiership encounter with Ballymena on Saturday, November 25, our Matchday Lunch – which will get underway at 12.30pm – will comprise a two-course meal with wine, followed by tea or coffee and will include a complimentary Matchday Magazine and admission to the match.