Legend in his own Lifetime

Cliftonville Football Club were delighted to see Jim Boyce acknowledged with the Lifetime Contribution honour at this weekend’s NIFL Football Awards.

Celebrating his 75-year association with the Reds, the accolade was one of two collected by long-time Solitude custodians at Titanic Belfast, where Secretary George Walsh picked up the Club Employee Excellence Award.

Formerly a ball boy for Cliftonville, Jim rose through the ranks to become Chairman of the Club – the highlight of which was undoubtedly the Reds’ against-all-odds Premier League title triumph in 1998 – and also served as President of the Irish Football Association as well as being elected as Vice-President of FIFA, with neither role tempting him into the comfy seats away from his traditional vantage point on the perimeter wall near the home dugout.

The story of Jim’s life in football has been committed to print in a book that is currently available in-store at The Reds Shop at a cost of £8 and, in addition to coming with a complimentary brochure from last month’s gala dinner celebrating his long link with the Club, will benefit Alzheimer’s Society NI with its proceeds.

Supporters can, meanwhile, catch up with all of the highlights from the dinner at the Stormont Hotel courtesy of Ark Media, who have produced a two-hour video that can be enjoyed below.