ENTER THE NORTH DOWN GSC PREDICTION LEAGUE TODAY!!!

Interview with Ricky Rea (Junior)

Hi Ricky when did the Prediction League start?

This is now the 6th Year we have been operating.

How did it come about, why did you want to start a Prediction League?

It started off with a comment by somebody in our club - can't remember who - that it was a shame that there was no Irish League Prediction League.  Basically it started there and then and has grown into what it is now. 

Every year it seems to be growing which is great. How many people are currently signed up and making predictions?

There is 101 signed up this season, though you always get a few more signed up each year.

Can you see it being around in another five years?

Hopefully.  We were lucky to have some good sponsors over the last few years with some great prizes on offer and we are currently talking with a possible sponsor for this year, which should add a bit of spice to this years competition and over the next few years.

Alot of time and effort goes into the running of this. Who helps you run it?

Paul Irwin, Ballymena United supporter and one of the Admin on the Irish League Supporters Forums has been a massive help over the years.  He designed a programme that helps calculate all the results each week.  All we have to do now is add the fixtures, put in the results and press a few buttons and everything is done.  Much easier than calculating it manually.  Without his help it would be impossible to run the competition on my own. 

Every year there has been an end of season dinner with the top 3 in the Prediction League getting a prize. Do you hope to have another one this season?

There will be another awards night this season again with 4 prizes as usual and not 3.  North Down GSC pay the trophy each year and we hope to announce some more prizes to go along with the trophies in due course.

It's great to see supporters of all clubs, including our 'friends' from across the City mixing in these dinners and enjoying the banter. Surely you're pleased with that?

It is great to have every supporter in the Irish League take part, including a few supporters from the Eircom League.  The competition was set up for Irish League Fans and not just Glenmen.  It certainly adds to the banter on the forums etc and long may it continue.  I just dread the season when a Blueman wins it, I don't think I will live it down.

Aslong as that's all they win I'd be happy enough.  Finally Ricky I hear you're buying everybody a drink at this seasons dinner, is that true?

(Laughs) Very good.  Actually, the season before last I bought two bottles of wine (red and white) for every table.  I offered to do it before my Dad told me the amount of tables that were in place, it cost me a fortune so I think I deserve to be bought the drink the next time.

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions.

Pleasure, keep up the great work on the site.  I'm sure everyone will agree that it looks first class.

Here are some pictures from the Prediction League night at the Strangford Arms in 2007.