Harland & Wolff Welders' long serving secretary Fred Magee has stepped down after a lifetime of service to the club.
A popular and well known character at grounds up and down the country, Magee has been a football man since 1964, first with morning league side Moat View, and then what became Dundonald FC before committing himself to the Welders in the early 70s.
Club chairman Thomas Flynn paid a glowing tribute to the man who has served under no fewer than 18 managers, "Numerous people have passed through the doors of Harland & Wolff Welders Football Club during the clubs history of over fifty six years, but none more dedicated than the team secretary, Fred Magee," he told the official club website.
"Fred has watched the team develop, enjoying success along the way, and assisted in bringing them to where the team is today, with the imminent opening of a new state-of-the-art stadium in our East Belfast Holywood Road home, in which he has played an important role as part of the development plans.
"On behalf of the entire Management Committee of the club we wish Fred good health in his retirement, and look forward to him attending and enjoying future games, in the comfortable surroundings of our new stadium".
Those words were echoed by NIFL Managing Director, Andrew Johnston, who was full of praise for Magee's help and assistance over the years.
"I’ve known and worked with Fred for the past 16 years and have always admired his undoubted commitment to HW Welders but also to improving football as a whole. He was a source of knowledge and understanding in my early career and someone who has always been on hand to provide advice and support.
"A true gentleman of the game and someone who will be sorely missed, but on behalf of the NI Football League we wish him well in his retirement".
