SEASON 2002/03

Northern Ireland National Championships 2003 9th Aug 03
17 Senior players & 4 Juniors took part in the National Championships at Dunmurry - a fitting climax to a successful season which started with only 3 players back in September. Kenny Beggs won the Seniors, beating Barry Spence 1-0 in the final. Neil Hanna, champion in 1986 & playing in his first event since 1996, lost 1-0 to Barry in the semi-final. Simon Stewart was unlucky to lose his semi. He led 2-1 going into the last minute but Kenny equalised and then scored a golden goal in the last minute of extra-time to win 3-2. Junior champion is Jamie Lewis who beat Ryan Scott 2-0 in the final.

TFAI 1st Open of Kildare 2003 19th July 03
Northern Ireland's Joe McRoberts had an excellent tournament, finishing runner-up to Rep of Ireland's Gary Moore. Georgia Lee beat Jamie Lewis in Junior Final. Northern Ireland won both the A & B Friendly International matches.

Beggs wins Northern Ireland National League 2nd July 03
Kenny Beggs his 2nd National League title, his previous success being in 1996

North Down Subbuteo League 1969-1996 19th June 03
Check out this nostalgic website from one of Northern Ireland's Subbuteo stalwarts, David Clegg, detailing his career in typically witty fashion.

Joe McRoberts wins Newcomers' tournament in Ballyclare 17th June 03
Joe McRoberts picked up his first trophy, beating John Barrons 1-0 in the final. The tournament, held in Ballyclare Community Concerns, was open to anyone playing their first season of competitive table football.

National Open, Ballyclare 2003 24th May 03
England's Algy Taylor beat Gary Moore from Republic of Ireland 1-0 in the Final.

Scottish International Open & GP, South Queensferry 2003 26th/27th Apr 03
A double success for Eric Verhagen of Holland, who won both events. Kenny Beggs lost to England's Chris Thomas in International Open Q/F & to Austria's Erich Hinkelmann in last 16 of Grand Prix.

Welsh International Open, Flint 2003 5th/6th Apr 03
Irish Premier League team finished runner-up in Team event, losing to London in final. Kenny & Gary reached Q/F of Individual Open. John was eliminated in group by team-mate, Gary, in a 5-3 thriller.

National Open, Dunmurry 2003 2nd Apr 03
Dunmurry hosted the 2nd National Open of the season. Ten players took part, including some from the recently formed Ballyclare Club. Final: Kenny Beggs 3 Barry Spence 1. John Barrons beat Donal Convery in a shoot-out to finish 3rd.

New Club formed in Ballyclare 18th Mar 03
For details, email John Barrons jbarrons@hotmail.com

English International Grand Prix, Preston 2003 8th/9th Feb 03
Players from North & South of Ireland travelled to the National Football Museum at Deepdale Stadium, home of Preston North End Football Club.

National Open, Belfast 2003 5th Feb 03
Kenny Beggs beat Andy McClean 4-0 in the final & Simon Stewart beat Barry Spence on shots to clinch 3rd place. Seven players took part.

Northern Ireland National League 2002/03 12th Dec 02
The first National League since 1996 got underway with 8 players competing.

Scottish International Grand Prix, Dumfries 2002 26th/27th Oct 02
A good tournament featuring top British players. England's Phil Redman took the honours.

World Cup, Birmingham 2002 6th/7th Sept 02
Northern Ireland returned to International competition after a 6 year absence. Team members were Simon Stewart, Kenny Beggs & Barry Spence. Italy became the new World Team Champions & Gil Delogne of Belgium won the Individual Event. Thanks to Irish Football Association for supplying team shirts and to News Extracts, Simon Stewart's employer, who made the trip possible for him by providing travel and accommodation expenses.