CRICKET: Cliftonville's Hall of Fame night hailed as success

Held at the Hilton Hotel Templepatrick, and sponsored by Belfast Investment Managers, ‘Cunningham Coates’, the night was enjoyed by present members, old friends of the club, and invited guests.

Guest speaker for the evening, former Cliftonville and Ireland cricketer Kyle McCallan MBE, now a Sky Sports pundit was part of the Cliftonville senior team which won the Premier League in three successive seasons between 1995 and 1997.

Five players - past and present - were inducted into the Cliftonville Hall of Fame from 13 nominees.

The late Geoff Gailey and the late John Shaw were recognised from the post-war era from 1945 to 1972.

Former wicketkeeper and captain Jim Munn was inducted from the 1972-1990 era. The award also recognised his long service to the club off the field – 2016 being his 25th year as honorary treasurer.

The era from 1991 to the present was marked by the induction of former captain and inter-provincial player Brian Anderson who is still playing senior cricket for the club having joined in the mid-1980s.

The final award of the evening went to Cliftonville’s former wicketkeeper batsman Andrew Patterson who gained 42 caps for Ireland between 1995 and 2001 and played for Sussex in the 2000 County Championship season.