22nd Old Boys Football Club, referred to as 22nd Old Boys or simply The 22nd, are a Northern Irish football club based in Ballysillan, Belfast, Northern Ireland.[1] The 22nd Old Boys were founded in 1952, and they play in the Northern Amateur Football League. The 22nd Ladies play in the NIWFL.[2]
| Full name | 22nd Old Boys Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname | The 22nd |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Ground | Clarendon Sports Complex |
| Manager | Brian Kirker |
| League | Northern Amateur Football League |
The 22nd are a part of the County Antrim & District FA.[3] The club play in the Irish Cup.
They play their home games at Clarendon Sports Complex in Sommerdale Park. Their home colours are gold and silver.[4]
History
editThe 22nd Old Boys joined the NAFL for the 2017/18 season.
In 2020, Manager Brian Kirker was recognised for promoting positive wellbeing at the club, and has volunteered with TAMHI (Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues).[5] He was celebrated under a new initiative from The National Lottery and ITV[6][7][8]
In 2025, Manager Brian Kirker, who started out playing for the under-15s, has spent three decades at the club, was nominated for the People’s Award in Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards for 2025.[9][10]
In September 2025, 22nd Old Boys organized a cross-community tournament with Shamrock F.C., featuring over 250 players from various clubs to the tournament. Funds were raised by the NI Housing Executive.[11] The 2nd tournament was won by the 22nd Old Boys.[12]
Honours
edit- Northern Amateur Football League
- Cochrane Corry Cup
- 2022-23
- Cochrane Corry Cup
- Other competitions
- Belfast Super League
- Tournament 2
- 2025
- Tournament 2
- Ian Boyd Memorial Trophy
- 2025
- Belfast Super League
References
edit- ↑ "SENIORS V 22ND OLD BOYS IIs CO ANTRIM JUNIOR SHIELD 25/09/21". www.carninyyouthfc.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ "22nd Ladies – N.I.W.F.A." www.niwfa.org. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ "County Antrim & District Football Association". www.countyantrimfa.org. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ "22nd OB / Ladies FC". IFA. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ "Belfast Live: Latest Belfast News, sport & celebrity news". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ Fullerton, Gareth (2020-11-20). "Belfast man recognised for volunteering work at local football club". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ "Belfast football coached honoured by new initiative for inspirational voluntary work". Yahoo News. 2020-11-22. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ "Belfast football coached honoured by new initiative for inspirational voluntary work". Ealing Times. 2020-11-22. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ "Voting now open for People's Award in McDonald's Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards". IFA. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ belfastlive.co.uk (2025-09-15). "Winners of the McDonald's Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards 2025 announced". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ "The Housing Executive - News". www.nihe.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ↑ Corscadden, Jane (2025-09-08). "Belfast football tournament brings communities together through love of sport". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-09-25.