history

For six proud weeks in their illustrious history, Glentoran were the Detroit Cougars. The year was 1967, an exciting period in the clubs recent past, when the onset of European football brought to East Belfast such giants as Glasgow Rangers, Benfica, Anderlecht and Arsenal to name but four.

It was Boxing Day 1966 when Chairman Harry McNeely and Vice Chairman Jack Dornan received the invitation to play in the United States for two months that following summer with all expenses paid. Both leapt at the invitation, even thought the taboo of playing Sundays was a requirement of the tournament. Linfield had originally been invited to undertake the tour with Shamrock Rovers, they declined the invitation for a number of reasons, including Sunday football which was prohibited under the clubs constitution. Into the breach stepped Glentoran, flouting the Rules. The tours European manager agreed to let the Glens represent Northern Ireland, based in Detroit, while Shamrock Rovers represented the Republic and where based in Boston.

The Cougars

This tour was the most memorable ever undertaken by an Irish League club – 12 matches against top opposition with brilliant results and a dedicated approach. The Cougars name was adorned to Glentoran by Bundy Tubing, a subsidiary of the main sponsor Ford, who were then pushing their new Cougar Car, the Detroit Cougars were born. It all started with a 1-1 draw against Shamrock Rovers in Boston, where it was alleged that John Colrain struck the lines man after a Danny Trainor goal had been disallowed. Colrain said he had merely shook his fist and touched the flag but was handed a two match suspension by the tournament organisers. The local papers had a field day “Soccer Debut Packs a Wallop”. Despite this controversial start the Cougars went on to make many friends on the tour, particularly in Detroit. Jack Anderson head of the Ford Subsidiary responsible for the Cougar name was quoted

The Ford Cougar

“I had been told by everyone that Glentoran could not live with the opposition when they came to the States. The results proved them all wrong. I’ve had a team with a disciplined, dedicated approach. We are more than satisfied at what they have done to help establish soccer as a major sport in this city and the United States.”

This history is dedicated to the Cougars who not only wrote a glorious chapter in Glentoran’s history but also that of Northern Ireland Football.