Belfast Deaf United is the only deaf football club in Northern Ireland and, as of 2020, was playing in the Down Area Winter Football League. [1] [2] One of two deaf football clubs on the island of Ireland, [3] the club play their home matches at the City of Belfast playing fields at Mallusk. [1]
The club was originally known as the Belfast Deaf Mute Football Club and reputedly founded in 1900. [4] The first club chairperson was Francis Maginn, a deaf activist in the early 20th century. Maginn was elected, along with other club officers, at a meeting held in August 1900. [5] In September 1929, the club were admitted to the "Belfast Minor League". [6] The football club played until World War II when, after the war, three local deaf football clubs were formed; Ulster Institute for the Deaf (FP), Kinghan Church (KC) and St Joseph's.[ citation needed] After these three clubs folded in the late 1960s, management representatives from each former club got together and decided to form Belfast Deaf United. The new club was formed in 1967.[ citation needed]
Belfast Deaf United has played in various football leagues across the Greater Belfast area since its formation, including the Down Area League and the Belfast District Football League. [7] [8] The club has also participated in the annual British Deaf Cup, [9] a tournament which involves the top deaf football clubs across the United Kingdom. [10] Competing in the British Deaf Cup on several occasions, [11] [12] the club won the competition in 2011, 2012 and 2014. [10] [13] A number of club members have also represented Ireland at the Deaflympics. [14]
Belfast Deaf United [..] play in the Premier Section of the Down Area Winter League
A meeting was held [..] in connection with the Deaf Football Club [..] The officers elected were: Chairman Mr. F. Maginn [..]
Everton and Belfast Deaf Mutes were admitted to the Belfast Minor League at the meeting of the management committee last night in the Irish League offices. Mr. W. H. M'Clatchey (chairman) presiding
Belfast Deaf United [..] has recently been promoted to the Down Area Premier Division and are holding their own so far in this mainstream league with a top six position
Belfast Deaf United [..] currently play in the Belfast District Football League Premier Division
Belfast Deaf United participated in the 2017-18 British Deaf Cup [..] Notable victories on the way to the plate final included a thumping 8-2 win against Brighton and Hove Albion
Belfast Deaf United won the British Deaf Cup 2011, 2012 and 2014 [..] The British Deaf Cup represents an elite standard of football
Belfast Deaf United is the only deaf football club in Northern Ireland and, as of 2020, was playing in the Down Area Winter Football League. [1] [2] One of two deaf football clubs on the island of Ireland, [3] the club play their home matches at the City of Belfast playing fields at Mallusk. [1]
The club was originally known as the Belfast Deaf Mute Football Club and reputedly founded in 1900. [4] The first club chairperson was Francis Maginn, a deaf activist in the early 20th century. Maginn was elected, along with other club officers, at a meeting held in August 1900. [5] In September 1929, the club were admitted to the "Belfast Minor League". [6] The football club played until World War II when, after the war, three local deaf football clubs were formed; Ulster Institute for the Deaf (FP), Kinghan Church (KC) and St Joseph's.[ citation needed] After these three clubs folded in the late 1960s, management representatives from each former club got together and decided to form Belfast Deaf United. The new club was formed in 1967.[ citation needed]
Belfast Deaf United has played in various football leagues across the Greater Belfast area since its formation, including the Down Area League and the Belfast District Football League. [7] [8] The club has also participated in the annual British Deaf Cup, [9] a tournament which involves the top deaf football clubs across the United Kingdom. [10] Competing in the British Deaf Cup on several occasions, [11] [12] the club won the competition in 2011, 2012 and 2014. [10] [13] A number of club members have also represented Ireland at the Deaflympics. [14]
Belfast Deaf United [..] play in the Premier Section of the Down Area Winter League
A meeting was held [..] in connection with the Deaf Football Club [..] The officers elected were: Chairman Mr. F. Maginn [..]
Everton and Belfast Deaf Mutes were admitted to the Belfast Minor League at the meeting of the management committee last night in the Irish League offices. Mr. W. H. M'Clatchey (chairman) presiding
Belfast Deaf United [..] has recently been promoted to the Down Area Premier Division and are holding their own so far in this mainstream league with a top six position
Belfast Deaf United [..] currently play in the Belfast District Football League Premier Division
Belfast Deaf United participated in the 2017-18 British Deaf Cup [..] Notable victories on the way to the plate final included a thumping 8-2 win against Brighton and Hove Albion
Belfast Deaf United won the British Deaf Cup 2011, 2012 and 2014 [..] The British Deaf Cup represents an elite standard of football