VBL Diamond Jubilee Book
Preface
A few men met together immediately after WWII ended. They were familiar with Alice in Wonderland, and just like the walrus, they talked of many things – all far removed from the global conflict that had just ceased – and they talked about bowls. They had a dream, and they wondered if it could become reality. The rest is like fiction. Once upon a time, three wise men from the East had a dream, then they decided the task of creating the success story that is YOUR Veterans’ Bowling League was beyond them.
Dreams CAN become reality. Life IS stranger than fiction. You’re all familiar with these sayings … So, in fact, it was Seven Wise Men who did it. They struck it lucky. But they weren’t all from the East- some were from the North and West.
Acknowledgements
This Diamond Jubilee book is the first known History of the Veterans’ Bowling League.
The factual information is drawn from the various books of record that are available and supported by exhaustive research ranging from newspaper archival documents to interviews with long-time Veterans.
The original Minutes Book, covering the period from 1945’s Founding Meeting through to the 1966 Annual General Meeting, can’t be found. This is a great pity, because the VBL’s legendary Honorary Secretary George H. Hatch rarely had a Secretary’s Report of fewer than five pages. Hopefully, a reader may be able to direct us to where it can be retrieved for posterity.
The next two Minutes Books provide the skeleton, and much of the flesh, of this publication.
These are supplemented by a Book of Records. Although it is incomplete and often inaccurate, it documents the early Presidents, Honorary Secretaries, and Honorary Treasurers. It also gives the names of early winners of the various competitions, but is vague on when they became reclassified in the course of the League’s growth. Much research was needed in that area.
Here and there, the facts are embellished with the recollections of some of our oldest existing Veterans. The oldest one still alive (that we know of) is (xxxxxxxxxxxxxx B.C.) who first played in 196x.
The author lays claim to being the person with the longest association with Veterans’ Bowling. He played in 1948 (at age 14) for the Castleton Nomads organised at that time by Harry Quayle; they adopted him as their mascot, and the first badge in his large collection was presented to him after his first match by Albert Foundry Nomads. R.H. McCartney (Sen.), L. E. Stone, Jimmy Dawson, and Billy (Tasty) Kincaid (now Lame) are names from the famous Castleton B.C. of the late 1940s – early 1950s era.
Many people have lent us old documents or given us access to old photographs. Only a few are mentioned here. We hope that all the others who are not mentioned will excuse us; otherwise, we would have to list nearly all the present members!
PRESIDENT
| Yrs. Incl. | ||||
| 1946-1952* | Major W. J. Baird, DL. JP. | 1988* | Smith, James (Holywood) | |
| 1953-1956* | Tosh, William J. (Knock) | 1989* | Bums, Alex (Hilden) | |
| 1957-1958* | Lyttle, John (Cavehill) | 1990* | Hanna, Samuel (Grove United) | |
| 1959-1965* | Irwin, W. J, OBE, JP. (Cliftonville) | 1991* | Laverty, Terry (Falls) | |
| 1966-1967* | Gardiner, William (Belfast) | 1992* | Harvey, Jim (Newtownabbey) | |
| 1968-1969* | Anderson, David (Belmont) | 1993 | Ellis, Jim (Gallaher) | |
| 1970-1971* | Goodman, William (Shaftesbury) | 1994 | Victoria declined | |
| 1972-1973* | Hyndman, Alex (Musgrave United) | 1994 | Telford, George (Ravenhill United) | |
| 1974-1975* | Cummings, James (Forth River) | 1995 | Wright, Syd (N.I.C.S.) | |
| 1976* | Graham, William (Ormeau United) | 1996 | Wilton, David (Carrickfergus) | |
| 1977* | Boomer, William (Ewarts) | 1997 | Gray, William (Albert Foundry) | |
| 1978* | Saunders, Edward (Botanic) | 1998 | Strange, Stewart (Glengormley) | |
| 1979* | Thornton, Ernest (Willowfield) | 1999 | Caughers, Jimmy (Ards) | |
| 1980* | Weir, Thomas (Woodvale United) | 2000 | Blair, James (Castleton) | |
| 1981* | Douglas, Harry (Salisbury) | 2001 | Collins, William (Lurgan) | |
| 1982* | Orr, Fred (Carr’s Glen) | 2002* | Scott, Charlie (Mossley) | |
| 1983 | Patton, Sam J. (Pickie) | 2003 | Bingham, Thomas (Moat Park) | |
| 1984 | McCullough, Sam (Orangefield) | 2004 | Norwood, William (Saintfield) | |
| 1985 | Gillespie, Robert (North Belfast) | 2005 | Long, Walter (Ward Park United) | |
| 1986* | Moreland, Harry (Donaghadee) | 2006 | Johnston, Robert (Comber) | |
| 1987* | Simpson, Hugh (Shorts) |
CHAIRMAN
1946* Billingsley, J (Forth River)
PATRON
1983-1984* Hatch, George H. (Willowfield)
HONORARY MEMBERS
| Pre 1967 | *Beck, Harry
*Gardiner, William (Belfast) |
1971 | Goodman, William (Shaftesbury)
Stirling, James (NIPGBL Hon Sec) |
| *Hood, J. | Henry, Maurice | ||
| *McMurtry, Len (Donaghadee) | |||
| *Stevenson, Harry (Donaghadee) | |||
| 1969 | *Anderson, D. (Belmont)
*Watson, P. T. (Cavehill) |
HONORARY SECRETARY
(There have been Assistants to the Secretary for various short periods)
| 1946-1955* | Thornton, R.C. (Willowfield) | 1992-1993 | Hanna, D.H. | |
| 1956-1982* | Hatch, George H. (Willowfield) | 1994-2003 | Cairns, Arthur (Botanic) | |
| 1983-1991* | Scott, George (Shorts) | 2004- | McCullough, Art (Donaghadee) |
HONORARY TREASURER
| 1946-19xx* | Priestly, Tom (Windsor) | 1982-1983* | Smyth, Ted | |
| 1967-1969* | Harbinson, James (Willowfield) | 1984-1990 | Patton, Sam J. (Pickie) | |
| 1969-1973* | McClean, Alex (Belfast) | 1991-1999* | Nash, Stanley (Cavehill) | |
| 1973-1976* | Johnston, Fred | 2000- | Murdie, William (North Belfast) | |
| 1977-1982* | Chasty, Harry (Belmont) |
HONORARY MATCH SECRETARY
This position originally was responsible for preparing the league fixture schedules, doing the cup draws, and ensuring everything went off within the timeframes. As the VBL grew there were often postponed matches not played within the allotted time. This, combined with lax rule enforcement, sometimes led to incomplete league schedules that had a bearing on final standings.
| 1946-1962 Sadly, Officer’s names for this period are missing. |
| 1963-1970 | Carruthers, Con (Belfast)* | |
| 1971-1973 | McClean, Alex (Belfast)* | |
| 1974-1979 | Stewart, Tom | |
| Future years have a Match Secretary for each Zone. | ||
| 1980-1988 | (A) Douglas, Wm. (Woodvale Utd)* | (B) Simpson, Hugh (Shorts) |
| 1989-1992 | (A) Smart, W.J. (Cliftonville)* | (B) Simpson, Hugh (Shorts) |
| 1993 | (A) Murdie, William (N. Belfast) | (B) Simpson, Hugh (Shorts)* I Sturgeon, Tom (Shorts) |
| 1994-1996 | (A) Murdie, William (N. Belfast) | (B) Sturgeon, Tom (Shorts) |
| 1997-1999 | (A) Fletcher, N (Newtownabbey) | (B) Murdie, William (N. Belfast) Sections 1A, 2A |
| (B) Crothers, Sammy (Donaghadee) Sections 1, 2, 3 | ||
Future years have a ‘Cup/ Competition Secretary’ position. This was intended to allow Section Secretaries to concentrate on keeping fixtures and league tables current, and apply the appropriate penalties.
| 2000-2005 | (A) Fletcher, Norman (Newtownabbey) | (B) Murdie, William (N. Belfast) Sections 1A, 2A | |
| (B) Crothers, Sammy (Donaghadee) Sections 1, 2, 3 | |||
| (B) Cairns, Arthur (Botanic) Section 4 | |||
| 2006- | (A) Boyd, Sam (Carrickfergus) | (B) Crothers, Sammy (Donaghadee) Sections 1, 2, 3 | |
| (B) Flynn, Jim (Divis) Sections 1A, 2A | |||
| (B) Cairns, Arthur (Botanic) Section 4 |
CUP/ COMPETITION SECRETARY
(This position was covered by the Match Secretaries for many years. It was established to enable better league fixture control.)
1999-2005 Strange, Stewart (Glengormley) 2006- Gilmour, Harold (Shaftesbury)
WEBMASTER
The suggestion of a website was put to the 2005 Executive by Carrickfergus Veterans’ Sam Boyd. VBL Executive acted quickly and planned to implement it for the Diamond Jubilee Year. It appointed Art McCullough (Hon. Secretary) to liaise with Sam., and after many hours of hard work, by Sam in particular, the target was achieved. The VBL website now is second to none. You can access it at www.saml935.plus.com/vbl/index.htm then save as VBL into your favorites folder (say bowls), the blue lettering is to let you know what to put into your browser and is not a link to click on.
2006- Boyd, Sam (Carrickfergus)
Introduction
Who: G. McMullan and R. Thornton (Willowfield), J. Billingsley (Forth River), A Bingham and Priestly (Windsor), plus R. Edgar and D. Maginnis (Musgrave) were the main players – the ‘Pioneers’ who convened as the original Exploratory Committee.
What: A simple agenda. From scratch, create a Veterans’ Bowling League (retired), Belfast District.
When: 28th September 1945 was the fateful date.
Where: Belfast’s 40 North Street office of the National Union of General and Municipal Workers was the venue for that momentous first meeting, and go-ahead decision.
They found they had much in common and agreed to press on. They decided to use the power of Major Baird’s Press to generate public interest. They specified 24th October 1945 at Forth River B.C. for an Inaugural Meeting of any clubs that were interested.
The Meeting was well supported with twenty-one clubs present. There seemed to be abundant support, and it was decided to start the League in the 1946 season. They elected as Officers men who blazed a path and set the standard for those who came after.
No organisation is strong without firm positive leadership, and here the new League was fortunate in having the right people in the right place at the right time. The original Office-Bearers and the Executive Committee read like a page from a Who’s Who of Irish Bowling at that period. They were:
President: Major W. Baird, DL, JP.
Chairman: Billingsley (Forth River).
Hon. Secretary: R.C. Thornton (Willowfield).
Hon. Treasurer: T. Priestly (Windsor).
Executive Committee: (Office-Bearers are Ex-Officio) P.H. Davies (Alexandra), T. Irvine (Belmont), J. McC. Graham and Maginnis (Musgrave), G. McMullan (Willowfield), and B. Croft (Knock).
The seven clubs they represented have pride of place in our Club Rota. Major William J. Baird was a huge benefactor to both the IBA (among other things, he donated the Senior Inter-Association Cup) and our ‘parents’ the NIPGBL and NIBA through trophies donated in the names of his various newspapers. Sadly, Alexandra dropped out in the late I 960s. Musgrave and Windsor joined forces in 1970, at VBL’s request, to form Musgrave United. The four Private Green clubs are all very much active.
The longest journey begins with a single step …..
1946. The first season’s Office-Bearers were men of huge prestige in bowling circles -not only in Veteran circles, but on the bigger stage as well. They were unstinting with their time, and tireless in their efforts to sustain and develop the fledgling League.
The League was launched, but it had to learn to crawl before it could walk. The inaugural seasons league’s 9 teams represented (at least) 7 clubs, and was known as Division 1. A single rink made up a team for the first 20 years, so each match day 32 men bowled. They competed for the Montgomery Cup (now allocated to Zone A, Section 1), and there was no runner-up award. Forth River was the first winner, Willowfield came second. There were no knock-out cups, and no Singles or Pairs Championships.
It wasn’t too auspicious, but a start had been made. The clubs were all from Belfast, so no Zone existed. We can’t locate a copy of the original Rules and By-Laws.
It was also a world away from our Diamond Jubilee Year’s totals. In 2006 there are 72 clubs. They field 130 teams of 8 men each week. Allowing for some scheduled byes, this means that every Monday 1,008 Veterans are bowling in 9 League sections. A total of 2,000 are registered with the League. We’ll come to this later.
The Founders had every reason, after the Inaugural Meeting, to think that the bowlers of Belfast would form an orderly queue to join up, and anticipated an influx of new clubs. The League didn’t take off as hoped, but the initial enthusiasm kept the League buoyant for several years. In hindsight, there are two probable reasons for the apparent apathy.
The first aim, by definition, was to provide a relaxed environment for ‘senior’ people to meet their peers on a regular basis. Yet, the very team composition was self-defeating. Almost everybody readily concedes that a team of four will usually be the best that a club can field. Since not many clubs like to finish below the number one position, this probably led to a bit more ‘edge’ than most Veterans wanted.
The second thing was again the consequence of only four men bowling. There was a very healthy, but very informal, group of clubs that had Nomad teams. The big plus here was that these allowed 16 people to play evening matches, and by and large nobody cared who won. Each match was a little thing on its own. And nobody got too excited when a Castleton player took ill with 5 or 6 ends left, and a tiny14-year-old came on as a substitute.
The Nomads gradually fell away, as men like Harry Quayle became too old. Some men preferred the heat of the afternoon to the chill of late summer evenings. Then, there was talk of the VBL expanding to teams of 8 men. So the Nomads waned, and their demise was ultimately the Veterans’ Bowling League’s springboard.
1947 – 1955. The Early Years
There was negligible initial growth. Imperceptibly, the League lapsed into quite a cosy and exclusive Old Boys Club – although that wasn’t by choice. The big question was ‘how can we make the all-important breakthrough’ and move on to the next level?
1947. The original management team remained at the helm. All have long since passed on, yet they all have permanent links to the present League, with awards for our competitions named in their honour. The Montgomery Cup for League Champion seems to have been awarded to the team that finished in first place (no records indicate otherwise).
1955. It is apparent that there has been some growth, as 2 new clubs get a Mr. Lyttle (Cavehill) presented the Lyttle Cup, and it was the VBL’s only Challenge Cup until 1980. Ormeau United 2 won it, Knock were runners-up.
George Hatch arrives, Progress soon follows
There was increasing optimism on the Executive, as it seemed they had turned the comer. There was soon a steady increase in both clubs and teams. Annual Championships were now added to a program that up to now was limited to two trophies; Montgomery Cup (League Division 1) and Lyttle Challenge Cup. We can say VBL came of age when Pairs began in 1959 and Singles (1962).
1956. This year is significant as the season that George Hatch became Honorary Secretary. He was to grace the office with distinction for 26 years. He was active until 1982, when his sight (after a fluke accident) and health failed.
1959. There is a new name, from outside Belfast. The VBL’s first Hon. Secretary R.C. Thornton (Willowfield) had died, and the Thornton Memorial Trophy was donated for Pairs Championship. Windsor was the first winner, with Carrickfergus (the first club outside Belfast) as runner-up.
1962. More names appear. Len McMurtry, (Donaghadee, the first Co. Down club) donated a trophy for a Singles Championship. Belfast won the first McMurtry Rosebowl, Knock was the runner-up.
1963. There are enough teams to start a Division 2. Rules seem to have allowed a number 2 team to choose to play in either Division 1 or 2. Clubs with# 3 and# 4 teams played in Division 2, as did new clubs initially.
J. Irwin (President 1959-65) donated a trophy for competition between the clubs from Private Greens and those from the Parks. NIBA won the inaugural event.
1966. The original Division 1 had grown, so it was split into two geographic Sections. After the league schedule ended, the top placed teams in each Section had a play-off at a neutral green; for the Montgomery Cup. Division 2 still remained.
1967. The top 2 sections were referred to as Zone A and Zone B by now. Salisbury and Strand joined. Carrickfergus, Finaghy and Windsor (all Division 2) were asked to join Zone A, to balance the number of Clubs in each Zone. The Pairs Cup was 15 ends, until the semis. The AGM passed a Notice of Motion to increase the number of players from 4 to 8, for the teams in Zone A and B top sections. Existing clubs began a frantic campaign to increase the number of clubs and teams for 1968. Donaghadee again held a season-ending Annual Friendly.
The start of the present system … seeds of greatness
1968. This year marked the start of the VBL as we know it today, and it was recognised by the LB.A. as a growing force. For the first time teams (in the top Sections) used 8 players. Division 2 still spanned both Zones, but the 14 teams (for the last year) operated as single-rink teams. The IBA requested VBL to provide 60 markers for the Home Internationals at Belmont.
The Lyttle Cup format changed. It was open to all clubs, but each Zone had a Champion, and they played at a neutral green to earn the right to get their name on the trophy.
Harry Stevenson (Donaghadee) presented a Challenge Cup for Division 2 only. It was, by definition, for teams below the number 1 team, unless the team was in Division 2 because it had only one team and could field only one rink. Carrickfergus was the first winner, with Willowfield 3 as runner-up.
The annual friendly was hosted at Donaghadee on 14th September.
Troubles, with Consolidation
The euphoria created by the successful introduction of 8-man teams was quickly dealt a cruel blow. VBL entered the 1970’s era on the crest of a wave. Unfortunately, the wave collapsed as the era marked one of the darkest periods in Northern Ireland’s history. Sadly, ‘The Troubles’ were to have a major impact on the Veterans’ Bowling League. The result was that expansion was curtailed, and for a while it was a struggle for survival.
1969. All three leagues will be required to have 8-player teams for Eligibility rule increased from 2 games to 4.
1970. The original Division 2 was Some clubs were moved into Zone A, which now has 16 teams. Zone B already had 10 teams and absorbed the remainder of the old Division 2.
| 1971. | Castleton dropped out. They were the ‘Troubles’ first casualty. |
| 1972. | At AGM Forth River said they had to withdraw for 1973. |
| 1973. | Albert Foundry (pre-season) and Ards (after 1 game) also had to withdraw. |
| 1974. | Mossley withdrew pre-season, as did Comber on 3rd August. |
| 1975. | Forth River was welcomed back after a 2-year sabbatical. |
1977. The Troubles were now at a peak, and travelling to fulfil fixtures was often impractical. This led to a major review, in reparation for 1978. The most significant impact was that the Montgomery Cup could not be sustained in the original format, where the top team in Zones A and B had a neutral green play-off. The upshot was that each Zone expanded its program, and in doing so opened the way for the better times that all peaceful people thought weren’t too far off. However, it wasn’t quite so easy.
1978 – 1979 Life and the Veterans’ Bowling League move on
1978. When the season started, Zone A was the smaller, and had only 1 Zone B was much larger, and had 3 Sections. This new start was helped by there being an award for Winners and Runners-Up in every Section, for the first time.
Zone A inherited the Montgomery Cup for the winner of its top Section, with Albert Foundry being the new format’s first winner, and Cavehill No. 1 claimed the William Gardiner Runner-Up Trophy (named after one of the Founders).
Zone B’s awards and winners reflected newer additions to the VBL membership. Section l’s Pickie Cup was won by Belmont, and Orangefield captured the A.H. Hyndman Runner-up Trophy. The Richard McBurney Cup was reallocated to Section 2, with Ward Park United no. 2 as winners, and Belmont no. 2 got the George H. Hatch Runner-Up trophy. The new May Trophy for Section 3 went to Ward Park United No. 3, and the Shorts B.C. Runner-Up trophy went to Hilden.
Both Zones still competed for the VBL major cups and championships, although there were no Runner-Up awards as yet. The Lyttle Cup was still the major knock-out cup competition.
1979. At the AGM Divis and Ulster Transport joined VBL. It was realised that the single Section was becoming too big, but not big enough to have a viable Section 2. And so, once again, the search was on for new clubs (and second teams from existing clubs) so that a viable Section 2 could be in place for the next season.
1980 – 1981 Second expansion … The present VBL structure crystallises
1980. When the season started, the search efforts were shown to be successful, as Zone A had 2 sections in operation. At the AGM the numbers were boosted further when Ballymena and Glengormley joined Zone A, and Lurgan came into Zone B. The next increase in Sections had to wait another 15 years.
1981. Balmoral joined Zone It was to be another six years before another new club came in.
1982 The George Hatch era ends
1982. The five sections settled into a steady pattern. Everything in the garden seemed rosy, and the future seemed well set. But all good things must come to an end, and so it happened for the VBL.
It began to unravel when Harry Chasty, the Hon. Treasurer for 6 years, resigned during the season to relocate to England. Ted Smyth took over the duties on a temporary basis.
Worse was to come, however. The indomitable George H. Hatch had been in failing health for several years. His eyesight had been damaged in a freak accident, and finally failed him. After 26 years of valiant service, he resigned at the AGM. The VBL was swift to recognize his immense contribution to its growth, and he was elected as Patron – the only person in VBL history to be so honoured.
When George came to office in 1956, it is probably true to say that the VBL was on shaky ground. It had been in operation for 10 years, but had made hardly any progress. Yet, when George left, it had reached a stage where its future was no longer a matter of conjecture. Its strength was commensurate with the energy he brought to the task.
Without these two men, what would happen now?
1983 – 1994 Marking time, sort of !
George Scott, Shorts Veterans, had the unenviable task of filling George Hatch’s shoes. It took over a year to find a new Honorary Treasurer, but Pickie Veterans’ Sam Patton accepted the position for 1984. These two soon made a good working team, and the good ship “VBL” was stabilized.
The League continued, and in the late 1980’s new clubs began to join. Whitehead (1987, maybe earlier), then Curran (1988) and Lagan Valley (1989) got things started. They were followed in 1990 by Crawfordsburn C.C. and Royal Victoria Hospital. In 1991 Antrim Lawn joined, and so too did Dunbarton. Unknowingly, the latter was soon to be the start of a very pleasant(?) headache.
1993. The AGM had a request from Rathfriland’s Allan Tait to see if the VBL could accommodate their bowlers – not only to help veterans, but to give the main club a shot in the arm. Always ready to help, and keen to take on another challenge, VBL Executive decided to explore the possibilities of a Zone for the clubs in the border region.
And so, recruitment was under way again. Dungannon and Portadown joined at 1992 AGM, as did Lame for Zone A.. Newcastle and Dromore joined Zone B in 1994, Nortel joined Zone A. The Executive decided it had enough teams, plus a couple of promises, and decided to expand again.
1994. was the year Arthur Cairns became Honorary Secretary.
1995 – 1997 A leap of faith.
1995. This time the original “Belfast District”, as the League was first conceived, really outdid itself.
The influx of 4 clubs into Zone A had made league fixture scheduling difficult, and it was decided to create a new Section 3. It started as new 1-team clubs, and 3rd/ 4th of already established clubs. Sections 1 and 2 were basically number 1 and 2 teams.
The real test came with the decision to start Zone B’s Section 4. Could it operate with clubs as far apart as Dungannon (in County Tyrone) and Rathfriland and Newcastle? Only time would tell.
It worked! So much so, that 8 clubs applied at the AGM. Banbridge, Langford, Rathfriland, and Warrenpoint joined Section 4. Downpatrick and Owenbeg were placed in Section 2A. Ballywalter and Londonderry Park also joined.
1996. Old Bleach joined Zone A.
1997. Zone B’s Sections 1 and 2 each had 30 teams. They were completely unwieldy, and scheduling on an equitable basis was impractical, the fixture secretary arbitrarily moved 4 teams up and down for variation. The AGM adopted the Executive’s proposal to split them at mid-point, create new Sections 1A and 2A, formalize 2 up-and-down Promotion and Relegation in the process, and link the No. 2 team to the No. 1 team. Some minor club adjustments were made. The original Sections 1, 2 and 3 had clubs with 3 or more teams, the new Sections had clubs with 2 teams. As the fixtures for 1998 were already done !! this would start in 1999.
So, sanity of sorts came to Zone B, as teams could now play everybody else in the Section. Bessbrook joined Zone B’s Section 4.
1999 – 2005 Here we go again
1999. The new Sections in Zone B operated smoothly. Everybody was happy – well, at least, for a couple of seasons.
Eventually, it happened. A team was relegated from Section 1, its No. 2 team came 3rd in Section 2 – but it too had to go down. The fixture scheduler explained that the No. 2 team had to be with the No. 1 team to keep the reverse fixtures correct. That didn’t satisfy the teams concerned, although they passed the rule initially. The Executive could see no way to avoid the problem. It still remains a bone of contention.
2003. Arthur Cairns resigned after 10 years as Honorary Secretary. Art McCullough, Donaghadee Veterans, is carrying the torch for the short list of illustrious predecessors since 2004.
2006 The present is now
VBL’s Diamond Jubilee year is one of significant change. New men came on to the Executive and brought an abundance of skills. Harold Gilmour (Shaftesbury Veterans) succeeded Stewart Strange as Cup/Competition Secretary. Jim Flynn (Divis Veterans) and Sam Boyd (Carrickfergus Veterans) succeeded Billy Murdie and Norman Fletcher as Section Secretaries. The great thing is that all are “younger” veterans and have good computer skills. Now, the Executive has cover with more than one person capable of doing League scheduling and Cup draws. Continuity is retained with Billy Murdie (North Belfast) on the Executive since 1993, currently as our Honorary Treasurer, Arthur Cairns (Botanic United Veterans) since 1994 and the recent Hon. Secretary, and Sammy Crothers (Donaghadee Veterans) since 2000 continuing as Section Secretaries.
Perhaps the most significant thing is that VBL has come into the modem age. This is evidenced by the VBL website, one that in the bowling league fraternity has few equals. It isn’t quite the finished article, but it very soon will be.
To misquote Shakespeare, Bowling by any other name is still Bowling. We must always remember that Veterans Bowling is still bowling. The atmosphere is considerably more relaxed than in Saturday league games. But that does not mean that all the laws that govern Saturday bowling are relaxed. We play under exactly the same laws, and we must never forget that – if it isn’t allowed on Saturdays, then it isn’t allowed on Mondays.
VBL has some rules that are unique for its own operation. This is essential as we span the two major Associations; our program dictates that we play on afternoons, and we have to avoid the Lady bowlers’ schedule; and Wednesdays are not practical.
Rules passed at AGMs by the clubs have not always been applied consistently in the past. That, too, changed in 2006.
Promotion and Relegation has serious inequities in its present form. It is dubious whether a No. 2 team must go with its No. 1 team. It is a chestnut that will need a bit of cracking. But, it will be cracked – nothing, to date, has stumped VBL for too long. And, when it is cracked, it opens up the possibility of a more fair means of progressing from the lowest to the highest Section in each Zone.
The Future
It is impossible to predict what the shape of the VBL will be when the 75th anniversary rolls around, even though some things are as certain as death and taxes.
Today’s more affluent society means there will be even more cars on the road. Until something better and cheaper than petrol is available, our reliance on diminishing oil supplies will ensure that the pump price will not fall significantly. Combine these two factors, then add to the mix the ever-increasing reluctance of many country club members to drive into Belfast’s notorious traffic.
It isn’t hard to foresee a time when Zone B will be trimmed to within 5 miles of Belfast, which is the way it all started. Logically, that could mean creating a Zone C, which in turn could embrace the present Section 4, and might then have the clubs in the Upper Ards Peninsula area in a Section.
If you have views on this, forward them in writing to the Executive. All clubs have input, and your club’s thoughts will perhaps give the Executive guidance on the way ahead. If one thing is certain, it is that the Veterans’ Bowling League doesn’t look back.
CUPS AND CHAMPIONSHIPS
REPRESENTATIVE
INTRA-ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE
The W. J. Irwin Challenge Cup was donated for annual competition by sides representing the Private Green and the Parks clubs in VBL, by W. J. Irwin, OBE during his 6-year Presidency. The first one was in 1963. Runner-up receives the Chris Lord Trophy.
| 1963 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. | 1985 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1964 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1986 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
| 1965 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1987 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
| 1966 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1988 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1967 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. | 1989 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1968 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1990 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
| 1969 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1991 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1970 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1992 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1971 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1993 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1972 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. | 1994 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
| 1973 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1995 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
| 1974 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1996 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1975 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1997 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
| 1976 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. | 1998 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1977 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 1999 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1978 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 2000 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
| 1979 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 2001 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1980 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 2002 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1981 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 2003 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. |
| 1982 | N .I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. | 2004 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
| 1983 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 2005 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
| 1984 | N. I. P. G. B. L. | N. I. B. A. | 2006 | N. I. B. A. | N. I. P. G. B. L. |
INTER-ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE
VBL had its first annual challenge match against our friends in Northern Ireland Provincial Bowling Association’s Veterans League in 1998 as the result of a chance encounter. Each hosts in alternate years. They presented the Perpetual Cup for the winners, and the runner-up gets the G. W. Scott Challenge Cup.
| 1998 | V. B. L. | N. I. P. B. A., V. L. | 2003 | N. I. P. B. A., V. L. | V.B.L. |
| 1999 | V. B. L. | N. I. P. B. A., V. L. | 2004 | N. I. P. B. A., V. L. | V.B.L. |
| 2000 | N. I. P. B. A., V. L. | V.B.L. | 2005 | N. I. P. B. A., V. L. | V.B.L. |
| 2001 | V. B. L. | N. I. P. B. A., V. L. | 2006 | N. I. P. B. A., V. L. | V.B.L. |
| 2002 | V.B.L. | N. I. P. B. A., V. L. |
CHALLENGE CUPS
GEORGE H. HATCH MEMORIAL CUP (originally for the JACK LYTTLE CUP)
Initially winners received the Jack Lyttle Cup, presented to VBL for 1955 by John Lyttle, a Cavehill Veteran. Then in 1980, the continuing Troubles allied with the introduction of the Ernest Thornton Memorial Cup for Zone B, resulted in the Lyttle Cup being reclassified to Zone A as its major Cup event. A 5-year interruption in this Zone-wide competition followed. It was revived when the George H. Hatch Memorial Cup was donated for 1986. The runner-up receives the George H. Hatch Memorial Trophy. Over the years, the eligibility rules varied. It is now compulsory for a team from each club.
| 1955 | Ormeau Utd 2 | Knock | 1968 | Knock | Grove United |
| 1956 | Belfast | (not known) | 1969 | Cliftonville | Pickie |
| 1957 | Belfast | (not known) | 1970 | Cliftonville | Knock |
| 1958 | Knock | Willowfield | 1971 | Cliftonville | Pickie |
| 1959 | Carrickfergus | Willowfield | 1972 | Shaftesbury | Ewarts |
| 1960 | Willowfield 2 | Cliftonville | 1973 | Pickie | Woodvale United |
| 1961 | Willowfield | Albert Foundry | 1974 | Belmont | Woodvale United 2 |
| 1962 | Botanic | Windsor | 1975 | Forth River | Lisnagarvey |
| 1963 | Botanic | Willowfield | 1976 | Castleton | Ormeau United |
| 1964 | Willowfield 3 | Belmont2 | 1977 | Falls | Shorts |
| 1965 | Cliftonville | Willowfield 4 | 1978 | Shorts | Cavehill |
| 1966 | Willowfield 4 | Castleton | 1979 | North Belfast | Saintfield |
| 1967 | Willowfield 2 | Willowfield 3 | 1980 | Falls | Shaftesbury |
| 1981 – 1985 There was no competition. | |||||
| 1986 | Balmoral | North Belfast | 1997 | Belmont | Saintfield |
| 1987 | Belfast | Cavehill | 1998 | Grove United | Dungannon |
| 1988 | Ards | Carrickfergus | 1999 | Carrickfergus | Rathfriland |
| 1989 | Glengormley | Ewarts | 2000 | Shorts | Comber |
| 1990 | Belmont | Grove United | 2001 | Comber | Newcastle |
| 1991 | Glengormley | Grove United | 2002 | Shaftesbury | Rathfriland |
| 1992 | Balmoral | Ballymena | 2003 | Carrickfergus | Pickie |
| 1993 | Willowfield | Dungannon | 2004 | Dromore | Banbridge |
| 1994 | Cavehill | Portadown | 2005 | Nortel | Musgrave United |
| 1995 | Lurgan | Londonderry Park | 2006 | Londonderry Park | Knock |
| 1996 | Willowfield | N.I.C.S. | |||
DIVISION 2 CUP: HARRY STEVENSON CUP
Harry, a Donaghadee Veteran, donated this for 1968 to teams in the original Division 2. Although most of its teams were in what is now Zone B, at that time the Division had some clubs in what is now Zone A. It was on a knock-out basis, for teams below number I team. Although the Division had 2nd and lower teams of established clubs, initially some new 1-rink clubs played in it, and they were allowed in this cup. It was reclassified to Zone B (the largest Zone) for 1971 but continues for teams below a number I team. There was no runner-up award for the first 3 years.
| 1968 | Carrickfergus | Willowfield 3 | 1970 | Belmont 2 | Willowfield 2 |
| 1969 | Belmont 2 | Willowfield 2 |
SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP
The Len McMurtry Perpetual Rose Bowl, awarded to the Singles Champion, was presented to the VBL for 1962 by Len McMurtry, a Donaghadee Veteran. The runner-up receives the Percy Watson Trophy. Sometimes it has been an open draw, at others, as now, the Zone Champions become Championship finalists.
| 1962 | Belfast | Knock | 1985 | North Belfast | Hilden |
| 1963 | Cavehill | Botanic | 1986 | Shaftesbury | Forth River |
| 1964 | Belmont | Cavehill | 1987 | North Belfast | Ards |
| 1965 | Cliftonville | Belmont | 1988 | Castleton | Londonderry Park |
| 1966 | Lisnagarvey | Cliftonville | 1989 | Newtownabbey | Finaghy |
| 1967 | Cliftonville | Finaghy | 1990 | Shorts | Divis |
| 1968 | Shaftesbury | Salisbury | 1991 | Saintfield | North Belfast |
| 1969 | Lisnagarvey | Cliftonville | 1992 | Tullycamet United | Ballymena |
| 1970 | Cliftonville | Ormeau United | 1993 | Braniel | Ewarts |
| 1971 | Cliftonville | Shaftesbury | 1994 | Rathfriland | RVH (Royal Victoria Hospital) |
| 1972 | Donaghadee | Cliftonville | 1995 | Owenbeg | Forth River |
| 1973 | Pickie | Cliftonville | 1996 | Portadown | Whitehead |
| 1974 | Donaghadee | Salisbury | 1997 | Carrickfergus | Willowfield |
| 1975 | Cliftonville | Donaghadee | 1998 | Willowfield | Ballymena |
| 1976 | Castleton | Ormeau United | 1999 | Whitehead | Portadown |
| 1977 | Albert Foundry | Strand | 2000 | Comber | Lame |
| 1978 | Albert Foundry | Ormeau United | 2001 | Ards | Mossley |
| 1979 | Orangefield | Forth River | 2002 | Cliftonville | Newcastle |
| 1980 | Donaghadee | Forth River | 2003 | Newtownabbey | Hilden |
| 1981 | Albert Foundry | Ormeau United | 2004 | Shaftesbury | Saintfield |
| 1982 | Albert Foundry | Donaghadee | 2005 | Comber | Ballymena |
| 1983 | N.I.C.S. | North Belfast | 2006 | N.I.C.S. | Glengormley |
| 1984 | Albert Foundry | Ards |
Pairs Championship
VBL Champions are awarded the Thornton Cup, donated by VBL’s first Honorary Secretary. At times it has been an open draw, at other times, like now, each Zone’s Champion becomes a Championship Finalist. The runner-up receives the V.B.L. Trophy.
| 1959 | Windsor | Carrickfergus | 1983 | Musgrave United | Albert Foundry |
| 1960 | Carrickfergus | Cavehill | 1984 | Comber | Falls |
| 1961 | Willowfield | Carrickfergus | 1985 | Ward Park United | Forth River |
| 1962 | Willowfield | Cavehill | 1986 | Pickie | North Belfast |
| 1963 | Cliftonville | Musgrave | 1987 | Glengormley | Hilden |
| 1964 | Belmont | Albert Foundry | 1988 | Saintfield | Carrickfergus |
| 1965 | Cliftonville | Shaftesbury | 1989 | Ewarts | Lurgan |
| 1966 | Botanic | Castleton | 1990 | Knock | Castleton |
| 1967 | Knock | Woodvale United | 1991 | Newtownabbey | Willowfield |
| 1968 | Shaftesbury | Forth River | 1992 | Divis | Lurgan |
| 1969 | Holywood | Cliftonville | 1993 | U.T.A. (Ulster Transport) | Knock |
| 1970 | Musgrave United | Shaftesbury | 1994 | Ballymena | Dungannon |
| 1971 | Musgrave United | Knock | 1995 | Owenbeg | Ballymena |
| 1972 | Willowfield | Grove United | 1996 | Albert Foundry | Knock |
| 1973 | Mossley | Pickie | 1997 | Knock | Carrickfergus |
| 1974 | Gallaher | Shaftesbury | 1998 | Saintfield | Grove United |
| 1975 | Falls | Lisnagarvey | 1999 | Castleton | Rathfriland |
| 1976 | Cavehill | Ormeau United | 2000 | Grove United | Malone |
| 1977 | Albert Foundry | Ravenhill United | 2001 | Castleton | Knock |
| 1978 | Belmont | Albert Foundry | 2002 | Bessbrook | Forth River |
| 1979 | Cavehill | Shaftesbury | 2003 | Albert Foundry | N.I.C.S. |
| 1980 | Ards | Castleton | 2004 | Knock | Cavehill |
| 1981 | Albert Foundry | Ravenhill United | 2005 | Carrickfergus | Dunbarton |
| 1982 | Pickie | North Belfast | 2006 | Hilden | Salisbury |
ZONE CUPS
ZONE A: JACK LYTTLE CUP
The Jack Lyttle Cup was reclassified to Zone A for 1981. It is Zone A’s only challenge cup. The runner-up receives the Jack Lyttle Trophy. Clubs can enter as many teams as they like.
| 1981 | Woodvale United 2 | Forth River | 1994 | Albert Foundry | U.T.A. (Ulster Transport) |
| 1982 | Woodvale United | Albert Foundry | 1995 | Forth River | Grove United |
| 1983 | Castleton | Ewarts | 1996 | Cavehill | Divis |
| 1984 | Albert Foundry | Salisbury | 1997 | Newtownabbey | Cavehill |
| 1985 | Forth River 2 | Forth River | 1998 | Cavehill | Castleton 2 |
| 1986 | Forth River | Albert Foundry | 1999 | Carrickfergus | Falls |
| 1987 | Forth River | Cavehill | 2000 | Carrickfergus | Newtownabbey |
| 1988 | Whitehead | Divis | 2001 | Northern Telecom | Carrickfergus |
| 1989 | Cavehill | Grove United | 2002 | Glengormley | Cavehill |
| 1990 | Ballymena | Cavehill | 2003 | Old Bleach | Divis |
| 1991 | Falls | 2004 | Grove United | Carrickfergus | |
| 1992 | Ballymena | U.T.A. (Ulster Transport) | 2005 | Ballymena 2 | Albert Foundry |
| 1993 | Newtownabbey | Grove United | 2006 | Ballymena | Nortel |
ZONE B: ERNEST THORNTON MEMORIAL CUP
The trophy was donated following the death of Ex-President E. Thornton (son of VBL’s first Secretary), a Willowfield Veteran. The runner-up receives the Fred Allen Trophy.
| 1981 | Ards | Musgrave United | 1994 | Owenbeg | Shorts |
| 1982 | Shorts | Pickie | 1995 | N.I.C.S. | Owenbeg |
| 1983 | Belmont | Willowfield | 1996 | Shorts | Belmont |
| 1984 | Pickie | Holywood | 1997 | Ards | Owenbeg |
| 1985 | N.I.C.S. | Saintfield | 1998 | Willowfield | Pickie |
| 1986 | Belmont | Pickie | 1999 | Lurgan | Ards |
| 1987 | Tullycarnett United | Belmont | 2000 | N.I.C.S. | Moat Park |
| 1988 | Ravenhill United | Shaftesbury | 2001 | N.I.C.S. | Knock |
| 1989 | Shorts | Pickie | 2002 | Banbridge | Dungannon |
| 1990 | Ards | Ormeau United | 2003 | Saintfield | Gallaher |
| 1991 | Lurgan | Hilden | 2004 | Newcastle | Ward Park United |
| 1992 | Ormeau United | Owenbeg | 2005 | Dromore | Saintfield |
| 1993 | Knock | Donaghadee | 2006 | Gallaher | Portadown |
ZONE B: HARRY STEVENSON CUP
The trophy, donated for 1968 season to the original Division 2 (it then consisted of the 2nd and lower teams from clubs in what are now Zones A and B), was reclassified to Zone B as a knock-out cup for 1971. The runner-up collects the Harry Stevenson Trophy.
| 1971 | Shaftesbury 2 | Comber | 1989 | Tullycarnett 2 | Musgrave United 3 |
| 1972 | Knock 2 | Shaftesbury 2 | 1990 | Shorts 2 | Holywood 2 |
| 1973 | Shaftesbury 2 | Ravenhill United 2 | 1991 | Ards 2 | Knock 2 |
| 1974 | Donaghadee 2 | Gallaher | 1992 | Ward Park United 2 | Comber 2 |
| 1975 | Short & Harland 2 | Pickie 2 | 1993 | Belmont 3 | Knock 3 |
| 1976 | Hilden | Orangefield 2 | 1994 | Comber 2 | Willowfield 2 |
| 1977 | Belmont 3 | Shaftesbury 2 | 1995 | Musgrave United 3 | Holywood 2 |
| 1978 | Ards | Hilden | 1996 | Belmont 2 | Finaghy 2 |
| 1979 | Comber | Lisnagarvey | 1997 | Belmont 2 | Shaftesbury 4 |
| 1980 | Belmont2 | Willowfield 2 | 1998 | Willowfield 2 | Dungannon |
| 1981 | Ormeau United 3 | Belmont2 | 1999 | Willowfield 2 | Saintfield 3 |
| 1982 | Belmont 2 | Ward Park United 2 | 2000 | Shorts 2 | Newcastle |
| 1983 | Belfast 2 | Belmont 2 | 2001 | Saintfield 2 | Crawfordsburn C.C. 2 |
| 1984 | Downpatrick | Knock 2 | 2002 | Willowfield 2 | Belmont 3 |
| 1985 | Belmont 3 | Hilden | 2003 | Belmont 3 | No award – default |
| 1986 | Shorts 2 | N.I.C.S. 2 | 2004 | Shaftesbury 2 | Portadown 2 |
| 1987 | Lurgan | Lisnagarvey 2 | 2005 | Crawfordsburn C.C. 2 | Lagan Valley 2 |
| 1988 | Owenbeg | Londonderry Park | 2006 | Dromore 2 | Saintfield 2 |
LEAGUE COMPETITIONS
(note * is after a play-off at a neutral green)
(Before Zones)
DIVISION 1, Sections 1 (originally) and 2
MONTGOMERY CUP
This is the oldest VBL Trophy. It was awarded for the first season’s League competition. It is not entirely certain, but it seems the team at the top of the table won it. It continued this way, apparently, until the mid-1960s. There was no runner-up award initially.
| 1946 | Forth River | Willowfield | 1956 | Willowfield | Belfast |
| 1947 | Alexandra | Forth River | 1957 | Willowfield 2 | Cavehill |
| 1948 | Musgrave | Forth River | 1958 | Belfast | Windsor |
| 1949 | Willowfield | Knock | 1959 | Knock 3 | Botanic 2 |
| 1950 | Knock 2 | Woodvale | 1960 | Willowfield 2 | Belfast 2 |
| 1951 | Knock | Willowfield / Ormeau Utd | 1961 | Cavehill | Windsor |
| 1952 | Willowfield 2 | Knock | 1962 | Belfast | Willowfield 2 |
| 1953 | Cavehill | Musgrave | 1963 | Willowfield | Cliftonville |
| 1954 | Cavehill | Musgrave | 1964 | Cliftonville | Willowfield |
| 1955 | Belfast | Cliftonville | 1965 | Shaftesbury | Willowfield |
By 1966 the Zone A and B concept was evolving to ease travelling problems. There was a play-off at a neutral green between the teams at the head of each Zone’s top Section – it was winner-takes-all because there was still no runner-up award at the time.
| 1966 | Willowfield | Cliftonville | 1972 | Willowfield | Woodvale United 2 |
| 1967 | Cliftonville 2 | Willowfield 2 | 1973 | Cliftonville | Pickie |
| 1968 | Belmont | Woodvale | 1974 | Ormeau United | Cliftonville |
| 1969 | Shaftesbury | Cliftonville | 1975 | Forth River | Belmont |
| 1970 | Shaftesbury | Salisbury | 1976 | Willowfield | Woodvale United 2 |
| 1971 | Woodvale | Shaftesbury | 1977 | Belmont | Albert Foundry |
The competition was discontinued in this format. VBL had started to take the shape we have now. Starting in 1978, there were 5 Sections (2 in Zone A, and 3 in Zone B). For the first time, each Section will have trophies for both the winner and the runner-up.
DIVISION 2
There was no trophy before 1963 (when the Richard McBurney Trophy was donated for the winner) and earlier winner names aren’t known. It wasn’t until 1967 that the George H. Hatch trophy was donated for the runner-up.
| 1963 | Willowfield 3 | Botanic 2 | 1971 | Willowfield 2 | Belmont 2 |
| 1964 | Botanic 2 | Willowfield 3 | 1972 | Belmont 2 | Shaftesbury 2 |
| 1965 | Belmont 2 | Willowfield 3 | 1973 | Gallaher | Shaftesbury 2 |
| 1966 | Belmont 2 | Belmont 3 | 1974 | Shaftesbury 2 | Willowfield 2 |
| 1967 | Ormeau United 2 | Belfast 2 | 1975 | Gallaher | Belmont 2 |
| 1968 | Carrickfergus | Belmont 3 | 1976 | Short & Harland | Ormeau United 2 |
| 1969 | Strand | Willowfield 2 | 1977 | Belfast 2 | Pickie 2 |
| 1970 | Pickie | Shaftesbury 2 |
It was discontinued in this format. The teams were distributed to Zone A or B, wherever the number 1 team was.
ZONE A, Section 1
The winner receives the Montgomery Cup. The runner-up gets the William Gardiner Trophy.
| 1978 | Albert Foundry | Cavehill | 1993 | Newtownabbey | Falls |
| 1979 | Woodvale United 2 | Albert Foundry | 1994 | Glengormley | Newtownabbey |
| 1980 | Forth River | North Belfast | 1995 | Forth River | Castleton |
| 1981 | Forth River / N. Belfast | are joint winners | 1996 | Glengormley | Carrickfergus |
| 1982 | Falls | Albert Foundry | 1997 | Carrickfergus | Ballymena |
| 1983 | Ewarts | North Belfast | 1998 | Carrickfergus | Cavehill |
| 1984 | Forth River | Falls | 1999 | Ballymena | Carrickfergus |
| 1985 | Forth River | Glengormley | 2000 | Carrickfergus | Ballymena |
| 1986 | Forth River | Albert Foundry | 2001 | Ballymena | Northern Telecom |
| 1987 | Carrickfergus | Grove United | 2002 | UTA (Ulster Transport) | Grove United |
| 1988 | Cavehill | Newtownabbey | 2003 | Ballymena | Castleton |
| 1989 | Falls | Divis | 2004 | Grove United | Ulster Transport |
| 1990 | Grove United | Cliftonville | 2005 | Carrickfergus | Ulster Transport |
| 1991 | Ewarts | Glengormley | 2006 | Newtownabbey | Divis |
| 1992 | Falls | Ewarts |
ZONE A, Section 2
The winner receives the Hugh Simpson Cup. The runner-up gets the W. H. Boomer Trophy.
| 1980 | Carr’s Glen | Castleton 2 | 1994 | Ballymena | RVH (Royal Victoria Hospital) |
| 1981 | Newtownabbey | Woodvale United 2 | 1995 | Ballymena 2 | Falls 2 |
| 1982 | Mossley | Cavehill 2 | 1996 | Glengormley 2 | Curran 2 |
| 1983 | Cavehill 2 | Forth River 2 | 1997 | Ballymena 2 | Curran 2 |
| 1984 | Mossley | Woodvale United 2 | 1998 | Curran 2 | Divis 2 |
| 1985 | Cavehill 2 | Mossley | 1999 | Castleton 2 | Forth River 2 |
| 1986 | Old Bleach | Lame | 2000 | Ballymena 2 | Castleton 2 |
| 1987 | Ballymena | Old Bleach | 2001 | Glengormley 2 | Forth River 2 |
| 1988 | Divis 2 | Ballymena | 2002 | Glengormley 2 | Ballymena 2 |
| 1989 | Falls 2 | Ballymena | 2003 | Ulster Transport 2 | Glengormley 2 |
| 1990 | Ballymena | Mossley | 2004 | Ballymena 2 | Ewarts 2 |
| 1991 | Ballymena | Mossley | 2005 | Ballymena 2 | Ulster Transport 2 |
| 1992 | Ulster Transport | Ballymena | 2006 | Carrickfergus 2 | Ballymena 2 |
| 1993 | Falls 2 |
ZONE A, Section 3
The winner receives the Fashion Sport Ltd Trophy. The runner-up gets the A. Cairns Trophy.
This section was created mainly for clubs with only 1 team, plus weaker teams below the number 1and 2 teams.
| 1995 | Old Bleach | Curran | 2001 | UTA (Ulster Transport) | Larne |
| 1996 | Mossley | Albert Foundry 2 | 2002 | Cliftonville | Albert Foundry |
| 1997 | Albert Foundry | Larne 2 | 2003 | Old Bleach | North Belfast |
| 1998 | Lame | Albert Foundry | 2004 | Old Bleach | Whitehead |
| 1999 | UTA Ulster Transport | Larne | 2005 | Old Bleach | Whitehead |
| 2000 | Northern Telecom | Larne | 2006 | Larne | Mossley * |
ZONE B, Section 1
The winner receives the Pickie Cup. The runner-up gets the A. H. Hyndman Trophy.
| 1978 | Belmont | Orangefield | 1993 | Knock | Owenbeg |
| 1979 | Belfast | Willowfield | 1994 | Owenbeg | N.I.C.S. |
| 1980 | Belmont | Ward Park United | 1995 | Shaftesbury | N.I.C.S. |
| 1981 | Belfast | Belmont | 1996 | N.I.C.S. | Ards |
| 1982 | Knock | Belmont | 1997 | Willowfield | Belmont |
| 1983 | Knock | Shorts | 1998 | Musgrave United | Londonderry Park |
| 1984 | Ards | Belmont | 1999 | Willowfield | Shorts |
| 1985 | N.I.C.S. | Knock | 2000 | Willowfield | Saintfield |
| 1986 | Belmont | Holywood | 2001 | Willowfield | Saintfield |
| 1987 | Ards | Shorts | 2002 | Gallaher | Saintfield |
| 1988 | Holywood | Shorts | 2003 | Shorts | Musgrave United |
| 1989 | Shorts | Tullycamet United | 2004 | Gallaher | Donaghadee |
| 1990 | Holywood | Belmont | 2005 | Gallaher | Donaghadee |
| 1991 | Knock | Willowfield | 2006 | Musgrave United | Shorts* |
| 1992 | Shorts | Willowfield |
N.I.C.S. = Northern Ireland Civil Service
ZONE B, Section 2
The winner receives the Richard McBurney Cup. The runner-up gets the George Hatch Trophy.
| 1978 | Ward Park United 2 | Belmont 2 | 1993 | Comber 2 | Willowfield 2 |
| 1979 | Ormeau United 2 | Belmont 2 | 1994 | Belmont 2 | Willowfield 2 |
| 1980 | Belmont 2 | Ormeau United 2 | 1995 | Donaghadee 2 | Saintfield 2 |
| 1981 | Dundonald (Moat Park) | Shorts 2 | 1996 | Willowfield 2 | Saintfield 2 |
| 1982 | Lisnagarvey 2 | Knock 2 | 1997 | Saintfield 2 | Belmont 2 |
| 1983 | Willowfield 2 | Pickie 2 | 1998 | Belmont 2 | Moat Park 2 |
| 1984 | Belmont 2 | Tullycamet United 2 | 1999 | Belmont 2 | Willowfield 2 |
| 1985 | Shorts 2 | Knock 2 | 2000 | Belmont 2 | Shorts 2 |
| 1986 | Shorts 2 | Lisnagarvey 2 | 2001 | Ravenhill United 2 | Saintfield 2 |
| 1987 | Belmont 2 | N.I.C.S. 2 | 2002 | Donaghadee 2 | Shorts 2 |
| 1988 | Belmont 2 | Comber 2 | 2003 | Hilden 2 | Belmont 2 |
| 1989 | Comber 2 | Shorts 2 | 2004 | Willowfield 2 | Pickie 2 |
| 1990 | Lisnagarvey 2 | Shorts 2 | 2005 | Willowfield 2 | Donaghadee 2 |
| 1991 | Belmont 2 | Holywood 2 | 2006 | Shaftesbury 2 | Gallaher 2 |
| 1992 | Knock 2 | Belmont 2 |
ZONE B, Section 3
The winner receives the May Cup. The runner-up gets the Shorts B. C. Trophy.
| 1978 | Ward Park United 3 | Hilden | 1993 | Dungannon | Musgrave United 3 |
| 1979 | Lisnagarvey | Gallaher | 1994 | Rathfriland | Holywood 3 |
| 1980 | Gallaher | Hilden | 1995 | Crawfordsburn C.C. | Holywood3 |
| 1981 | Malone | Ormeau United 3 | 1996 | Musgrave United 3 | Willowfield 3 |
| 1982 | Ormeau United 3 | Musgrave United | 1997 | Hilden | Belmont 3 |
| 1983 | Gallaher | Belmont 3 | 1998 | Hilden | Musgrave United 3 |
| 1984 | Gallaher | Musgrave United | 1999 | Musgrave United 3 | Willowfield 4 |
| 1985 | Gallaher | Strand | 2000 | Belmont 3 | Musgrave United 3 |
| 1986 | Lurgan | Ormeau United 3 | 2001 | Musgrave United 3 | Belmont 3 |
| 1987 | Lurgan | Hilden | 2002 | Musgrave United 3 | Shaftesbury 3 |
| 1988 | Hilden | Owenbeg | 2003 | Musgrave United 3 | Shaftesbury 3 |
| 1989 | Owenbeg | Lurgan | 2004 | Saintfield 3 | Shaftesbury 3 |
| 1990 | Shorts 3 | Musgrave United 3 | 2005 | Musgrave United 3 | Belmont 3 |
| 1991 | Londonderry Park | Lurgan | 2006 | Londonderry Park | Botanic United |
| 1992 | Dunbarton | Downpatrick |
ZONE B Section 4
Alan Tait, a noted Rathfriland Veteran, donated the Mourne Cup. The runner-up gets the Portadown B.C. Trophy.
| 1995 | Portadown | Rathfriland | 2001 | Banbridge | Rathfriland |
| 1996 | Lurgan | Dungannon | 2002 | Bessbrook | Rathfriland |
| 1997 | Rathfriland | Warrenpoint | 2003 | Bessbrook | Lurgan |
| 1998 | Dungannon | Rathfriland | 2004 | Bessbrook | Portadown 2 |
| 1999 | Portadown | Bessbrook | 2005 | Portadown | Portadown 2 |
| 2000 | Rathfriland | Bessbrook | 2006 | Newcastle | Bessbrook |
ZONE B, Section 1A
The winner receives the Raymond Conner Cup. The runner-up gets the D. Gill Trophy.
| 1999 | Saintfield | 2003 | Lisnagarvey | |
| 2000 | Hilden | 2004 | Ward Park United | Owenbeg |
| 2001 | Gallaher | 2005 | ||
| 2002 | Musgrave United | 2006 | Magheradroll | Ards* |
ZONE B, Section 2A
The winner receives the H. Simpson Memorial Cup. The runner-up gets the D. Gill Trophy.
| 1999 | Moat Park 2 | Saintfield 2 | 2003 | Comber 2 | Botanic |
| 2000 | Downpatrick | Ravenhill United 2 | 2004 | Magheradroll | Comber 2 |
| 2001 | Botanic United | Ormeau United 2 | 2005 | Magheradroll | |
| 2002 | Comber 2 | Ballywalter | 2006 | Ulster Maple Leaf | Crawfordsburn C.C. 2 |