News Release
China Beckons for Team UU Soccer Squad
Team UU soccer squad, selected for the first time from Jordanstown, Coleraine and Magee campuses, heads off this week on a ground-breaking trip to China.
The seventeen players will be accompanied by an eight strong management team including former Northern Ireland star Malachy Donaghy, who played on the team which beat Spain to reach the quarter finals of the 1982 World Cup and also played nearly seven hundred games for Luton Town, Manchester United and Chelsea F.C.He is the current Northern Ireland under-nineteen manager.
The University of Ulster touring squad has netted a sponsorship deal from Budweiser, who have proactively supported University Football in Northern Ireland over the years and who are delighted to be able to sponsor this groundbreaking tour to China.The sponsorship involves Budweiser branded players’ kits and training gear.
The squad will play five matches during their thirteen day trip – one against a Fuzhou Napier University side, one against a professional Chinese team and three exhibition games.
For Nigel Dobson, Head of Sport and Recreation Services at the University of Ulster, the visit will rekindle memories of a former visit to the Far East. The former Cardiff City player turned out for the British Universities side that competed in Asia some years ago.
He said: “I am delighted that the University of Ulster’s soccer team has been invited by Fuzhou University to come to China. The match again Fuzhou is aimed at strengthening the friendly relationship between the two Universities.
“I also wish to express my gratitude to Budweiser for their sponsorship and assistance with the trip. Budweiser has been a strong supporter of University football and together we make a winning team.”
The University of Ulster side and management team is packed with experience with all the side having played in Irish University and Collingwood Cup competitions.
Several players also have Irish League experience including captain Kris Lindsay, who plays for Portadown and the Northern Ireland U21 side; Richard Clarke of Newry City and Northern Ireland U21 and Conor Lynch of Limavady United and Derry City. Andy Morrow played for Wolves and Derry City.Team manager Shane McCullough is a former Northern Ireland U16 manager and Marty McCann played for Newry Town and Derry City.
Also in the touring party will be Michael Boyd, the Irish Football Association’s Director of Community Relations; Professor Jim Allen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Student Support; team physio Christopher Bleakley and Daniel Owens, assistant coach from the Coleraine campus.The trip also has the support of the Sports Council for Northern Ireland.
Budweiser’s level of support in the football arena is extensive.Budweiser has been the “official beer” of every FIFA World Cup since 1986 and will continue with the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. In addition to being “official beer” and “official online partner” of the F.A. Premier League, Budweiser is also the “official beer” sponsor for Manchester United, Chelsea F.C. and Arsenal F.C.; and an “official partner” of Manchester City.
At a local level Budweiser sponsors two Northern Ireland football teams at University of Ulster Jordanstown and Queen’s University.The brand also takes a proactive role in the Northern Ireland University League, with an end of season awards presentation, in conjunction with the Sunday Life, to award prizes for the “Team of the Year” and the “Player of the Year.”
Candida Brown, marketing manager, Anheuser-Busch Europe Ltd, said “This is another great opportunity to showcase our sports sponsorship from grass roots through to a global level
and we are delighted to be involved in the sponsorship of this unique touring opportunity.With this calibre of management and players on tour, the University of Ulster Football Team will not only be good ambassadors for Northern Ireland, but for football as a whole.”
For further information, please contact:
Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk
