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Larne Tech Old Boys
was formed on the
30 May 1950, by
former school pupils and started life off as a
football team in the Amateur League Second Division.
The early days
proved difficult as they fought to establish the club
and it was not until the First Annual Reunion in
December 1952, did interest start to increase.
Within a few years
The Old Boys had gained their own clubrooms, were
operating highly successful and lucrative dances,
competing at cricket and table tennis and were
fielding two football teams each week, producing
young players who went on to International and
Representative Honours and to play at higher grades
of football.
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The next decade started off brightly, but towards the
end of the sixties The Old Boys membership had
dropped alarmingly and they were in financial
difficulties. They were forced to give up their
highly prized clubrooms in 1970 and only the loyalty
and hard work of a small band of members kept the
club afloat.
Temporary accommodation was found and in 1971 new
clubrooms were acquired at their present headquarters
at Antiville Playing Fields. An influx of young
footballers regenerated interest in The Old Boys and
soon the clubrooms were refurbished, membership
soared and a liquor licence obtained. Men's and
Ladies dart teams were formed and the football teams
grew in stature and went on to win both the Border
Regiment and Templeton Cups in 1976, their first
Amateur League honours. Promotion to the top division
and a further Cup Final defeat on penalties followed
shortly after.
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Plans to move to a
purpose built clubhouse and sporting facilities fell
through in the early
eighties and the decision was
taken to completely modernize the existing clubrooms.
This work was followed by the acquisition of the
adjacent football pitch, which was enclosed and
upgraded in 1991 to allow them to compete at the top
level of amateur football.
Relegation and
promotion have followed in the nineties, together
with league championships for the Second XI and
another Border Cup win for the First Team.
The Old Boys have continued to thrive, providing
facilities and opportunities for their members, as
well as continuing their long established work for
charity and enter this, their Fiftieth Anniversary,
well prepared for the next fifty years.
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