By Daniel Noble
CROSSGAR man Paul Teggart has been recognised by the Irish Football Association (IFA) for 55 years of service to the village’s youth football league.
Paul started Crossgar Youth League with his friend, the late Eddie Craig, when he was just 16, with the pair overseeing the running of the event alongside volunteers including Margaret Teggart, Bernie McKeating and Stella Casey.
The league continues to operate today, playing throughout the summer at Kilmore Playing Fields, after they were previously forced to move from their long-time home at Lislea Drive, Crossgar.
The change of location led to founder and chairman Paul making the difficult decision to step away from his involvement, but Crossgar Youth League simply would not exist without his vision, hard work and dedication, something IFA President Conrad Kirkwood has now acknowledged.
In the letter of appreciation that he sent to Paul, President Kirkwood said:
“Please accept my congratulations on your many years of long service to football in Crossgar and the County Down area.
“To sustain your involvement for such a long time, you must have had a huge passion for the beautiful game, which is fundamental to anything.
“You should be proud of the work that you have done and of the many children who have benefited from the start you have given them.”
The letter continued:
“I trust that the Crossgar Youth League will continue to survive and prosper based on the firm foundations which you leave behind.
“I thank you on behalf of the Irish FA for your work and I wish you a long and richly deserved retirement from the day-to-day administration of the league.”
Amongst the children that benefited from Paul’s guidance and the footballing platform he established, was one of the most significant players in Northern Ireland’s history.
Killyleagh native David Healy played for Paul’s Crossgar U-12 side and went on to be scouted by Manchester United, and played for the likes of Leeds United, Fulham and Sunderland, all while becoming his country’s record goalscorer, before enjoying a highly successful management career with Linfield.
A talented player like Healy likely would have found his way regardless, but he was just one of countless players who Paul opened footballing doors for – something the former psychiatric nurse believes was the driving force behind his many years of mentorship.
“We started the youth league because there was nothing here and it was just something to do.
“There was nowhere for kids to play organised football back then – Kilmore Rec wasn’t even in Crossgar at that time – and I wanted to offer that,” he explained.
“It gave a lot of kids the opportunity to kick a ball for the first time and got them started in football, which they would have had to go somewhere else for without the youth league.”
Naturally, the main focus of a football event is the sport itself, but Paul recognises how important it really was for the village as a whole.
“It was the community aspect that I enjoyed most.
“It brought everybody together and you had mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles and grandparents all coming down to watch the kids and have a chat with people,” he added.
“It was great for everybody’s mental health.
“I would say it was the most important social event in Crossgar, especially the presentation days.”
Although he is no longer involved, the league still means the world to Paul, and there is nothing he would rather be recognised for.
“The youth league was my life, and it makes it even more special that that’s what I have received an award for.
“It’s the first award I’ve received in all my life, and it will be proudly displayed on my wall.
“It’s nice to get some recognition and really, anyone who does anything to help the youth should be recognised.”
