Latest news with #KeithGillespie
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Keith Gillespie says Bangor should have one main objective on top flight return
Keith Gillespie has welcomed Bangor's return to the Irish League's top flight as he said their objective for next season should be very clear. The Seasiders ended a 16-year wait to get back into the Irish Premiership again when they won the Championship last season. It completed a remarkable journey for Bangor as only eight years ago they were embarking on a very different path as they were preparing for life in the Ballymena and Provincial Football League. READ MORE: Jonny Evans was a Rolls Royce player who Manchester United should never have let go says former teammate READ MORE: Josh Magennis admits retirement fears put to bed after call with Michael O'Neill Under boss Lee Feeney and their ambitious board they have climbed the ranks to get back in the big time once more. Former Northern Ireland international Gillespie is delighted to see them back amongst the big boys again but he says Bangor should have one aim for next season. "They have really got the club back to where it should be. It is going to be difficult next season as a promoted club and with not having been in the league for such a long time," he said. "You look at the money clubs have now it can be quite difficult to compete, but it's great to see them back as it's been a long time. "That first year is going to be about consolidation. It doesn't matter if you finish third bottom you just have to stay in the league and potentially kick on the year after. "I went to quite a few games last season, I always try to get down and support them. They had a great cup run last season as well. I was at the semi-final at Seaview. "Lee has done a great job but the people behind the scenes are important as well. It is going to be hard but it is good to see them back up there. "I'm sure there will be a few new faces coming in now which you have to do as you're going up another level."
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stars unite on the pitch for fun and fundraising in aid of TAMHI
Keith Gillespie hailed the work being done by local charity Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues [TAMHI] saying awareness is key to help those struggling. Gillespie was one of a number of high profile stars from the world of football, boxing and entertainment who came together for a very special fundraising match at Seaview on Saturday in partnership with That Prize Guy. The former Northern Ireland international was joined by the likes of Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov, Stiliyan Petrov and Jermaine Petrov in the Premier League Legends XI. READ MORE: Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov show their support for Belfast charity match READ MORE: Conor Bradley points to family sacrifices as he prepares to lift Premier League trophy They took on a Tea With Me FC select led by Shane Todd with fellow comedians Paddy McDonnell, Willie Thompson, Dave Elliott, Andrew Ryan and Tony Carroll joined by the likes of MMA stars Paul Hughes and Rhys McKee, boxer Sean McComb and former ring star Paddy Barnes to name but a few. Fans were treated to some flashes of brilliance and some funny moments at Seaview but the most important this was raising funds and awareness for mental health as Gillespie explained. "There needs to be more awareness of it. I think going back even 20 years not a lot of people knew a lot about it," said the former Newcastle United and Manchester United star. "There is more awareness now but it needs to keep going and get the message out there so that people know there is help out there. "I think the big problem is people get scared to talk but once they actually do there's a big weight lifted off their shoulders. "So it's important to reach out to people. TAMHI is a brilliant charity and I know they have helped so many people and will continue to do so. "Unfortunately there are tragedies, which we would like to avoid and the biggest thing to try and do that is awareness." This is the second charity fundraising game Gillespie has been involved with in aid of TAMHI and he is only too happy to do what he can to help such a worthwhile cause. "We played in a game at Solitude a few years ago for TAMHI and it was a great day, everything went really well," he said. "It's important these charities get the right people behind it and if I can help in any way I'm only too happy to do it. "It's nice for people to come and see players they maybe have never seen before like Berbatov and Giggs and people like that. "It's great to link up with these players again. Obviously I grew up with Giggsy in the youth team at United, what a fantastic player and servant to Man United. "As I say it's great for people to get to see these guys but it's all about the charity and making money."
Belfast Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
I'd love Sheffield United to win Play-Off… but Sunderland joy would be huge boost for NI, admits international hero
It's dubbed the richest game in football, with the winners of Saturday's Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley set to land £250million! So, who comes out on top? Sheffield United or Sunderland? Former Northern Ireland hero Keith Gillespie wants to see his old club Sheffield United make it into the Premier League though, on the flip side, admits a Sunderland victory would benefit the national team due to Trai Hume and Dan Ballard being influential figures for the North East outfit.
The Guardian
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Arsenal v Newcastle: Premier League
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Arsenal came into the 2024-25 season desperate to avoid finishing second again for the third year in a row. But this scenario probably wasn't what they had in mind. In mid-February, with 13 games remaining, they were still on Liverpool's coat-tails in the title race and 12 points ahead of seventh-placed Newcastle. Only two points separate them now, so Newcastle will leapfrog Arsenal if they win at the Emirates today. It's all a bit 1997, when Robbie Elliott's goal at Highbury on the penultimate weekend ultimately clinched second place for Newcastle ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool. That achievement, the last time Newcastle finished in the top two, and it was significant because it was the first season in which the runners-up qualified for the Champions League. Without Elliott's goal, Tino Asprilla and Keith Gillespie's glory night against Barcelona would not have happened. These days you only need to finish in the top five – or 17th, but that's another story – to qualify. Arsenal aren't quite there yet. They need a point either today or away to Southampton next weekend to avoid landing on a snake and sliding down to sixth. Newcastle need one more win, either today or at home to Everton next Sunday. But they, probably more than Arsenal given the trajectories of both sides, would love to finish second. Kick off 4.30pm. Share
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'They deserve a trophy'
Former Newcastle midfielder Keith Gillespie hopes players can turn the "hurt" of two years ago into "history" when they take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Magpies' last domestic trophy was the FA Cup in 1955, while the club's last major silverware came in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969, a competition that then had the guise of the Uefa Cup and is now the Europa have come close since, losing five domestic finals since the FA Cup win, including in the same competition two years ago to Manchester who was part of the Newcastle team who finished second in the Premier League in 1995-96, told BBC Radio Newcastle: "We had the final a couple of years ago where we probably just didn't turn up on that day and that might stand us in good stead for this game."A lot of these players who actually played two years ago will have been hurt on that day and it's not nice to lose a cup final and you remember those things. So, hopefully we'll turn up on the day and you know get that elusive trophy."It's always been mentioned [missing out on trophies] because it's such a long time. A club of that stature shouldn't really be going that long without winning a trophy."I know there's been other finals. There's been FA Cup finals in the 90s as well. That is something that does play on your mind. It'll be great for these players to be part of history, bringing a trophy back to St. James' for the first time in a long time."I remember when we actually came second, back in 95-96, you would have thought we actually won the league just from the celebrations that day. If we win the final [on Sunday], I'm sure they'll be celebrating for days, probably weeks."They deserve a trophy. In the past 20-30 years there's been ups and downs, relegations, cup finals, but the fans always stick by you. They're the best fans in the country by far. It will be a great occasion."Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds
