NORTH END DEC 1994

NORTH END 1/12/94:




North End secretary Jim Doherty credits manager Carl Humphries with the

upswing in the fortunes of the first division club this season: "We are making

great progress under Carl's management. His experience in England with West

Ham and during his colourful League of Ireland career has been a great asset

to us and it shows in our current form".



That form was especially good during October when an undefeated campaign

earned Humphries' charges the Murphy's Stout AUL Team of the Month. The award

was presented at a function last week in the Steeple Bar where Barry Sheehan

is North End's number one supporter.



Martin O'Brien is coach to the side which is captained by Paul Lee. Lee and

striker turned defender Jimmy Jones are veterans, having spent close to 20

years in the ranks. Tony Kearney is another long serving member.



In those days, when Jones and partner Sean o'neill, terrorised many a defence,

they were known as Sunbeam. In 1976/77 they won the Third Division and were

runners up in the second three years later.



But this was the time of major redundancies at the Commons Road and, as it

became increasingly difficult to fill a panel from the reduced workforce, it

was decided to change the name to North End, thereby making a connecton with a

famous bygone team of the same name, a connection welcomed by surviving

members of the original club.



Indeed, there are still family connections. Jimmy Jones' father played with

the old North End while Paul and Brian Lee and Kenneth Stephens are also

second generation North Enders. The original North End, by the way, were

based at the old Pigeon Club in Quarry Lane (near Neptune Stadium).



Jimmy Cronin, current chairman, was very much involved in those days and in

1983/84 had the satisfaction of seeing North End win the First Division title.

Honours have been scarce since then but this could be their year.



The improvement on the field has been obvious but there has also been

marvellous work going on off the field and here secretary Doherty, a top class

organiser, comes in for much of the credit. The full committee is: Jimmy

Cronin (Chairman), Jim Doherty senior (Secretary), Dan Jones (Treasurer), Dave

Donaghue and Jim Doherty junior.



Humphries panel is: Paul Lee (captain), Jimmy Jones, Steve O'Leary, Tony

Kearney, Con Connors, Derek Barnes (keeper), Niall O'Connell, Niall Duggan,

Brian Lee, Raymond Murphy, Paul Humphries, John Kenneally, Adrian Hyde, James

Sweeney, Jimmy Morrissey, Martin Murray, Alfie Riordan, Eddie O'Sullivan,

Danny O'Leary, and Ken Stephens.