With exclusive access to Glentoran Football Club for the duration of the 2021-2024 seasons, this documentary charts three years of highs and lows during which the club adjusts to new ownership, while the team pursues a comeback to its former glory.
Produced by Beyond Borders Film and Cyprus Avenue Films, ‘Dreams Of Glory: The Glentoran Story’ follows the club – its players, fans and backroom staff – as it strives to reclaim its place at the top of the Irish League and qualify for Europe.
The journey starts during the 2021-22 season, which saw the £1million plus takeover of the club by businessman Ali Pour after some persuasion from close friend and Glentoran manager at the time, Mick McDermott. Their mission is simple - restore the former glory days to this famous club.
We are also introduced to Marcus Kane, club captain and lifelong Glentoran supporter, and Paddy McClean, the team’s tough centre back from the Creggan district in Londonderry. Despite their differing backgrounds, the pair make a formidable partnership.
In the formative years of Glentoran F.C. wealthy shipbuilders, politicians and industrialists threw their financial clout behind the club. This was the team their workforce came to see on a Saturday and, if they played well, the ships launched ahead of schedule, delivered anywhere from Sydney Harbour to the Cisco Bay.
Some might be unfamiliar with Glentoran’s quite remarkable track record in Europe, having duelled with the likes of Juventus, Benfica and Paris Saint Germain, to name but a few.
The 2021-22 season ended on a sour note for The Glens, who threw away a 2-0 lead against Larne to suffer a 4-2 defeat. As the 2022-23 season gets set to kick off, there are mixed expectations amongst the players and fans.
Three years into the regime change and investment, an Irish League title charge is long overdue. Following a positive transfer window, the squad seems in good shape.
After a strong start to the season, Glentoran sit top of the league and Mick McDermott’s men are flying. But an injury to star man Conor McMenamin in a heated away match in Coleraine threatens to derail the team’s season. Things soon start to unravel just ahead of the all-important Boxing Day fixture known as the ‘Bel Classico’ against arch rivals Linfield. We hear from Stevie and Paul, two stalwart fans who have followed Glentoran through thick and thin. Stevie was born in England and arrived in Northern Ireland as a soldier during the Troubles, while Belfast local Paul bonded with Stevie on the terraces.
In January 2023, after a disappointing loss to Larne and facing severe fan unrest, manager Mick McDermott hands in his resignation. His assistant Rodney McAree succeeds him and attempts to rally the players during a difficult spell for the club. After a bright start, a loss to Crusaders in the cup sees the team implode and tempers fray amongst the players in the changing room. In the final stretch of the season, The Glens can’t win the league, but know a strong finish could see them secure second place in the table and a guaranteed place in Europe. Will the team face heartbreak once again?
As the film reaches its close, manager Warren Feeney departs the club and former Glentoran player Declan Devine takes the reigns, vowing to get the club back to winning ways.
Dreams Of Glory: The Glentoran Story is produced by Beyond Borders Film and Cyprus Avenue Films with narration from Richard Dormer.
It airs Wednesday 28 August, 10.40pm on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer.