Blackpool 2000

Whilst traveling to Blackpool in June 2000 on the Belfast to Heysham ferry, we settled ourselves in the bar area as the ferry set sail. We were sitting having a few beers, when someone said they had recognized the Northern Ireland and Blackburn Rovers footballer Keith Gillespie. Sure enough about fifteen minutes later in came Keith and  his wife and took a seat next to us in the bar. The usual fuss around the celebrities then took place autographs, photographs etc.

Eventually the fuss died down, and some of us where having a chat with Keith about the time he played for Man Utd and about football in general.

Unknown to us, someone had put on some songs on the jukebox. The first song to come on was the fields of Athenry. Those of you that are Rangers fans don't have to be told, that there are different words sung to this song when you hear it at Ibrox. You can guess what happened next, the entire bar area burst into singing and to our surprise so did Keith Gillespie.

When the stewards on the boat heard the singing they arrived in the bar and immediately they asked Keith and his wife if they wanted to move to the first class section of the ferry. When Keith replied that he was happy to stay were he was it was greeted with a loud cheer. Keith and his wife remained in our company for the entire crossing, enjoying the crack and also the singing.

Good on you Keith, true Blue!