A MINUTE’S applause will take place ahead of Saturday’s Championship One clash between Dergview and Ballyclare Comrades in memory of club member Ivan Clarke who died suddenly earlier this week.
Mr Clarke, 61, was a valued member of the Dergview family and was always willing to help out in whatever capacity he could.
Ivan was a permanent fixture at Darragh Park and no further away than Saturday travelled with the Dergview FC Supporters Club to the away game at Institute.
His two sons are also heavily involved in the club. Stephen is the youth development officer while Simon plays in the club’s second string. Mr Clarke passed away on Monday morning and his funeral service took place at Castlederg Methodist Church on Wednesday.
Dergview manager Richard Clarke said Mr Clarke’s passing was a sad loss to the club and local community. “It was so sad, I saw Ivan down at the match on Saturday and I had spoken to him recently. He was telling me how he was enjoying watching the progress of the team,” said the manager.
“He always worked hard in the background, doing wee jobs around the club for years. “It’s very sad and huge shock for Simon and Stevie. Ivan never missed a home game especially and always had a few words for everybody afterwards. “It’s a sad loss for everyone, he always chipped in with the minimum of fuss. He’ll be a big miss.
“We’ll have to try and get the boys up for Saturday and the biggest tribute we could pay to Ivan is to go out, win the match and stay top of the league.”
There has been a noticeable increase in attendances at Dergview games this season and on Saturday a huge travelling support made the short journey to the Riverside Stadium for the controversial 1-1 draw against Institute.
Clarke believes the supporters are playing their part in the team currently sitting top of the league. “There was a great away support on Saturday and when we scored the whole place erupted. It makes such a difference” continued the ex-Ports midfielder. “Things appear to be heading in the right direction in that respect as well. I suppose some of that is down to the way we are playing and our position in the league.
“The players we have brought in have fired the imgination locally again and hopefully the support sticks with us. “We have certainly been entertaining so far and it would be good to see the fans out on force again for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash. “This is a six-pointer and we can move clear of Ballyclare and vice versa. We need the support and I know anytime we do have the support it inspires the players.
“We have been playing well but Ballyclare are not to be taken lightly. They came down and gave us a real tanking at the end of last season, albeit we were down to the bare bones that day.
“They are an impressive young team and they have plenty of legs and work-rate about them. They impoved dramatically last term and they have shown this season they are a good side “It’s set up to be a good game, both teams have scored a lot of goals and they’ll come here with no fear. Hopefully we can deliver on Saturday.”
