The social club, which was the brainchild of workers in the old Goodyear factory in the 1970s, first saw the club facilities open in 1982. In its heyday the Goodyear factory was one of the biggest employers in the area with a workforce of almost 1,000. Priding itself on its cross-community ethos, the club has survived several recessions as well as the Troubles and the Pandemic .
However this year its committee has assessed the club’s viability and plan on selling it after it closes at the end of this month. Advertisement Advertisement Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to NorthernIrelandWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you. A spokesperson for the club said: “At the recent AGM of the Goodyear Sports & Social Club an assessment was made on the viability of running a community-based club like the Goodyear and the challenges in trying to sustain it into the future.
It was agreed at the meeting that the club will cease to trade on the 30th June 2024. "The founding members and workers who first set up a social committee in the old Goodyear factory during the late 1970’s seen the club facilities open in 1982. Since then, the club has helped many local groups fundraise tens of thousands of pounds for good causes.
"It is now intended, as part of the club's constitution, that any net sale proceeds will be placed into an independently administered trust. This will help to continue to benefit local Cross community sporting and charitable or.
