23 April 2010
Some 170 people attended a ‘Breakfast with Baker’ in the wellington Park this am. Club Aontroim would like to put on record their appreciation to the main Sponsors, Irwin’s Bakery and indeed to everyone supporting and attending, what was in effect a very enjoyable fund raising occasion.
We have come a long way within Antrim senior football and that in no small way is down to a knowledge of the game, combined with the managerial skills and natural leadership ability of the ‘Baker’. He has most certainly harnessed and honed a body of talent within the ranks of Antrim football and has been a true inspiration by way of his consistent and strong leadership.
More importantly perhaps, for Antrim players and supporters alike, ‘Baker’ has been accepted, in absolute terms and has the respect of all who have either come to know him or to work with the man. This event was in essence an opportunity to manifest that respect for a true giant among men. The event was organised by club Aontroim and well attended from near and far, by those who wanted to demonstrate their genuine appreciation of what he has and is achieving.
Mark Sidebottom was the chosen Interviewer, to mark the occasion and as always, true to form, he entertained all present with his unique and mischievous sense humour, in the content and structure of some of his questions. Baker is now very much at home with the Antrim lads. He clearly has dumped some excess baggage associated with Antrim and overcome those historical parochial barriers, which all too often in the past have impeded real progress within our county.
To accomplish that progress he set out his stall at outset, to establish in absolute terms, that equalisation of status was a primary value and team-spirit is the imperative, because, as he rightly says ‘Teams win matches’. He has engendered self discipline and collective team discipline, within and throughout the panel. He is a tough and driven task master; he asks, he expects and he delivers, in that order; it clearly works for 'Baker' and for Antrim Senior Football - so long may it continue.
Lawrence Smyth County PRO.
