Midleton football club are thriving as one of the biggest football clubs in the country

Fifty years on and Midleton football club are thriving as one of the biggest football clubs in the country.

With over 1,000 players currently playing at the club, and numbers continuing to increase each year, the need for developing facilities is something the club has always pride themselves on and while they have top class facilities in place, plans for an all weather pitch is the aim.

With the recent news of being granted over 160,000 in capital grant funding, along with many other fundraising within the club, the Knockgriffin club are now in a position to start work on the eagerly awaited astro pitch.

While tremendous work is being done off the pitch to ensure the kids of Midleton football club have the best of facilities on offer to them, results on the pitch have shown that this club is certainly going in the right direction.

Last season alone the club won 13 trophies and came runners up in seven other competitions. 

This was spread out across boys and girls and in ages U12,13,14,15,16,17 and senior.

Chairman Mick Kirby was full of praise for all involved with the club and was excited to know the club are working hard both on and off the pitch.

"We have just completed our 50th season in football and it has been an exciting time for our club with increase numbers joining every year particularly our girls academy over the past three years," said Kirby. 

"We are now tipping 1000 members and going from strength to strength and we had great success on the playing field in our 50th season. 

"More members brings more challenges as we look for more playing facilities to cater for all.

"We have 36 teams with 1000 playing members catering for all ages from Under 5 years to senior level. A huge increase in girls playing ( 350 ) with a very strong FFA in our club over the past 12 years."

While there are many volunteers who make the club what it is today, they are steered by their passionate chairman who during his time as chairman has grown the club to be one of the most progressive clubs in the country.

He has overseen the purchase, fundraising and been instrumental in the development of the club both on and off the playing field at Knockgriffin Park which include all weather five-aside pitches, UEFA standard dressing rooms complex, floodlights on the number one playing pitch, the development of third playing pitch, and the latest is a community training course facility. 

Modest as he is, he was quick to turn the attention away from himself and was quick to praise the number of volunteers and sponsors to his club.

"I can’t say enough about our volunteer coaches who invest their time, energy, and expertise into nurturing and developing our young magpies stars.

"Sincere appreciation to the parents and families of our players. Your support, from the sidelines or behind the scenes, is vital in creating a nurturing environment where our young athletes can flourish.

"The members of our community who give so much back to our club by supporting our fundraising and helping us achieve our goal to provide the best facilities for all. 

"Our unsung heroes club administrators who give unbelievable time in dealing with all maters to keep club going.

"A big thank you to the businesses in our community who have supported us throughout the years. 

"Their sponsorship and partnership have played an invaluable role in enabling our club to grow and flourish. 

"Their commitment to our cause has not only bolstered our teams but also fostered a sense of unity between the club and the local community.

"While success is great, we take huge pride in the fact that kids are happy to play with our club. 

"In fact, the only players that have left us really are the ones gone on to play at a higher level in league of Ireland.

"Midleton Football Club is not merely an organization or a team—it is a family."