Gerry Wheeler will never forget his time playing winning basketball with Blue Demons in Cork

It was a nostalgic occasion for the former Blue Demons/Team Britvic star Gerry Wheeler when he attended the recent reunion of their historic Federation Cup win in 1983.

Gerry was a star player with Demons in the late seventies and eighties and the former Irish senior international now residing in Toronto looked back on his career with pride.

“I actually started my basketball career playing with my hometown club Portarlington Hawks, but came to Cork to attend the Regional Technical College (MTU), Wheeler said.

It all changed for Gerry in 1977 when he met yours truly at Jack Forde’s pub near Shandon where he duly signed for the Sunday’s Well club.

“I actually knew how strong basketball was in Cork and it was perfect as I had a flat near the North Cathedral and to be honest, I never looked back,” added Wheeler.

Six years later married the love of his life Jean and they were blessed with two children Kelly and Amy.

After playing with Demons for 11 years Wheeler departed for Canada in 1988 and still resides with his family there but his love for Demons has never waned.

“My definition of Blue Demons is the pleasure and love they gave me I feel that at every opportunity I will always honour them and getting back for this reunion was a must for me.” 

In the words of Gerry, the years of playing with special people are what dreams are made of.

“As an outsider they adopted me and always looked out for me and when you go into your sixties you really start appreciating those wonderful years.” 

The day at the Mardyke when Gerry rubbed shoulders with teammates, he hadn’t seen for 40 years was monumental.

“I think it was an emotional day with players who I went to war with in the good old days and believe me we had some warriors at Demons.” Looking back on his time during the golden era Gerry feels he was honoured to play with some wonderful Irish and professional players.

“The Americans in my time were unreal and to have Jasper McElroy, Bob Stephens and Lennie McMillan join us for the reunion was special.

“In a way I feel a tinge of sadness that the standard of Americans has dropped because the same work that includes serious fundraising must be done by the present committee, but Demons are still thankfully battling for honours.” 

The change in the game worldwide has went unnoticed for Wheeler.

“When I played there was always a big post player and my approach was always feed the big man and, in those days, if they failed to get good looks the ball was always kicked back out.” 

Defence is another department that Gerry reckons should always be a major issue if teams are to be successful at the top tier.

“In my time you always had to play good defence or you wouldn’t be on court and for some strange reason over the years it has become near non-existent with all the emphasis on three-point shooting.” 

Presently, Gerry is a self-employed consultant working with wastewater in Toronto but he received difficult news before arriving in Ireland.

“I only got diagnosed a week before I came here as the doctors told me I had Huntingdon’s Disease, but it wasn’t going to distract me from meeting up with old friends at Demons.

“To be honest, I made my mind up before leaving Canada there is plenty of living for me yet and basically it’s a case of getting on with it.” 

The summer will be exciting for Gerry as his daughter Amy gets married in August and there will be plenty of activity in the Wheeler household.

Wife Jean is a native of Iona Park in Mayfield and makes regular visits to be with her mother and life overall is good for the family.

So after a hectic week on Leeside what will Gerry take back to Canada.

“No matter what it costs you cannot buy friendship and I have had some wonderful conversations with various people in my short stay.

“I have caught up with the folk that matter that I know are true friends and as long as my health will allow me there is no reason why I will not have another visit in the coming years.” 

So what was Gerry’s most memorable moment in a Team Britvic jersey?

“It has to be winning the Federation Cup and our Americans in that game Bob Stephens and Tony Hafley were magnificent.

“We landed in Dublin Airport from Scotland before heading to Cork but the craic was incredible and its days like that one that bring tears to my eyes when I think about the good old times of basketball in Cork.”