Ending Glens’ title drought is very special, admits veteran Bailie
AT 40-years-old, most players have long since chucked their boots in a cupboard and the feet that once wore them are put up as they enjoy retirement.
Kelly Bailie isn’t like most players, though. Instead, the one girl who can rightly wear the title of Glentoran Women legend is toasting an ‘extremely special’ league title success and an incredible 31st trophy win in her 24th season with the club.
And to think Bailie has done all that as a part-time amateur player.
Most of her male professional counterparts can only dream of that kind of medal haul.
Retirement was considered at the end of last season, with 30 trophies a nice round figure to finish on, but Bailie wasn’t about to have her football career become another casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the season shortened to just 10 matches, the former Northern Ireland international considered that doable — and she’s glad she did as the Glens made up for the disappointment of dropping out of the race in the final stages last year by winning a first league title since 2014, Bailie’s 10th in total.
“It’s hard to sum up the feelings,” said Bailie.
“For us, it’s been a few years coming, and we’ve been aiming for this for the last five seasons.
“This year the aim was definitely to win the league, it’s good to finish it off and it’s another medal added to the collection.
“I’m just happy to be able to play this year. I reassess yearby-year, and when coronavirus hit I wasn’t going to let it be taken away from me. Considering what’s going on I’m very lucky to be able to play, so I just thought, ‘I’m going to continue’.”
Only once since their last league win six years ago have the Glens managed to finish in the top two.
Manager Billy Clarke, conscious of the long wait for a league title, has fused youth and experience in a talented squad over the last couple of seasons that has six players — three of whom started in Wednesday night’s title-clinching win over Crusaders Strikers — half Bailie’s age or less.
“This one is extremely special because we have had a period of transition,” said Bailie.
“The league has become so strong and teams are so competitive now. It’s not between two teams, it’s between three or four, and teams can take points off everybody, so we’ve had to work extra hard and that’s what makes it extra special.”