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A Class Apart
A Class Apart
Thursday, 25th Sep 2014 17:05

There’s no mistaking teacher Barry Williams’s footballing allegiance when you walk into the engineering room at St Paul's Community College in Waterford, Ireland.

The room has recently undergone a refurbishment with Barry and his students adding a few additional touches.

“We took all the equipment out, we painted it, put in new benches, did a whole revamp on it and, of course, we put Town memorabilia on the wall,” he told TWTD.

“It creates a bit of an atmosphere. It all started because an awful lot of the kids here are fans of Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool and all the big teams.

“They’d all come in here and chat about football and ask me who I followed, so I started putting up the flags and the posters and it just created an atmosphere in the class groups with plenty of banter and good humour, which ultimately developed a relaxed homely environment that the pupils enjoyed. Following on from this the learning setting was greatly enhanced.

“The school is a mid-sized post-primary school of about 500 students. We are a disadvantaged second level school working with students who face many social and educational challenges in life.

“One of the lads has done a hand-painted Town badge, three foot by two foot in the corridor outside the room. It’s lovely! Everybody’s got involved.”

Barry, 41, has been following the Blues for some years: “Since the days of Paul Cooper, Mick Mills and Paul Mariner to name but a few I have enjoyed following Town.

“About 10 or 12 years ago I started putting the stuff up in the room and it just developed from there.

“It’s a bit of fun with the lads, they’ll be waiting on the matches and come in and talk about who’s played, who scored, especially if Murph has scored.

“Daryl Murphy went to this school, and his brothers as well. He’s given us some shirts. Stephen Hunt is from Waterford as well. There’s a big connection between Waterford and Town.”

In addition to Murphy and Hunt being from Waterford, boss Mick McCarthy’s father hailed from the area, while local radio station WLR FM's sports presenter Matt Keane is another staunch Town fan of many years standing.

Matt, whose support of the Blues is well-known to listeners, was given the honour of officially opening the refurbished engineering room.

“We had him do an opening ceremony, cutting the ribbon just to mark the occasion,” Barry added.

Barry will be over for the Huddersfield game towards the end of October and hopes to bring a party of his students to Portman Road at some point in the future, some having been recruited to the Blue Army: “At the moment Town’s progress is certainly tracked by many of the students and a number now support the Blues!”


Photo: Action Images



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BackToRussia added 17:14 - Sep 25
Blue army.
1

Steve_M added 17:31 - Sep 25
What a great thing to read. Good work Barry.
6

Sporall added 17:57 - Sep 25
Good story.
0

HarryfromBath added 18:06 - Sep 25
Superb story and the highest praise to them for their efforts. Growing up in Ireland, I know that the vast majority of people support Manchester United, Celtic and Liverpool, so this really is bucking the trend.

I hope that the club pick up on this so that Murph, Hunt or even Mick will pop in and say hello if they are over there visiting family or send them over some signed memorabilia to add to the décor..
10

brogansnose added 18:11 - Sep 25
What a wonderful story.
0

Blue_Fred added 18:27 - Sep 25
How about the club paying for a hosted visit? Would be great press ....
2

cvillageblue added 18:53 - Sep 25
I had an old signed shirt up outside my room in a school in cardiff. Until someone nicked it. Was gutted as it was signed by my sixth form group. So if someone bought a signed town shirt with strange signatures on it . . . .
0

bohslegend added 19:23 - Sep 25
Great story. Must pay a visit and bring a scarf.
1

Superblue95 added 19:33 - Sep 25
Growing up in Ireland the prospect of a classroom being full of Ipswich memorabilia seems quite surreal as everyone supports united or Liverpool with the odd arsenal and Chelsea fans dotted around. Don't come across many Ipswich fans! Wish my school had this classroom
2

trncbluearmy added 19:53 - Sep 25
Do I like that

COYB
0

nysully added 21:02 - Sep 25
I moved to Ireland in 1975 and after seeing them on MOTD in August of 1975 I have been supporting ever since, it was easy to support in the good times though I was the only supporter in my Town (Kenmare) back then, to continue for 39 years is the true test, I wouldn't change a thing, well maybe a few things but you know what I mean, COYB.
3

petermorris added 21:55 - Sep 25
Good stuff, and blessed relief from the likes of 'Blue Steele'...
0

JohnWarksTash added 08:38 - Sep 26
Thats brilliant! Sounds like a great teacher too!
0

Suffolk_n_Good added 10:42 - Sep 26
Brilliant, :)
0

runningout added 15:33 - Sep 26
like it :-)
0

Ipswicharegoingup17 added 21:55 - Sep 26
Good to see that there is another school in Ireland that has Ipswich allegiance. The other one is the one I went to. Our Lady's Secondary School in Belmullet County Mayo. Those of you who have been following Ipswich since the late seventies you might remember Robin Turner. He currently is working there and coaching the football.
0


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