30 April 2016
The Bank of Ireland UK Ulster Footballer of the Year trophy for 2016 was presented today to Billy Joe Burns of Crusaders, who has played for the club since May 2014.
During his previous 8 years with Linfield and subsequently with Crusaders, Billy Joe has always shown excellent sportsmanship and demonstrated a great determination, focus and drive to achieve an outstanding level of excellence.
The award was handed over at a reception in the new George Best suite at the National Football Stadium. At the event were Michael O’Neill and IFA President Jim Shaw.
Billy Joe becomes the 66threcipient of the award which is the oldest of its kind in Ireland and is the 6th Crusaders player to be selected.
Speaking at the awards, Leigh Curran, Branch Manager Bangor, Bank of Ireland UK said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring this prestigious Award and would like to congratulate Billy Joe on winning the Bank of Ireland UK Ulster Footballer of the Year Award. Bank of Ireland UK is committed to helping individuals, businesses and communities across Northern Ireland and we hope that Billy Joe’s example can be an inspiration to others.”
Robert Keenan, Chairman of Castlereagh Glentoran Supporters Club who initiated the award in 1951, expressed his thanks to Bank of Ireland UK for sponsoring the 2016 event and remarked that Billy Joe’s name was a fitting addition to the prestigious trophy.
A new award instituted by the club, the JT Inspires Young Player of the Year, was presented to Joel Cooper of Glenavon who again was praised for his outstanding season.
Both trophies will be formally handed over at the annual awards dinner in the Marine Court hotel, Bangor, on Friday 13th May.
