Rathfern Rangers FC A Brief History
Rathfern Rangers FC was established in 1974 and first competed in the Dunmurry league,playing in Rathfern estate. We joined the Irish Churches League in 1985 and went on to become the Leagues most successful club. In 1988,due to the deteriorating condition of the pitch we moved to the new 3-mile water playing fields on the Doagh Road. This heralded a very successful era in which we won 7 division1 titles in 10 years. In 1998 we moved to our current home at The Diamond in Rathcoole which,was a purpose built and modern complex. A new chapter opened in 2001 when,after many unsuccessful attempts,we were finally accepted to join the Amateur League (NAFL). This was a tremendous boost to our club and local community that we are now pitting our wits against clubs from all over the province. We currently have 2 adult teams ,an under 15 team and a ladies team and around a 50 strong membership.
Our proudest achievement to date has been winning the IFA Fair play award in 1996. This was jointly presented to Donegal Celtic & ourselves by the IFA in recognition of outstanding sporting behaviour. When we were drawn to play Donegal Celtic at home in a Junior Shield tie it was thought by many that the match wouldn’t go ahead due to the political situation in the N. Ireland at the time. But not only was the game played but the Celtic players and officials stayed behind at our social club for food & entertainment after the game. Donegal Celtic returned the compliment the following season when we travelled to West Belfast for a pre-season friendly.
Rathfern Rangers domination of the Churches League can be seen from the trophies listed in the honours page amongst it an unprecedented five Division 1 league titles in a row between 1991-95. In 1998 we were the 1st Churches League team in over 20 years to reach the prestigious Co. Antrim Junior Shield final, losing narrowly to Lisburn Rangers. After joining the NAFL we won division 2c and The Cochrane/Corry cup in our 1st season. We secured back to back promotions the year after by winning division 2b and losing our Cochrane/Corry cup in a penalty shootout. Our 3rd season in NAFL we almost completed an amazing 3 league titles in a row but lost out narrowly by 1point. A couple of disappointing seasons in which we finished 9th and 3rd followed. The season 2006-07 was a defining moment for our club because as well as winning the CoAntrim Junior Shield we ensured Intermediate football by adding the 2a title as well.
This now enables us to compete in such prestigious trophies as the Steel and Sons cup and the Border Regiment cup although we will have to wait 2 seasons to compete in the Irish cup and the Intermediate cup. We wont be able to defend our Junior Shield although our 2nd team will now be able to compete in it along with the IFA Junior cup and Walter Moore cup. Our 2nd string has also had a meteoric rise since joining NAFL and they currently compete in div3a,which is as high as they can go and bodes well for the future of Rathfern Rangers FC
