Dublin Hammers - Social Night 2011
The Christmas Party - 3rd December 2011
The Dublin Hammers Christmas party 2011 was a resounding success. Unlike the team’s result earlier in the day, our party contained all the ingredients for a winning night!
A great crowd turned out – the lads in their “going out” clobber and the WAGS looking stunning. As soon as you walked in the door you knew that just like the song ‘Tonights Gonna be a Good Night’! Brian Madden was delegated to take over the role of Jim Conway, who since becoming treasurer of the Club, has managed to go on several holidays, this time to Florida!
It wasn’t long before the room filled up and everyone started to mingle. Liamo greeted the President on his arrival and as ever the President brought an umbrella as a spot prize – along with a WHU top and the Village People Greatest Hits!
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Liam was first up to the microphone, where he welcomed us all to another Christmas party. He informed us of the format for the evening – drinks, food, free trip draw, raffle, drinks, karoke, drinks, dancing, drinks, Presidents speech, dancing, drinks, Bubbles, drinks and taxi home.
On came the raffle tickets and both Eddie Cox’s did a great job at the various tables selling them. I must say that everyone was very keen to purchase them when they saw the array of prizes – artwork of Bobby Moore by Josh, XL Polo Shirts with DH 20th Anniversary crest by Paul IT, bottles of booze and Black Tower wine, umbrellas, CDs and an electric heater?!?
Out came the food which was wolfed down by all and then the free trip draw. Terri Madden drew out the ticket... we all held our breath... and the winner is... Gary Purdy (I will point out at this stage that Gary has now won more free trips than me!!). We all agreed that he well deserved the prize and we look forward to joining him on the Hull trip.
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The raffle as ever proved to be a great laugh with Liamo trying to speed things up. Dessie won the Bobby Moore picture, Gerry Nolan’s wife (yes, she does exist) won him one of the XL Polo shirts. Linda won the Village People CD and just about everyone won something. We were wondering why Josh took the electric heater – is Mara failing to keep him warm?? Not a bit, as ever Josh was thinking of his Dad, Timmy who he said would find it of great use. As usual the last prize was the umbrella – won by one of the honorary Ringsend Ladies Hammers (she left it behind on her way home!).
The karoke started and first up was Marie (the Presidents wife) who like the President only has one song. She was followed by Eddie Cox’s brother, who can sing (unlike Eddie who got the looks instead of the talent), Dessie, Brian (our crooner), The President, the Ringsend Ladies and others.
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The floor filled quickly when the music started and we got the lights turned down to help the atmosphere – it worked. From that moment on the floor never emptied and we all showed various moves that we are still able to do or at least think we can do – Liamo hasn’t lost his Ska moves thirty years on. There was waltzing by our JT who ensured that he will get hot dinners for another 12 months!
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The President took the microphone for his annual speech. He started off by reminding us that since Mary left the Park he is now the longest serving President in the country. In honour of our new man up in the Park he even had a short poem! He thanked everyone for coming along and hoped they and their families would have a wonderful Christmas. And just like previous years where he gave us such great catch phrases as ‘Yes We Can’ this year was no different. He reminded us of the quiz during October when we all received letters and texts regarding the arrangements and very few responded (although we did all turn up on the night!) and said that this coming year our mantra will be ‘Answer the Call’!! A rousing reception followed his speech and we got back on the floor.
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The night sadly came to an end with all the lads singing Bubbles while a few watched wondering why the Chelsea Supporters Club never meet to sing a song!! It was time to finish our drinks, wish everyone the best, promise to be in on Stephens Day regardless of the weather and head out for a taxi. A great, great night and roll on next year.
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Many thanks to Gerry Murtagh for the report and photos and Brian Madden for additional photos.