Sammy McFrederick is a man whose contribution to Football on and off the field has been of immense significance and that contribution is recognised here tonight as he becomes the latest personality to be inducted into the League’s Hall Of Fame.
 
 No figure in the history of Lisbellaw United FC has given greater service to the Club than Sammy and very few come even near to matching his contribution which has spanned over half a century.
 
 Sammy had a playing career marked by historic exploits and he was for a long time a familiar figure in the Club colours. Although his name has been synonymous with the Village side throughout most of his life his ability and considerable potential as a goalkeeper was such that he played for Larne and Ballymena United before playing with Derry City prior to their withdrawal from the Irish League.
 
 Sammy returned to play with his home Club and soon succeeded Jim O’Donnell as Manager. He concentrated on local talent as he assembled a young side and over the next decade he managed Lisbellaw United to a level of success without precedent in the history of the Club.
 
 During this period the Village side won 5 Mercer League titles (1975/76, 1977/78, 1978/79, 1979/80 and 1980/81) and were Mulhern Cup Winners on 5 occasions (1976, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1983).
 
 The culmination of this period of dominance came on 12th May 1978 when his charges became only the second Fermanagh & Western Club to win Junior Football’s Blue Riband Trophy – the Irish Junior Cup – after being losing Semi-Finalists in 1974 and 1977. Anyone who saw this legendary side will readily testify to the quality of the football they played and the unquenchable spirit they revealed which were a tremendous tribute to the manner in which they had been coached by Sammy.
 
 Sammy remained on hand to keep Lisbellaw United at the forefront of the game locally and even though subsequent years were not the most productive or successful for the Club his dedication to Lisbellaw United never for a moment faltered. In 1990 he was a key figure, together with Tony Dunn, Ken Forde, Bobby Taylor and Dick Thompson, in the purchase and development of the ground at Drumad for the then not inconsiderable sum of £18,000. He was also heavily involved in the subsequent construction of the adjacent Dressing Rooms Complex.
 
 As Sammy’s on field activities decreased his off field activities increased at Club, Regional and National level. He served Lisbellaw United in various capacities (League Representative, Secretary, Chairman and President) and while he was a towering figure in the Club he never shirked the mundane tasks.
 
 Sammy rose speedily through the ranks at Regional level and was appointed as Disciplinary Secretary of the Fermanagh & Western Football Association in the late 1980s – a position he held for in excess of a quarter of a century prior to his displacement last year.
 
 Sammy was a Member of the Irish Football Association’s Junior Committee for a number of years before stating local Football’s case in his own inimitable manner in 20 Windsor Avenue as a Member of the Irish Football Association’s Senior Council on which he served with such effect and distinction for 20+ years – a level of service matched only by a few.
 
 Sammy also served as the Fermanagh & Western Football Association’s Representative on the Irish Football Association’s Disciplinary Committee for nigh on 2 decades.
 
 Sammy succeeded Bob Nesbitt as Vice-Chairman of the Fermanagh & Western Football League in 2003 and acceded to the Chairmanship on the death of Enda Love some fourteen months later. In the ensuing seven years Sammy gave impeccable service to the League in the role and his common sense approach to the various challenges that arose from time to time were obvious to all. Sammy was a diligent, supportive and wholly committed Chairman and his experience and wise counsel were invaluable. He always did what he said he would do and he did things in a most conscientious manner.
 
 The above information clearly demonstrates that Sammy has had very distinguished playing, managerial and administrative careers and has served Football extremely well. His pedigree stands up to the most minute examination. His input is well worthy of recognition here tonight - something that is much appreciated and recognised by his peers but perhaps at times not recognised or appreciated by the less well informed.
 
 Today one never goes to Drumad without encountering him. Invariably the greeting is fulsome in keeping with the true warmth of his personality. Tonight it is my privilege to greet Sammy and welcome him into the League’s Hall Of Fame.