Joe McAree’s immense contribution to football in the Dungannon area has been deservedly recognised in the New Year Honours List.
The former Dungannon Swifts manager and chairman, now the club’s community relations officer, has been awarded an MBE by The Queen. Although Mr McAree learnt of the award in November, the news was kept secret until the list was officially released on Monday night.
Since then, messages of congratulations have poured in for one of local football’s best known and most popular characters.
Mr McAree’s association with Dungannon dates back to 1972. He had several spells as manager, most memorably between 2001 and 2006 when he led the club into the Premiership. Incidentally, 2013 marked Swifts’ 10th anniversary in the top division – a fantastic achievement by one of the league’s smaller clubs.
Speaking after news of his MBE was released late on Monday evening, Mr McAree said he was
honoured and humbled by the award;
“I feel so humbled that someone has thought I have done something for the community to merit being put forward for this honour. The award is not just for myself but for the very many good people and volunteers who have worked with me down the years. You achieve nothing without good people and I have had 50 or 60 who have worked tirelessly. I remember the early days when I went knocking on people’s doors. Some of those people were still with me 15 years, even 20 years later.”
After joining Dungannon Swifts’ backroom team in 1972, Mr McAree initially served as thirds manager but was promoted to reserve team manager in mid-season. At the end of the campaign he was made first team manager – the first of several spells in charge of his beloved hometown club.
In May 2003 he guided Dungannon into the then 16-team Premiership. He led Swifts to a respectable mid-table position in their debut season, before securing a fantastic fourth place finish in 2004/05. The achievement saw Mr McAree deservedly named as Irish League Manager of the Year.
Mr McAree’s work provided the foundations for Dungannon’s most successful period, which included reaching the 2007 Irish Cup final, where they lost on penalties to Linfield, and competing in Europe and the all-Ireland Setanta Sports Cup.
Since stepping down as the manager in 2006, Mr McAree has devoted much of his time and attention to Dungannon United Youth. The youth system now has 14 teams and over 300 children and teenagers on its books. Among the players who have progressed through and gone on to sign for professional clubs are Joe’s son Rodney, who joined Liverpool in the 1990s, and Niall McGinn, currently starring for Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
Mr McAree is rightly proud of his contribution to football in Dungannon.
“I remember the old days when we had a field and two goal posts,” he added.
“We worked hard and we did things one at a time. We got in a fence one year, a new pitch the next. Then we got a stand, floodlights and so on. It has taken a fantastic effort by everyone to get us to where we are today. We have a lovely stadium and fantastic facilities for youth football. The youth structure is the future for our club – and we recognised that long before any other clubs did.”
Mr McAree said the opening of the state-of-the-art youth facilities in 2006 was one of two highlights from the last 40 years. The other was his Irish League Manager of the Year award.
Aside from his 20 years as manager of Dungannon Swifts in various spells, he has also held several
backroom positions, including chairman and, most recently, community relations officer.
Mr McAree admits that after all this time, it is hard to walk away.
“I’ve tried to take a backward step and not be involved as much in both clubs,” he added.
“I’m only ever happy being in the dugout. I find it hard to watch a game or sit on the sidelines. It is hard to walk away though and I’m still busy working for both clubs.”
Tributes have poured in for Joe from all over the Country. We thought we would take the opportunity to highlight a few of those, unfortunately we can’t possibly publish them all as there simply wouldn’t be enough room.
“I have known Joe for a long time, and last year I had the privilege of hosting a tribute night for him to celebrate his 40 years at Dungannon Swifts. Apart from being a gentleman, Joe is what I would call a true football man. The youth system at Dungannon is testament to Joe’s endeavour in that area. This is a fully deserved honour and I can’t
congratulate Joe enough. I’m just thinking Her Majesty the Queen could be in for a long
conversation with ‘Our Joe’ at the Palace… “
Jackie Fullerton MBE
On behalf of everyone connected to DUY I would like to congratulate Joe on his much merited award of an MBE. As I have said many times before to others who are involved in different sporting arenas- I have never ever come across anyone with the drive, vision and work ethic of Joe Mac. Most people involved in sport get involved as a result of sons or daughters participation but Joe’s love of football started from a very early age and his organisational skills were evident from the beginning. When he started youth football in Dungannon as a result of Rodney’s persistence (lol) he formed his first youth team and from that his efforts have transformed youth football in Dungannon. We now have facilities second to none and this is all down to Joe. He has given the kids in our area the opportunity to travel to some remarkable countries over the years and for a good few boys the chance to make it across the water in the professional game. I know that Joe would be the first one to say that others have played a part in his success and for me the number one in that department must be his wife Carol. She has been through everything with Joe and I know she has been so supportive over the years. So here’s to our very own Joe Mac MBE from everyone at DUY.
Dixie Robinson – Academy Director DUY.
I remember every summer not being able to sleep the night before DUY summer camp started and then the next night my mother being very glad as her wee man was tired out from playing as hard as he could all day long. I unfortunately have not turned out to be the best footballer in the world as it was my intentions at the time but I enjoyed every minute I was playing and training. I wish I was still playing football as I Iove the game. I just want to thank you Joe and all at DUY and Dungannon Swifts for creating fond memories and a place to play, learn, support, dream and try. Your efforts have been phenomenal and greatly appreciated. I have learned that with motivation and a lot of effort great things can be achieved this has been the case in this instance.
Thank you, congrats and God Bless. John Condy – Dungannon
Mark McAllister pictured alongside Joe.
Too many so-called football men talk the talk and expect recognition. Joe McAree walks the walk.
Congratulations to everyone at Dungannon Swifts.Stephen Blevins – Annaghmore
Congratulations to my old manager Joe McAree on being awarded an MBE. He basically transformed Dungannon Swifts from an Amateur team and brought them to European Football which is some achievement for a small-town club! He also started what in my opinion is the best youth set up in the country..!! Along with Harry Fay, he was a massive influence on me from a young age!! Cheers
Mark McAllister – Former DUY, Dungannon Swifts & current Linfield player.
Joe, when I was over there in Dungannon and you showed me around the youth facilities I was amazed at the standards you had set and achieved and by the way in which you stated that you were nowhere near finished. I now realise that I was in prestigious company and that Carol had chosen a brilliant man. I know that you will not be selfish with this award and I therefore offer heartiest congratulations to you and Carol, and to the Swifts and to all those who have supported you through your endeavours. Well done, all of you. Stan Johnston
I would like to congratulate my first manager in football, Joe McAree on his prestigious award! It is thoroughly deserved for everything he has done for Dungannon Swifts Football Club and the local youth game around the area of Dungannon. He has been one of the biggest influences for me in football and it is great to see he has been awarded for all his hard work and dedication! Congratulations Joe McAree MBE! Stefan Lavery – Dungannon Swifts player.
Deserve it is an understatement, made plenty of careers but more importantly taking kids off the street and giving them a dream.-JP Gallagher Former DUY & Dungannon Swifts.
Deserved recognition for someone who has done more for football in Tyrone over the years than anyone else. A true visionary who presented young players like me and numerous others with a forum to showcase their talent and play on the sort of stages we only dreamt of. Pass on my best to Joe Mac MBE! Michael Ward – Former DUY & Dungannon Swifts.
Delighted for joe mac, a true character and top class football man. Played under him in some historic days for the swifts!! Was a hassle stopping him and Rodney from arguing during half time!! 3.5 fantastic years at the Swifts that I will never forget!! Shane McCabe – Former Swifts & current Glenavon.
I am absolutely delighted with the news that Joe McAree has been awarded with an MBE. This is fully deserved to the man who eats, sleeps and breathes Dungannon United Youth and Dungannon Swifts. It is because of Joe McAree that I started off at the fun weeks then gradually rose up through the youth system. Joe was always the first and last person that I seen when at training or around the club. Having a man like Joe around the club is the reason why things are always of a high standard. For me personally he was always a huge influence to me and my family.
One particular highlight for me is that he would always say to me on the phone or even via a text, that I had another gear in me in some of my performances.. and then when I scored against Portugal I got a message from him to say, “That’s the extra gear I was talking about!” Well done Joe Mac.
Niall McGinn – Former DUY, Dungannon Swifts and current Aberdeen FC.