Holywood Football & Social Club

Holywood Football and Social Club was officially opened on 15 September 1988, by Billy Bingham, then the Manager of the Northern Ireland Football Team.

The Social Club, which is situated on High Street in the heart of Holywood town centre, was originally the idea of a number of players from Holywood Football Club. The players hoped that the funds raised through the Social Club, could be used to finance the development of football pitches and amenities in Holywood.

The Club occupies the premises of the former Martello Bar and Lounge which were closed down in 1985. A group of players approached Rosemary Winemarks (the Company who owned the Martello), to see if they would be interested in leasing the first floor area of the premises and an agreement was reached. Considerable work had to be undertaken to enable the premises to once again trade as licensed premises. This work was undertaken on a voluntary basis by members of Holywood Football Club, who also manned the bar when trading commenced.

The Club's original membership was approximately 280 and has since risen to almost 600. In 1999 the Committee decided to extend the premises by the addition of a ground floor lounge, which is used mainly on Saturday afternoons. This lounge is dedicated to the memory of Mr Sam Scott Senior, the Club's inaugural Chairman.

Over the years that the Club has been in existence, number of sub-sections have been formed including men's and ladies' dart teams, a pool team and two golf societies. These hold regular functions in the Club and contribute to the overall success of the venture. The Social Club assists the Football Club and these other sub-sections by donating funds to assist with their activities and running costs.

Membership of the Holywood Football & Social Club is by means of completing an application form, which are available from within the Club.

Club Facilities Include an upstairs lounge with a capacity for 140 people. A small occasional lounge with a capcity for 20 people has also recently been added.