24/08/2026
🔴⚫️ MEET THE COMMITTEE | 2026/27 ⚫️🔴
We’ve reached the final post in our introduction to the 4th Newtownabbey FC Committee for the 2026/27 season, and there really is only one person we could finish with and that is Club Chairman, Brian Dickson.
Brian’s association with the 4th stretches all the way back to 1988, the club’s founding year, making him our longest-serving member and someone who has quite literally been part of the club’s journey from the very beginning.
Brian played for the First Team throughout the club’s years in the Old Boys League, as the 4th steadily worked its way through the divisions from Division 7 all the way to Division 1, before making the move into the Northern Amateur Football League.
During a long playing career, Brian would go on to captain the First Team, before taking his contribution off the pitch and serving as Club Secretary.
Management would follow, with Brian eventually taking charge of the First Team and adding another successful chapter to his 4th story.
An old newspaper article from his time as manager perhaps sums up his connection to the club better than anything. Approaching the club’s 20th anniversary, Brian spoke of his determination to mark the occasion by delivering the Division 2C title, having set himself the personal goal of taking the club into 2B as champions.
Under Brian, the First Team won Division 2C and promotion to 2B, before continuing their progress and earning another promotion into Division 2A.
After his time in management, Brian would eventually take on the role of Club Chairman, a position he continues to hold today.
Over 38 years, Brian has been a player, captain, secretary, manager and chairman. Generations of players have come and gone during that time, leagues have changed and the club has continued to evolve, but one constant throughout has been Brian.
His knowledge of the club is unrivalled, his commitment has never wavered and his passion for seeing the 4th continue to progress is every bit as strong today as it was when he first pulled on the shirt in 1988.
Quite simply, Mr 4th Newtownabbey.
A massive thank you to everyone who has liked, commented, shared and interacted with the posts over the last few weeks. It’s been brilliant to look back at the stories of the people who give up their time to keep the club moving forward and to see so many former players, friends and supporters getting involved along the way.
MTFBWY. ❤️🖤