Former Ards and Northern Ireland player Tommy Forde passed away last week at his home in Australia.

Tommy was a former player with Distillery, Wolves and Glenavon prior to signing for Ards in August 1953. He was the first player signed by new Ards manager George Eastham, who saw his new man finish his debut season as top goal-scorer.

Tommy later moved to right-half where he continued to shine in the Ards side and won the Gold Cup, Co Antrim Shield and a League Championship medal. He was also the first North End Ards Player of the Year in 1959.

Tommy was recognised four times at full international level between 1958 and 1960 - the first Ards player to receive such accolade since Andy Bothwell in the late twenties. Tommy played 316 games for Ards and scored 40 goals.

He passed away in Australia after a short illness. He was 81.

14th January 2012

ardsfc.co.uk