Tommy Moffatt, a goalkeeper who had two spells with the club during a distinguished footballing career sadly passed away in Cairnmartin Care home in Belfast on Christmas eve, he was 84.
Born on September 30th 1935, Tommy began his senior career at Cliftonville in 1953 before joining Ards in 1957. He was a mainstay of the Ards team that won the Irish League title in 1957/58 for the only time in the club's history. He also played against Reims in the European Cup. He went to South Africa in 1962 and signed for Bracken United, earning Ards a fee of £1,500. On returning to Northern Ireland in December 1965 he signed for Linfield and starred for them in two games against C.S.K.A. Sofia in the European Cup quarter finals in 1967. He re-joined Ards in 1968 for a short spell.
During his career Tommy won youth international, amateur international and Inter-league caps and was good enough to attract cross-channel interest, having a trial with Leeds United in the 1956/57 season.
All Ards fans send condolences to Tommy's family circle at this sad time.