Birth of a New Club -
Tramore AFC
In the period from 1946 – 1952, Tramore had no soccer team, and as a result many footballers from the town lent their footballing talents to various clubs in Waterford city, while others were content to display their skills on that great level playground called Tramore Strand.
It was plainly evident that there was an abundance of football talent in Tramore and that a club was badly needed to harness this ready-made supply. Willie Quaid was beaming like a Cheshire cat when Jim Goodwin hinted that a move was afoot to form a new soccer club in the town. After a meeting in the Assembly Rooms on Friday, August 29, 1952, it was decided to start a soccer team and enter the Waterford Junior League.
This New Club was Named Tramore AFC
An approach was made to the Racecourse company for the use of old Graun Park, a pitch steeped in magical memories of Tramore Celtic and Tramore Rookies. The Racecourse company duly obliged and so all was in readiness for Kevin O’Connor and his black-shirted team to set the ball rolling in Tramore’s latest soccer revival. The demise of Tramore United in 1959 led to the return of many of the former players to the true fold, including Willie Quaid, whose administrative abilities added fresh impetus to Tramore AFC.
In the early 70s, Willie Moran, a local school teacher, and the charismatic John Power, formed the schoolboy’s section of the club for Tramore AFC ,and the club should be eternally grateful to these two original schoolboy pioneers.
Thanks to Noel Hayes, who used his friendly persuasion with local farmer Gerry Molloy, we secured a new playing premises called New Graun Park on the Tramore Road.
We Moved into New Graun Park in the 1980/81 season
That was the start of the real success story in Tramore AFC. In particular our schoolboys’ side of the club really took off and became the strongest schoolboy football club in Waterford. But more importantly, the club produced a conveyor belt of outstanding schoolboy players .
John and Willie were immensely proud to see our schoolboys’ section thrive, and go from strength to strength.
Other coaches such as Paul Power, Teddy O’Connor and Ray Cuddihy, brought the club forward with John and Willie from the early 80s.
As a result of so many excellent Schoolboy players been produced, our junior section of the club started to reap the benefits .
Chris Jones Became our First International Player at u17 level in 1980
John Giles was the team manager.
1987 was a real breakthrough year for the junior side of the club winning the Premier Ardagh cup and the Youths Fitzgerald cup. 1987 was also the official opening of new Graun Park.
The club continued to flourish on and off the pitch in the 90s and into the new millennium and brought together a new vibrant committee of John Power, as Chairman, Paul Power Secretary, Stuart Kennedy as Treasurer, David Farrell and Brian Murphy as Groundsmen and a dedicated committee that has worked tirelessly over the years to deliver the super complex that we have today.
In 2002 We Had the Official Opening of a New All Weather Surface
Our development committee at the time of John Mcdonald, Derek Quilty and Pat O’Reilly deserve a lot of credit for these developments. We also produced a 50-year history of Tramore AFC for which the club is very proud of. Huge thanks to Andy Taylor, our town historian.
Another vital section of the club that has really taken off has been the Womens and schoolgirls football. We had teams previously in the 60s and into the late 80S when Johnny Flemming did trojan work for the ladies’ side of the club.
From 2000, Onwards the Girl's Side of the Club really Took the Club Foward
Because there were no local leagues for schoolgirls in Waterford in the 2000s, we took the brave step to bring schoolgirls teams to Wexford. Peter Jacob, Declan Howlett and Chris Holmes had great commitment and success in their times in Wexford. John and Liz Browne looked after senior ladies’ teams at the club as did Peter Jacob and Declan after finishing their time in Wexford.
Currently there are 5 schoolgirl teams, 15 schoolboy teams, 7 Junior teams, indoor and outdoor training facilities. The club has showcased International matches, Schoolboys and Schoolgirls and have received many accolades for the quality of our pitches and the convenience of being able to watch from the peoples stand recently erected. Training is organised for schoolboys by a team of coaches led by Tommy Griffin, John Browne, Declan Howlett and Gary Hunt and a Railtrack academy under Chris Smyth and John Rogers which is the envy of many other clubs in the country.
The Success Story of Tramore AFC Continues With Ongoing Success
It is particularly proud of its traditions and history in winning Four Premier league titles, FAI Youth and U17 National Cup competitions, two Munster Youths titles and many other titles at all levels to add to an impressive list of trophies, including the AVIVA Club of the Year IN 2011 award taking pride of place.
Derrick Williams and Jim Goodwin are the clubs most decorated players having won senior International Caps.
Jim is currently manager of St. MIRREN in Scotland, while Derrick is playing with Blackburn Rovers. Jessica Gleeson and Ciara O Brien both have won multiple International Caps at Schoolgirls level.
In All, We Have Produced 30 Players at International Level
Tramore AFC takes an active interest in Children with Special Needs in the Community and works closely with The Arch Club to bring happiness and joy to these special children.
Our facilities are there for any community groups in Tramore AFC.
Tramore AFC are there first and foremost as a social outlet for the youth of Tramore.
WE PROVIDE FOOTBALL FOR ALL
8 League Titles
2001/2002 2005/2006 2006/2007 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 x2 2011/2012
12 Cups
1987 & 1997 (Ardagh Cup)
2005/2006 & 2011/2012 (Munster Youth)
2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2009/2010 2010/2011 (Women Senior)
2011 & 2012 (Women Intermediate)
2 All-Irelands
FAI U17, Jason Bowman
FAI Youth Cup, Jason Bowman