A BLUE plaque has been unveiled at a Belfast football club in honour of the man credited with bringing soccer to Ireland.
John McCredy McAlery brought Association Football to Ireland in 1878 and his contribution to the sport was marked by the Ulster History Circle on Saturday with a plaque at Solitude, the home of Cliftonville FC.
It is believed that McCredy McAlery fell in love with the game while on honeymoon in Scotland in 1878.
An accomplished cricketer, he was so enthralled by the sport that he invited the Scottish side Caledonians to bring a match to Belfast.
The first properly organised game was played in Ireland on October 24 1878 between Caledonians and Queen's Park at the Ulster Cricket Club in Belfast.
The sport grew in Ireland and in 1879 the first match was played by an Irish Association Football Club between Cliftonville and Quidnunce, a team of rugby players.
From there McCredy McAlery set about encouraging people to take part in the sport.
In November 1880 the businessman and Cliftonville FC organised a meeting of several football clubs which led to the formation of the Irish Football Association when a constitution was formed and the games rules formalised.
The Irish FA Cup was later formed.
McCredy McAlery captained Ireland's first ever international match against England in February 1882 when they were defeated 13-0.
He remained Irish FA secretary until 1888. He died on December 3 1925.
The plaque was unveiled on Saturday by Jim Boyce, chairman of Cliftonville Football Club and Fifa vice-chairman.
Chris Spurr, chairman of the Ulster History Circle, said McCredy McAlery had "instigated something that has given pleasure and enjoyment to tens of thousands".
"This achievement alone gives him an important place in football history, but he also founded Cliftonville, the oldest football club in Ireland," he said.
n fell in love with the GaMe while on honeyMoon: John McCredy McAlery brought Association Football to Ireland in 1878
PICTURE: Cliff Donaldson
n honour: A blue plaque was unveiled at the Cliftonville FC grounds
on Saturday to recognise John McCredy McAlery's contribution