Johnny Bird recognised as the 'Heart of the Club' by NIFL
His hasn’t lost his Drogheda accent in the 39 years he’s lived on the northern shores of Carlingford Lough, but Johnny Bird’s heart belongs with Warrenpoint Town FC and that was recognised at the Northern Ireland Football League Awards last week.
As a founding member of Warrenpoint Town in 1987 the club has long acknowledged Johnny’s immense contributions over the years, but he was formally recognised at the NIFL 2026 Gala Awards at the Titanic Centre where he won ‘Heart of the Club’ Award.
“It’s always a bit of a cliché to say no one deserves it more but in this instance it’s true. Johnny epitomises everything thing Warrenpoint Town FC stands for. He’s the first man in the door and the last man out. To us, he is Mr Warrenpoint Town,” read one post on Warrenpoint Town’s Facebook page, which pretty much sums up the sentiment felt by everyone involved with the club – be that players, management, those behind the scenes and the parents of the children who are and have been part of the club.
While Johnny was delighted to be nominated, he wasn’t expecting to win, but he spoke eloquently as he expressed his love for his wife, his children and his club in his acceptance speech.
"They called out the other four nominees and there was a big cheer for each of them, and then they called out my name and it was a small cheer. Straight away after he said my name, he said: ‘And the winner is Johnny Bird’. It felt great. I really wasn’t expecting it,” he told the Reporter.
Johnny, who lives in Rostrevor, moved from Drogheda where he played County football for Louth and soccer for Drogheda. Having decided on the latter as his sport of choice he helped take Warrenpoint from a pub team right up to the Premiership.
”We played at Clonallan Park, and Reed Park – if you remember there,” he laughed.
“And we used to play out at Kilbroney where [Carnbane League side] Rossowen play now. We only got Milltown in 1995. All we had was a pitch. We didn't build the club rooms until about 2001 and the 3G about 2010.”
Over the years Johnny has been a player, Reserve Manager, First Team Manager, Groundsman, Events Manager and is currently Coach, Chairman and Honorary President. But titles mean nothing in terms of what he actually does. For example, I recall one snowy Saturday a few years ago when, with most NIFL games called off, Johnny spent his morning in Milltown clearing the pitch and Warrenpoint’s game went ahead, to the admiration of all.
“My job goes from attending meetings to clearing out the toilets, to walking the pitch, to marking the pitch, to being at the turnstiles –you know, everything. But I enjoy it. I'm retired now this six years and still busy.”
He coaches in two local primary schools: Carrick and Kilbroney Integrated, and with the club his youth team play in the Lisburn League.
There have been many ups and downs over the years – the highs being promotion right up to the top flight and the lows relegation and upheaval – for reasons both on and off the pitch. But the club is far more than that.
"We have 27 kids teams, three girls teams and three academy teams. Last season 60 percent [of the senior team] had come through the academy and this season, you had 50 odd percent. Rory Powell played 100 senior games and he just turned 19 and captained the team a few weeks ago”
Johnny has been there through thick and thin and shows no signs of slowing down. "I enjoy what I do. Long may we keep on going.”
Congratulations Mr Warrenpoint Town.