Update 24/09/24
Limestone United F.C represented Northern Ireland at the 2024 Global Peace Games. The week-long peace education programme brought together 80 young people from 21 nationalities. The GPGs unvieled the 70th Peace Field Project Plaque from Maidstone United FC, Kent, England.
Poem for the Boys of Northern Ireland
You judged me because I was late to work, stumbling in with bloodshot eyes and dark circles painted underneath.
You say, us young men are ungrateful, drunk, lazy, unfit. You call me lost, you say I am from the dirty neighborhood.
You ask me to work when my hands are cut from bricks in my living room. Shattered glass sliced my feet, leaving trails of blood marking my path forward.
You ask me to smile at work, smile through busted bloody lips, black eyes and broken teeth.
You say be thankful for your life when my brother took his own, crushed into the ground by anger, wanting rather to feel the peace of death than the unrelenting terror of life.
You demand I show up,
When every sunrise brings darkness.
You ask that I be a man, when all that means is using my fists instead of my heart.
Look at me! Look at the man I could be,
Without busted lips,
Without bleeding feet,
Without broken heart,
Without battered home.
Look at me for the man I will be,
When our days are not spent,
Fighting to live.
Update 16/10/23
Limestone United is based in the Limestone Road area of North Belfast, an interface between Newington and Tigers Bay. Brian Caskey ex-police officer in the area for 25 years, was used to dealing with violence and its aftermath.
He decided to do something to help put an end to clashes and communal tensions. Teaming up with several other volunteers, as well as Holy Family Youth Centre, Mountcollyer Youth Centre, and Star Neighbourhood Centre, Brian and the team founded cross-community football club Limestone United.
The group played a key part in the Children’s Football Alliance’s FOOTBALL MAKE OUR SHARED HISTORY, project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Limestone United successfully completed the FMOSH project and twinned their designated area of play with Flanders Peace Field’s Peace Pitch.
Subsequently, Limestone United visited Str. Lunga nr. 96, Cisnade, Jud. Sibiu 555300, Romania, to discuss producing the First Ever Peace Pitch in Romania. A team of key Limestone United supporters championed the International Peace Field Project in Romania. They advocated the importance of play and how it brings all communities together.
Limestone United has been a great success, transforming the lives of young people in the area through involvement in their senior team, boys’ youth team, and girls’ team.
Brian said, ‘Taking the Peace Field Project to Romania illustrates how our young people have the confidence to extend thier experience of their Peace Pitch and advocate peace through play.’
LIMESTONE UNITED visit ARSENAL IN THE COMMUNITY PEACE PITCH, Market Road, North London.
‘THE CRAIC WAS GOOD, THE RESPECT WAS GREAT, THE HOSPITALITY BRILLIANT.’ ‘We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and connecting with Arsenal Community under the banner of Peace Field Projects, the experience was very interesting. We are now networking Football Makes Our Shared History through the International Children’s Football Alliance to great effect’. Brian Caskey.
CRUSADERS v LINFIELD
Celebrate Limestone United’s Football Makes Our Shared History
Just under 5000 capacity crowd gave Limestone United a standing ovation when they paraded their FMOSH peace plaque before kick off at the top of the table Northern Ireland Premier match between Crusaders v Linfield.
“It is a great project that brings communities together. The Crusaders are full of respect for Limestone United and how they use football to engage everyone. We are very proud to be a part of Football Makes Ours Shared History” Ronnie Miller, Chairman, Crusaders FC.
Sunday 9th October 2022
FOOTBALL MAKES OUR SHARED HISTORY PEACE CUP
FOOTBALL MAKES OUR SHARED HISTORY exhibition hosted by Limestone United at Seaview Football Grounds Shore Rd Belfast; presented the opportunity for people to view Limestone United’s peace journey exhibition. The Club’s 11 year history illustrated the value of a shared history through football.
Limestone United (Belfast) v Lifehack Project (Creggan L/Derry)
Great day at Seaview yesterday building peace between young people and communities. We hosted our Children’s Football Alliance Football Makes Our Shared History Good Relations Event .Thank you to all the lads from the Creggan ( Lifehack project ) for coming up to take part .We held a photo exhibition to showcase the peace building efforts of our young people over so many years . Some very young faces on show. Thank you to our supporters for attending on the day to get behind all the young people. We intend to build on this event as we bring young people from different backgrounds together to build good relations , shared experiences and build peace .Thank you to the Duncairn Community partnership for supporting this event through the Duncairn Community champions project. Our Champions planned and delivered a very positive and engaging event. Thank you to Ernie from FMOSH for attending.
“Limestone United are the perfect fit for Football Makes Our Shared History. The club is steeped in cross community shared heritage. We are looking forward to the project and championing the game that’s given us great memories and a positive future“. Se Gormley. FMOSH Project Manager
What being a member of the group means
Honesty, Respect, Friendship, Inspiring Others, Positive Leadership.
Why the group is important
Brings people together, gives young people a voice and takes us away from other problems.
The core values of the group
Anti-sectarianism, Equality, Friendship, Trust, Engagement, Community, Active Citizenship.
What becoming involved does for our members
Opens your eyes, gives a realisation of others, opens doors into friendship and uses the medium of sport to build good relations in Lower North Belfast area.
