Morris: 2013 Cup triumph saved Glentoran from possible financial ruin
Last updated 26th Oct 2017
Glentoran veteran Elliott Morris says their 2013 Irish Cup victory over Cliftonville was the moment that potentially saved the club from financial ruin.
Speaking exclusively on Cool FM's Danske Bank Premiership show in association with NIFL, the goalkeeper says the 3-1 win was also the highlight of his long tenure with the club.
"It was massive because of the financial backing because we needed at that stage. The club was on its knees and I think that team saved the club from going under," he said.
"The club was nearly folded, and the pressure we were under as players that year was massive. We weren't getting paid for long periods of time, and there were times we didn't train."
Although the Glens avoided financial turmoil, they aren't quite operating at the level of a few years ago, when they were genuine title contenders. Morris believes the first step on their road back to the top would begin with European qualification.
"Everyone is looking for Europe, every club. I'm not saying we're going to make it this year, but if we could get there it would kick us on massively, and if we got top 4, that's a fantastic season," said Morris.
Also featuring as a guest on this week's show is Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree, who says he's proud of the club's long tenure in the top flight.
"I think this is our 15th season in the league so it's maybe a little bit negative whenever you start off the season thinking to yourself 'let's avoid relegation' - we shouldn't maybe have that thought whatsoever, but it's very, very easy to get sucked into that."
Outsiders often look to Dungannon as a club on the brink of breaking into the top 6 of the table, but McAree believes it might just be slightly beyond their reach at the moment.
"Realistically, it's going to be very hard for us to break into the top 6, when you look at where they are at the moment. Every season it's just about getting points on the board initially which maybe gives you another target you can set. I don't think we've ever set off into a season saying we're going to finish at least 7th," he said.
The Dankse Bank Premiership Show is now available to view on the Cool FM Facebook page.