THE FIVE LAMPS By Martin Cooke

THE Five Lamps, a famous landmark in the North Inner City, commemorates five major battles
fought in India during the days of the British Empire.

However, for Belvedere FC, it also holds a different historical value. Back in the Seventies,
it was the main meeting place for Belvedere YC ... as we were known then ... when travelling to
away matches.

Most buses passed by and in those far off days we travelled to away games by CIE bus.
Together with a coaching qualification and a First Aid certificate, a bus timetable or good
knowledge of the CIE bus network was essential to manage a team.

Playing Rangers in Bushy Park? Take the 54A. St John Bosco in Benmadigan Road? Hop on the
23. St Josephs in Sallynoggin? Flag down the 7A. Can you imagine today's players doing
that?

The bus journey usually took more time than the actual match and, for some of our
players, it was arguably just as enjoyable.

The important thing was that you went upstairs because that was where the craic was. The bus
conductor would cringe at the sight of 16 hyper kids charging up the stairs to get a seat at
the front of the bus, followed by two equally hyper managers.

One bus conductor I remember had cause to feel annoyed with one of our teams on the 7A. When
he got off the bus in Blackrock to use the toilet of a pub, one of the smarter lads rang the
bell and the bus took off, leaving the conductor behind.

The story must have done the rounds of the bus garage as our next team to travel that route
was allowed to board the bus only on condition that we behaved ... which, of course, we did.

Ah, yes, the Five Lamps. Well, they're still there and, for us, they commemorate more than
some battles in India.

I'm sure its recorded in historical journals who won the battles in India but do we really
care? On many occasions we returned there victorious from our own battles in Finglas or
Crumlin or Ballyfermot, so the Five Lamps will continue to be part of the history of Belvedere
FC as long as they remain there.

Quick, here's the bus.