Sadness was very much in the air on Sunday following news of the passing of David Hilditch.
A dedicated servant to Carrick Rangers, performing a number of roles at his beloved club including as chairman and secretary, Hilditch was a passionate advocate for the Irish League whose contributions at Taylors Avenue have left an indelible mark.
Tributes flowed in for a man who served the town of Carrickfergus with distinction and was an elected representative of the Northern Ireland Assembly for 25 years.
On a weekend when the ‘Gers defied the odds to beat Glentoran away from home by the odd goal in five, you got the sense of how central a figure David, who was 60, was in laying the foundations for days like these.
As Carrick’s tribute read, “It is hard to imagine Carrick Rangers without David Hilditch and his loss will undoubtedly be felt not just at his beloved Taylors Avenue but indeed by the entire Irish League family.”
His contribution was beyond immense.
On Saturday, the Amber Army had cause for celebration after sinking Warren Feeney’s Glens with a comeback triumph.
No less than that it was two players who once called The Oval home that did the damage.
After top scorer Danny Purkis hit a brace either side of half-time to reply forthrightly to Marcus Kane and Jay Donnelly strikes, Curtis Allen leaped off the bench to apply the finishing touch and bag a precious three points for the visitors.
Boss Stuart King, who has already picked up six points out of six against Glentoran this term – Purkis and Nedas Maciulaitis were on the scoresheet in the earlier 2-1 home victory – was ecstatic as eighth-placed Rangers moved up to 16 points, six clear of the Premiership’s relegation places.
There is a new dawn at Carrick, too. In August, American executive Michael Smith’s majority shareholding was confirmed that, in time, could take the club to heights unforeseen.
But you don’t forget the legacy of the past, either.
Hilditch, a Democratic Unionist Party MLA from the Assembly’s inception in 1998 right up to his retirement in September of this year – one of only three Members to last that entire 25-year duration – also served on the NI Football League’s board and was Carrick’s league representative.
On top of that, he likewise performed the safety officer and treasurer roles.
How he carried himself and what he did for his home town club, both through times of delight and turbulence alike, left a lasting imprint and made clear his true passion for the domestic game.
He was Carrick through and through.
The Irish League mourned his loss on Sunday, and so too those nearest and dearest to him. David watched his son, Stuart, rise through the ranks to represent the Carrick first-team, and there was sadness at his passing a little over four years ago aged just 33 after a brave battle with illness.
The club will want to keep performing in David’s memory, building on the base he was proud to reinforce.
And if they do fulfil higher ambitions, his role in their continued success will be laid further bare as a true Carrick legend.
Featured image from Freddie Parkinson/Press Eye.
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