Martin 'Fred' Lynch

I first encountered Fred way back in 1990 when he first began to support the Wanderers. His passion for the club was there right from the outset. He was soon enlisted by Pete Keane to play a more active role in the club. He joined our committee and became our resident linesman, a task which he still carries out 35 years later. He still occasionally offers advice to most referees from the line with regard to various decisions, whether they want it or not. He is essentially the Wanderers’ version of VAR. Fred has always been there for the club, no matter how the club is doing and was inducted on to our wall of fame in 2006/07 season and had his certificate presented to him by Jack Charlton at our centenary celebrations in 2007.

In the early noughties I took a break from the F&W committee to assist the Milk Cup and Fred became the club representative. Fred has served the F&W committee well over the past 20 years and can be relied upon to make rational, well informed decisions when it comes to local football. His percentage attendance at meetings would be right up there with any other member. He has since taken on the roll as assistant treasure for the F&W league and is vice chair of the F&W association. I think that it is vital that a club has a voice at these meetings and Fred has represented us brilliantly over the last 20 years. He has the good of local football at heart and has played his own part in ensuring that local football in this area is well run and progress is made.

He also plays an ambassador’s role in amongst the aisles of Tesco’s Enniskillen branch, for both the Wanderers and the F&W, he does manage to get the odd minute to discuss all things sporting with whoever comes along.

Fred has been a prominent member of our committee since the early nineties and lends a hand at every club function. Like so many others, Fred’s work and dedication got its due reward in 2001 and 2004 when we lifted two Junior cups.

He has had to endure difficult seasons but also some excellent ones with us, this has stood him in good stead as he is also a passionate Man U fan.

I mentioned our Wall of Fame earlier and just like this F&W award I suppose it is really subjective who you think is worthy of entry. I would suggest that all the entrants in to this Hall have things in common, they have made a difference to local football in the area and they have a love and more importantly a passion for the local game, Fred ties right in with this and is a worthy entrant in to the F&W Hall of Fame