Anchor(ed) in the UK
November 30, 2009
Every year in the Royal County Yearbook, we profile a number of Meath people that have left the country for pastures new and this year's edition is no different as we speak to former
St Colmcille's clubmen Phil and Joe Greene, who are now based in London.
Phil is co-founder of Anchor Bay Construction Products Ltd and has been domiciled in the English capital for the past 21 years. Just over six years ago, he was joined by his brother Joe, who now has become a company director in the firm that is specialists' provider of reinforcement, formwork and waterproofing products to the construction industry.
Both men took time out of their busy schedules to speak to us about times past, their continued interest in the GAA which has never waned in any way and the ongoing success of their business.
Phil's decision to head to the U.K in the late eighties was partly due to the last recession that we encountered here, but it was a decision that he never regretted as in 1999, he founded Anchor Bay along with business partner Keir Donald.
Both men had many years experience in construction and the knowledge that they brought to the company was to lay the foundations for the success that they achieved.
"Anchor Bay is basically an accessory company that specialises in quality and diversity of products, while offering a customer service unrivalled by anyone," said Phil.
"We have a large customer base that includes clients in the groundwork, concrete frame and pre cast sections of the construction. It's a specialist building trade and we are the only company in London in that field of expertise."
Anchor have been involved in many big projects in London and the Home Counties with the company growing into a multi million pound business over the years. Despite the current recession that has done untold damage to the construction industry, Phil and his team remains busy and this is mainly due to their willingness to spread their wings wide and far.
"We're extremely busy at the moment. We're fortunate with the line of work that we do in that there is not much competition out there and with so many years experience, we can offer an efficient and affordable service.
"We are currently involved in some very high profile jobs, including many projects for the Olympics, work on Twickenham and the Shard, which is London's tallest building."
Anchor Bay's reputation precedes them so much that they are involved in projects all over the world with the new airport in Doha, Qatar being one of those. They have also completed a lot of formwork on the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal football club.
"Our stock profile covers everything you could require for concreting. We stock all the well-known brands as well as our own branded products so as to enable you to be able to select the right product at the right price. Whichever products you choose you have Anchor Bay's guaranteed quality and suitability for the job."
Both Phil and Joe lined out for the St Colmcille's club, although Phil admitted that his younger brother was more involved than he was when they were younger.
"Joe had all the skill," he joked. "My career was relatively short, but we had some good times at underage level. I always enjoyed it, but we never really had any coaching at underage level, which was a shame. It was the same in most clubs at the time and really clubs only started looking after the younger players in recent times."
On the otherhand, Joe still travels home for the majority of Meath's games in both the league and championship, while he also follows the club closely.
"I'd go home every two weeks or so and I'd go to as many games as I can. I believe that Meath are just short one or two players from winning the All-Ireland. It's been great to get to two of the last three semi-finals, but it's also been frustrating," said the die hard supporter.
"Kerry proved as expected to be a step up in class this year, but Meath still weren't that far off. I definitely believe that they can win it in the next few years. Everybody has been writing them off and they're still reaching the last four, so that tells you something."
Joe believes that his former club mates should be doing a lot better also with the expectations of winning something very high at the start of every campaign.
"I think everyone knows that the players are in the club and they've produced some excellent performances at times, but they can't seem to repeat them enough to win it. Every year, most people believe the lads will win it and I think with a bit of luck that can be achieved."
Joe has concerns over the current recession and how it will affect the club, while he points to end of the seaside league for their barren years of late.
"There is certainly not much work in Ireland at the moment, especially in the construction trade, so there is a strong possibility that lads will be forced to leave the country. I hope that is not the case, but it's looking that way.
"Years ago, when we were growing up, we use to play mini-tournaments in the seaside league and it gave all lads the opportunity to play. They were great for the development of kids, but they stopped it a few years ago and I believe that could have been a mistake."
Neither of the Greene brothers have forgotten their roots and they epitomise the genuine Meath fans that will always football their club and county through thick and thin.
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