The trophy kickstarted a successful spell for Roy Coyle’s side, who went on to win the League Cup the following season before competing in the Uefa Intertoto Cup shortly after.
The years around the millennium proved to be challenging for the side who lost their home ground, Castlereagh Park, in 2000 but the engraving gave the fans something to laugh about during the anniversary dinner 15 years after the win.
“When collecting the trophy in 2009 at Solitude, they asked, ‘do you know a fella called Ned?’ Then showed me the back of the trophy and his name was still there,” he continued.
“We had a good laugh that Ards would always have their name on the trophy and that is when we took the photo.
“Now, if Ned was still alive, he would find it hilarious that we are still talking about it.”
Ards’ only appearance in the showpiece since was in 2004, but they were beaten 2-0 by Linfield, so their name remained on the trophy four times, three times on the front and in pen on the back.
Now the name is removed, Ards could not only hold the title of the longest name on the trophy but also the only name to be removed.