The Bomb

P.W.M.I. and Y.M.C.A.
Destruction – and new beginnings

 During 1972 the P.W.M.I. premises in the Diamond were destroyed in two bomb attacks, suffering the  same fate as the Y.M.C.A. in East Wall. Both clubs were ‘out of action’.

Though ‘out of action’, both clubs were determined to flourish once again. This led to a meeting of representatives of the two associations held in the Northern Counties Club on the 18th October 1978, where it was resolved to amalgamate in their best interests.

It was also resolved that in recognition of their joining the Y.M.C.A.the P.W.M.I. would preserve their identity by having some part of the proposed new building named the The ‘Stute Room’ and the football team would retain the name of Institute Football Team.

The P.W.M.I. site in the Diamond was sold in October 1979 and in July 1980 the twenty acre site at Drumahoe was jointly purchased by the P.W.M.I. and the Y.M.C.A.

Though the official opening of the new premises and grounds did not take place until the 22nd of January 1985, Institute were fortunate in being able to begin playing at Drumahoe in 1980.