For the first time, in 1980, the Swifts bought two kits together thus altering their practice of buying a new kit for the Firsts and passing the old one down to the Seconds. A new sports shop, Billy McKeag Sports in Newtownards had been recommended at a Committee meeting which also took what was at that time controversial decision of changing the prime colour of the 1st. XI shirts to White.

The Club intended to purchase kits made by Admiral who were one of the leading sportswear manufacturers for English First Division. The Firsts were to get a replica Leeds United all White kit with Blue & Yellow trims of Admiral logos while the Seconds were to get a Southampton away all Yellow kit with Blue Admiral logo trim.

However the Admiral company had extended itself too much in trying to capture a larger chunk of the market and were unable to fulfill the order to the Swifts timetable. As a result the order was switched to Coffer who produced similar kits at a lower price. Even then the problems continued for although Coffer were able to provide a similar design, with the Admiral logo trim being replaced with a Coffer hexagonal trim, they could not provide the two kits in the same material.

As a result, the First’s White kit was made of the then new Shiny Polyester material while the Second’s Yellow kit was made of honeycomb Nylon. The difference in material was reflected in the price with the White shirts costing £6.50 each while the Yellow shirts were only £5.00. Both sets had the then fashionable “V” neck with collar.

The problems associated with acquiring the kits were soon forgotten and the 1st. XI went through the most successful phase of their history wearing the all White Coffer kit.

Season 1980/81 began with the shock news that Stewarty Melville had to resign once again from the Manager’s job due to personal reasons. An emergency Committee was held to consider a successor and Club Chairman, Jack Barr, reported that he knew of an ex-professional footballer who had coached junior sides in the past and who might be persuaded to fill the vacancy. Jack made the approach and the successful outcome was that Eddie “Spike” O’Neill, formerly of Ards, Bangor and Glentoran became the new Manager of the Club.

Spike’s influence was soon to be reflected in performances as the Swifts began their most successful season to date. Good league performances at the start of the season built up to a momentum which saw the Swifts race away at the top of the League, only to falter near the end of the programme when they struggled to gain the vital points required to clinch the Championship. However, once these points were in the bag, the Swifts were able to relax and finished the League campaign 5 points ahead of old rivals, Bangor Rangers and 9 points ahead of the third placed team.

With the League won, the Swifts were able to turn their attention to the prestigious McCaw Section Shield. Although this had traditionally been an early season competition and the Swifts had progressed to the semi-final stage with ease before Christmas, the competition was suspended due to the inclement weather until well into the new year. The Swifts claimed a Final place with a late winner against Kircubbin Athletic in the semi-final, the other place going to Greyabbey side, Rosemount Rec. It was almost inevitable that these two sides should meet in the decider at Castlereagh Park, Newtownards as, although the Swifts were by far the best team in the 1st Division, more recent newcomers Rosemount had gone through their 2nd Division programme without dropping a point. Many observers felt that the Lower Ards side were the stronger of the two and thus the Swifts went into the Final on 2nd May 1981 as underdogs.

The Swifts controlled the first half, going ahead through Foster. After the interval the Swifts added a second when an opposing defender conceded an own goal. This seemed to rally Rosemount who pulled a goal back and then laid siege on the Swifts goal in an effort to save the match. However, after a seemingly endless period of injury time under intense pressure, the Swifts held out to win the match 2-1 and lift their second trophy in as many weeks.

One bad feature of the match had been the trouble caused by a section of the Rosemount support which resulted in the Greyabbey club being suspended from the League for the rest of the season. By coincidence, the Swifts were due to play Rosemount in the semi-final of the Kelly K.O. Cup which was also running behind schedule. Rosemount’s suspension left the Swifts with a walkover into the final where the opposition was provided by the then 2nd Division club from Portaferry, namely Ballycam Celtic.

Unfortunately, one of the shadiest in the history of the Down Area League followed as the Swifts turned up for the final at Seapark in Holywood only to find that the date or venue had not suited the opposition who failed to appear. In order to prevent the embarrassment of the Swifts lifting the trophy by default, the League Council gave Ballycam another chance to fulfil the fixture which was rescheduled for the small pitch at Dairy Hall in Newtownards on Saturday 30 May 1981.

The Swifts players were obviously affected by the preceding events and also short of match practice as they had completed the league programme a fortnight before the big day! As a consequence, they seemed unable to treat the rescheduled and somewhat devalued Final seriously and crashed to a shock 1-4 defeat.

The events surrounding their two big matches were the only low spots in an otherwise highly successful season. It had taken the Swifts ten years from their formation to win their first major trophies