Lagan Valley AC, based at the Mary Peters’ Track in Belfast, was formed in 1989 by John Glover and a small group of twelve, mainly female, dissatisfied athletes from an already established club. That group was soon joined by a sprint group, led by Billy Black, and on August 28 1989 an inaugural meeting was held in the Dub Pavilion at which John Glover was elected Chairman, Alison Armour Secretary and Alex Best Treasurer. The elected Committee consisted of Ossie McAuley, Billy Black, Heather Mairs, David Shirlow, Ann Cunningham and Barry Thompson.
From very small beginnings they quickly established themselves as the major female club in Northern Ireland Their early success was built in no small measure on athletes like Karen Mills, Jane Hale and Vicky Jamison all of whom would achieve British International status, and Judith Rodgers who became the first club member to achieve Commonwealth Games representation.