Short Stories - Episode 1: Knocking The Blues Off Their Perch, a 10 season challenge.

2024-2025 Season: Ready for the final month…

Our nine goal thriller wasn't the only game that had goals, and plenty of them, in it. Overall, the league had a total of 46 goals scored across the seven matches which were played. You could say in a lot of cases, ours included, defences had a day off and were leaking left, right and bloody centre to be fair. The highest scoring game was at actually at Inver Park in Larne where Newington defeated Lisburn Distillery 7-5 with 16 year old central defender Michael Tipping scoring a hat trick to take him to 12 goals in his first full season. 

That result in Larne had significant ramifications for ourselves as it meant that meant Distillery are unable to catch us in terms of points, and that a point in our next game would secure Championship football next season for us with three games to spare. A win however for us as you can see, would crown us as Champions and promotion in one fell swoop.

At the foot of the table, it's looking like Donegal Celtic's stay in the Intermediate League is going to be brief. They probably need to win out, as in win every single they have left, and hope that those above them collapse. Their last game is against 13th placed Limavady, but they might be down by then.

Our final month of fixtures is as follows:

Ironically Coagh United, who we play next, are the only side that can realistically deny us silverware. They are also one of two sides, Rathfriland Rangers being the other, that have defeated us in league play this season. The fact we are at home for the Coagh game could mean a bit of champagne cork popping on Saturday afternoon if everything goes to plan.

Time to lift it one more time, glory awaits us. 

As the Tottenham logo states the obvious: “To Dare Is To Do”

2024-2025 Season: Callum crowns it!

We knew the forthcoming Saturday could be one of the defining days in the club's history. Since the Club was formed in 1956, 68 years ago, we have never won a league title at all. We have been runners-up twice but second isn't exactly first is it? So a home win over Coagh United would create a very unique brand of history for an extra special bunch of men that have been quite simply awesome this season.

And creating memories is what keeps us all energised.

The boys have trained well this week, and we have a fully fit squad in which to make our team selection from. That said our visitors from Coagh, in County Tyrone, are determined to be the party poopers. They are just one of two league clubs, Rathfriland Rangers being the other, that have beaten us this season in the Intermediate League this season and nothing would give them great pleasure in completing a double over us and putting our title champions well and truly on ice but we don't want that to happen do we?  The bookies are of the thought that we are going to be in celebratory mode come 4:30pm on Saturday afternoon as they have made us 10-11 favourites to clinch the title with three games to spare. Coagh have been priced at 11-4 to complete their double over us whilst it's 13-5 for a draw which would also do us to kickstart the title celebrations in BT9.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 156 (5 away)

I knew that we had to field our strongest possible side for this match against Coagh, and that meant picking the best players in the positions on the field. So I made just the single change and that was to give a full debut to new signing Lewis Loughlin at left back over Ards loanee Connor Maxwell who has been quite exceptional in that position for us. If Lewis struggles, then we know full well that we have a more than adequate replacement ready to step in the breach. Coagh are unchanged from their last match and start both Niall Bayly and Jourdan Shearer who scored the goals for them in the 2-0 win earlier this season as well as Jack McFeely who was once a target for us when we were looking to bring in a striker: his personal demands made it a non-starter. This afternoon's referee is Gareth O'Donnell from Enniskillen, County Fermanagh.

The rain was falling incessantly as we kicked off this huge match which had so many sub-plots entwined inside it. However, there appeared to be quite a small crowd in residence for it, perhaps the afore-mentioned weather had had some effect on it. Perhaps some of the locals had decided to go shopping at the nearby Lesley Forestside complex at Upper Galwally or do their food shop at the huge Tesco at Newtownbreda?  Well we had a job to do, and send the majority of those hardy souls home happy. The first real threat on goal came in the 27th minute when some intelligent play by Shearer set up McFeely whose shot from distance was inches over. Four minutes later, Coagh took the lead when Kai McCormick's right wing was misjudged by Callum McVeigh, back defending, and McFeely steadied himself before drilling an effort across Ryan Dalzell and into the far bottom corner.

However the four minutes of time added-on, saw the game turned on its head. The second of those saw an equaliser for us when Loughlin teed up skipper Johnny Wilson who skipped away from the attentions of opposing skipper Stuart Glasgow to create himself a bit of room and then use the Coagh defence as a screen to curl home a beautiful effort beyond William Hassan. Moments later, we were ahead when Sam Morrow's free kick was half cleared by Bell to Andrew Ferguson who put into the danger area where Craig Briers' goalbound effort was somehow blocked by Matthew Gorman for a corner. From that corner, taken by Morrow, Ben Mitchell powered in a header to make it 2-1 to us at the interval. Hassan produced a superb save to turn another Wilson effort around the post two minutes after the restart before McVeigh latched onto David Taylor's headed pass to send a shot that drifted wide of Hassan's goal as we pushed for a third.

They say games change in an instant and that was proven in the 57th minute. In one passage of play, Craig Briers' cross was headed by Jonathan Doyle against the post and on the resultant counter attack: McFeely picked out Glasgow to net with a deflected effort to put the visitors on parity. We almost regained the lead three minutes later when McVeigh's floated free kick was headed inches over by Ferguson. The game was really up for grabs, and as it headed into the final stages then we knew we were still going to be crowned as champions if the scoreline stayed as it was. With two minutes to go, we almost regained the lead when a wonderful cross from Loughlin was headed just by McVeigh. However the midfield maestro was to have the final say in time added on at the end when we were awarded a free kick 25 yards out; McVeigh stepped up to produce another magical moment to send the free kick into the top corner past a despairing Hassan. Cue absolute scenes.

In a performance which was more like his usual high standard, former Crusaders youngster Sam Morrow took home the Man of the Match beers home with him. A nice return to form after his injury woes.

We produced a performance that was the hallmark of champions, and got the result that secured it. It was a shame that both their shots on target ended up in our net but the three points and title belong to us.

2024-2025 Season: Deal sealed, joy as we are the champions!

When Callum McVeigh's right foot connected with the ball in the second minute of time added-on in the second half, I had no doubts what was going to happen next. It was destined to evade the despairing dive of William Hassan in the Coagh United goal and cause the netting to ripple. Four minutes later, Gareth O'Donnell sounded a long shrill of his whistle for the final time on Saturday afternoon. Not only had we won for the 16th time in 23 matches this season and avoided the Coagh double, but it meant unbridled joy as we were crowned as Playr-Fit Intermediate League Champions for the first time ever and my second piece of silverware in as many seasons.

How bloody good does this feel? Answer: shedloads.

The mood in the dressing room is one of elation, especially now we have got the big prize over the line with three games to spare. Mr Happy himself, Craig Briers, was quite complementary when the fourth estate asked him his thoughts:

Time to ask Ken about a new contract, eh? Hopefully the title win will encourage him to give oneself here a pay rise, it's deserved right?

Next Challenge? To become an established Championship side and ideally get promotion to the Premiership by the end of the fourth season in the second tier, sixth overall. We're ahead of the plan at the present moment. Time to kick on….

2024-2025 Season: A new contract and a pay rise

The first thing that was on my mind after that dramatic home win against Coagh, was to talk shop with Ken. But Ken was too  busy, wrapped up in his own wee bubble, well it's not every day that your team wins a league title against the odds. So we decided to excuse him that, but I was determined to get my own future sorted out now the title had been secured. I didn't want to do it at any other time as it might have distracted the Lads attention spans in the final run-in and cause them to get to complacent.

But we have the title in the bag now, and with three games to spare. We can go into those three matches with the handbrake off and play with freedom and make this title that more convincing. We're 12 points clear at present, wouldn't be nice to finish it as we started, winning. Today's triumph marks a second trophy in as many seasons, and for me it's justification for staying loyal despite the approaches of Kettering Town, Crusaders and Linfield so far. Will it be enough to turn Ken's head when it comes to discussing a new deal, and cause him to open the old biscuit tin for a potential pay rise? 

24 hours after the euphoria, the “Under 18's” side took to the field to take on Linfield Swifts three weeks after playing each other. On-loan striker Joshua Kee gave them a sixth minute lead but three unanswered goals from Gerard Storey, Chris McKee and Ethan Devine put the Swifts 3-1 ahead by half time. Kee scored his and our second of the game in the 63rd minute but Devine completed his hat-trick with goals in the final none minutes to secure a 2-5 win for the Swifts. During half time, Johnny Wilson approached me to advise any concerns he did have about the depth of the squad as a whole are to be dismissed with immediate effect. Amazing what winning a league title has on folk, eh? That said I've got some serious decisions to make in the summer - who to keep and who to release?

Later in the week, we had a very busy Thursday from the get go. It began with Head of Youth Development Neal Smyth and Director of Football Callum McGuigan introducing the new intake of youth prospects, all 12 of them. They will feature in a behind closed doors “bounce” game where those who perform are going to be offered youth team contracts. Shortly after had that meeting finished, Ken had requested me to see him in his office where he was wanting to talk “shop” over a new contract. The meeting lasted half an hour with me stating what I wanted with Ken giving his two pennerth worth from the Club's perspective. Naturally Ken was wanting to give me the same terms that I have had for the first two seasons, which goes to show what a Scrooge he is. Eventually we agreed terms on the following contract:

It might be only a new one year deal, but a £10 a week increase is massive for this standard especially that it's better to be in my pocket than Scrooge Ken's. Not only the new deal but Ken's also announced an increase in the wage budget - is he feeling OK? And he's not increased it a little, he's increased it massively from £245 per week to an astonishing £908 a week: a 329% increase!

Way to go Kenny lad!

Whatever next? An actual transfer budget? Maybe that's asking for miracles….

2024-2025 Season: Clipping the Eagles wings

Signing that new contract gave everyone a boost. It might only be a one-year extension, I really wanted to make a statement and sign a two year deal personally, but staying here shows to all and sundry that everyone is on the same page. We're a season ahead, as I've said beforehand, of the plan I had in my own mind when I agreed to take the reins in July 2023. Every campaign is a learning circle based on what the previous one achieved.

The day after the contract signing, I was in the stands watching the new intake of youth prospects take on virtually our second string in a behind closed doors “bounce” match. The game ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw with the youngsters showing great qualities to come back from a 3-1 deficit. David Brennan put them into a 22nd minute lead with a “route one” effort: a long goal kick from Kyle Kenny and Brennan tucked it past Paddy Hoskins. A four minute brace from Joshua Kee , his second on the stroke of half time, put the experienced guys 2-1 after 45 minutes. Winger John-Joe MacDonald extended the lead two minutes after the restart and you could have thought that the kids would be on the receiving of a thrashing, But they responded, keen to impress for a youth contract and Brennan scored his second with a penalty given for a foul by Owen Madine (who had missed a penalty of his own earlier) on Rene Jansen. Jansen levelled matters with ten left to ensure a share of the spoils.

As I spoke to Neal Smyth post-game about which players impressed and deserved a youth contract, I was advised that North Shields had offered Mohammad Butt a chance to resume his career back over the water. Butt, 24, was signed as back uo to Zach Annett last season but he's now become pretty much fourth choice in that position and was one of the lads I was going to release in the summer. Anyway, we have decided to give 10 of the 12 youth candidates a deal with Graeme Irwin and Keith Chalmers being the ones to miss out. 

So attention then moved to Saturday, and our final away game of the season as we finish with back to back home matches against Banbridge Town and Moyola Park. Armagh at home in December was an eventful game; we won 4-1 but lost Alexandre Machado, Sam Morrow and Jonathan Doyle to injury in it for various spells on the sidelines. With the title in the bag, then there is very pressure but naturally we want to keep the momentum high ahead of the new season which will be here quicker than you can imagine. Despite everything, Armagh are the bookies favourites to take the three points on home soil. They are 7-4 to take a home win, whilst we are best priced at 7-5. If you believe that we will shake hands on a draw then you can get that at 5-2. 

Holm Park, Armagh

Attendance: (away)

So it would be easy to completely reshuffle the team after winning the league just seven days previous, but we don't do things like this here. Actually we made just the two changes with Joshua Kee replacing David Taylor up front and Connor Maxwell in for Lewis Loughlin at left back. Top scorer Jonathan Doyle hasn't scored for a game or so will be overdue a strike if he wants to get to the 20 goal mark this season which he told me was his personal target for the campaign. Shea Campbell's home side have made zero changes from their last game as they plan to bag the second place and a play-off spot against the 11th placed side from the Championship. They're seven points away with just three matches to play (including this one) so it seems very unlikely they'll achieve it. This afternoon's referee is Glenn Buchanan of Ballycastle,

Before the game, Armagh pleasantly surprised us with this - a guard of honour in recognition of congratulating us on our recent title success. What a nice touch from the Eagles.

Despite that guard of honour, there was no way that the Eagles of Armagh were going to roll over and allow us to take the points just because we are the newly crowned Champions. This was illustrated as early as the second minute when they almost opened the scoring when their Scottish striker Ché Reilly drilled in an effort from range that Ryan Dalzell turned brilliantly around the post. From the resultant flag kick taken by Reilly, Dermot McCaffrey saw his header clip the crossbar and over. Five minutes after this warning, we opened the scoring when a slick team move was finished with a finish high into the roof of the net by Callum McVeigh: his 15th goal of the season. We doubled the lead on the quarter hour, McVeigh with a teasing corner that was met by a downward header from central defender Andrew Ferguson. Just after the half hour, Armagh went close again when a powerful effort from Reilly forced Dalzell into another smart save at his near post.

The second half was only a matter of eight minutes old when we bagged a third. A superb counter attack saw the recalled Kee clip the ball over the top of the Eagles defence and top scorer Doyle shrugged off the attentions of Lewis Reid to run on and beat James Carson high at his near post. Reid pulled one back in the 65th minute with a spot kick high into the net; given for a trip on Darren Lyon by Sam Morrow. Four minutes after that Armagh goal, we regained that three goal advantage with a penalty of our own: awarded for a foul by Ross Clark on Ben Mitchell as they jostled for the ball from a McVeigh free kick. Ferguson stepped up as usual and sent Carson the wrong way for his 14th of the season: a remarkable feat for a defender. Shades of Steve Bruce in the 1990-91 season at Manchester United, eh? Armagh halved the deficit with 17 minutes to go when Lyon fired in an unstoppable effort from a good 30 yards or so which Dalzell or any keeper wouldn't have saved. We saw it home after that goal to make it an astonishing 16 games unbeaten. Phenomenal.

In a game where there were a number of solid performances, the Man of the Match beers were taken home by the veteran central defender himself Andrew Ferguson for the second time this season. Well played old man, haha!

They had twice as many shots as us, and more possession but that means nothing here as the points go back down the road. We were just more clinical when it mattered the most. Another great xG for the boys too….

2024-2025 Season: Just a normal week, well as normal as football allows you to be…

Just two matches remain and season number two in the book. We're making gigantic steps forward at the moment and boy that feels just fine and dandy to be fair. We have improved so much from the dark days of December 2023 when we couldn't buy a win for love or money and many were predicting us for relegation to the fourth tier. But a change of formation sparked an upturn in form and silverware arriving in the terms of the Steel and Sons Cup, and this season in the shape of our first ever league title since the Club was formed in 1956.

Whilst we were still celebrating in Armagh, spare a thought for Donegal Celtic. Promoted to the third tier, they were relegated after just one season in the Intermediate League. Their 2-0 loss at Queens and Limavady United's 4-2 home win over Portstewart made it bad news for DC and their supporters. Who replaces them in the Intermediate League for 2025-26 is still unknown.

Sunday meant a game for the “Under 18” team as they hosted the Glentoran second string at The Dub, and it was a chastening experience for them as the Glens inflicted a 5-1 humbling on them. David Fisher scored a hat-trick against them and if it wasn't for on-loan keeper Paddy Hoskins then it could have been more embarrassing. The only goal came from winger Sean Hill, who admitted to me after the game that he has been given an offer to play for the afore-mentioned Donegal Celtic next season and is seriously mulling it over. Hill was one of my first signings when I came here in 2023 and scored that dramatic winner that won us the Steel and Sons Cup against Moyola Park. With Sam Morrow first choice in Hill's favoured right wing spot, and the highly regarded Aaron Porter being a more capable back-up: Hill's first team chances are remote.

Over the next couple of days, we held several meetings with the youth team. The good thing was that each of the new intake whom we offered youth contracts to recently, were accepted which means that we will have more than enough options for that team next season and it won't be reliant on being supplemented by players who can't get in the first team picture. That said, if a senior player is coming back from a long term injury then he might get a game or so to assist in their rehabilitation. Hopefully season 2025-26 will see more fixtures for the players in the reserves as we strive to improve season by season in our ambitious project of being established in European club competitions by 2032-33 and playing in the Premiership alongside the likes of Linfield, Glentoran and Purple Bricks FC (Larne) etc.

Summer is going to mean that we are going to trim the squad with players who aren't first team regulars being released unless they have accepted deals elsewhere in advance. The end of the week saw both Mohammad Butt and Hill accept the offers that had been placed in front of them. Butt has already left, joining Northern League side North Shields, whilst Hill has agreed to join Donegal Celtic when the Northern Irish transfer window opens for business on 9 June 2025. The plan is to have enough players for every position covered. In some areas though we're overloaded, and we know that, so players in those positions will be the ones that we will be looking to cull more than most.

Banbridge Town at The Dub on Saturday, as always we will be going for the win.  No other option. We want to leave this division with as many points as possible, it won't top the 70 accumulated by Bangor in 2022-23 but to break the 60 point barrier would be just grand. We're on 56 at the moment…

2024-2025 Season: Late show sees Banbridge banished for another three point haul

We have just two matches left to play, and then another season closes. Unlike last season,  there's nothing on the international calendar to take in after the Euros in Germany last year. Therefore it might be a close season where a much needed break in warmer climes could be in the offing, somewhere sun-kissed with a golden beach away from the grind.

After all, we all have to switch off from time to time otherwise we burn out.

Saturday is the penultimate home match of the season as we host Banbridge Town at The Dub. They have nothing to play for but personal pride as they can't be relegated nor can they get into the end of season play-off shootout. We have not had the best of luck when playing them, with no wins in the four meetings so far. Will this see the tide change? Well the bookies certainly believe it will as they have made us 4-6 favourites to bag another three points this season. Banbridge are an astonishing 4-1 to surprise us and inflict a rare loss whilst you can get 11-4 if you believe that the teams are going to end up shaking hands at the end on a draw. Winning is the only option in our mindset however…

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance; 90 (3 away)

After seeing off Armagh City seven days ago, we decided to go with an unchanged starting eleven for Banbridge's visit. This meant that Joshua Kee continued to partner Jonathan Doyle up front with the option of bringing on the hugely talented David Taylor should we need to freshen up the strike force at any given moment in the game. Connor Maxwell keeps his place at left-back ahead of new signing Lewis Loughlin as he hopes to convert his season-long loan from Ards into a permanent deal. Banbridge make just the single change to their starting eleven with Jordan King coming in on the left wing for Liam Vaughan who isn't even on the substitutes bench for the Town. Highly rated teenage winger Scott Gormley will be hoping to have another stellar game against us, he's been a real thorn in our side in those previous meetings. Today's referee is Tim Marshall of Irvinestown, a quick return for the official who was the man in the middle here when we drew 3-3 with Ballymacash Rangers at the start of last month.

We were expected by most pundits and football fans alike to dish out a bit of a hammering to the visitors. and almost opened the scoring after just three minutes play. A good team move involving four different players ended up with Portuguese winger Alexandre Machado driving over the top and not troubling Craig O'Sullivan in the away goal. Machado was desperate to score, having last found the net on 8 February with our final goal when we humbled Newington 4-1 on home turf. Chances continued to be created and Banbridge even repelled a free kick from Callum McVeigh when he had a set piece in his trademark danger area just outside the penalty area. In a rare foray from the away side, they thought they had scored after half an hour with their first shot of the match: King with a dangerous low cross that was steered home by Graham Ward but the teenager had drifted offside.

With the half time statistic showing a shot count of 14 to 2 in our favour, we felt hugely disappointed as we had only put two of those 14 on target. Wasting chances you could say. The second half was literally a carbon copy, us dominating and Banbridge soaking it up like a sponge whilst waiting to hit us on the break. With things not seemingly working out, we made a double change as early as the 54th minute with the serious under-par Machado and Kee being replaced by Aaron Porter and Taylor. Hopefully this would end Banbridge's stubborn resistance. On the hour, Sam Morrow (now playing wide on the left) teed up Doyle but the top scorer shot inches over and then four minutes later the former Crusaders youngster angled a shot across O'Sullivan but saw it cannon off the far post and away to safety. Surely it wasn't going to be one of those afternoons?

Six minutes remained when the dam finally broke, and the relief certainly was palpable. Following a period of head tennis, Taylor played the ball infield to his skipper Johnny Wilson who struck it first time from fully 30 yards and out of the reach of O'Sullivan for 1-0. That encouraged Banbridge to push forward and forego their defensive tactics as they sought a backs to the walls point, Ward shooting over from the edge of the area in a rare effort on goal. A minute after that shot, we made it safe with a second goal when Morrow's low cross from the left was met by a poachers finish from Taylor. In added time, Ben Mitchell headed against the post from a McVeigh corner, Taylor somehow shot over when strike partner Doyle teed him up before scoring our third with the final chance of the match in the third of three minutes added-on: a free header from inside the six yard box after Morrow had stood up an inch perfect cross to him; his 17th goal of a quite remarkable season. The only gripe, the crowd….less than 100 for the league champions!

For the seventh time this season, Sam Morrow took home the Man of the Match beers with him. The former Crusaders youth prospect has created 17 of our goals this season, despite having a month and a half out injured.

Absolute domination. But more than half of those shots were off target which isn't pleasing. That said, just look at our xG - mindblowing! I'd love to know our XG over the season however….

2024-2025 Season: The Final Countdown

With apologies to Joey Tempest and the rest of the hard rock band Europe…

So we go into the final week of games on a bit of a roll, we last tasted a league loss in November when Coagh United defeated us 2-0 at Hagan Park and since then everyone has bought in and contributed to our success.. There has been injuries, players rested but each of the team has known their role in the line up and done it to perfection. 

When things click, it's pleasing as….

However, what makes it even more sweeter is that it has been done against the odds. Armagh City were expected to win the title by the fourth estate, and they're now looking at finish halfway. We were expected to finish 13th, Ken was hoping for the same but look at us. With an average home attendance of less than 200 and a bank balance not even breaking the £500 barrier then it's astonishing. One can only hope that the success this season is rewarded in the finances for 2025-26. Whilst we have a fair bit of wriggle room as regards the wage budget, we're spending £258 a week on wages at the moment against a wage budget of £908 a week, the transfer budget remains at a big fat zero. There is so much untapped potential here it's unreal, even the stadium has the possibility to be expanded to 4000 from its current level of 2000.

But only one person can make the difference, and his name is Ken Green. And he's not nicknamed “Ebeneezer Scrooge” by some of us for nothing….

Whilst we are in a comfortable position, the battle for the runners-up slot is still undecided. Currently in the driving seat are Newington who won 4-3 away at Knockbreda last Saturday whilst Coagh United, who started the day second, slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Portstewart. The final day sees Coagh host Distillery who harbour hopes of finishing third, whilst Newington play Banbridge Town. Whoever finishes in that runners-up spot takes on the Championship's 11th placed side, Dollingstown, over two legs. Institute, 12th in the Championship, are already down,

Friday night under the lights is going to be special, especially as we get the trophy.  I just hope there's a decent crowd through the turnstiles at The Dub.

I laughed a bit harder then I probably should've done at this. Good going mate keep it up.

2024-2025 Season: Honours even on trophy lift night

With just pride left to play for, we could go into Friday night's game under The Dub's floodlights with the handbrake well and truly off. A season which had begun with a 6-2 win over Seagoe in the Steel and Sons Cup was about to draw to a conclusion but a very successful one at that. Friday night would see Johnny Wilson lift up the Playr-Fit Intermediate League trophy, the Club's first ever major league honour.

I got to The Dub early on Friday night as I wanted to see Ken beforehand. Just a friendly chat with old “Ebeneezer”, no demands or anything as they could wait for the close season when the dust had settled on 2024-25.

“Evening Kenneth.”

“Evening Mark, ready for tonight?”

“Ready as I'll ever be. How's the ticket sales gone for tonight, bumper crowd expected?”

“Eh?”

“Trophy lift night, hoping for around 400 through the turnstiles right Kenneth?”

“No, not quite. Expecting less than 150 I heard. Anyway I gotta go, chairman talking with sponsors…”

And he just left me standing there. Less than 150 for a trophy lift game? Absolutely shocking that I muttered to myself, I hope this was not going to be the story in the Championship next season. We have a project here and we've just won a title: why are folk staying away? I wish I bloody well knew the answer to that. The bookies thought we would finish with our fifth win a row and have made us 8-11 favourites to do so. Moyola, who were the opponents that kickstarted our change in fortunes, are 7-2 to surprise us and take three back up to the North Coast whilst 11-4 can be found if you reckon that the game will end in a draw.

The Dub, Belfast

Attendance: 100 (2 away)

So with that handbrake off, I decided on not one but four changes to the starting line up on trophy lift night. After sitting on his backside for the majority of the campaign, Paddy Hoskins was given his first league start of the season with regular number one Ryan Dalzell given the night off and chill on the bench: he would only be called upon if any emergency arose. Keelan Gibson was also given his first start too as he partnered the veteran that is Andrew Ferguson in central defence, Aaron Porter came in for Alexandre Machado which allowed Sam Morrow to switch to the left flank which he is comfortable with whilst Owen Madine was given a rare start in central midfield alongside skipper Johnny Wilson with Callum McVeigh having a rest on the substitutes bench. Moyola made just one change themselves as Paul Smith replaced Mark Kelly in the sole striker role. Tonight's referee is Niall Devlin of Craigavon.

Determined to play party poopers, Moyola came into tonight's match with a very positive mindset indeed. This was illustrated as early as the fourth minute when they almost opened the scoring,when a free kick from Matthew Ward just went over the top of Hoskins' crossbar. His opposing number, Andy Findlay, had to be alert a couple of minutes later when a teasing right wing cross from Porter had him backpedalling and pawing the ball to safety as Joshua Kee closed in on the delivery. Playing the sole striker role, Smith was next to threaten our goal with a solo effort that saw the experienced striker send an effort into the side netting when the two away fans thought otherwise. Our next chance came in the 20th minute when a loose ball found its way to the feet of Wilson who shot just over the bar with the goal gaping. Three minutes later, Moyola did finally open the scoring when a well constructed team move saw Peter Duffin lay the ball into the path of Smith who tucked it home at the near post past Hoskins.

As we were about to go into one minute of time added-on, we levelled matters. Morrow weighted a perfect ball down the line for Jonathan Doyle who measured a perfect cross into the path of the on-rushing Kee who tucked away his fifth goal of his loan spell. Early in the second half, we had a half chance to go in front when another testing cross, this time from Morrow, was headed down by substitute Machado but Moyola substitute Kenneth Selfridge produced a fantastic block to deny Doyle a tap-in. Smith sent a long strike inches wide with just 18 minutes to go but should have won the game for the away side in the second minute of three added-on at the conclusion of the match when Vauls' long free-kick caught us out but the striker sent his shot wide without troubling Hoskins.

The players went straight down the tunnel for a few minutes after the final shrill of Mr Devlin's whistle before re-emerging for the trophy lift and receive their winners medal. They then went on a well deserved lap of honour, shame that there were few fans to help them celebrate.

For a very hardworking performance up front, on-loan striker Kee took home the last Man of the Match beers back home with him. Hoskins and Gibson did okay as did Jamie Ingram who made his debut for the Club as a second half substitute.

Plenty of shots for both sides but very few of them hit the target. We had another win in the xG column by the way; how many times has that happened this season quite frankly?

2024-2025 Season: Rounding off the rest of the season

With us playing Friday night, Saturday would be usually be a day off to see how the rest of the final regular season fixtures unfolded on BBC Radio Ulster. Yet that wasn't how I wanted to finish off season two, I had to be in a stadium watching some game. So I decided to head off to Larne, and to watch the Newington - Banbridge match rather than go to the Coagh - Lisburn Distillery one. Before I did, there was a nice text message that brought a wee smile to one's face: it simplu read:

“Congratulations on winning the league. Knew you could do it babe. Am filming somewhere so can't celebrate with you though. N xx”

Yeah Galway's finest had texted to send her warmest appreciation, and it made the drive to Larne that bit more happier. The piercing vocals of Daniel Davey from Ipswich filled the air on the motorway to Larne, and arriving the locals seemed to wonder why the Head Coach of a rival was coming to their stadium when his own team wasn't in opposition. It was a case in point that it was either be here or mooch around in absolute boredom in St. George's Market which one could only take in moderation.

The game itself ended in a 3-1 win for the home side with striker Darren Stuart bagging a brace for them to go along with Peter McKiernan's opener; Graham Ward scored Banbridge's effort. This meant that The Ton would face Dollingstown over two legs next Saturday and the following Tuesday with the last remaining slot in the Championship for 2025-26 at stake. Elsewhere Coagh and Distlllery shared a 1-1 draw to finish third and2 fourth respectively. The top half of the table was completed by Rathfriland Rangers who won 3-1 at Ballymacash Rangers on the final day, Knockbreda who drew their final game 2-2 at Queens and Armagh City who finished with a 3-0 win on home soil against Portstewart. The 13th versus 14th match in Limavady ended in a 3-3 draw and the already relegated visitors announced they had parted company with manager John McGrath moments after the final whistle.

We were now going to be a smaller fish in a bigger pond, but what would “Ebeneezer” demand from us? Well we didn't have to wait too long as he was straight on it in a Zoom call on Sunday morning as I was getting ready for my usual routine on Sundays which normally meant being at St. Peter's in the City. I had always maintained that my faith had gotten me through testing times and when I needed it the most, I had my family instilling that in me from when I was knee high to a blooming grasshopper. Anyway as I was just buttoning up my shirt, Ken was ringing on Zoom:

“Ken.”

“Mark, hope I've not woken you too early this Sunday morning.”

“No Ken you haven't, I was just getting ready to go…”

“Yes I know where you're going. Anyway, just a quick Zoom call to say I've finished drafting our vision for 2025-26.”

“Already?”

“Yeah. I know the season's just finished but I wanted to get it sorted early doors. I'll email it over so you can read it when you get back.. Ciao for now…”

And he hung up before I could even reply back. So early that afternoon, I opened Ken's email which was short and sweet. It was simply entitled “2025-26 Vision” and read the following:

So no transfer budget then. Meant more wheeling and a dealing in the free transfer and loan markets. And Ken being the Scrooge that he is, he wouldn't think it was necessary to spend money or increase the Club's bank balance by means of a cash injection. That would be too much of an ask wouldn't it? He's gonna have proverbial kittens should we make the Premiership. Anyhoo, I emailed him back to say OK even though deep inside I was hurting at his complete reluctance at wanting to move forwards as a Club. My hands felt tied but I still had my plan for the Club at the back of my head and Ken would have to do something he wouldn't currently dare to do if the progression accelerates like it is now. I was sure I was the one that was holding all the aces not “Ebeneezer” Green….

The squad headed away on their summer holidays a few days later but not before Sam Morrow had been acknowledged as the League's Player of the Month for the final month which he accepted with his usual humility. However, what was surprising was that he said the real credit for it was down to one person: me. I was lost for words again, a bit like when it comes to trying to chat up Nicola Coughlan or any female. Cheers Sam. I was looking forward to see what he could do in the second tier already but was formulating which players to release in the next few weeks or so as there were a number that didn't fit in my plans. I mean, if they didn't get in my Intermediate League squad then there would be no chance they would feature in my Championship one.

As regards the play-offs, Newington joined us in the Championship and sent Dollingstown back to an intermediate return to the Intermediate League with a 4-2 aggregate triumph. Goals from Brian McCaul and Martin Gibbons, the latter who I heard shouts of “Funky” whenever he touched the ball due to a song by The Goodies apparently, won them the first leg in Larne. The Dollybirds erased that deficit on their own pitch by the 34th minute but a goal from Stephen Hunter a minute before half time deflated them and gave the Ton a boost. With the home side pushing, Gibbons scored again eight minutes from the end to make level on the night and end the home side's dreams there and then.

Next thing, and before I head away to Dubai for a summer break, is to decide who to release, Tough decisions but ones that have to be made, right? There's gonna be a few disappointed folk looking for new clubs in 2025-26….

2024-2025 Season: Exits galore 

One of the final tasks at the end of the season is to decide who to retain and who to release. It's called in ice hockey circles, exit interviews where you sit down with each player in the squad individually and tell them if you are wanting to keep them or they have to seek new employers.

The only players not involved in these conversations were the six players who were on loan to the Club and they were to return to their respective parent clubs very soon. Of those six, I would like to retain the services of left-back Connor Maxwell and striker David Taylor. They were both really good for us this season with Taylor proving that he has all the attributes to become a real poacher as good as Jonathan Doyle. Joshua Kee could return if we need an extra striker whilst Paddy Hoskins could be a good number two behind Ryan Dalzell. I have no plans to bring back either Keelan Gibson nor Jamie Ingram, I think I made a mistake burning two loan spots with those.

Anyway with Mohammad Butt already gone and Sean Hill set to depart, who else from our squad would depart The Dub? As it was, I chose to release seven. They were as follows:

Bradley Lyttle

Joshua Logan

Matthew Hanna

Aaron Cochrane

Ryan Worthington

John-Joe MacDonald

Éric Akassou

It could have been more in hindsight. But that's the ones I delivered bad news to. Of the remainder, Owen Madine can go if we get an offer for him as I don't want his negativity at not playing in the Mezzala role anymore. Callum McVeigh was outstanding in that role this season and chipped in with goals and assists a plenty. Another player who can go, providing we get an upgrade on him, is right-back and vice-captain Craig Briers. He's that player who somehow doesn't kinda like being praised for excellent form when it's warranted. 

The window opens next month, and I think we need to get our shopping completed early. Season three is going to be a massive learning curve for us all and that includes me.

Before I jetted away, I was at the Final of this season's Irish Cup. It was won for the 24th time by the Pride of the East: Glentoran. The Glens brushed aside Championship side Bangor 3-1 at the National Stadium with central midfielder Cammy Palmer running the show. He only played for 64 minutes but he was just brilliant.

Time to relax, if that's possible?

2024-2025 Season: The Season That Was….

In this post, we recap what happened in the season just completed at home and elsewhere in some of Europe's leagues. Plus a round up of the European Club Competitions.

Northern Ireland: The question was could Larne do a three-peat or would someone else ruin their plan. As it was, three-peat was achieved by Tiernan Lynch's men by eight points from nearest challengers Glenotran who will feature in next season's Conference League. Third place went to Cliftonville whilst the final European slot went to Crusaders who saw off Linfield 3-1 at the National Stadium. It was a very disappointing season for the Blues who finished fifth in the league standings an astonishing 23 points behind the champions. The Blues also dispensed with the services of long serving manager and national team hero David Healy in mid-February, former player Michael Gault taking charge as caretaker. The Glens won the Irish Cup with a 3-1 win over Championship side Bangor thanks to a three goal blitz in the first 45 minutes.

England: Another side that retained their national title was Pep Guardiola's Manchester City who made it five Premiership titles in a row, and a ninth since their first in 2012. Runners-up were Liverpool in Xabi Alonso's first season since succeeding the legendary Jürgen Klopp in the summer whilst also qualifying for the Champions League next season were Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United. The three Europa League spots for positions 6-8 were taken up by Arsenal, Brighton and Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur. Of the three promoted sides, Ipswich suffered an immediate return to the Championship with a 19th placed finish whilst Leicester City and Southampton finished 15th and 16th respectively. Nottingham Forest finished at the bottom whilst AFC Bournemouth's three season spell in the top flight ended with the Cherries being relegated on goal difference after they had finished on the same number of points as Burnley.

After being beaten on penalties in last season's Championship Play-Off Final, Leeds United made no mistake this time as they took the Championship title by a two point margin over runners-up Luton Town. Those Championship play-offs saw Sheffield United take on Norwich City whilst the other was a Midlands battle between Coventry City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The home side's won the first legs 1-0, Rhian Brewster with the only goal for the Blades against the Canaries, Mario Lemina doing likewise for Wolves. Second legs saw Coventry and Wolves drew 2-2 at the CBS with Fabio Silva scoring the decisive goal whilst the men from the Steel City booked their place at Wembley 4-1 in a penalty shootout after playing the second leg despite playing with ten men from the eighth minute onward after Chris Mepham saw red. The game ended 2-1 in Norfolk with Leander Dendoncker and Josh Sargent scoring the Canaries and Vini Souza for United.. Therefore we had a repeat of the 2003 Final which Wolves won 3-0 and they repeated the trick this season with a similar win thanks to a brace from Alejo Veliz and the other from Matheus Cunha.

Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers and Peterborough United were the ones to go down to League One, with “The Posh” suffering an immediate return after getting promoted in 2023-24. Of the other promoted sides, Lincoln City had the best season of the three with a very creditable 14th placed finish. League One saw Millwall regain their Championship status as they won the title with 95 points, five clear of runners-up Fleetwood Town. The League One play-off final was between relegated sides Preston North End (who overcame Portsmoth) and Huddersfield Town (who saw off Blackpool) and it was the Lancastrians who prevailed with a 2-1 triumph thanks to Mads Frojkær's winner. Dropping into League Two next season are Sutton United, Northampton Town, Burton Albion and Cambridge United: Sutton suffering the immediate return. 

Winning automatic promotion to League One next season were Champions AFC Wimbledon, Notts County and MK Dons. Reading defeated Forest Green Rovers 2-1 on aggregate in one play-off semi to book a Wembley date with Colchester United who saw off Walsall 2-0 over two legs in the other. The Royals made light work in the Final with a comprehensive 4-0 win over the U's and return back to the third tier. Dropping into the National League are Crawley Town and Cheltenham Town; the Gloucestershire side suffering a back to back relegation. Replacing them are Champions Yeovil Town and Gateshead who won the play-off final 4-2 on spot kicks against former League club Rochdale after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes. Goals from Mohammed Salah and a double from Brazilian midfielder Marcos Leonardo enabled Liverpool to take the FA Cup to Merseyside as the Reds defeated Crystal Palace 3-0. It was a second domestic Cup this season for them as they won the Carabao Cup too; beating Aston Villa on 4-2 on spot kicks after Diogo Jota's 86th minute equaliser cancelled out Jacob Ramsey's 48th minute opener for the Villans.

Scotland: Celtic regained the Scottish Premiership crown, their 54th title, by a convincing 11 point margin. Last season's Champions Rangers hopes' of making it back to triumphs wasn't helped by the ‘Gers recording 12 draws which was the joint second worst in the division: they did qualify for the Champions League with the runners-up spot however. Hibernian and Motherwell finished third and fourth respectively to qualify for the Europa League whilst St. Mirren’s fifth placed standing gives them a place in the Conference League. Greenock Morton suffered an automatic relegation whilst 11th placed Raith Rovers defeated Falkirk 3-2 on aggregate to retain their Premiership status at the Bairns expense. The Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and Aberdeen ended goalless after extra time, but the Gers triumphed 3-1 on penalties whilst Luke McCowan's 87th minute winner gave the said Dandy Dons the League Cup as they overcame Hamilton Academical 1-0.

Spain: Real Madrid won La Liga for the 36th time in their history with bitter rivals Barcelona a distant seven points behind in second. The other two Champions League spot were filled by Athletic Club Bilbao and Atlético Madrid who finished third and fourth respectively. Real Sociedad and Getafé qualified for the Europa League thanks to their fifth and sixth placed finishes and Sevilla took the Conference League berth. Tumbling out of La Liga were Elché, Real Betis and Alavés; to be replaced by Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol plus one from the play-offs which are yet to be decided. The Copa del Rey was also won by Real as two goals in as many minutes early in the second half from Arkadiusz Milik and Karim Konaté sealed a 2-0 win over Sevilla.

Italy: Inter Milan won a back to back Scudetto, and their 21st Serie A crown as they finished four points clear of Juventus. Third, fourth and fifth place, and the other Champions League spots, were filled by AC Milan, AS Roma and Lazio whilst Fiorentina and Atalanta will be in the Europa League thanks to their sixth and seventh placed finishes and Napoli's eighth place gives them a spot in the Conference League next season. Pisa and Salento have been relegated to Serie B with Udinese and Sampdoria are in a play-off for 17th after the teams finished level on 33 points. Catanzaro won Serie B by a single point from Brescia whilst the third spot will be decided by a play-off between Frosinone and Spezia. The Coppa Italia was won by Lazio with a 2-0 win over Fiorentina.

Germany:  There was a new name on die Meisterschale, and for the first time ever - RB Leipzig are Champions of Germany. The Club, who were only formed in 2009, won the title on the final day from defending champions and 34-times winner Bayern München by a single point. Leipzig defeated SC Freiburg 3-2 and held on for the win whilst Bayern were defeating Bayer 04 Leverkusen 4-0 in the Allianz. Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund took the two remaining Champions League spots with Borussia Mönchengladbach qualifying for the Europa League and Eintracht Frankfurt; the Conference League. Patrick Vieira's VfB Stuttgart won the DfB Pokal with a comprehensive 4-1 win over 2.Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel in Berlin to bag themselves a Europa League berth despite a 9th placed finish in the league standings. 

Relegated to 2.Bundesliga are Fortuna Düsseldorf, 1.FC Köln and Hamburger SV: the latter in the promotion/relegation play off. Promoted are Hertha Berlin from said play-off, 2.Bundesliga Champions Union Berlin and runners-up Darmstadt.

France: Retaining their Ligue ‘Un title, and winning their 14th championship, were Paris Saint-Germain. They finished an astonishing 34 points clear of second placed Lens, and were invincible in the league itself with 29 wins and 5 draws from their 34 matches! Racing Club Lens will be joining them in the Champions League as will third placed OGC Nice. Stade de Reims and Stade Rennais finished fourth and fifth to qualify for the Europa League whilst Lille, who finished sixth in the Ligue ’Un table, will be in the Conference League. PSG completed the domestic double with a 2-0 win over Lens in the Coupe de France. Metz and Bordeaux were relegated to the second tier but 16th placed Lorient kept their place in the top flight with a 3-0 triumph over Clermont in the promotion/relegation play-off. Returning to the top division are second tier champions SC Montpellier and runners-up AJ Auxerre.

Now for the European Club Competitions:

UEFA Champions League: A Josko Gvardiol goal in the 60th minute settled this season's Champions League Final in the Allianz Arena, Munich for Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City stars as they defeated Real Madrid. City did this despite losing star striker Erling Haaland to a groin related injury after just eight minutes. It was City's second Champions League crown in the last three seasons with Real having won it last season and in 2021-22.

UEFA Europa League: A sixth minute goal from Rolando Mandragora gave Fiorentina the lead in the Europa League played in San Mames, Bilbao. However, two goals in the final 12 minutes from Stephen Eustaquio and Mehdi Taremi, the winner in the fourth minute of time added-on, gave Porto the win in dramatic circumstances.

UEFA Conference League: .It's three wins in as many seasons for English sides in the Conference League. The latest win went to Tottenham Hotspur who demolished AS Roma 4-0 in the Final played in Wroclaw. Three goals in eight first half minutes gave the North Londoners a lead that they never looked like relinquishing with Heung-Min Son, James Maddison and Matteo Ruggeri on target. Yves Bissouma added the gloss with the fourth in the 57th minute.

UEFA Super Cup: First half goals from Nacho (with a penalty), Endrick and Aurélien Tchouanemi settled the Super Cup Final for Real Madrid as they defeated Liverpool 3-0 in the game between last season's Champions League winners and the respective Europa League winners played in Warsaw.

UEFA Youth League: This season's Youth League Final was won by Inter Milan's Under 20s who defeated their counterparts from Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in Nyon. The Italian side's goals came from German prospect Leon Bamert and Azzurini striker Francesco Pio Esposito with Oumar Camara's 86th minute effort proving to be a mere consolation in the final analysis.

2024-2025 Season: Plans are afoot

That break in Dubai was just that was needed, even if it was just for a week. Doing as little as possible and switching off from anything football related. Sometimes you have to de-stress don't you?

Anyway once back it was time to get back on the proverbial horse and start looking ahead. All the loan players returned to their parent clubs, despite being signed to 30 June 2005 which is officially the last day of a season. Of them, we decided to exercise an option to make left back Connor Maxwell's move from Ards a permanent one and we were delighted that he wanted to come back on that permanent deal as you can see. He officially joins us on 1 July 2025

Of the others, we agreed with Ballymena United to make David Taylor a permanent member of the squad but the teenage striker doesn't want to return despite the promotion to the second tier. He obviously thinks he has a chance of breaking into the Sky Blues' first team. We will see what does occur and keep tabs on his circumstances. Joshua Kee might return as might Paddy Hoskins but no firm decision has been made on either as there are potential other irons in the proverbial fire. One player that won't be signing for us is 21 year old striker Harry Wilson who had been recently released by Portadown.

Wilson has joined Ards, and also turned down Banbridge Town, Moyola Park and Limavady United of the Intermediate League: let's face it who would join either of those three as well as us since it was a no-brainer to join the Red and Blues in his eyes. Not too disheartened though, we have made an offer to another 21 year old striker who seemed to do rather well against us this season…he scored 24 in just 34 games this season just ended so he knows where the net is; right?

Naturally we made offers to the two contracted players we have, and both provisionally have beeb accepted. “Fergie” might be 36 and in the twilight of his career but he certainly thinks that there is life in the old dog yet and can play in the Championship next season. I was half expecting him to retire to be fair. Jordan O'Brien, whilst still in his 20s and technically our fourth choice custodian, is a promising goalkeeping coach that adds depth. Watch this though, Fergie will retire now I've said this about him.

The backroom staff seem happy with the situation, so all is good right? Just need to get the players in…

Took me long enough but I've belatedly read through this. Well written! Nice work with the promotion, one step closer…

Thanks mate, hope you liked the mini sub-plots as well. This is one save that I'm really enjoying doing, prefer a LLaMa save over starting with a bigger and more successful side to be fair.

2025-26 Season: A good manager's work is never done… - Volume 3, Chapter 1

So we are now in the real business of getting prepared for a new season.

One of the main changes in season three is the amount of competitions we will be in. Last season we were in five competitions, this season we are in three: The Championship, the Irish Cup and a new one in the shape of the County Antrim Shield.

The County Antrim Shield is a competition that all clubs in the County Antrim catchment area that play from stap one to step three are invited to complete, a total of 16 sides will feature including ourselves. It's a bit like the Steel and Sons Cup in a sense but with fewer sides. Last season's Final was won by Cliftonville who defeated Carrick Rangers at the Loughshore Hotel Arena in Carrickfergus 3-0 thanks to goals from Jamie McDonagh, Michael Newberry and a penalty converted by Rory Hale. As expected, this competition isn't Ken's priority for 2025-26: It's probably the least important of three to be fair with staying up in the Championship naturally being top priority. An interesting fact though about the CAS, in terms of world reputation it's ranked higher than Cypriot Super Cup!

We also finalised our pre-season schedule, and it starts with a bounce game between the first team and the reserves.  The full schedule is as follows:

Of the five games after the “bounce” game, I was very pleased to attract the Celtic B team to play us in midweek as part of the preparations for the Championship season which begins on the first Saturday in August. We felt honoured that Coagh United's veteran goalkeeper William Hassan chose us over everyone else for his well deserved testimonial game. Hassan, 36, is about to embark on his 13th season with the Hagan Park-based club whom he joined in July 2013 from Tobemore United. A real stalwart of the beautiful game.

Our first month's matches have also been announced; and as you can see it's a busy opening one with seven matches in four weeks.

2025-26 Season: New kids on the block… - Volume 3, Chapter 2

We knew we had to strengthen the first team squad, and start to make use of the increased wage budget that “Ebeneezer" Green has provided us with.

All in all, we made five incoming transfers ahead of the first pre-season match: one of which was the return of a familiar face to all of us. 

After being knocked back by Curtis Murphy, he was the Donegal Celtic striker that was so prolific against us last season, who decided to join Bangor: the first to sign, on 17 June was newcomer number one….

20 year old Irish midfielder Sean O'Kane joins us as a highly rated prospect who could easily take over Johnny Wilson's mantle in years to come if he develops the way we would like him to. He started his career at Finn Harps, making three appearances for the League of Ireland side before being picked up by HW Welders in the winter transfer window of 2024. In 17 months at the Danny Blanchflower Stadium, Sean made 10 appearances for the Welders before being released in the summer. Standing over 6 foot, he provides us with a towering presence for the engine room.

Three days later, we made a double swoop.

First was the return of a player who made such an impression last season, that we knew we had to bring him back on either a loan extension for the season (which is what we have done) or a permanent deal (which he personally wasn't keen on):

Yes David Taylor is back for a second season-long loan from Ballymena United; remarkable considering that the team from the Seven Towers are divisional rivals for us this season. He scored 17 times in just 27 matches for us on loan last season, and I think there's even more to come from him. He has the potential to become a Premiership player in the future.

Half an hour after Taylor put pen to paper, the ink was drying on another contract: newcomer number two:

We knew we needed an experienced central defender to come into the Club this season, and Caolan Loughran ticks that box perfectly. The 30 year old spent the majority of his career at Ballymena United but scored an astonishing 24 goals (two of them being double figure goal seasons) in three seasons on loan at Carrick Rangers. His last two seasons were spent at Loughgall for whom he featured in the Premiership for. We managed to acquire his services despite the player getting similar offers from Intermediate League sides Coagh United, and you've guessed it: Limavady United!

Fast forward seven days, and another double signing day for us.

Signing number four, and our third newcomer so far was our new number two behind Ryan Dalzell:

Young goalkeeper Jake Simpson joins us on a free transfer this summer from Premiership Champions Larne, He has yet to make his debut in the game but we see him as the best young goalkeeping option out there.  Dalzell will be our out and out number one but Simpson has the potential to push him for that starting gig throughout.

Our second signing of the day, and fifth in this close season was newcomer number four:

I wasn't expecting him to drop a division and sign for us but to bring a former Glentoran striker in is phenomenal. Jordan has played over 150 times in the top flight and will provide very healthy competition for David Taylor and Jonathan Doyle. I can't believe he's only 25, having started his career at Lurgan-based Premiership side Glenavon when he was just 16. He could be our ace in the pack which surprises everyone.

These signings mean that we won't be bringing back either Paddy Hoskins nor Joshua Kee for 2025-26 but we will be keep a close eye on the latter as well as Limavady United's teenage striker Adam McIvor (who looks a beast) should we need to beef up our striking options.

Given that the above signings are equally as important as each other, perhaps the biggest signing was to retain the services of the below player:

Sam Morrow is undoubtedly the best winger we have on our books. Capable of playing on either flank, he can score and create to a high standard so to actually tie down him to a paid contract is absolutely huge for us. He had been attracting the attention of Limavady United, you know that fallen giant of Northern Irish football of the late and early 2000s that only just stayed up last season, but this new contract has shut them up. Sam has the potential to be just as effective in the second tier as he was in the third, and when he's available for selection: is one of the first names on my teamsheet. 25 June 2005 also saw the below contract activate, that the one-year extension for “Fergie”  which sees him combine playing with coaching again. 2025-26 is the ninth season in our colours for the former Linfield trainee.

We have also offered a deal for a defender who can play either right back, which means he can step in for Briers or add extra defensive cover in central defence, Hopefully we can get it over the line to make it six signings for 2025-26.

However, June also saw the departure of 2023-24 Steel and Sons Cup hero Sean Hill who has joined recently relegated Donegal Celtic after agreeing a pre-contract signing in the final months of the season just finished. Of the seven released at the season end, only John-Joe MacDonald has found new employers: he's also joined Donegal Celtic. Éric Akassou has hung up the boots and is trying to get a gig as a Head of Youth Development somewhere, Ryan Worthington has drifted completely away from the beautiful game whilst none of the remaining four have been picked up by anyone at the current moment in time.

2025-26 Season: And we're off and running… - Volume 3, Chapter 3

The first week was concluded with our first of six warm up games before the season begins on 2 August in earnest. As always I chose to go with the behind closed doors “bounce” match at The Dub. No spectators, just me, the coaching staff and two sides of 17 players. I was to manage the first team whilst my assistant manager Kyle (McDowell) would manage the reserves squad.  

Before the kick-off, I was pleased to get signing number six confirmed:

Swapping the white of Queens for the green of our kit is 22 year old defender Harry Wylie. The newcomer came through the youth ranks at Carrick Rangers but failed to make the first team for the Taylors Avenue based side. His breakthrough came at Ballyclare Comrades in 2022 before switching to Annagh United in January 2024. Last season he was still with the Portadown-based side before moving to Queens on a short term deal for the second half of the season; making six appearances for the Students. He will be a very useful addition to the defensive corps.

The sides for the friendly were as follows:

Predictably the first team ran out winners with five different players on the scoresheet. Owen Madine opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a thumping drive from the edge of the box that kissed the underside of the bar before nestling behind Jake Simpson. Eight minutes we scored the first of three goals in a four minute spell that ended the match as a contest; David Taylor with a poachers finish from Aaron Porter's low cross. A minute later, it was 3-0 when Porter again provided the delivery and this time Jonathan Doyle supplied the cushioned volleyed finish. Taylor picked out skipper Johnny Wilson to strike home number four whilst Sam Morrow completed the nap hand with an angled drive following good play by Porter and Taylor. Teenage central midfielder Dennis Short pulled one back for the Reserves with a shot through a crowded penalty area but the damage was done. The first team would have bagged more if it wasn't for Simpson having a brilliant game in goal for the second stringers.

Monday and Tuesday saw the loan rangers return to their parent club sides, although in the case of Connor Maxwell he was back on a permanent deal from Ards 24 hours after saying a temporary farewell to us all.  We then continued to prepare for our first serious pre-season match on Saturday when we host Monaghan Town at The Dub, which could see us without the services of Zach Annett who has been approached by Glebe Rangers about a move to the Riada Stadium in Ballymoney. Since I cannot guarantee Zach first team football at the moment, then he can move away with no hard feelings whatsoever.

Good news on the reserve team front is that they will be playing in their own mini-league this season. They are in Group B of the Championship Development League alongside the second strings of Ballyclare Comrades, Dergview, Bangor, Dundela and Newington. The group winners play the group winners of Group A for the right to be crowned as Championship Development League Champions; the current holders being Annagh United's second string. It does mean that we might not have to flood the “Under 18” side with the reserves as much as we did last season.

Are you ready for Saturday? Think I am.

2025-26 Season: The Comeback Kings - Volume 3, Chapter 4

So after the “bounce” game with the reserves, it was time to get down to the serious matter of proper pre-season matches. As usual, I chose the majority of the opponents with the last one being a representative testimonial match for Will Hassan of Coagh United. Will had the choice of whoever he wanted in opposition, by all accounts he could have had the pick of a Manchester United or Liverpool select but he decided to go with us. 

Thanks for the appreciation Will…

Anyway Saturday's game would be a first ever meeting with Monaghan Town, a team from just across the border with the Republic. And the fact we were playing a team from those parts, kind of surprised a few. But we're a club that has no prejudices, at least that's my own philosophy, and that's why we embrace people with differing backgrounds. We have players with Portuguese (Alex Machado and youngster José Bernardo), Swedish (youth striker Billy Olofsson), Dutch (youtng midfielder René Jansen) nationalities plus a couple of lads that were born in the Republic (Sean O'Kane and Johnny Wilson) and one born in England (young defender Charlton Jefferies). However, the majority are from Northern Ireland as we look to find the new George Best, Pat Jennings etc.

I toyed with picking a full strength side but as you can see, we had a mixture of reserves and first teamers in action.

With a handful of spectators in, it was a first look for them at the five new faces I have brought in this summer. After playing so well in that “bounce” game, Jake Simpson was rewarded with a start in goal although he knows who's the number one anyway…Harry Wylie was given the opportunity to show his versatility at right back after playing central defence previous. Caolan Loughran partnered Ben Mitchell in a new look central defence partnership. Sean O'Kane, whom has been nicknamed “Interceptor” by the Lads after an old TV game show villain, featured in midfield alongside skipper for the day Callum McVeigh whilst Jordan Jenkins and David Taylor were a new look front two. The bench had cover in all positions from eight named although I could have named fifteen.

The game didn't start well for us as we conceded twice in the opening 13 minutes, with the goals just four minutes apart. Goal number one came after nine on the clock when a move down the left saw Cian Boyce tee up Belarusian teen Dmitriy Kovalev just inside and he struck it fiercely first time into the far corner past Simpson. Stunned by that, we were stunned more when they hit us for a second time with a move that obviously came off the training pitch: Conor Bogan swung his corner to the edge of the box where we were anticipating the recipient Mark Robinson to shoot but he laid it sideways to Boyce who flashed an unstoppable effort through a congested penalty area and past the unsighted Simpson.

It looked bleak, but one thing these lads do is not to give in. A few harsh words on the sidelines and we were back on it, ready to fight our way back. As it was we only scored once in the run up to half time and that came in the 25th minute when Wylie's cross was met by a cushioned downward header from Sam Morrow to halve the deficit. The second half saw wave after wave as we exerted a grip on the game which resulted in three unanswered goals. After 55 minutes, Morrow picked out an unmarked McVeigh to net with a free header inside the six yard box for 2-2. Just after the hour, we were kinda gifted a third when Monaghan midfielder Liam Ellison played a pass onto the head of Jenkins who saw that cannon off the post but straight to substitute Cathal Farren who had the easy tap-in, Then with 20 minutes to go, we made it safe when a typical Morrow surging run saw him lay on a proverbial plate for Farren to score his second in eight minutes.

Of the newcomers on show, Simpson and Loughran were OK if not spectacular, Wylie showed that he can play right-back but I think he sees himself as a centre half to be fair. “Interceptor” was alright in midfield and will give depth there, he did an impression of his namesake in the dressing room though: shouting “I like it!” in a broad Glaswegian type accent which sounded more like a McLager Lout to be fair whilst Jordan Jenkins was industrious in his work and to be honest, deserved a goal of his own. 

Another good workout in the grand scheme of things. Friendly game 3 is in a week from now…

2025-26 Season: One in, and one out - Volume 3, Chapter 5

i was very pleased indeed with the win against Monaghan Town, but I made sure at half time that the Lads knew that I don't like it when we start slower than a bloody tortoise. I politely reminded them that if they do this when the real stuff begins, well the opposition won't be as forthcoming and they will probably put us to the sword and we could get a heavy beating.

No real ranting, just making sure that all are on the right page. Anyway I digress…

Sunday saw Zach Annett call me and announce he has agreed to join Glebe Rangers on a free transfer. With both Connor Maxwell and Lewis Loughlin in front of him, I could not give him the first team football he craved. He was a solid player, and chipped in with a few goals too, but sometimes you have to overhaul the squad if you want to achieve your personal ambitions. I think though I could even get a third left back in, just in case that neither the two we have at present: fail to cut the mustard so to speak. I also reckon we need a left winger too as there's very little depth in that position at all. Ideally I want to play Sam Morrow on the right as I reckon that's his best position but can Alexandre Machado perform there? Well, I'm not sure.

So we made offers for a left-back and a left winger…

Wednesday would bring some welcomed news as the left back deal was signed, sealed and 100 per cent. Welcome to our seventh new face of the summer, Sebastian Wylie:

So what do we know about our latest signing then? He's a tall player for a full back for sure, standing 6'2 in his stocking feet. As for his career, he came through the ranks at Blackpool but failed to break through into the Seasiders first team. After being released by them in 2022, Sebastian spent a season out of the game before joining Buckley Town in the Cymru North in September 2023 where he featured 23 times for the Trotters on a contract until the end of the campaign. A move to Halesowen Town followed and he joined Harlow Town in February 2025; rejecting a switch to The Dub then. We rekindled our interest on Sunday, and this time he had no hesitation in swapping Essex for South Belfast's newly promoted Championship side.

Terms have been offered to the left winger, who can play up front as well, but he's yet to come back to us. Coagh United and Ballymacash Rangers are also interested…

I'm yet to decide who will feature on Saturday against Linfield's youth prospects. The big guns might be rested again, especially with the home friendly against Celtic B coming up in midweek…

2025-26 Season: Third friendly ends in a draw - Volume 3, Chapter 6

We went into our third friendly still sweating on the decision of the experienced left winger/striker. Was he going to pick one of the Intermediate League sides over a Championship one? The more time passed, the more anxious I became. But footballers these days are weird breed and that's all down to one thing and one thing alone.

Agents. The cancer of modern football.

Playing Linfield's youth prospects wasn't the glamourous game that it appears to be. Some of the opponents were younger than the side we were planning to field, and had probably not played against a higher standard at all. With Celtic B coming to The Dub on the Thursday night, I decided that we would go with another mixed squad and hope that the first teamers selected came through without injury. With such a large squad, we have cover in every position so our friendlies give me the chance to try out new permutations whether it be in defence, midfield and attack. It wouldn't be sensible to field the same line up pre-season without seeing what others can do. Horses for courses as they say.

This was who we decided to go with for our trip to New Midgley Park:

Of the starting eleven, you could only consider goalkeeper Ryan Dalzell, veteran defender Andrew Ferguson, winger Alexandre Machado and striker Jonathan Doyle as stalwarts from last season title-winning side. We gave a first outing to our new signing from Harlow Town, Sebastian Wylie, at left back whilst Kian McConkey was given a chance to shine in central defence. “Interceptor” and Owen Madine made for another different pairing in the engine room whilst I was keen to see how Doyle and Jordan Jenkins faired together up front. Doyle also was given the captain's armband for the first time under my tutelage ahead of Madine and Ferguson. Young Swedish striker Billy Olofsson, who had been impressing in training, was given a place on the substitutes bench as we chose to go with eight substitutes again instead of the maximum fifteen which we were given the option of naming.

It's safe to say that this friendly showcased the fact some players aren't first team quality as they allowed themselves to be outplayed by their younger opponents in blue. The home side led at the break thanks to a goal from winger Tommy Rodgers in the 18th minute when he collected a pass from Ethan Devine to drive his shot low across Dalzell and find the far corner. We tried all manner of changes, but the hosts showed no sign of letting us break through and level the scores. It was seemingly one of those afternoons and this seemed to be firmly illustrated eight minutes from time when Johnny Wilson set up an unmarked Sam Morrow ten yards out. However, the winger somehow pulled his shot wide of the target and not force Mark Bannon into a save. It was a horrendous miss, and one that we hoped wouldn't come back to haunt us.

With time ticking on, we continued to press for a leveller. Four minutes from time, we prevailed and it was all down to the commitment of a player who has been at the Club for less than a week,. Doyle swung in a deep cross from wide right which was headed away by home defender Eamon Gormley. Sebastian Wylie, the newcomer, picked it up and drove towards the by-line before drilling in a low cross that Gormley stuck out a stray leg at and diverted it into his own net. So it ended level, which wasn't too bad in the grand scheme: and no injuries to report either.

Attentions now head towards Celtic B's visit under the lights on Thursday. Who will Darren O'Dea name in his squad, will there be any familiar names making the trip across the sea? We wait with bubbling excitement….

2025-26 Season: Build Up for the Hoopy visitors - Volume 3, Chapter 7

As we walked off the pitch at New Midgley Park, I immediately started to think towards Thursday's home friendly against Celtic B.

This would definitely see something very close, if not the exact, to my strongest possible side which will start the season in three weeks from time. But as always, if one player turns in such a spellbinding performance in any of the final three warm-up matches then he might be very hard to drop when the real thing starts up. Then there's the possibility of injuries as well. Anything could change one's thinking.

We filled a vacancy at the start of the week in the backroom team. Kevin Niblock had left us at the end of June, which meant we were without a manager for the Under 18 squad: something that Director of Football Callum McGuigan was determined to fill as quickly as possible. Less than a fortnight later, he had got Kevin's successor in place. Joining us is Derry born Kevin Callaghan, and Callum's convinced he has the right man in place. “Kevin Callaghan is an upgrade.” Callum reminded all when questioned.

Monday was decision day, would we have newcomer number seven coming through the doors or would it be a rejection? Well, it ended to the former rather than the latter…

Signing Josh I believe completes the puzzle for the new season. He's an experienced head to have around what is a fairly young group, and his versatility to play in a couple of positions is a major plus for me. Bar one season at the beginning of his career, he's been a Ballinamallard United player for ten seasons and twice in the last three: has hit double figure goal tallies in the Championship which can only be of benefit too. We beat both Coagh United and Limavady United to his signature so all is good.

Will we be signing any more? Never say never…

Darren O'Dea and his young Hoops arrive Thursday; wonder what kind of attendance we shall see? If it's over 100 then I'm going to take that as a win no matter what. Strongest possible side for us on parade.

The Interceptor and Phil Mitchell's kid in the team? You were never going to lose!

Joking aside, good to see Mr. McIlwaine make the welcomed decision.

2025-26 Season; Jenkins joy as young Bhoys are beaten - Volume 3, Chapter 8

Thursday came, and as I looked out of my window at The Dub: the rain was lashing down. And this is supposed to be summer, right? Well as Kyle (McDowell) kindly reminded me for the umpteenth time, this is a Northern Irish summer. I guess I should be used to it by now.

Anyway I had met up with Darren O'Dea, the Celtic B manager, earlier that morning as I took them around the National Stadium. They had been ushered in discreetly because wearing Celtic colours is pretty much frowned upon in this spot of South Belfast. Linfield, who play their league matches here, are very closely followed by football fans of the other half of the great Glasgow divide.

The question I was asking myself, do I continue with the combination of youth and experience like I have done so recently or would it be preferable to run with a virtually full strength side ahead of our trip to Banbridge next Tuesday night? Kyle was leaning towards the latter and I had trust in his think process but would Darren mind it if I chose to go full strength? Of course he wouldn't because playing against experienced players is only good for the young Bhoys career development. 

Rain wasn't abating and I was starting to wonder if the match would actually take place. Match referee Colin Gray did an inspection at 6:30pm, quarter of an hour before any hardy souls would be allowed in to spectate. Thankfully he gave the all clear, and it was game on. The side chosen to take part in the fourth pre-season outing of season 2025-26 was as follows:

So we decided that we were going to go strong tonight, with a team selection that screamed full strength to the supporters. The big calls though were at left back where I chose Lewis Loughlin over both Connor Maxwell and Sebastian Wylie, and up front David Taylor got the nod to partner Jonathan Doyle up front ahead of Jordan Jenkins. Latest signing Joshua McIlwane was on the bench, but which position would he come on: winger or striker? Celtic B Head Coach Darren O'Dea's young hoops had two players with senior experience: central midfielder Daniel Kelly and winger Rocco Vata who eligible to play for either Scotland or Albania at international level. Also on the bench was defender Ben Summers who has been featured on the bench by Brendan Rodgers a few times in recent seasons.

We would open the scoring in the 16th minute and it was all down to the play of Loughlin. The left back made a marauding run down the left hand side before delivering in a low cross into the area where Callum McVeigh arrived to sidefoot a finish beyond Tobi Oluwayemi. Seven minutes later, we had a second. McVeigh shaped to swing a free kick into the penalty area but instead sent it sideways right to Doyle who took a touch before blasting right into the postage stamp, Oluwayemi nowhere near. The young hoops pulled one back on the stroke of half time thanks to a well taken individual effort from Kelly who angled an effort beyond Ryan Dalzell when it looked like there was no shot on.

It became 2-2 with 16 minutes left to play, Vata causing Loughlin to commit to a challenge before sidestepping him and moving into space. The young winger then showed composure and maturity beyond his years as he lifted the ball over the exposed Dalzell and into the far corner of the net. Anyone's game now, and in the second of four minutes added-on at the end: we scored our third and ultimately decisive goal to win the encounter. Substitute Sean O'Kane swept the ball out left to fellow substitute Jenkins who cut inside Finlay Hale before arrowing a finish over substitute 'keeper Josh Clarke that kissed the underside of the crossbar and in for a dramatic winner. A goal worthy of winning any match.

New signing McIlwane did feature, as a 70th minute substitute for an off-colour Sam Morrow. Man of the Match though, was Jenkins for a superb 30 minute cameo as substitute for Taylor - he's certainly given me food for thought as they say.

2025-2026 Season: Build up to Banbridge - Volume 3, Chapter 9

Winning that friendly match against Celtic B was a good feeling, especially when I had changed the line up so dramatically from the friendly against Linfield Rangers a number of days previously. Sometimes when you make so many wholesale changes, it can either work in your favour or back fire on you spectacularly. Thankfully for me and the Club, it did pay off even though we had squandered a two goal lead.

I wish Darren O'Dea and the Celtic B side the best for the season ahead for sure. Who knows we might be able to entice a Rangers B side next season as the Club ideally continues to grow off the pitch. Well, that's the thought process anyway.

What also pleased me no end was that the number of players who performed well in what were, atrocious weather conditions. Jordan Jenkins got the plaudits from the fourth estate naturally for his half an hour substitute appearance which culminated in him scoring the winning goal but there were others too. Callum McVeigh was really good in central midfield, Lewis Loughlin at left back and Jonathan Doyle up front to name just three. All showed that they will probably take to the Championship like a duck to water in the upcoming weeks.

Talking about McVeigh, he's been that good so much so that he has become a man in demand. Recently he was the subject of a contract offer from Loughgall which we responded to by offering a paid contract deal similar to that with Sam Morrow. Now after last night, Intermediate League side Armagh City are trying to get him to stay in that division rather than test himself in the second tier. His former club Ards are also waiting to see, The 22 year old former Linfield trainee scored 15 times in the 39 games he played last season since signing from Knockbreda, and his free kick taking ability is one of the best we have seen for a while. Hopefully like Sam before him, he will see sense and realise it's best to stay with us and tell the others to do one….

I've already made my mind up about Tuesday's friendly in Banbridge, I am going to rotate the line up once more and give some of those who were not involved against Celtic B: a chance to impress. This means players such as Connor Maxwell and Owen Madine will start as will new signing Joshua McIlwane up front unless any of them pick up an injury in the days ahead. I have a side I want to play on the opening day but we shall see what develops on that front.

Monday, and Callum had made a decision. Would he stay or seek pastures anew? The answer was quite straight forward in the end…

Absolutely brilliant, he certainly believes in the “project” that we are starting to seriously build here. To tie him and Sam Morrow down to paid contracts is a sign that something good is happening. We have spent a good chunk of the increased wage budget to be fair, but it had to be done if we are to compete and not be seen as relegation whipping boys as some have predicted. Some funds do remain like, but I have no reason to splurge it all away. “Scrooge” knows this.

2025-26 Season: Honours even at Banbridge as season draws closer - Volume 3, Chapter 10

We have just a couple of friendlies to play before the first weekend of August and the new Championship season starts. One of those friendlies is at Crystal Park, Banbridge, where we have had a few good competitive matches in the Intermediate League before we travel to Coagh United on the last Saturday in July for William Hassan's testimonial.

I've decided that these two games will be a mixture of first team and prospects when it comes to team selection. I could wheel out the first team squad for the testimonial match but this is tempered by not wanting to pick up any injuries at all. Especially with the fact, I am determined to make season three another one of progress and not one where we just become one season successes. I'm also conscious that we have spent big on wages this summer and will be forced to financially cut back seriously if we suffered an immediate relegation.

Finish 10th out of 12 is a target we can realistically achieve. Then kick on again…

We went with the following squad in Banbridge;

A nice mixture to travel to Crystal Park that has a little bit of everything in it. Latest signing Joshua McIlwane was given an opportunity to showcase his striking ability alongside Jordan Jenkins with highly rated loan striker David Taylor ready to be unleashed from the bench, The squad also featured a number of highly youth prospects: John Cullen, Jursten Bekman and Billy Olofsson who have been really have been impressing in training and could get some first team friendly minutes in their books this evening. “Interceptor” O'Kane and Owen Madine form an interesting central midfield partnership with both Callum McVeigh and Johnny Wilson given the night off. Banbridge feature highly-rated teenage winger Scott Gormley who we have tried to sign numerous times since the summer transfer window opened, Gormley opting to stay with the Town as we're apparently not a big enough to match his ambitions. I mean we're not PSG but seriously is he trying to think he's better than he actually is.

We took the lead in the tenth minute from a penalty kick; awarded for a forceful challenge on Alexandre Machado by Niall Fielding. Up stepped Madine  to confidently dispatch it past Kieran Murphy from twelve yards. Ten minutes later, Banbridge were on level when a swift counter attack was finished by a long range strike from 25 yards from Patrick McGrath that appeared to bounce in front of Jake Simpson and deceive the young custodian before nestling into the bottom corner. We regained the lead seven minutes afterwards though when some patient play allowed Aaron Porter to send a low shot goalbound, Curran blocked that but his attempted clearance landed at the feet of Sean O'Kane and “Interceptor” showed great technique to send a half volley into the far bottom corner.

But that wasn't the end of the first half scoring as we were undone for a second time four minutes before half time. A corner routine saw the ball be headed back to McGrath who was loitering around the penalty spot and his shot found its way past an unsighted Simpson for his second of the night and 2-2. Banbridge took the lead for the first time just before the hour when substitute Jack McCreanor's cross was sweetly volleyed home by Gormley: illustrating why I wanted to sign him. Yet we remained unbeaten in pre-season games with an equaliser 16 minutes from the end and it was a goal that really did please me no end. Swedish teen striker Billy Olofsson picked a loose ball midway inside the Banbridge half, swept it wide to fellow teen Bekman who attacked the full back before delivering an accurate low cross that Olofsson finished like a true striker at the near post.

All in all, it was a good workout for the 19-man squad that were on duty tonight. McIlwane looked lively and interesting in his 82 minute performance whilst Madine and “Interceptor” were very solid in the engine room for us. The big plus though was the youth teamers I used: Cullen looks a steady performer at right back and probably better than Tim Millar-Wilson whilst Bekman and Olofsson were superb considering neither have reached their 18th birthday yet. 

Certainly some food for proverbial thought….

2025-26 Season: Billy's Testimonial rounds off the preparations - Volume 3, Chapter 11

It was a quick turnaround for the sixth and final pre-season trip; which was William Hassan's Testimonial match in Coagh.

The main thing was to come out of the match, which I was sure would be ultra-competitive, without any major injuries for the first team regulars i was going to field at Hagan Park. Coagh had missed out on the final day of last season for a place in the end of season play-off lottery, so would be determined to go one better this time around. They, like us, will be determined to show that 2024-25 wasn't a flash in the pan season which of course is exactly what all the doubters and naysayers out there would just to see happen.

Anyway, as well as getting the final bits of match fitness in the legs, today is all about Will Hassan and a huge thank you for his services to Coagh United Football Club. The word stalwart isn't used that often these days, but today is one of them. This is for you Will.

My starting line-up and substitutes (11 of them, one for each position) this afternoon was as follows:

So of my starting eleven, six of these could be considered possible starters next Saturday against the Ducks of Ballinamallard United. It meant that give me a blooming good reason to include you for the remaining spots although I do have names in mind anyway. Once I decided to have a number of youth team players on the bench, four of them in fact with another teen starting which goes to show how much I wanted to have this set up. Find the new stars of the future which might be starring for Northern Ireland in major tournaments and for the likes of your Liverpools, Manchester Uniteds etc… The premise is to give the starters at least an hour before the second string take over. As for the home side, the testimonial man himself started on the bench as Conall McNally chose to start with the giant Orann Donnelly in goals: the player being a new arrival from Cliftonville in the summer.

We went in front after 12 minutes when a surging run from Joshua McIlwane, something that was to be a common sight all afternoon, was baulked by a challenge by Matthew Gorman for a stonewall penalty kick. McIlwane picked himself up, dusted himself down and sent Donnelly the wrong way with a powerful and well executed spot kick. The lead lasted less a minute when a twisty run from Michael Connolly caused panic in our back line and Jourdan Shearer lashed the ball into the roof of the net. A third goal in a mad two minutes spell saw us regain the lead, another good run from McIlwane and he chipped the ball for David Taylor to finish with a simple header at the far post. Typical testimonial fare so far…

Coagh made three changes at half time, but none involved giving Hassan the second half which was an astonishing decision in my eyes but then again I'm not Conall McNally am I? One of those changes, Michael Tolan, had an immediate impact, scoring twice in the opening five minutes of the second half. In the 47th minute, fellow half time substitute Jonathan James weighted a pass into Tolan who had broken the offside line perfectly to stroke the ball beyond the advancing Ryan Dalzell. Then the same two combined again three minutes later, James with a defence splitting cross, and Tolan swept the ball into the inviting net with Dalzell out of position. Once more there was little time to catch ones breath as we made it 3-3 after 54 minutes, Sam Morrow with a superb cross that McIlwane met with a cushioned header at the near post.

We made the mass substitution on the hour, McIlwane looking bewildered why we had taken him off whilst on the verge of a hat-trick but we had said this was going to happen regardless in our pre-match conversations. Clearly he must forgotten, I just hope he doesn't throw too much of a strop because he's certainly played his way into a starting spot next Saturday with his performances in the last couple of friendlies including this one. Who partners him, I haven't decided however. Those changes meant that two 15 year olds; goalkeeper Kyle Kenny and central defender Mark McGreevey-Couchman, would finish the game for us. Well if they appear to be good enough for the first team then they will be selected, simple as. Kyle, my assistant, certainly rates the pair.

Coagh would win the game with goals in the 81st and 85th minute: the first coming after a mistimed header from Lewis Loughlin allowed Connolly to scamper clear and he teed up one-time target Jack McFeely to steer a shot into the far corner. Then as we pushed for 4-4, Kai McCormick (on his final appearance before completing a move to Bangor) crossed to the back post and McFeely steered his header home. A typical testimonial game and a nice thank you for Will. That said, McNally didn't give him a minute's action which would be the right thing to do. Hang your head in shame Conall McNally, hang your head in shame….as you have just spoiled one of your club's most loyal players' day! Now if I was Will Hassan….

2025-26 Season: All ready to go, and time to unleash a surprise - Volume 3, Chapter 12

So it was pretty disappointing to lose the final pre-season outing, but who reads anything into these games really? They mean, and always will mean, absolutely nothing when the real stuff begins. 

And that is what's happening this Saturday at Ferney Park.

As the new kids on the block, the fourth estate have been playing the roles of Doubting Thomases again when asked how we are going to fare this season. Everyone expects us to finish 12th out of 12, stone cold last. Which is a recurring theme. Season One - expected finish 14th out of 14; actual finish 6th then Season Two - expected finish 13th out of 14; actual finish 1st. Anyone would think we have a mentality that says we just want to prove people wrong, don't you think? Well judging by our summer recruitment so far, we are not coming into the Championship to make the numbers up and be the whipping boys. Not at all.

Naturally one of the final things we have to do before the opening day, is to decide who is going to wear the “C” armband. For the last couple of seasons, Johnny Wilson has worn it admirably with Craig Briers being a very capable deputy. This close-season has seen the newly signed-up Callum McVeigh show some serious leadership qualities and people forget the fact that he's just 22 at that. However to avoid any potential internal conflicts, Wilson and Briers are going to remain in place for a third successive campaign with McVeigh ready to take on the mantle should he required to step up into the breach. You can't have too many leaders in the room as far as I am concerned.

As well as being the opening day of the new Championship season, the following day sees our second string take part in the NIFL Championship Developmemt League when they host Dundela's reserves at The Dub. All in all, things are moving in the right direction. “Scrooge” has also re-affirmed what he expects from us this season and to be truthful: I think it's very much achievable.

We have a fully fit squad to choose from tomorrow, time to make them Ducks feel quackers! Who actually plays, I really don't know as it's giving me some serious sleepless nights just thinking about this permutation and that one. I know one thing, there might be a few disappointed faces in that dressing room tomorrow afternoon. I just can't play everyone.

2025-26 Season: Nine goal thriller for openers - Volume 3, Chapter 13

So this is it, right? The start of a new season and our first in the Championship after last season's remarkable effort.

We are aware that this is a step up in standard and if we can do well at home as well as getting a few wins away from home then we stand a very good chance that we will be in this division in 2026-27. That's what I would like but is our squad good enough to make the jump or will have to completely reshape them so they are? Nothing easy.

Our opponents are the Ducks from County Fermanagh way, a team that we faced in the quarter-final stage of the Intermediate Cup last season. The Ducks edged that one 3-2 so we would like to get one back on them this season. They have strengthened their forward line this summer with the loan signing Crusaders Leon Boyd and the tall teenager that is Dan Shiel.  Last season saw the Ducks finish fourth in the final Championship table, as they aim to go back into the top division since being relegated in 2017-18. The bookies think the newcomers are going to come unstuck today as the home team are 10-11 favourites to start with a three point haul. We are best priced at 11-4 whilst you can get a draw at 13-5 if you so wish.

Ferney Park, Ballinmallard

Attendance: 506 (3 away)

So after six warm-up games, the first starting line up in the Championship has been made. We decided to go with the majority of last season's squad bar one and that is at centre half where new signing Harry Wylie from Queens replaces the veteran that is Andrew Ferguson. The thinking about that “Fergie” isn't getting any younger and could struggle against a pacey striker. On the bench are the other five newcomers; including Joshua McIlwane who was released as a Ducks player in the summer and joined us shortly afterwards. Guess he might have a point to prove?  The Ducks give debuts to two of their four new signings, defender Dylan King and Crusaders loanee Boyd with the other two: Shiel and Caleb Crawford on the bench. Turkish goalkeeper Yusuf Mersin starts the season as number one, having recorded 13 clean sheets last season since moving from H&W Welders. This afternoon's referee is Louise Thompson from Maguiresbridge.

We made a brilliant start, taking the lead after just eight minutes when a quick throw-in from Lewis Loughlin to Johnny Wilson, and the skipper's whipped cross to the back post was met by a bullet header from Sam Morrow for our first Championship goal. The Ducks equalised in the 27th minute as a result of a clean and crisp passing that saw Dan Rooney (no relation to Wayne) smash one in from fully 25 yards out that Ryan Dalzell grasping thin air. Four minutes before half time, they took the lead when Reece Byrne curled in a beauty from outside of the area that once more Dalzell was powerless to stop. It should have been 3-1 in the first of three minutes added-on when Ben Mitchell tripped Byrne in the area. Penalty said Louise Thompson. Yet Byrne's spot kick was weak, straight into Dalzell's inviting gloves. Then we punished them with our second in the final seconds of the opening 45, Wilson with a pass to Alexandre Machado who took a touch before steading himself to slot it past Mersin at the keeper's near post.

2-2 after 45 minutes, and I thought we were deservedly level. We had shown little fear at this higher level.

Yet 23 seconds into the second half, the Ducks went 3-2 ahead when Boyd went down after a challenge from Harry Wylie and made out he was badly injured so we thought a free kick would be awarded against us. Ms Thompson's whistle never sounded, and Rooney picked up the loose ball before charging on and bagging his second of the afternoon. Boyd rubbed it in further after 63 minutes when he latched onto a Rooney through ball to slot past Dalzell, winking at us as he jogged back to the centre circle in shades of Cristiano Ronaldo vs England in the 2006 World Cup. We were now up against it, and made several changes to try get back into a game that was seemingly drifting away: one being the introduction of “The Interceptor” (Sean O'Kane) for a subdued Callum McVeigh. Little did we know what would happen next…

The playing style was also changed, going a little bit more attacking in the hope we could cause the home side to wobble whilst trying remain stable at the back. With four minutes to go. we made it 4-3 when Machado crossed for last season's top scorer Jonathan Doyle to head in at the near post. Surely there wasn't a comeback that even Lazarus couldn't surpass on the cards? Well in the first of six added-on minutes, Machado initiated a move by dispossessing Darragh Byrne just inside our own half, Wilson and former Ducks striker McIlwane took it on and “Interceptor” O'Kane finished it superbly from around the penalty spot to send our three away fans jumping with delirium. Yet that wasn't it as we won it in the final seconds when another cross from Machado landed on the head of Doyle who directed his header perfectly past Mersin. Absolute scenes with limbs everywhere!  Poor Stephen Small in the home dugout looked like a man who had just been served divorce papers, but we had just won the craziest game possible after looking down and out at one stage. Who says football is boring, eh?

 whoThe exceptional Dan Rooney took home the Man of the Match beers home with him, and is probably drinking them in consolation that somehow his team ended up losing 4-5 when they were 4-2 up with just four minutes to go. That said, skipper Wilson with three assists and Machado who scored and assisted twice were phenomenal for us. Doyle scored twice, including the dramatic winner, and then there's Interceptor…

Just look at those match stats! Perfect viewing for the first time football fan but not the seasoned one or the manager's heart rate either. Good to see that we're still playing the entertaining football from last season…