Manager’s programme notes
Posted : 28th October 2023
Today we will welcome a Loughgall team that has settled very well into their new surroundings in the Premiership, following promotion at the end of last season.
They’ve recorded several eye catching results, most notably their home win against Larne and their away point against Crusaders and I’ve no doubt that they’d love to add a positive result at Windsor Park to their growing list of impressive results.
We recorded a hard-fought 2-0 win against Loughgall at Lakeview Park last month and I’m sure we will have to work equally as hard today, if we are to come away with the win we want and have been working hard in training to try and achieve.
In recent weeks we’ve obtained very pleasing victories against Glentoran (2-0), Carrick Rangers (2-1) and Cliftonville (1-0). The players have shown real togetherness to achieve these results, to put ourselves in a pleasing position at the top of the table but fortunes can change quickly in football and we will continue with the 'one game at a time' approach that has served us well in the eight years that we have been privileged to be here.
Our long term absentees, Robbie McDaid and Jordan Stewart continue to make progress on the road to recovery but it is likely to be early in the New Year before they are close to a comeback.
Two other players - Stephen Fallon and Ryan McKay - will be out of action for several weeks, due to injury and we will also be missing Daniel Finlayson for four more games in his five match suspension.
19 year old out of contract defender, Dane McCullough has joined us until the end of the season and his signing will provide us with extra defensive cover and increase competition for places within the squad.
Chris McKee featured for the Northern Ireland under 21 squad in their recent games away to Azerbaijan and home to Serbia, prior to returning to score that well taken winning goal at Solitude last weekend.
I was saddened by the news of the passing of the legendary former Manchester United player, Sir Bobby Charlton who I met on several occasions when I was a player at Old Trafford. He was a very humble gentleman who was a giant and a real icon in the game and he's deserved and been worthy of the many fine tributes he's received in the past few days.
Your positive vocal support for the team will be needed and greatly appreciated today, as always.