AFTER four home games on the bounce, we take to the road tomorrow to visit the Welders at Tillysburn Park.
Since we last met at Inver Park in early September, Norman Kelly’s charges are unbeaten in the Bluefin Sport Championship. This is testament to the good work he, Garth Scates and the backroom team have done on the training pitch since taking over the reins from Gary Smyth.
It’s an old cliché, I know, but anyone coming away from Tillysburn with points will know they’ve been in a game and will have worked very hard for their share of the spoils. We are no different and will go into the game with the correct mindset in the hope of continuing our own fine run of form, which sees us sit proudly at the top of the league.
The saying goes ‘If Carlsberg did…’, well I would certainly take the last week as a ‘Carlsberg Week’. Three points, four goals and a clean sheet against our East Antrim neighbours Carrick Rangers on Saturday, followed up with an uber impressive footballing performance to dismantle Ards from the Danske Bank Premiership three-one in the quarter final of the Co. Antrim Shield, not bad for a week’s work, was it?
Massive congratulations to Tiernan, the backroom staff and every player for their continued contributions both on and off the park in helping us to build together on this wonderful journey we have embarked on. I stood for a few minutes after the game on Tuesday night and watched the players, management and fans interact above the dressing room and thought, yes, we’ve got, something special going on here.
True, I’m not naïve enough to think it will always be like this, but hey, there’s a real togetherness, a bond and a respect that gives us a foundation from which to grow. We must continue to nurture this if we are to achieve the goals that we all collectively strive for, and I’m confident we will. Let’s give ourselves a huge pat on the back and continue to generate this positive vibe that is benefiting both our club and our town.
Off the park, it was great to have Kenny at the game on Tuesday and to get to spend a little time with him on Monday night to strategically plan our next steps in the regeneration and development of the Football Club. These steps will become apparent over the coming weeks and months and let’s just say that we are not going to rest on our laurels and the jigsaw will continue to take shape.
We, all to a person, thank you Kenny for your continued support, drive and determination to deliver for the town.
On another note, I met with former Inver Reds favourite Trevor McMullan during the week who was recently had a book published called ‘Seven Soccer Skills: A Footballing Guide for Parents, Coaches & Young Players’. This a great little handbook that has been endorsed by both Michael O’Neill and the Irish Football Association.
The book will be on sale in the club shop priced at £14.00 from next Saturday and we are working with Niall and Gary at the Academy to bring Trevor (a pro-license coach), up for a Saturday game at Inver Park to promote the book and in turn put on a training session on the Sunday morning. We’ll keep you updated on this.
Before concluding, I would like to thank Gavin Clements and the marketing team for their continued hard work in helping us to build the Larne Football Club brand. Many of the marketing and advertising campaigns that Gavin presented to me during the initial interview process have been brought to life and I think you will agree have been executed extremely professionally.
Now that the Rangers game is out of the way, the team are working very hard on a campaign that I firmly believe will capture hearts and minds across both the club and the town. Watch this space ‘cos as Michael Dougherty would sing, ‘She’s a Belter’!
Finally, to the away support who continue to grow in number, thanks for efforts both the club and the players appreciate it.
Be loud and be proud
Regards
Gareth
#RAWA
