Glenavon FC News

Barry Johnston has completed a late deadline day move back to his former Club Cliftonville after Glenavon agreed a transfer deal with the Solitude outfit. The midfielder completed his brief career at Mourneview Park with a substitute appearance in Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Dungannon Swifts.

Glenavon has this afternoon completed a one year loan deal with Glentoran for the services of Gary Hamilton. The 29 year old Banbridge-born striker is curently suffering with a groin problem and may not be fit to play for 8-10 weeks but the deal worked out with The Oval takes this factor into account.

New Glenavon signing Gary Hamilton is welcomed to the club by manager Marty Quinn. Photo by Presseye.

In his Glentoran career  Hamilton made 199 appearances and scored 95 goals. This season he has made just two appearances, scoring one goal, a penalty, in the Europa League 1st Qualifying Round 2-2 draw at home to KR Reykjavik.

Glenavon Manager Marty Quinn told the website “I’m obviously delighted to get Gary on loan. The Club officials have worked very hard to complete the deal and Gary is very keen to play for Glenavon. As most fans will be aware, because of his groin strain, it will be some weeks before we will see him in the Glenavon shirt but Gary Hazley (Club Sports Therapist) will be working hard with Gary to get him fit to play as soon as possible.”

Promising 19 year old midfielder Sammy Stewart has this morning (Friday) put pen to paper on a one year deal with the Club.

Sammy Stewart keeps his eye on the ball in a game at Windsor Park. Photo by Drew McWilliams.

Sammy made his Glenavon first team debut as a sub on 27th November 2007 and his first start on 7th December 2007. He went on to make a total of 9 starts, 7 sub apps and scored 1 goal, a stunning strike in a 3-3 draw away to Cliftonville on 8th March 2008. By the end of the Season he had established a regular place in the starting line-up for the final eight games of the season.

In May 2008 he signed a two-year deal with the Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen. He scored his first goal for The Dons in a friendly against Inverurie on 5 August 2008. His first competitive game was on 24 May 2009, when he replaced Sone Aluko in the last game of the season against Hibernian.

On 5 January 2010, he was released by Aberdeen by mutual consent.

Arron Marks, who figured in the starting line up in a number of Glenavon’s pre-season friendly games, is the latest promising young player to sign a new contract with the club. The central defender hails from the Newry area and has come through our Academy, Under 18 and reserve teams.

Arron, who only turns 18 next month, came to Mourneview Park after a spell with Linfield’s Under 16s whom he captained.

Promising 18 year old striker Michael McKee, who joined Glenavon in 2008 and has played his way through our Under 18 and Reserve teams, signed a new contract for the club this week.

Michael figured with the first team squad in a number of our pre season friendlies. He hails from Lisburn and a least one leading Carling Premiership club will be disappointed that he has chosen to remain at Mourneview Park.

Michael McKee shoots at goal during the pre-season game against Sunderland XI. Photo by Webmaster