Glenavon FC News

JJB Sports Premiership Match 23

Stephen McBride will be hoping to string two League wins together for the first time this season as he looks to build on the Boxing Day victory at Newry and stretch the gap between his side and the visitors who currently occupy bottom spot.

Dungannon, who have a game in hand over Glenavon, haven’t won in the last five League outings, taking just two points from the 15 on offer. Glenavon’s last five games have yielded six points.

Hugh Dickson is available for selection having served a one game ban on Boxing Day but young defender Mark Haughey’s performance against Newry has given Stephen McBride something to think about. Former Glenavon defender Adam McMinn and JP Gallagher, who is on his way to join Linfield, are both suspended for the Swifts.

The match is sponsored by financial services company BDO Stoy Hayward in Belfast. BDO will be represented by Mrs Carol Malcomson, mother-in-law of Darren Murphy.

The ball is sponsored by Mr Adrian Teer

TW Sports in association with Glenavon Youth Academy are opening a new mini soccer centre in the Jethro Centre, Flush Place, Lurgan.

The Centre is for boys and girls aged 5 – 13 and will commence on Tuesday 6th January 2009.

For further information and registration form click on the link for TW Sports website.

The Jackpot was not won in Monday’s Glenavon Lottery but two players won a ‘Match 3′ prize.

The Jackpot for Monday 5th January is £1100.

There was a huge representation from Glenavon at the funeral service for Eileen Fraser, mother of our Director of Football Alan, which took place at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church yesterday at 2pm. This notwithstanding the fact that the senior team had a very important league fixture at the Showgrounds in Newry at 3pm.

The deputation from the board was led by office bearers chairman Adrian Teer, vice chairman Hubert Watson and treasurer Ian Irwin. Company Secretary Harry Cherry, Club President Gordon Irwin and Safety Officer Ronnie Quigg were also present, as were Dr Stephen Best, Under 18 coach Brendan Grimes, Chief Scout Peter Watson and senior representatives from the club’s main sponsor Bedeck.

Alan’s mother passed away on December 23, aged 89.

Reserves Manager Neil Adair reports on a fine win in his team’s last game of 2008.

“When I looked at the Glentoran teamsheet I had the feeling if we weren’t on our game we would be in for a long night. But after the opening ten minutes it was obvious only one team really wanted the points. As always the Glens had a strong side, experienced first team players, Kyle Neill, Dean Fitzgerald, Darren Boyce, Ryan Berry and Grant Gardiner provided a good test for our young lads and one they passed with flying colours.

“I felt we were the better side from start to finish and we thoroughly deserved the victory. We emphasised beforehand to the lads the importance of workrate and sheer effort against experienced players and nobody let us down on that front. Our quality of play at times was first class, the boys are always asked the play on the floor and it was great to see them really take the game to the Glens. Eamon Murray showed the touch of class he has with his goal and fair play to Glen Clarke who scored the second, probably the smallest player on the park and he rose superbly to head home from a corner.

“Overall we were absolutely delighted with the shift the lads put in, I wouldn’t single anyone out as from 1-14 it was a tremendous display. That’s four games unbeaten in our last five and at Reserve level with the constant changes it’s a testament to the attitude, effort and ability of the players to finish the year in such strong form. As we constantly say Reserve team level is about player development and remaining competitive and at the moment we are doing reasonably well on both counts and massive credit has to go to both the players and the work of Ryan Watson for that.”