We are delighted to announce the return of the Match Day Programme at the Showgrounds, with the first edition available to purchase for just £1 at the crucial Bluefin Sport Championship game against Portadown at the Showgrounds tomorrow evening.
To get you in the mood for the big game, here is a sneak preview of Shed Ender’s thoughts on the fixture, just one of the articles available to read in the Programme tomorrow night.
Friends Reunited, by Shed Ender
Supporting Newry has always been something of a rollercoaster, but nothing quite prepared us for the ups and downs of recent years. From going out of business, to a rebirth in Mid Ulster Intermediate B, it’s perhaps easy to forget the progress that the club have made in recent years. Starting with, literally, a blank canvas, Darren Mullen has guided the club to three promotions in just four seasons and Newry are now back playing Championship football. Lest we forget, this is the level from which we exited stage left when going out of business in 2012.
If anyone was likely to take that for granted, this evening’s game should really signpost how far we have come in a short space of time. Neighbours Portadown are back in town for what feels like something of a landmark game for Newry. The visitors have not been without their own troubles, both on and off the field, in recent times and they’ll be keen to get themselves back to the top tier as soon as possible. Strongly tipped to secure promotion this season, this feels like a proper ‘big’ game. Bourneview it isn’t.
So, to borrow a title, here we are, and Newry and Portadown rekindle a longstanding rivalry this evening. Many of these games have been played at the top level, with the Ports lifting the league title in the not too distant past. There’s usually a decent sized crowd which helps to add to the sense of occasion.
Most of you will have your own favourite memories of this fixture. Ports fans will remember a time when Vinny Arkins seemed to score in pretty much every game between the sides. If he didn’t, it certainly felt like it at the…..Did you enjoy reading this article? Read the full piece and much more in the Programme tomorrow night!