All at Newry City AFC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a great club friend, supporter & sponsor Tom Allen.
Tom made his last visit to The Showgrounds on Saturday past when we had the privilege of welcoming his family as our special guests. Tom was also a great friend to many other football clubs and his passing will be felt across the football family.
However it was at Newry that Tom felt most at home and where his passing will be most felt.
Rest in Peace Tom.
It’s been a busy summer of comings and goings at The Showgrounds, as Newry City AFC prepare for life in the Bluefin Sport Championship.
Relegated from the Irish Premiership last season after a meteoric rise that saw four promotions in five seasons take the 2013 reformed club from the Mid Ulster Football League Intermediate B division to the top of the local game, it was maybe inevitable that change would always be afoot.
With the new season only a little over three weeks away, City manager Darren Mullen has welcomed no fewer than five fresh faces into the camp, as his side looks to bounce back to the Irish Premiership at the first time of asking.
Ultan Lennon, Stephen McCavitt and Adam Foley have come in alongside familiar local lads Stevie Moan and John Grant, as Mullen looks to bolster his onfield options ahead of the season opener away to H&W Welders on August 3rd, but it’s a signing away from the field of play that is set to create a little bit of history down at The Showgrounds ahead of the big kick-off.
That’s because, for the first time since reformation, the club has appointed a Commercial Manager to act on behalf of their interests in the shape of local PR and Marketing guru, Patricia Heaney of I Am Digital Group.
The role will see Patricia and her team take on a number of duties in a bid to raise the side’s profile, in this, its centenary year.
The Ballyholland native and Managing Director of the up-and-coming marketing consultancy is delighted to be on board, on what she concedes in one of the companies most exciting projects to date.
“As a Newry businesswoman, it is a very proud moment for me and for all involved at I Am Digital Group to take on this role with our hometown club”, said the 29-year-old.
“After four years of operating under the I Am Social Media moniker, the decision to rebrand to I Am Digital Group came in the wake of adding a number of diverse services to our offering and securing a role like this one at Newry City AFC is a prime example of the direction we want to take the business in”.
Specialising in brand development, I Am Digital Group provides start-up and established businesses with marketing and business consultancy solutions designed to maximise client acquisition opportunities and generate sales.
Now offering a range of services from website design and content creation to event management and business consultancy, the Newry based firm services clients in the Irish Republic, the UK mainland and as far afield as the USA, as well as many local enterprises.
Patricia, whose own personal expertise are in event management, is certainly no stranger to the cut and thrust of coordinating shindigs. The driving force behind the annual beauty and fashion bash, Frockin’ Fabulous, one of her main responsibilities will be to head up the organisation of events to mark the club’s centenary.
“Our remit is to do everything we can to promote what has been one of the regions most recognisable sporting institutions over the past 100 years.”
“We will be working in conjunction with sitting PRO Laura Hillen to optimise the club’s engagement on social media, keeping followers informed of the latest news and events emanating from the Showgrounds, whilst also highlighting special offers on merchandise and both corporate and casual matchday packages throughout the season.”
“With sponsorship to be renewed throughout the incoming season and the possibility of someone coming on board to add their business name to Newry City AFC Youth Academy and what will always remain The Showgrounds, we will also be at the coalface in so far as driving new commercial opportunities for the club.”
“Liasing with local businesses will be the core of our responsibilities in the hope of striking up mutually beneficial partnerships.”
The link-up has been met with enthusiasm by City Chairman, Martin McLaughlin, who said Patricia and her team have “an enormous part” to play.
“As Newry City AFC move into our centenary season, we have ambitions to make our way back to the Irish Premiership at the first opportunity.”
“Having tasted life back at the top of the Irish game last season, we are in no doubt that it’s where a club of this stature, with such a rich history and fanatical support, belong.”
“As we progress on our journey, our capacity has increased accordingly and, to that end, we as a club have taken the decision to appoint Commerical Managers, as we look to lay a professional foundation and public face for ourselves, at board level.”
“It’s a pleasure to announce that Patricia has accepted our invitation to fill this position and become the newest member of our squad. She has a wealth of experience in public relations and marketing and will play an enormous part in securing our future as a senior club.”
“Naturally, we wish her and her team every success in the new role and look forward to the positive impact she will make”.
And the first-team manager echoed those sentiments, believing that Patricia’s input will help take Newry City to a higher plain.
“I’ve said it on numerous occasions”, said Mullen. “Our off field progress needs to catch up with that on the field.”
“The club have recognised this and bringing in someone with the expertise that Patricia brings can only be good for that progress. Her experience and knowledge in the area will help to take the club to a level of commercial capability which is badly needed.”
“There are numerous opprortunities for people to get on board at the club and I have every faith that Patricia will be successful in forging new links, both locally and throughout the province.”
* If anyone is interested in a sponsorship brochure or think that IADG could help bring your business to the next level? Contact us at www.iamdigitalgroup.com, via our social media channels or by email at trisha@iamdigitalgroup.com
Newry Manager Darren Mullen has continued to add to his squad securing the signature of experienced defender Ultan Lennon. Mullen commented “With Dara Noonan going to Australia and with Paddy Mooney still injured centre back was the one area that we still needed more depth in. Ultan joins us having played a huge part in Armagh City’s success in previous years and he is a player we tried to sign before. He has great potential and I feel that he can make a big contribution for us this season
Ultan Lennon “After many enjoyable years playing at Armagh City FC I am sad to leave but I am ready for a new challenge with Newry. I know last season was tough for the team but I know Newry have the capability to be an established Premiership Club with the fans and facilities that are here and I hope that I can help make that happen. I am familiar with a number of past and present Newry players who have told me great things about the club and hold Darren in high regard, so I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and can’t wait to get started.”
Photograph Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography.
A fans favourite will be missing from The Showgrounds this season as Stevie Maguire moves to pastures new at Dollingstown FC. A fans favourite not only because of his undoubted ability and his commitment to the club but also his endearing personality which won him many friendships at The Showgrounds which will remain long past his departure. Newry’s loss is Dollingstown’s gain but who will ever forget those crucial saves in Carrick.
Newry City Manager Darren Mullen commented “It’s fair to say Steven played a huge part in us making it to The Premiership. His performances in The Championship were of an extremely high standard especially in our play-off games. He was an extremely popular member of the squad and his attitude when not playing was an example to any player. I fully understand his wish to play regular football and we wish him all the best at Dollingstown. He knows he will always be welcome at The Showgrounds.”
Newry City manager Darren Mullen has been boosted by the news that goalkeeper Andy Coleman has penned another one year deal to remain at the Showgrounds.
The 33-year-old re-joined the club last summer after making the move from Dungannon Swifts.
Speaking to newrycityafc.co.uk, the vastly experienced shot-stopper said is eager to help his hometown club get promoted back to the Premiership again.
“I’d just like to thank Darren Mullen for the time and effort he has put into getting me signed up for the upcoming season.
“I spoke to some Premiership clubs but in the end it was an easy decision to make. As I said when I signed for the club last year, my family have always sat in the stands at the games, it’s my hometown club and it’s bigger and better than it ever was before. The crowds have been brilliant and I look forward to helping the club bounce back up to The Premiership.
“A big part of me staying was also down to working with Dee Mc Corry. His training is brilliant, some of the best I’ve ever had and I can’t wait to get started again in pre-season.”
City boss Darren Mullen added, “This is another huge boost for the club. Andy has played the vast majority of his career in The Premiership and has shown tremendous loyalty and faith in signing his new deal. We will need leaders throughout the team this season and I’ve no doubt Andy will be one of those for us.”
Photograph courtesy of Brendan Monaghan photography
