First Team Manager Barry Gray is delighted to add Dermot McVeigh to his coaching staff at The Showgrounds. McVeigh will be first team coach assisted by the coaching staff of Damien Hillen, Michael Mackin and Damian McCorry.

Gray commented “It’s great to get Dermy onboard, we have worked together closely over the last few seasons and previously as a player. Dermy understands my style of management and will have an immediate impact providing guidance to players on many aspects of how we want to move forward. Dermy is a coach that I trust a lot and has always been the upmost professional. I look forward to working with him again.”

Speaking to the club’s media team, Dermot McVeigh said: “I’ve known Barry a long time having both played and worked under him at Warrenpoint so I know the standards he sets and expects from both players and staff to get the best out of the team on the pitch.

“I was delighted to be asked to join him at Newry, firstly to help secure Premiership football for next season and secondly to be part of his bigger plans for the club.

I’m really looking forward to getting in and working with the players. I am familiar with most of the lads having played with or against them so introductions shouldn’t take too long and we can get straight to work.”

Newry City Athletic Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of Steven Ball from Warrenpoint Town on a long-term contract.

The 26-year-old, who can play left-back and in midfield, become new Manager Barry Gray’s first signing since taking over at The Showgrounds.

Ball moves down the dual carriageway and back to the Premiership, having made 119 appearances for Warrenpoint, scoring 16 goals. He has scored 8 times in 9 games so far this season in the Premier Intermediate League.

Speaking to the club’s media team, Steven Ball said: “I’m delighted to have joined Newry City and to be back playing Premiership football.

“It speaks for itself that I have followed the manager here. We have both worked very well together over the last few seasons and I look forward to continuing that progression in a Newry jersey. I know the position the team is currently in, but I believe I can play my part in helping the club retain Premiership status.

“I can’t wait to get into training and playing as soon as possible.”

Commenting on his first signing as Newry City Manager, Barry Gray added: “I’m delighted to have Steven join me at Newry.

“I’ve worked with Steven at Premiership, Championship, and Premier Intermediate League level. He’s a player that has developed so quickly and has been a proven talent for me at Warrenpoint.

“Steven will help me establish the style of football we want to play and is only too familiar with what is expected of him as he comes back into Premiership football.”

Ball is cup-tied for Newry City’s Clearer Water Irish Cup 5^th Round tie at home to Ballinamallard United this Saturday January 6^th .

Photographs Courtesy of Brendan Monaghan Photography

Newry City become first club in Northern Ireland to establish Past Players Association

Newry City AFC are proud to announce the establishment of their Past Players Association – the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

The group aims to bring past players from the club – from any era, irrespective of the amount of appearances they made for The Showgrounds side – together in an informal and relaxed setting to play matches, but more importantly maintain the connection between those who have worn the blue and white stripes in the past and the current club.

The idea for the group was borne out of the two recent Newry City Legends fundraising matches against their counterparts from both Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC, the Association.

Dean Holmes – Irish FA Club Development Officer

“We’re here to help the club in any way we possibly can. We’ve recently gone through a restructuring in terms of the IFA Foundation, and club development is going to be a major part of what we do going forward. We’re looking at the wellbeing of current and past players, making sure that as soon as you become part of a club that you’re always going to be part of that club.

“It’s fantastic that Newry are doing that and becoming the first club in Northern Ireland to do it. What we hope to do it to use Newry City as a model of best practice and replicate that across Northern Ireland.

“What these guys have done on the pitch, the current first team players and Youth team players can gain a massive amount form it.

“There seems to be a common misconception that as soon as you finish playing on a pitch that you’re done with a football club. Newry City are showing that is very much not the case.”

Darren Mullen

‘You have lads there who maybe haven’t been around the club in a while or haven’t seen the team play and now they’re back involved.

“It’s hugely important from a mental health and social point of view. Whilst you have legends like Ollie Ralph and Harry Fay involved, you have people like me – 1990 Reserve Player of the Year! You’re going from one extreme to the other. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you’ve kicked a ball for the club and want to be involved then we want to have you there.

“There’s a massive void once you stop playing football. I noticed that myself. I jumped from playing straight into coaching and then management. That was great for me and a great substitute for playing, but other people don’t always have that.

“It’s knowing that there’s an outlet for people to come along and meet up with familiar faces. Whether you’ve played one game or 100 games for the club, it doesn’t matter. It’s inclusive and there isn’t an onus on people to be involved in everything that goes on – but it’s to know that there’s something there for them.

Harry Fay

“It’s about players’ wellbeing. There’s a vacuum after you stop playing and coaching or managing, so it’s great to meet up with old friends and be associated with the club again and deliver something to the club. It has a universally positive effect on everybody.

“The club has always been very welcoming to past players in an informal way. Now, they can hopefully support us in our games. We’d like to replicate that and do things for the club in some capacity.

“It’s great to the club to be proactive with something like this.”

Ollie Ralph

“This club has always been known throughout Northern Ireland as a community club and this brings it to another level and shows what they’re still prepared to do for past players.

“The two Legends matches we played, against Liverpool and Manchester United, it was incredible to meet so many old friends, colleagues, past team-mates and even players who I played against for other teams. It’s a special feeling to be among those people you played with.

“I would encourage any past Newry players to come down and get involved.”

The Newry City Past Players Association was officially launched recently with past players from different eras meeting up, joined by Irish Football Association Club Development Officer Dean Holmes.

The Newry City Past Players’ Association will play a charity fundraising match at the Newry Showgrounds this Saturday, October 21^st at 6.15pm against a Banbridge Town Legends team, with all proceeds going to Southern Area Hospice Services.

Newry City Past Players Association

CHAIRPERSON

Harry Fay

VICE-CHAIRPERSON

Larry Griffin

SECRETARY

Darren Mullen

CONTACT: For more information or to join the Newry City Past Players Association, email ppa@newrycityafc.co.uk

PIC 1: Newry City Past Players at the launch of the Past Players Association at The Showgrounds

PIC 2: Newry City Past Players, along with IFA Club Development Officer Dean Holmes and NCAFC Committee Members Pat Craven, Paddy McGrath and Vice-Chairman Gary Wilson at the launch of the Past Players Association at The Showgrounds.