Twenty year old, midfielder, Oisin Smyth, has been named Dungannon Swifts Club Captain. Oisin was presented with the captains armband for the first time against Linfield on Saturday and he will continue to wear it with pride for the remainder of the 2020/21 Season.
Oisin is the personification of what we are trying to build. His style of play matches the teams identity. He’s got the characteristics to lead and become a top player for Dungannon for many years to come.
Dean Shiels – DSFC Manager
After working his way up through the ranks at Dungannon United Youth, like many of our first team players, Oisin broke into the first team in the 2018/19 season and made his first appearance against Warrenpoint Town on 9th October 2018.
Oisin is pictured along with his Grandfather, Pat McGibbon, Senior, (left) and his father Liam Smyth.(right)
Oisin comes from a great footballing family, his father, Liam, played Irish League Football for Portadown, Larne and Lurgan Celtic. He is also the nephew of former Manchester United and Northern Ireland player, Pat McGibbon. Both of his younger brothers play their football in Dungannon and eighteen year old Odhran is also part of the first team squad this season.
“I am delighted to be named as Club Captain. Having been at Dungannon for seven years it means a lot to me personally. I understand the responsibility that comes with it and I’m excited for the challenge.”
Oisin Smyth – DSFC Club Captain
Everyone at Dungannon Swifts FC would like to congratulate Oisin on his appointment of Club Captain and continue to wish him every success in a Swifts jersey.
Dungannon Swifts are delighted to announce the appointment of Dean Sheils as our new manager.
Dean, 36, is no stranger to Northern Ireland football fans as he has represented his country no fewer than 14 times and has also starred for clubs including Hibernian (117 apps) and Rangers (90 apps).
Magherafelt born Shiels, started his professional career at Premier League side Arsenal FC playing under Arsene Wenger but unfortunately made no first team appearances before moving on to Scottish League side Hibernian FC.
Dean has been making giant strides as Assistant Manager of Northern Ireland’s Women’s Team where his father, Kenny, is the manager. He was an integral part of guiding the senior women’s side to their first ever Euro Finals play-offs which will be played in April.
Dungannon Swifts FC Chairman, Keith Boyd, is thrilled to appoint Dean Shiels as our new manager as he believes he can make a real impact on the current side.
“I’m delighted that Dean has agreed to become our new manager. He has been getting rave reviews as a coach with the Senior Women’s International team and I’m sure he will bring the experience he has gathered from that into the job. I’m really looking forward to working alongside him and I wish him every success!”
Chairman – Keith Boyd.
Swifts Chairman, Keith Boyd, Pictured with our new Manager, Dean Shiels.
Dungannon Swifts New Manager, Dean Shiels, is relishing the opportunity that has been given to him.
“I’m delighted to join Dungannon Swifts, from the moment I met with the club it felt the right decision for me and I’m grateful to Keith and the board for the opportunity. The club is going through a difficult period on the pitch at this moment and I’m fully aware of the challenge ahead but I’m excited to take it head on. I have a strong belief on how the game should be played and I will guarantee I will give everything to put a team on the pitch to compete and be successful.”
Manager – Dean Shiels
Interim manager, Dixie Robinson, will be in the dugout for our game, against Coleraine this Saturday, and Dean will take over after this fixture.
We would like to officially welcome Dean to Dungannon Swifts Football Club and wish him every success as Manager of our Club.
First Team Manager, Kris Lindsay, has parted company with the Club by mutual consent.
We would like to take the opportunity to publicly thank Kris for the commitment and desire he showed during his time in charge at Stangmore. We can not fault his 100% effort.
“Kris has been a pleasure to work with over the last couple of years. I’m disappointed it hasn’t worked out with him for the long term with Dungannon Swifts. I’ve made a friend in football with Kris and we would welcome him back to Stangmore Park at any time. I wish him well for the future.”
Chairman, Keith Boyd.
Kris, we wish you and your family, every success for what the future brings and we hope it’s not too long until you are back in the game!
Head of Youth Development, Dixie Robinson, will take over the reigns from Lindsay on an interim basis, until the end of the season.
Kris Lindsay has moved to get the signature of two centre forwards on deadline day.
Rory Patterson, most notably formerly of FC United of Manchester, Coleraine, Plymouth Argyle, Linfield, Derry City and Crusaders joins the club along with Nathaniel Ferris who comes in on loan from Loughgall.
“I’m delighted to get Nathaniel Ferris and Rory Patterson in before the transfer window shuts tonight. Rory has signed a professional contract while Nathaniel joins us on loan from Loughgall. It’s an area where we have struggled this year. You only have to look at the goals for column in the league table, we’ve only scored 7 goals in 13 games. Both lads are proven goal scorers, albeit at different ends of their career. I think they will both bring something different to us in attacking areas.
As I say delighted to get them done and get working with them both soon. I’d like to pay thanks to Dean Smith and the committee at Loughgall who facilitated the move for Nathaniel and made it nice and smooth to get it over the line. With the amount of games we have coming up now in a short period of time, we will need all our attacking players to contribute and hopefully the two boys can.”
Manager – Kris Lindsay
New Signings Pictured, Rory Patterson & Nathaniel Ferris (L-R).
36 year old Patterson joins the club from Belfast Celtic where unfortunately, due to Covid, he hasn’t got to line out for the Belfast Club. Patterson was most prolific in the Irish League, playing for Coleraine where in a single season he scored 30 goals, earning him a move to Plymouth Argyle.
I am delighted to be signing for a Club where I started playing senior football when I was 15/16, with a lot of great people involved over the years, Joe McAree, Dixie Robinson and Jarlath Faloon for example. I was supposed to sign a couple of times but through one thing or another it didn’t happen. I can’t wait to get started and hopefully hit the ground running with a few goals.
New signing- Rory Patterson
Ferris, 22, left us a couple of seasons ago to join Mid-Ulster neighbours Loughall, where he has remained since and returns to Stangmore Park on a loan deal. He is excited to be re-joining the club.
I am buzzing to be back at Dungannon Swifts, a great Club which is run by some great people. Excited to get started and hopefully I have a lot to offer the Club and the team over the coming months.
New signing – Nathaniel Ferris
Welcome back to Stangmore Park, Rory and Nathaniel. We wish you both every success in a Swifts shirt.
