For the 2020/21 Danske Bank Premiership season, Dungannon Swifts FC will proudly wear the NHS logo on the front of our playing shirts. This is our way of saying “Thank you” for all the hard work and commitment both NHS staff and all other Key Workers have shown in helping our community through the Covid Pandemic. A percentage of sales from our shirts will go to an NHS Charity of our choice at the end of the season.
The launch video, showcasing our new kit, shares the message “Dungannon Swifts would like to say a big thank you, to all of the NHS and Key Workers. This season we proudly wear the NHS logo, to show appreciation for the hard work, for helping this Community, through the Covid Pandemic. Thank you, from all, at Dungannon Swifts.”
Dungannon Swifts FC takes pride in being a Community Club. We are delighted that Dungannon Swifts Charitable Trust was able to contribute over 5,000 meals for the individuals who were isolating and were at risk during the Covid-19 lockdown, in our local community.
Chairman of Dungannon Swifts Football Club, Keith Boyd, said “We have decided to bear the NHS logo on our shirts this season as a way of saying thanks, it’s the least we can do for all of the key workers who have played a vital role in helping our community.”
Our shirts are available for pre-sale from Dungannon Swifts Supporters Club and you can purchase one by clicking HERE.
Child – £32.00 – range from size 116 (6-7 Years) to 164 (13-14 Years). Please note youth shirts tend to be slightly smaller fitting so we recommend you might need to go up a size. Adult – £37.00 – range from small to XXXLarge.
We want to take the opportunity to thank you all for your continued support. We look forward to hopefully seeing you all back at Stangmore Park in the not too distant future.
Michael in action for Dungannon earlier in the year against Linfield Rangers. Thanks to Gavin Maxwell for the image.
Dungannon Swifts player, Michael Forbes, has secured a move to West Ham United. The teenager who celebrates his sixteenth birthday today, has been with Dungannon United Youth and Dungannon Swifts for three seasons and processed massively in his time at Dungannon. His talents have certainly not gone unnoticed as he has been heavily involved with the Northern Ireland Youth setup since a young age.
“From his first trial at West Ham United Michael impressed the coaches. They moved very quickly to get him over again and from day one I knew they liked what they saw. I had a few conversations with Del Ebanks who was very complimentary with everything Michael done, both on and off the field. Things have moved along very smoothly since then with negotiations between the two clubs being straightforward. Michael has had his medical and he will hopefully move across to West Ham in June. A very talented player Michael can play in the heart of the defence or in central midfield and at over 6 feet tall he is an exceptionally good athlete with a great game understanding. His progress has been helped under the guidance of Ciaran O’Kane Glenn McMenemy Terry Fitzpatrick Chris McCann and Stevie O Hare. I would like to wish Michael every success on behalf of all our coaches and teammates and I have no doubt he will have a fantastic career in the game.”Dixie Robinson, Head of Youth Development.
An understandably nervous but very excited Michael had this to say,
“I am really excited to have been given this amazing opportunity by West Ham United FC. It means a lot to me. It is going to be a big change but I can’t wait to get started. Since I joined Dungannon in August 2017, the coaches and managers have helped me grow as a player. I want to thank everyone at Dungannon for helping me get this far.”
We would like to take the opportunity to wish Michael every success in his future football career. It has been an absolute pleasure to have him playing for Dungannon.
It is with great pleasure we can announce that our first team manager, Kris Lindsay has signed a two year extension to his current DSFC contract. At a time when we are all missing the beautiful game, this will come as a wonderful boost for both Dungannon Swifts supporters and players. Kris has been enthusiastic, honest and extrememly hardworking since the moment he came through the gates at Stangmore Park and we wish him every success for the future, as manager of our Football Club.
Kris has also taken the opportunity to confirm his back room staff for the reminder of this season (whenever that may be) and going forward. They will be Dixie Robinson, Jay Willis and Terry Fitzpatrick. Congratulations gentlemen and we also wish you every success working under Kris and for the good of DSFC. You can hear from all four below.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign an extension to my contract with the Club. We have a very talented group of players at the club with a lot of youth and the futures looking bright. I am really looking forward to continue to work with them and progress both on and off the pitch. Furthermore, I am delighted to confirm Dixie Robinson, Jay Willis and Choka (Terry Fitzpatrick) are continuing on in their roles within the first team set up. They are Dungannon swifts through and through and since they have stepped up to the first team, they have fitted in seamlessly and contributed massively to results and performances since the turn of the year.”Kris Lindsay
Left to right, Dixie Robinson, Jay Willis and Terry Fitzpatrick.
“As Head of Development at DSFC I am more than delighted to continue to help Kris (Lindsay), as part of his backroom staff. We were going well, playing some great football when the season took an unfortunate stop. Hopefully once all is resumed again we continue to pick up where we left off and move forward together. I thank Kris and Keith for the opportunity to continue to be involved in my Club, Dungannon Swifts. May I also take the opportunity to wish Jay and Choka, all the best in their roles.”Dixie Robinson
‘I’m delighted to be asked to stay on with the first team coaching staff. I had a year and a half with Dixie, Mark(Hegarty) and Tommy (Cardwell) with the Under 20s and in January was asked to come on board with the first team. I was made feel very welcome from day one and I can’t wait to start working again with this quality group of players, especially knowing the talent coming through from the 16s, 18s and 20s. I’m looking forward to the future with Dungannon Swifts” Jay Willis
“Being asked to stay on in the roll I’ve been doing from January time I had to think about it as the roll of U18s manager for the past 2 seasons with the club was so enjoyable and a great experience. Personally for me, it makes sense to stay on with the first team to gain more experience. Since big Jay and I have went into the roll Kris (Lindsay) has been brilliant with us, as the first team squad. It’s been really enjoyable which is very important and having worked with the the Dungannon Swifts academy I see the talent coming through. It’s great to see some already breaking into the squad. I’m really looking forward to the future with Dungannon Swifts.”Terry Fitzpatrick
DUNGANNON SWIFTS FC will pay tribute to The National Health Service by displaying The NHSlogo on the front of our playing shirts throughout the 2020/21 season. As a Club we have decided to show our thanks and support to everyone at the NHS who have been working, and continue to work, tirelessly for the good of us all. They are putting their own lives at risk, to ensure the care and support for those in need is provided to the best standards. This is just our small way of saying, thank you.
TMet will of course remain on our shirts for the remainder of the current season and we thank them for their continued support and sponsorship to DSFC.
Danske Bank and the NI Football League are calling for nominations for this season’s Danske Bank Premiership club SuperFans!
Whilst football is currently suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have the opportunity to reflect and reaffirm the importance of our clubs to their communities and supporters.
As we witness many charitable and good will causes being led by clubs, their boards, players and volunteers the NI Football League, in partnership with Danske Bank, want to recognise the lifeblood of our clubs – the supporters.
We want you to nominate a Danske Bank Premiership SuperFan and give them a chance to be acknowledged for their passion and commitment to their club, plus win a season ticket for the 2020/21 campaign.
Andrew Johnston, NI Football League Managing Director said: “Everyone loves the competitive nature of our league and the rivalry it offers but our clubs are also a reflection of our communities, the people they represent and the friendships they forge.
“It is these people, the fans, that make the Danske Bank Premiership so special and we are delighted to acknowledge our clubs most loyal supporters for the third year through the Danske Bank SuperFan Awards.”
Kevin Heavern, Head of Marketing, Danske Bank added: “We’re proud to support the Danske Bank Premiership SuperFan Awards again this year to recognise the effort and commitment of these valuable supporters. The passion of the Danske Bank Premiership fans is something special and they play a critical part bringing the sport to life at the games, on social media and at club level in local communities.
“At Danske Bank our engagement with the local community is an important aspect of who we are and we are delighted to be part of a sport that brings so many fans together with great passion.”
Nominees could be the loudest voice on the stands, the person who sticks by the club through thick and thin or maybe they work behind the scenes to make the club so very special.
To nominate your club SuperFan visit https://www.nifootballleague.com All we need to know is who you’re nominating, their club and why you think they deserve to be the next club SuperFan.
Nominations close at midnight on the 30 April 2020.
