Pre season fixtures Fri 8th & Sat 9th July
Friday 8th July
AWAY v Magherafelt Sky Blues – Spires Park, Magherafelt. Kick Off 7pm
Saturday 9th July
AWAY v Portstewart FC – Mullaghacall, St Johns Close, Portstewart. Kick Off 2.30pm
Pre Season Fixtures Saturday 2nd July 2016
On Saturday 2nd July Dungannon Swifts squad will be split in half to play two different games.
Strathroy Harps v Dungannon Swifts XI, Omagh Leisure Centre. Kick off 2.30pm.
Enniskillen Rangers V Dungannon Swifts XI at Enniskillen Rangers ground (“The ball range” it’s on the Coa Road, small signpost for pitch up a lane) Kick Off 2.30pm.
Hope to see plenty of you there!
Boss McAree signs new three year deal
Swifts Chairman Keith Boyd with Head Coach Rodney McAree
Dungannon Swifts FC are delighted to announce that Head Coach Rodney McAree has signed a new three year contract to continue in the role until at least 2019.
McAree, a club legend as a player, took up the post in October 2015 following the departure of Darren Murphy, having previously served as First Team Coach, and steered the Swifts to a strong seventh place finish in the Danske Bank Premiership last season.
The Dungannon man, who had spells at Liverpool and Fulham as a player, has already been hard at work in the close season improving his squad, impressively securing the signatures of local players Christopher Hegarty and Seanan Clucas, both of whom came through the Dungannon United Youth set-up before going on to play club football across the water.
The long term contract for the Head Coach and these signings, as well as the recent contract announcements regarding a number of first team players, show the ambition of Dungannon Swifts to build on the success of last season and keep the club progressing on and off the pitch.
Dungannon Swifts Head Coach Rodney McAree said:
“I am delighted to have signed a 3 year deal with the club, it gives me confidence to know that the board have faith in what I’m doing, now it is my job to do my best for the club as we try to improve and target a major trophy!
“I’ve a supportive board, a great a set of players and super backroom staff and I’m committed for the next 3 years to try and achieve the maximum out of everyone involved, I’ll certainly be giving it everything I have got!”
Dungannon Swifts Chairman Keith Boyd said:
“I am very pleased that Rodney has agreed to remain as Dungannon Swifts Head Coach for the next three years. He has done a fantastic job since taking the job in October. The performances and results of the first team in the second half of the season were superb, and the club deservedly finished in a fine seventh place, with Rodney rightly recognised in receiving the NIFWA Manager of the Month in February.
“Rodney, his backroom staff and the committee have been working hard to improve the first team squad ahead of the new season, and have already secured some major signings in the likes of Chris Hegarty and Seanan Clucas, as well as the returns of Jamie Douglas and Stefan Lavery and the contract renewals of key members of the squad from last season.
“Rodney is Dungannon Swifts through and through, and is building a strong squad at Stangmore Park, with a great blend of youth and experience, and of quality players, many from the local area. He and his backroom staff have my full support, and the committee we will continue to work hard behind the scenes to ensure the club continue to compete at the highest level. I look forward to the upcoming season and ahead to the next three years.”
Striker returns from break away from football.
Talented Striker Jamie Douglas who is still under contract at the club has returned after a short break away from football and committed his immediate future with Dungannon Swifts. This s great positive news after the recent capture of the signatures of Hegarty and Clucas.
Head Coach McAree says
“I’m delighted, very happy and content with the panel of players I have now, good competitive options so looking forward to the start of the season. The hard work begins now! Jamie has all the ability and attributes to succeed, it’s our job to get the best out of him which I’ve no doubt we will!”
Welcome back Jamie and good luck!!
Striker Lavery signs two year deal.
Stefan Lavery returns from a highly rewarding loan spell at Armagh City to sign a new two year deal at Stangmore.
The striker who scored over 20 goals for Armagh last season comes back to Stangmore oozing wirh confidence and rightly so.
First Team Head Coach Rodney McAree is delighted to have the nippy forward back in Dungannon…
“Stefan is a great lad, always committed and he has had a great season with Armagh. I’m sure he’ll hit the ground running with ourselves and prove a big handful for oppositions defenders with his pace and energy!”
Welcome back to Stangmore Park Stefan and good luck.