Twenty four year old Ryan Harpur has been handed the honour of being Dungannon Swifts FC Captain. Ryan from Portadown who is a driving Instructor by day (all you Swifts folk learning to drive, get in touch and he may do you a cheap deal!) is relishing the season ahead.
Harpur who signed for the Swifts in December 2011, along with the Friars brothers who have both since departed, is not a complete stranger to the role. “ I have been fortunate enough to Captain Northern Ireland at School boy and Under 17 level, which was a massive honour for me. Being Captain of the Swifts certainly comes as a big honour to me also.
Being crowned Captain of the Swifts at a relatively young age hasn’t put Ryan under pressure.
“I don’t feel any extra pressure at all having been given the role! It’s a football match at the end of the day and we have to enjoy it. It certainly does help though with winning games, makes it a smoother journey for everyone.
I don’t think it will difficult to lead such a young team as we have a lot of talented young players in our team with an excellent team spirit to go along with it! Everyone works hard for each other as a unit and as long as we continue to do that we will do ok.”
When asked if Ryan thought his job as a driving instructor would help him in motivating the boys on the pitch at all he replied saying,
“I’m not really sure. I’m not the type of character to stand roaring and shouting at people in the changing room! I will try to lead by example and maybe give the odd rollicking, when I feel it’s deserved!”
Ryan is hoping that with his own personal performances on the pitch he can lead by example and hopefully encourage the younger players in the squad.
“As I said I’m not the type to roar and shout and smash doors in but I hope to lead by example with my performances on the pitch and hopefully act as a good role model.”
“There isn’t really anyone I base myself on though I do love watching Barcelona and in particular Xavi and Iniesta! They both have great awareness of what goes on around them which makes them world class players!”
At a time when Ryan wasn’t enjoying his football at Glenavon, Dungannon Swifts came to his rescue and it’s been all uphill from then.
“I am truly honoured and delighted to have captained Dungannon Swifts to our first win in the opening game of the season in a number of years, home or away! Dungannon Swifts means a lot to me. I know a lot of people in and around the club which makes you want to do well for those people. They work hard off the pitch. Dungannon signed me at a time when I wasn’t really enjoying football, since then that has changed and that is down to the club, which I am forever grateful for.”
Despite having been appointed captain at DSFC, Ryan says his game won’t be affected,
“Nothing changes at all. I will do my best on the pitch and give 100% just like every other player in our time. That’s what makes a good Captain.”
As Swifts manager Darren Murphy has stated in the local press, that he doesn’t set targets, takes one game at a time, so that they don’t dwell on getting to those places. Captain Harpur is firmly sticking by his manager,
“If murph is saying nothing then so am I !”
Outside of football Ryan is known to unwind with the odd spot of golf, in fact some might say he may be the next best thing to Rory McElroy….
“I obviously love my golf as most of the lads know, so I try to get out as much as possible between lessons during the week. I’m also looking forward to playing in Dungannon Swifts Golf day on Friday 23rd August. If you haven’t already entered a four ball, get involved, should be a great day’s entertainment”.
As this is his first time speaking as Captain of Dungannon Swifts FC, Ryan has asked to pass on this message.
“I would just like to encourage all the fans to get out and support the team. I believe we have a good young team that can do well this year if we stick together and play football on the ground as it’s supposed to be done! Up the Swifts!”
As a club we would all like to wish Ryan every success as Captain of Dungannon Swifts F.C.
(This article was produced for our match day programme on Saturday 18th August).