You are heading into your third season in charge of Ballymena. How do you reflect on the first two seasons that you’ve been in charge so far? “I always knew that going into management would be a bit of a learning-on-the-job type of experience. “The experiences I’ve had from the moment I came in untilContinue reading “Jim Ervin on managing Ballymena United, lessons from his playing career and aiming high for the new season”
Tag Archives: Linfield
Daryl Fordyce: From Portsmouth to Canada via a memorable career in the Irish League with Glentoran and Linfield
You made a life-changing decision to move to Canada during your playing career in 2023 and you still remain there to this day where you are an assistant coach at Valour FC. What has the transition from player to coach been like for you in Canadian football? “It has been an incredible journey forContinue reading “Daryl Fordyce: From Portsmouth to Canada via a memorable career in the Irish League with Glentoran and Linfield”
NIFL Premiership 2025/26 Season Preview: Five Clubs To Watch
As the new NIFL Premiership season draws closer, anticipation is high following a summer of intriguing transfer moves and changes of ownership at several clubs. As ever, multiple teams across the league will be eyeing silverware – many of whom will be buoyed by Dungannon Swifts’ Irish Cup success last season, which proved that youContinue reading “NIFL Premiership 2025/26 Season Preview: Five Clubs To Watch”
Irish Premiership 2024/25 Season Review: Every Team Graded
By Dr Grant Campbell As another gripping season in the Irish Premiership comes to a close, I reflect on the highs, lows, surprises, and disappointments from across the league. From historic European achievements to title glory and the low of relegation, here’s how each of the 12 clubs fared, complete with their end-of-season grades. LinfieldContinue reading “Irish Premiership 2024/25 Season Review: Every Team Graded”
Ross Oliver on Building Success at Linfield and Working Alongside David Healy and George McCartney
Ross Oliver has been a central figure in Linfield’s footballing success over the last decade, working closely alongside manager David Healy to build a formidable partnership on and off the pitch. With league titles, youth development achievements, and new coaching opportunities with West Ham United, I sat down with him as he reflects on theContinue reading “Ross Oliver on Building Success at Linfield and Working Alongside David Healy and George McCartney”
Kieran Offord: The Young Scottish Striker Making an Impact in Irish Football
Kieran Offord’s burgeoning career has seen him emerge as an exciting young forward thanks to a prolific loan spell with NIFL Premiership side Crusaders. A product of St Mirren’s youth academy, in the first half of the 2024/25 season, Offord has netted 14 goals, including 10 in the league, displaying sharp finishing and an abilityContinue reading “Kieran Offord: The Young Scottish Striker Making an Impact in Irish Football”
Exclusive: Andrew Waterworth on goalscoring and overcoming adversity to work at the highest level
As the Head of Elite Player Development at the Irish FA, could you share what your role entails and how you’re finding the experience? “Formally, my role involves overseeing the elite player development pathway, which we’ve split into two phases. The first is the elite competition phase, which encompasses our senior team, U21s, and U19s—essentiallyContinue reading “Exclusive: Andrew Waterworth on goalscoring and overcoming adversity to work at the highest level”
Matthew Tipton on scoring goals in England, Irish League memories and representing Wales at international level
Reflecting on your playing career as a striker, during which you represented clubs like Oldham, Macclesfield, Mansfield, and Bury in English football, what are some of your standout memories or defining moments from that period? “Honestly, all of them. People often ask, “How can you have only good memories? There must have been some toughContinue reading “Matthew Tipton on scoring goals in England, Irish League memories and representing Wales at international level”
Callum McFadden 