I’vecometo theBluesto taste trophy joy: Campion
LINFIELD new boy Achille Campion says he’s joined the club to win trophies after his move from Cork City was confirmed last night.
The 27-year-old, who hails from Paris, will be with the Blues until June having agreed a shortterm deal with the Windsor Park side.
He made headlines back in November when he came off the bench at the Aviva Stadium in Cork’s FAI Cup final success, scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw before they went on to defeat Dundalk on penalties.
Campion also picked up a League of Ireland winner’s medal with Cork City last season, and he admitted that he wants more silverware before returning south.
“I’m delighted,” Campion commented on his move to the defending Gibson Cup champions.
“I’ve been speaking to David Healy a lot in the past and he convinced me.
“I’m very grateful to (Cork boss) John Caulfield for letting me go on loan to win some trophies, because that’s what I’m here for.”
It’s likely that the Frenchman won’t receive international clearance in time to feature in Saturday’s Irish Cup fifth round tie against Glebe Rangers, however he could make his debut in the Blues’ midweek game away to Carrick Rangers on January 9.
“I just want to get going and gel with the team and help any way I can to win,” Campion added.
It was long rumoured that the Blues had another striker lined up, and Campion joins Kurtis Byrne in making the move from the League of Ireland to the Irish League, the latter officially joining from St Pat’s Athletic on New Year’s Day having been announced last month.
The pair’s arrival also means Linfield have addressed what has been a problem issue for them so far this season up front, adding two more options alongside Andy Waterworth, Louis Rooney and Brandon Adams.
In Campion, Linfield have signed an experienced head, the powerful forward having had stints at Sligo Rovers and Port Vale along with brief spells in the lower leagues in Sweden and the USA.
“He’s a player we know well and have seen play live several times,” Linfield boss David Healy enthused.
“He will add experience and quality to the options available to us in our forward line and I’m really looking forward to starting to work with him in training.
“Our scouts have monitored his progress and he’s coming to us on the back of a very positive season, having helped them to a league and cup double.
Geared up: David Healy unveils Achille Campion as Linfield’s latest recruit at Windsor Park
“I can assure our supporters that we will continue to seek fresh faces for the challenges that lie ahead for us in our league and cup campaigns.”
Healy added: “I know our supporters will give Achille and Kurtis a warm welcome and I’ve been grateful to our board for the positive backing to our efforts to strengthen our squad as we aim to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can.”
Meanwhile, Danske Bank Premiership leaders Crusaders have also announced an arrival from the League of Ireland as
they strengthen their squad for the run-in.
Finn Harps midfielder Jonny Bonner has made the switch to Seaview, and will link up with Stephen Baxter’s side ahead of their Irish Cup tie against Maiden City on Saturday.
The Buncrana man, who plays in the centre of the park, has made 50 appearances for the Harps, starting 33 of those and scoring twice.
However, after the Donegal outfit were relegated from Ireland’s Premier Division, 26-yearold Bonner expressed his dissatisfaction
with his game time and asked for a move away.
Crusaders have also announced that defender Michael Kerr has gone on loan to Ballinamallard United until the end of the season.
The centre-back has struggled for game time behind established squad members such as Colin Coates, Howard Beverland and Mark McChrystal.
This will be the second time 19-year-old Kerr has gone on loan having spent the second half of last season at Ballymena United. WITH Irish FA president David Martin and NIFL managing director Andrew Johnston in the stands, the Bangor Fuels Arena delivered a tremendous advertisement for summer football.
With 50 minutes on the clock, referee Lee Tavinder abandoned the Danske Bank Premiership game between Ards and Glenavon.
The hurricane winds that swirled around the North Down ground rendered the game almost farcical, with the gales rattling the advertisement hoardings and blowing the corner flags out of the artificial turf.
Somehow, the majestic Joel Cooper had managed to score two fine goals to give Glenavon a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Cooper’s brace will give the Northern Ireland Football League something to think about as they now have three options.
The 2-0 result could be allowed to stand, the match could be replayed in full, or NIFL could order the game to restart at the point it was abandoned. NIFL will meet in due course to discuss the way forward.
In truth, Tavinder had no choice but to abandon the game. Minutes before his decision, the Ards PA announcer requested that spectators evacuate the main stand.
Ards chairman Brian Adams explained: “The stewards brought it to my attention that the stand on the roof was starting to move and that we had to evacuate the stand.
“We explained the situation to the match officials. At first the game continued, but then some of the advertising hoardings started to come loose and the lights flickered. At that stage, Lee Tavinder called the game off.
“I know Glenavon fans will be disappointed, but I don’t think the referee had any other choice.”