I’ll prove my desire still burns bright at Swifts, insists Carvill
Manager: Kris Lindsay
Captain: Seanan Clucas
Last season: Ninth
INS: Sam Johnston, Connor Byrne, Callum Byers, Dylan King, Craig Taylor, Michael Carvill and Ryan Waide.
OUTS: Alex Moore, Evan Moran, Jake Dykes, Christopher Hegarty, David Armstrong, Jarlath O’Rourke, Lee Upton (loan), James Ferrin, Grant Hutchinson and Johnny Lafferty
MICHAEL Carvill insists his hunger for success hasn’t lessened as he prepares for a new challenge with Dungannon Swifts.
The 31-year-old, who spent the latter part of the last campaign on loan at the Tyrone side, has made his move permanent.
A five-time title winner with Linfield and Crusaders, the forward will add experience to a young but talented side assembled by Kris Lindsay.
Carvill is realistic enough to admit that he will not be challenging for league honours this season, but he is quick to rubbish any suggestion a trophy-laden career is on the wind-down.
He said: “People might think, ‘Michael Carvill, 31, legs maybe getting a bit older, going to Dungannon to see it out’.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth. I believe I can still play and push on. Any idea that I’m coming here to play a few games for a nice club, that is not my frame of mind.”
A former Wrexham player, Carvill made more than 200 appearances in seven seasons with Linfield, where he won three of his league titles. After joining Crusaders in 2015, he lifted the Gibson Cup twice more. He has also tasted success in the Irish Cup and Co Antrim Shield.
Yet even after all that success, Carvill said he still feels he has a point to prove.
“I have always had that hunger, and always will,” he said. “Once you lose that desire to improve yourself, maybe it is time to step away. I’ve always had to prove myself. I love that — I love the challenge, the ups and downs that football brings.”
Dungannon finished ninth last season, overcoming a bad start — and the departure of head coach Rodney McAree — to finish comfortably clear of the bottom two.
Lindsay, preparing for his first full season in charge, has strengthened, bringing in a core of young, talented players.
YOUNG SQUAD MUST LEARN THE ROPES QUICKLY
Kris Lindsay has brought in a series of talented but young players, while two experienced defenders have departed. The likes of Sam Johnston, Dylan King and Callum Byers are all in their early 20s, and need to hit the ground running. Last term, Dungannon didn’t win any of their first seven league games. With the league more competitive than ever, they can’t afford a similar start.
They include goalkeeper Sam Johnston (23) and defender Callum Byers (22) from Ards, defender Dylan King (20) from Coleraine and ex-Annagh winger Craig Taylor (24).
Ryan Waide, a 19-year-old striker, has joined on loan from Linfield.
At 31, Carvill is the most experienced of the summer arrivals, and brings a winning mentality.
“In my mind, going into every game, I have always gone out thinking that we are going to win,” said Carvill. “It’s going to be the same at Dungannon, no matter who we play.
“Looking around Dungannon’s squad, there are some young players that are very talented.
“There is a lot of youth coming through, and you want to see that, but it’s only one thing being talented — to push onto the next level in the Irish League you have to go out and win games and take on the best players.” • GLENTORAN have signed former Holland Under-21 winger Elvio Van Overbeek.
The 25-year-old spent last season with Telstar in the second tier of Dutch football.
He started his career with PSV and has played over 170 senior matches in his home country.
He said: “I’m very happy to have joined Glentoran. The club has a great opportunity to really move up a level this year and next year. I’m here to try to win trophies and to play in Europe as soon as possible. Most importantly I’m really looking forward to playing and becoming part of the Glentoran family.”