Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE ‘FIELD OF SCHEMES
Blues bring in Fenlon to build for future
LINFIELD outlined their vision for the future yesterday as they unveiled Pat Fenlon as the club’s new general manager. Former midfielder Fenlon, who won the league and two Irish Cups with the Blues during the 1990s, will have lead responsibility for all off-field activities at Windsor Park.
He will also work with the board of directors to plot the mid to long term future of the club.
Part of that vision could see the Blues eventually turning professional, a move that first-team manager David Healy would support. Fenlon said: “I am delighted to be here. I spent a bit of time here as a player and had a fantastic time. “There is a huge opportunity to develop the club further. That’s what excites me. The new stadium and training facilities are brilliant, and it is a great time to take Linfield forward.
“This is something for me to get my teeth into. There is massive potential at the club, there always has been. And it is about bringing it on and making it better.
That is my remit, and I am really looking forward to it.
“We need structures in place to take the club forward.
“Sometimes down south there was no plan when clubs went full-time. It was all a bit ad hoc. We need to have firm structures in place, but it is something that could happen.”
The former Shamrock Rovers and Republic of Ireland U23 boss carried out a similar role at Waterford in the League of Ireland.
“We have to maximise what we have now, and then look to the future,” the Dubliner added. “We want to bring the club forward, and bring together a strategic plan that benefits the club on and off the pitch.
“I have to maximise things off the pitch, and if that works well then that will help the manager.”
Healy (inset) has welcomed Fenlon’s arrival, and feels the idea of full-time football at Linfield could happen – if done right.
“Crusaders have put their wheels in motion, and Linfield have little bits of experience a number of years ago when it didn’t quite work out,” Healy said.
“But when you look at the size of the club and the potential of the club, it can certainly happen. But it won’t happen overnight. It won’t be an off-the-cuff decision because another club has done it.
“There will be a plan in place, and if it is going to happen, it might take time. But once the plans are in place, this club is big enough to ensure it is a long-term project.”