Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT WILL SERVE US VERY WELL
Sky Blues skipper is delighted by deal to keep hold of Jeffrey
BALLYMENA United captain Jim Ervin believes David Jeffrey’s decision to commit his future to the club is a timely boost for the Sky Blues.
Jeffrey and trusted assistant Bryan Mclaughlin, who marked four years in charge a month ago, recently penned two year contract extensions until 2023.
And Ervin says the board’s decision to show faith in their management team at the tail end of a frustrating season will be welcomed in the
United changing room.
“It’s a positive move because it lets everyone know that there is stability at the club,” he said.
“There’s no getting away from it, it has been a hugely disappointing campaign but both David and Bryan know what has to be done moving forward.
“This gives them a sense of certainty that they’re going to be at Ballymena for another three years so they can plan ahead in terms of player recruitment.
“It allows them to look at who they want to bring in, not just short term but also long term, which is important. It lets them focus on long term targets as a club.”
While Ballymena have endured a league campaign to forget, Ervin is confident the Sky Blues will regroup and bounce back with Jeffrey (inset) at the helm.
The veteran defender, who joined United from Linfield in 2014, recently dismissed rumours one of the league’s most decorated managers had ‘lost the changing room’.
“When results are bad it doesn’t always square that things are bad behind the scenes,” he said.
“I know some supporters haven’t been happy, but as players and coaching staff, we’re also not happy with the way things have turned out this year.
“Knowing David and Bryan, they’ll be hurting more than anyone else at Ballymena and that’s not a case of me saying what has to be said as a captain. “I’ve known them a long time and I know how they react and the amount of work they put in and will continue to put in to put things right.”
While Ballymena recently tumbled to 10th in the Premiership, Ervin says it’s important to look at the wider impact of Jeffrey’s four years in charge.
The 57-year-old led the club to a first ever League Cup success in 2017 then a first runners-up finish in the league in 39 years last season.
On his watch, Ballymena have also secured European football twice in the past three years, earning in excess of £500,000 for the Showgrounds coffers in the process.
“David’s four years in charge have delivered a lot of highlights,” said Ervin. “This is possibly the first of those four years that things haven’t gone the way we wanted, but sometimes to reach the next level you have to endure a season like the one we’ve had.
“When football returns, as a group we have to focus on what needs to be done to get back to where we want.”