Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JIM: PAL DAVY WAS QUICK TO SAY CONGRATS
HAVING spent the majority of his career working under David Jeffrey, Jim Ervin wasn’t surprised that his former boss was one of the first people to congratulate him on becoming Ballymena United’s new manager.
Ervin spent 16 years playing for the man he has now succeeded at the Showgrounds.
The 37-year-old, who has officially announced his retirement from playing, was appointed Sky Blues boss on Wednesday.
Ervin was the fans’ favourite to replace Jeffrey, who parted company with the Warden Street club earlier this month.
And despite having no previous managerial experience in the Irish League, the new man at the helm insists he is ready for the challenge.
“About 15 or 16 years of my career were spent playing under Davy and Bryan (Mclaughlin). They are two legends of the game, no question about it,” Ervin said.
“So they are big shoes to fill, no two ways about it.
“But it is a challenge I feel I am ready for at this moment in time, and I feel I am capable of doing it.
“I am not going to sit here and promise the world, because that would be silly.
“There is a lot of hard work needing done, and we will do it quietly on the training pitch.
“The one thing I can promise the fans is they will have a team to be proud of, because the players will be well tuned and ready to go.
“What I learnt from Davy, I could go on all day about.
“The only way I can show what I learnt is to put it into practice.
“Maybe if you come back in a year’s time and ask me, I can pinpoint everything.
“But it goes without saying that Davy gave me my opportunity in the Irish League.
“When he came on board at Ballymena United I captained the club to win the League Cup.
“So I will always be honoured and privileged for what Davy did for me.
“Now I am making the decisions he used to make, and hopefully I can carry a lot of his traits into my management.
“But I have my own style and stamp I am looking to impose and do things my way.”
Ervin revealed Jeffrey who guided Ballymena United to that historic first League Cup success in 2017 - was one of the first people to contact him following his appointment.
He said: “Davy has been in touch since it was announced, and so too has Bryan. And I didn’t expect anything less, to be honest with you.
“When you work for people like that for such a long time, they are not just your boss but they become your friends.
“We have often said that anything can happen in football, but you make friends for life.
“And they are very good friends for me. The messages I have received from David, Bryan and their families have been nothing but supportive.
“I am forever grateful for them.”