DANNY IS IN DEMAND

Goal ace wanted by top Irish League clubs

DANNY Purkis admits his time at East Belfast could be drawing to a close with a trio of Irish League clubs chasing his signature.

The striker has been in scintillating form once again this season, netting an astonishing 46 goals before Christmas for the Premier Division contenders.

He took a rare day off goalscoring duties on Saturday, but still landed the man of the match award as Stephen Matthews’ men marched on in the Intermediate Cup with a 3-1 win at Dollingstown, courtesy of strikes from Lewis Irwin (2) and Nathan Mcveigh.

It’s four seasons now since Purkis last played in the country’s top flight having joined Glentoran as a teenager straight from 1st Bangor before leaving a few years later to return to the Amateur League with Abbey Villa.

He switched to East Belfast midway through the 2017/18 season, finishing that campaign with 49 goals, before adding another 64 to his name last season. To most observers and neutrals, he is the outstanding talent in the Amateur League – an explosive mix of pace, power and physicality which he allies to a natural prowess in front of goal. And now it would appear the gifted forward has outgrown East Belfast and the Amateur League for a second time.

Purkis was invited up to Larne last week and trained with Tiernan Lynch’s full-time outfit three times, impressing sufficiently to be offered a deal, while his old club Glentoran also made a late pitch for his signature, coming up with an offer of their own.

However, Match

On Tuesday understands Purkis has turned down both clubs as he considers an offer from a third Premiership side, rumoured to be Gary Hamilton’s Glenavon.

With his current club East Belfast naturally desperate to see him stay, the 24-year-old hitman was remaining tightlipped last night, save to say that he’s honoured to be so in-demand.

“I was down at Larne for them to have a look at me and it went very, very well,” said Purkis.

“They made an offer and so did Glentoran, they came in too, and to be honest,

I think it’s the right time to have another crack at the Irish League. I think I’m ready for it, I think I can go in there and score goals.”

Indeed, that is the key. Watching Purkis these days, he’s a different player to the shy youngster Glentoran had on their hands. He owns games and dominates players, albeit at a much lower level. Nevertheless, his record for the East speaks for itself with his goals helping power them to a Clarence and Steel Cup double last season. But if he’s been good for the club, he knows they’ve been good for him too. “Last time I was in the Irish League, I was too young,” he said.

“It was six years ago and when I look back at me six years ago from now, I was a different player.

“My confidence is flying high at the moment and as I tell people, the East have got me back to where I am now and I have all the coaching staff there to thank.”